KNOW JESUS OR NO JESUS?

Pope St. Sylvester I

1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123113.cfm

"You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, so that all knowledge is yours." -1 John 2:20

Today's Gospel reading directs our attention to Jesus, for it reveals that Jesus is:
   * the Eternal Word (Jn 1:1),
   * the Word Who is God (Jn 1:1),
   * the Word incarnate as a human being (Jn 1:14),
   * the Creator (Jn 1:3),
   * the Life (Jn 1:4; 14:6),
   * the Light (Jn 1:9; 8:12),
   * the "Christ," that is, the Anointed One, the Messiah (Jn 1:17),
   * the uniquely begotten Son of God (Jn 1:18), and
   * the Revelation of the Father (Jn 1:18; Heb 1:3) and the only Way to Him (Jn 14:6).

These verses beginning John's Gospel are only the beginning of knowing Jesus. "Absolute fullness reside(s) in Him" (Col 1:19). Spend this next year, the rest of your life, and eternity in knowing Jesus, for "eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ" (Jn 17:3). Know Jesus.


Prayer: Father, by Your grace may I end this year completely repentant, forgiving, forgiven, healed, freed, and obedient.

Promise: "Of His fullness we have all had a share - love following upon love." -Jn 1:16

Praise: Pope St. Sylvester believed so strongly in the power of fasting to overcome the strongholds of Satan that he proclaimed Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays as days of fasting for the Church.

"A CERTAIN PROPHETESS"

1 John 2:12-17, Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:36-40
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123013.cfm

"There was also a certain prophetess, Anna by name, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher." -Luke 2:36

Anna is probably the most unnoticed person of the first Christmas. When we think of Christmas, we remember Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Some people recall Herod, the Holy Innocents, and even Simeon. Yet who thinks of Anna, an old widow "constantly in the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer"? (Lk 2:37)

The life of Anna proclaims that life in Christ is worshiping Him in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23) through prayer and fasting (Lk 2:37). The life of Anna proclaims that life is to be an act of thanksgiving, a "eucharist." Anna witnesses to the life of evangelization, as we talk about the Christ Child to all who look forward to their deliverance (Lk 2:38).

Why is the prophetic witness of Anna often overlooked? Possibly Anna's life is giving us more truth than we want to hear. Maybe Anna gives us so true a meaning of Christmas that our Christmas celebrations show up for what they really are and are not.

This Christmas season, learn about Christmas, Christ, and life. Learn from an old woman, a prophetess. Learn from Anna.

Prayer: Father, this Christmas, teach me how to live.

Promise: "Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love has no place in him." -1 Jn 2:15

Praise: Valerie gave up a successful ministry of Scripture teaching and evangelization to care full-time for her aged mother.

HEROD IN YOUR HOME

Holy Family

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, Colossians 3:12-21, Psalm 128:1-5, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122913.cfm

"Herod is searching for the Child to destroy Him." -Matthew 2:13

Modern-day "Herods" are still searching for children to destroy them. These Herods gain entry to the home right under the nose of the parents, who are paralyzed or asleep on the watch. Once the new Herods gain access to the home, they soon attempt to take over formation of the children in that home.

This week, a priest told me that St. Teresa of Avila prophesied in the sixteenth century that evil would come into every home through a black "box." There are many such "boxes" in the modern home. Video games and cartoons often immerse children in violence. The child is gradually de-sensitized to human suffering, which can lead to violent attitudes and behaviors. Television is a major point of entry for modern Herods. Yes, there are godly TV channels and programs. Yet Herod constantly lurks, a mere thumb-click from infiltrating the child's mind and soul. Herod works through the Internet, "prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8). Herod enters a child's soul through his ears. Children listen to pagan music with ungodly lyrics for hours through black "boxes" such as i-pods, smart-phones, etc.

Parents, create a holy home environment. With God on your side, you can more than counteract the culture of death. Evict Herod from every room of your home. Welcome Jesus to take Herod's place. Make Jesus the Lord of your home. Your house is His, and He wants it to be "full" (Lk 14:23) of love and faith.

Prayer: Father, give parents the strength to "test everything; retain what is good" (1 Thes 5:21). May parents be holy in their conduct (1 Pt 1:15) so evil has no foothold in the home.

Promise: "Over all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect." -Col 3:14

Praise: "Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise" (Ps 96:7).

EXHAUSTIVE COMMITMENT

Holy Innocents

1 John 1:5-2:2, Psalm 124:2-5, 7-8, Matthew 2:13-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122813.cfm

"He is an Offering for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." -1 John 2:2

Today is the feast day of the Holy Innocents, the infants King Herod ordered slaughtered within two years following the appearance of the star to the Wise Men (Mt 2:16). The Church holds in the highest regard these innocent children, these martyrs. "They died not only for Christ, but in his stead" (St. Augustine, "Sermon 10 on holiness").

Are there innocent babies being aborted today, dying because of what we had done or maybe because of what we have not done? (see 1 Jn 1:8, 10; Mt 2:18)

Once I saw a photo of a statue of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and a donkey lying in a big heap, depicting their complete exhaustion in the effort to protect Jesus from being slain (cf Mt 2:13). The statue, which can be seen at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, is entitled, "The Holy Family Resting - The Flight into Egypt." According to the description, "this sculpture represents Jesus, Mary and Joseph struggling, against great obstacles, to foster family life and preserve their faith in a loving and merciful God."

Every one of us can certainly identify with the exhaustion of the Holy Family. Let us commit ourselves, with an eternal focus, to work to exhaustion to protect and proclaim the Gospel of Life.

Prayer: Father, give me the grace to work until exhaustion for You.

Promise: "If we say, 'We have never sinned,' we make Him a liar and His word finds no place in us." -1 Jn 1:10

Praise: The Holy Innocents were the first of countless witnesses to the only Holy One. They are a sign of hope for all those little ones who have died in the state of innocence.

THE REVOLUTION OF LOVE

St. John

1 John 1:1-4, Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12, John 20:1-8
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122713.cfm

"What we have seen and heard we proclaim in turn to you so that you may share life with us. This fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ." -1 John 1:3

God became man. People could hear, see, and touch Him, and thereby could relate to Him as a human being. After Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, we can now have an even more deeply personal and intimate relationship with Him by the Holy Spirit, through the Church, and especially through the Eucharist.

When we begin to grasp and experience "the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love" (Eph 3:18), His love becomes our life (see 1 Jn 1:1-3; Ps 63:4). His love compels us (2 Cor 5:14) to proclaim the good news of Jesus (1 Cor 9:16) and "make disciples of all the nations" (Mt 28:19). His love leads us even to lay down our lives for the Lord and for each other (Jn 15:13; 1 Jn 3:16). Because of this love, we become another Mary at the foot of the cross, Mary Magdalene at Jesus' tomb, and John at Pentecost. God's incarnate love has changed our life and has become our life.

Are you ready for a Christmas which will be a catalyst for a revolution of love in your life? The love you receive in this Christmas season may result in evangelization, reconciliation, service, discipleship, Calvary, Pentecost, and heaven. Are you ready for true love and the real Christmas?

Prayer: Father, may I receive Your love as never before.

Promise: "The disciple who had arrived first at the tomb went in. He saw and believed." -Jn 20:8

Praise: St. John was the only apostle who stood at the foot of Jesus' cross (Jn 19:26).

HE'S GOT THAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

St. Stephen

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17, Matthew 10:17-22
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122613.cfm

"Into Your hands I commend my spirit; You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God." -Psalm 31:6

St. Stephen, "of whom the world was not worthy" (Heb 11:38, RSV-CE), modeled perfect discipleship and testified to God's all-consuming love. The deacon Stephen (Acts 6:4-6) knew he was called to be a servant: "Those who serve well as deacons gain a worthy place for themselves and much assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus" (1 Tm 3:13). Beyond dedicated and selfless service, Stephen displayed sacrificial, crucified love. "There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:13).

Are we willing to boldly proclaim to the world that we are a disciple of the risen Jesus? Will we cry out with Stephen: "Look!...I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand"? (Acts 7:56) Humanly, it is impossible to muster up the courage to praise and pray in this way. Nonetheless, "do not be afraid" (Acts 18:9). Jesus and the Father have sent a "Counselor, the Holy Spirit," to help you (Jn 14:26, RSV-CE). "The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech" (Rm 8:26).

Jesus therefore tells us, His unworthy disciples, "When they hand you over, do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it. When the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. You yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you" (Mt 10:19-20). With St. Stephen, "receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22), the true Christmas spirit.

Prayer: Father, fill me with Your "grace and power" (Acts 6:8). I put my words and my life in Your hands (Ps 31:6).

Promise: "Whoever holds out to the end will escape death." -Mt 10:22

Praise: Those who debated with St. Stephen "proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke" (Acts 6:10).

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

Christmas

Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-6, Psalm 98:1-6, John 1:1-18

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122513.cfm

"Hark! Your watchmen raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion." -Isaiah 52:8

"Mary" Christmas! Alleluia! Christ our Savior is born. On this Christmas morn many throughout the world have almost nothing and live in abject poverty. They live in conditions similar to the first Christmas. There is no room for them in the inn (Lk 2:7). Yet there is room for all of us in the kingdom of the Christ-Child. We may be rejected by man and despised by the world, but no one who comes to Jesus will He ever reject (Jn 6:37).

"O come all ye faithful...O come let us adore Him." "The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all" (Ti 2:11). "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy" (Ti 3:4-5).

Come to Jesus. Receive salvation. "You who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come" (Is 55:1). Come to Jesus, "all you who are weary and find life burdensome" (Mt 11:28), and He will refresh you. Come "to Bethlehem and see this event" (Lk 2:15). "This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Praise, praise, and give Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary."

Prayer: Jesus, on this Christmas Day, I come to You. I repent of my sins and give You the Christmas present of my life. I accept You as my Lord and Savior.

Promise: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father, filled with enduring love." -Jn 1:14

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, Son of God, for becoming a human being like us in everything but sin. Thank You, Jesus! Alleluia!

"LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT"(Cardinal John Henry Newman)

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Luke 1:67-79
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122413.cfm

"He, the Dayspring, shall visit us." -Luke 1:78

Zechariah hadn't been able to talk for nine months. So he had plenty of time to think about what he would say if he ever talked again. After Zechariah was miraculously healed and filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied, that is, he said what God was saying (Lk 1:67). At the end of this prophecy of prophecies, Zechariah called Jesus "the Dayspring," the Dawn, Who "shall visit us in His mercy, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Lk 1:78-79). Jesus is the merciful Dawn, the Shining Light, Who guides us from the darkness and death of sin into the way of peace.

Zechariah's prophecy was confirmed by the angels at the birth of Christ, the first "Christmas," when a multitude of the heavenly host announced that Jesus' birth meant glory in heaven and peace on earth (see Lk 2:13-14).

Jesus' birth and life was "for the light of men" (Jn 1:4). Jesus is first our dawning Light (see Jn 8:12), then He is our Peace (Eph 2:14). If our Christmas lights are guiding lights leading us to peace, then we have the true meaning of Christmas. "Lead, kindly Light."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, dawn on me; lead me home.

Promise: "The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness. For You have said, 'My kindness is established forever.' " -Ps 89:2-3

Praise: Louise prayed for years for her only son to become a priest. Now he's a Franciscan missionary.

Fwd: PURIFIED, PRAISING PRIESTS - One Bread, One Body, 12/23/2013

St. John of Kanty

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14, Luke 1:57-66
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122313.cfm


"He will purify the sons of Levi." -Malachi 3:3

Two days before Christmas, the Church reads to us from Malachi the prophet. Malachi prophesied to priests, calling them to greater holiness and leadership in worship and instruction (Mal 1:6; 2:1, 6-7). Malachi foretells that priests, that is, "the sons of Levi," will be refined in fire "like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord" (Mal 3:3).
Zechariah was a priest (Lk 1:5). He was struck mute because of his disbelief in God's good news to him (Lk 1:20). When Zechariah the priest obeyed God's prophecy, his mouth was opened and he began to praise God (Lk 1:63-64). This purified, praising priest had a great impact on all who saw him, as they all reverenced God (Lk 1:65-66).
Though ordained priests are called to purification and greatness before Christmas, religious and lay Christians, including parents, are not off the hook. Parents share a baptismal priesthood (Catechism, 1546; 1 Pt 2:5, 9) and are in that sense "priests" of their domestic church, their home (see Catechism, 1666). God is purifying all baptized Christians. All are called to submit to God's purification and open their mouths to proclaim God's praise (Ps 51:17).
Ordained and baptismal priests, let God purify you right now, even if it's painful and inconvenient. These last two days before Christmas are perhaps the busiest time for a priest, but purification and praise are high on God's Christmas list.


Prayer: Father, I surrender my Christmas plans to You. Use me any way You will so that many will glorify You this Christmas.

Promise: "Suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord Whom you seek." -Mal 3:1

Praise: "O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God."

SILENT NIGHT

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 24:1-6, Matthew 1:18-24
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122213.cfm

"Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife." -Matthew 1:20

With all the noise and hype of Christmas, Jesus the Christ has a hard time being noticed. A baby, however, usually can attract some attention, even if overshadowed by Madison Avenue and Santa Claus. Even Mary having a baby in a stable will at least get an honorable mention. Additionally, the shepherds and the kings quaintly fit our desire for fantasy.

However, Joseph just doesn't rate. For one thing, he's quiet. In fact, we don't have even one word of Joseph recorded in Scriptures. He's described as "an upright man" (Mt 1:19). That's certainly not a newsworthy story. He just doesn't fit into a commercialized Christmas. That's just the person we need: someone to quiet us down and make us realize we've been chosen out of this world (Jn 15:19).

Therefore we too shouldn't fit so easily into the world's commercialized Christmas. We live in a culture which has everything but quiet peace and uncompromised commitment. Jesus wants to give us a "Joseph-Christmas" present. "For when peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful Word from heaven's royal throne bounded" (Wis 18:14-15). Maybe if Christmas became more of a "silent night," it might become a more holy one.

Prayer: Lord, quiet my soul like a weaned child on its mother's lap (Ps 131:2).

Promise: "...the gospel concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh but was made Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness, by His resurrection from the dead." -Rm 1:3-4

Praise: "O King of all the nations, the only Joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature You fashioned from the dust."

I WANT YOU (see 2 Cor 12:14)

December 20, 2013

Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122013.cfm

"The virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." -Isaiah 7:14

Christmas is Jesus' birthday, and the only birthday present He needs is the gift of our lives. The Lord owns everything, but He's given us a free will. We can choose or refuse to belong to Him.

This Christmas Jesus wants us to present ourselves to Him, not as defective merchandise but as "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27). He calls us to present our "bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable" (Rm 12:1). He wants us to wish Him a "Mary" Christmas.

We will be an acceptable gift to Jesus if we do not fear (Lk 1:30), let the Holy Spirit come upon us and the power of the Most High overshadow us (Lk 1:35), and let it be done to us according to God's Word (Lk 1:38). The Lord can make us holy as He is holy (1 Pt 1:16), "for nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).

Jesus needs no gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2:11). Nonetheless, He does desire what these gifts ultimately represent: a life laid down for Him out of love. Give Him His birthday present this Christmas. He wants you.

Prayer: Jesus, I belong to You. I love You. I live for You. I am Yours.

Promise: "You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus. Great will be His dignity and He will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and His reign will be without end."  -Lk 1:31-33

Praise: "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom."

SKEPTICAL OR WELL-DISPOSED?

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25, Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17, Luke 1:5-25

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121913.cfm

"Zechariah...your prayer has been heard." -Luke 1:13

When God finally answers your deepest prayer after a long period of silence, do you believe it or are you skeptical? Are you a person who is "well-disposed" to the Lord? (Lk 1:17) Or have you just "disposed" of your long-time prayer request, figuring that God said "No" (rather than "Not yet"). When the Lord is silent for years, even decades, do you grow bitter or grow better?

Simeon and Anna waited for the Lord for decades, and when the day came that their long-desired prayers were answered, they were ready (Lk 2:27ff, 38). The Blessed Virgin Mary was ready and well-disposed in docility to the Lord when her moment came (Lk 1:38). Manoah and his wife were likewise ready (Jgs 13:2ff). When God called Abraham, his first response was "Ready!" (Gn 22:1) The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zechariah were not ready when their prayers were answered even though, as lifetime religious, they were in a prime position to be ready for God.

The way to be ready for God's answered prayer is to be ready every moment of every day. Years of practice of becoming like a little child before God helps us to be ready when He answers, never doubting His saving power and His loving-kindness. That's why God sends babies as answers to prayer (Jgs 13:3; 1 Sm 1:19ff; Lk 1:13). The Lord makes all things new and fresh, and babies make that clear to all.

Each day, "acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking" (Eph 4:23). Resist developing a hard, skeptical heart. Let the Infant Jesus "open wide your" heart (2 Cor 6:13).

Prayer: "You are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth" (Ps 71:5).

Promise: "Joy and gladness will be yours." -Lk 1:14

Praise: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a Sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in Your presence; the nations bow down in worship before You. Come, let nothing keep You from coming to our aid."

PEACE IN THE STORMS OF CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, Matthew 1:18-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121813.cfm


"The angel of the Lord appeared in a dream and said to him: 'Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife.' " -Matthew 1:20

The Christmas carol, "Silent Night," pictures Christmas as "silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright." However, this is the exception rather than the rule, for Christmas by God's standards is rarely calm. In today's first reading, the Church intimates that Christmas is better than the whole Israelite nation being freed from slavery in one night and from exile after a generation of captivity (Jer 23:7-8). In other words, Christmas is better than two of the most amazing events in salvation history. Christmas may not only be better but even more earth-shaking. The Church uses John the Baptizer's words to describe Christmas as the after-effect of mountains being uprooted and valleys filled (Lk 3:5).
The first Christmas for Joseph was certainly a complete upheaval of his plans to take Mary as his wife and raise a family. The first Christmas for Mary was anything but calm, forced as she was to give birth to God in a barn (see Lk 2:7). Any calm associated with Christmas is usually the lull before the storm. For example, after Mary and Joseph were beginning to get over the trauma of the circumstances of Jesus' birth, they had to flee to Egypt (Mt 2:13).
At the first Christmas, the angels sang of peace on earth (Lk 2:14). This was peace in the most upsetting of circumstances, peace "beyond all understanding" (Phil 4:7). This is the peace of Christmas.


Prayer: Father, thank You for shaking me up. I trust You.

Promise: " 'The virgin shall be with Child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call Him Emmanuel,' a name which means 'God is with us.' " -Mt 1:23

Praise: "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free."

THE $64,000 QUESTION

December 16, 2013

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17, Psalm 25:4-9, Matthew 21:23-27

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121613.cfm

"Jesus answered: 'I too will ask a question. If you answer it for Me, then I will tell you on what authority I do the things I do. What was the origin of John's baptism?' " -Matthew 21:24-25

The religious leaders of Jesus' time refused to accept John the Baptizer's invitation to repent. About three years later, Jesus challenged them. He would not answer their question until they answered His question about John's baptism.

Perhaps three (or thirty-three) Christmases ago, we may have refused the invitation to repent. We thought Jesus would eventually go on to another subject, but He didn't. We can try to change the subject, but it won't do any good. Jesus insists we repent. He does not want us to live in sin and go to hell. He does not want His blood shed in vain.

Repent. Go to Confession. If we don't do it now, Jesus will bring it up again and again, even on our deathbeds. If we answer His question on repentance, then Jesus will answer our questions. We'll experience His authority and power (Mt 21:23). We'll enter a new dimension of faith and life. If we only knew what we were missing by not repenting...

Prayer: Jesus, may I make one of the best confessions of my life in the next few days.

Promise: "A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel." -Nm 24:17

Praise: Anna's doctor said she couldn't have children. She prayed through each pregnancy and has three healthy children.

Fwd: COME ON - One Bread, One Body, 12/15/2013

Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:6-10, Matthew 11:2-11
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121513.cfm


"The Judge stands at the gate." -James 5:9

You're ready for any of Christ's comings or for none of them. For example, if you're ready for His final coming, you're ready for His Christmas coming and for His coming at your death. If you say you're ready for Christmas, but aren't ready for death and judgment, you're deceiving yourself. You're not ready for the real Christmas. You're either ready for Jesus in every way, or you're not ready.
"Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, He comes with vindication; with divine recompense He comes to save you" (Is 35:4). Jesus is coming not to condemn but to save (Jn 3:17). If you're looking forward to His Christmas coming, you can be joyfully anticipating His coming in death and judgment. It will be so good that it's hard to wait for it, but be patient "until the coming of the Lord" (Jas 5:7).
At least you can speed Jesus' Second Coming up by repentance, evangelization, and intercession (2 Pt 3:12). "He Who is to come" is coming (Mt 11:3). Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Christmas. Come, death. Come, judgment. Come, Jesus. "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!' Let him who hears answer, 'Come!' " (Rv 22:17)


Prayer: Jesus, may I yearn for Your coming because I love You.

Promise: "The blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life, and the poor have the good news preached to them. Blest is the man who finds no stumbling block in Me." -Mt 11:5-6

Praise: Praise Jesus, risen Lord and only Way to the Father! (Jn 14:6)

ELIJAH, JOHN, ?, AND CHRIST

St. John of the Cross

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, Matthew 17:9-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121413.cfm

"The disciples put this question to Him: 'Why do the scribes claim that Elijah must come first?' " -Matthew 17:10

Before Jesus comes this Christmas, at death, or at the end of the world, Elijah must come. Elijah has come through the ministry of John the Baptizer (Mt 17:12-13). Elijah will come through someone who will prophetically call us to repentance, reconciliation (especially in our families) (Sir 48:10), and to making disciples (Sir 48:8; 1 Kgs 19:19).

The new Elijah and John the Baptizer will say just what we need to hear, but not what we want to hear. We will be tempted to do as we please with him or her (Mt 17:12). We will feel like ignoring, arguing with, or even attacking this person sent by the Lord to prepare His way this Christmas time (see Mt 21:34ff). If we repent rather than doing what we want, if we take up our daily cross and follow the Lord as His disciples (Lk 9:23), we will have accepted the ministry of Elijah. Then Jesus will have a straight way into our lives this Christmas.

Come, Elijah! Come, repentance, reconciliation, and the daily cross of discipleship! Come, Emmanuel! Come, Lord Jesus! Come, O Christ of Christmas!

Prayer: Father, do whatever it takes to lay low the mountain of sin in my life (Is 40:4).

Promise: "How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours? You brought a dead man back to life from the nether world, by the will of the Lord." -Sir 48:4-5

Praise: St. John of the Cross was especially devoted to Jesus as the Suffering Servant.

O MY! O NO! O.K. O BOY! O-BEY!

St. Lucy

Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121313.cfm

"If you would hearken to My commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea." -Isaiah 48:18

At Vespers (Evening Prayer) on the last eight days of Advent, the Church traditionally prays the "O Antiphons." We cry out to Jesus: "O Wisdom," "O Rod of Jesse," "O Emmanuel," etc. I suggest another "O Antiphon," that is, "O-bedience," the theme of today's Scripture readings. The Lord is commanding us to obey Him (Is 48:18) and not be selfish, disobedient brats (Mt 11:16ff).
The Christian life is "a life of obedience" (1 Pt 1:2). If we don't obey God, we don't have life in the Spirit (Acts 5:32). If we don't obey Him, we don't love Him (Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 5:3; see 1 Pt 1:22). If we don't obey God, we don't believe in Him (Jn 3:36; Rm 1:5). If we don't obey Him, we will not have life but must endure God's wrath (Jn 3:36).
If Mary had not obeyed, she would not have been the mother of God. If Jesus had not obeyed, He would not have become a human being and died on the cross to save us (Phil 2:8). Jesus' obedience destroyed the reign of sin (see Rm 5:21) and brought justification to all people (Rm 5:19).
As we near Christ's Christmas coming, the Lord is calling us to obey Him as never before, to break new ground in obedience, and to be pioneers in obedience. The Lord wants us to be the first in our city, parish, family, business, or neighborhood to obey in all areas of His plan for us. Obey now; obey for the first time; obey first; obey all His commands. Live a life of obedience.


Prayer: Father, everyone obeys some of Your commandments. However, may I decide to live a life of complete obedience.

Promise: "I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." -Is 48:17

Praise: St. Lucy's life was miraculously spared several times before the Lord gave her the crown of martyrdom.

THREE ADVENT PEOPLE

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Zechariah 2:14-17, Judith 13:18-19, Luke 1:39-47
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121213.cfm


"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." -Luke 1:46

Mary and Elijah both were taken up into heaven (see Sir 48:9). They both were used by God to bring about the conversion of a whole nation (see 1 Kgs 18:39). Furthermore, Mary and Elijah both prepared the way of the Lord - Mary as God's mother and Elijah as His prophet (Mt 17:10ff). To be prepared for Christ's Christmas-coming, we need Mary to mother and nurture us. When she visits us, we will feel new life quicken within us and be filled with the Holy Spirit, the only authentic Christmas Spirit (see Lk 1:41).
To be prepared for Christmas, we also need Elijah and John the Baptizer, the new Elijah (Mt 17:13). He will deepen our faith by proclaiming God's Word to us. We will be convicted of our sins. The hearts of fathers will turn back to their sons (Sir 48:10) and all will be reconciled, forgiving, and forgiven. Thus mountains of doubt, unforgiveness, and resentment will be moved and the way of the Lord made straight.
Mary, Elijah, and John the Baptizer are the heart of Advent. Because there can be no true Christmas without Advent, we need to meet these three Advent people soon.


Prayer: Father, may I meet Our Lady of Guadalupe, Elijah, and John this Advent.

Promise: "See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord." -Zec 2:14

Praise: Our Lady of Guadalupe used a peasant and his bishop to convert a continent.

"HOW LONG, O LORD?"

Pope St. Damasus I

Isaiah 40:25-31, Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, Matthew 11:28-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121113.cfm

"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength." -Isaiah 40:31, RSV-CE

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prv 13:12). Sometimes it is very difficult to have to wait so long for God's plan to unfold. Did you ever feel that you might die before the situation improves? Yet "the Lord does not delay in keeping His promise - though some consider it 'delay' " (2 Pt 3:9). "If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late" (Hab 2:3).

How do we wait for something we need so badly, something we know for certain is God's will, and something that we just can't live another day without? We must wait patiently and confidently, not complaining. To do otherwise would be to insult God by displaying a lack of faith in His ability to deliver. We renew our strength by "waiting" for the Lord (Is 40:31, RSV-CE).

The Hebrew word translated as "wait" or "hope" in Isaiah 40:31 can mean to twist together, as cords of a rope are intertwined. In our waiting, then, we wrap ourselves around the Lord and He wraps Himself around us. When discouraging forces pull at us, we are not pulled apart. Instead, like strands of a rope, we and the Lord are pulled more tightly together and grow in strength. We never "come to the end of our rope" because the Lord has roped us tightly into His presence.

"Hence do not grow despondent or abandon the struggle" (Heb 12:3). Stay focused on Jesus (Heb 12:2) and confident in Him. Don't even move an inch out of your position of hope. "Look out that you yourselves do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full" (2 Jn 8).

Prayer: Father, I will be still and know that You are God (Ps 46:11). I will hope in silence for Your saving help (Lam 3:26).

Promise: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you." -Mt 11:28

Praise: Pope St. Damasus worked for the reconciliation of schismatics and heretics so that the Church might be one.

COMFORT

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13, Matthew 18:12-14
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121013.cfm


"Comfort, give comfort to My people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem." -Isaiah 40:1-2

The Lord wants to comfort His people. This comforting is brought about by three cries. The first cry is: "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!" (Is 40:3) Mammoth changes in the terrain of our lives must be made before the Lord will come (see Is 40:4). This is hardly a comforting thought.
The second cry is: "All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field" (Is 40:6). In other words, all human beings are fragile and close to death. The Lord has a strange way of comforting us, doesn't He?
The third cry is: "Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God" (Is 40:9-10). Finally, we get the comfort promised. The facts are: "We have major problems and don't have the power to do much about them." The comforting good news is: "God is here!" Emmanuel, "God is with us," has come to us with His saving power (Mt 1:23). We have no further misfortunes to fear (Zep 3:15). He has saved us. The Lord is here!
"Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!" (Is 40:9)


Prayer: Father, may we "comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from [Jesus]" (2 Cor 1:4).

Promise: "It is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief." -Mt 18:14

Praise: As he suffered in bed with cancer, Clint drank liquor and watched pornographic movies. A caring neighbor called a priest. Clint had not practiced his faith for over thirty years. The priest talked to Clint and encouraged him to make a full Confession. After celebrating the Sacrament of Confession, the priest gave him Holy Communion and administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A few hours later, Clint suddenly died, fully reconciled with God.

BLIND MAN'S BLUFF

St. Nicholas

Isaiah 29:17-24, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, Matthew 9:27-31
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120613.cfm

"Two blind men came after [Jesus]." -Matthew 9:27

The Church repeatedly reads to us from the Bible about being blind and being healed from blindness by Jesus. Our first reaction to this may be that of the Pharisees: "You are not calling us blind, are You?" (Jn 9:40) Jesus' response to that question is: "Yes, I'm calling you blind, blinded by sin, and I'm commanding you to repent both of blinding yourself (see Is 29:9) and of denying your spiritual blindness."

Jesus doesn't "beat around the bush." He bluntly calls sin "sin" and acts like God in demanding we repent. We can react to Jesus' candor as did the Pharisees. We can blindly try to kill the only One Who can heal blindness, or we can confess our denial, see our blindness, and cry out to Jesus: "Son of David, have pity on us!" (Mt 9:27) Then Jesus will touch our eyes, and we will be healed.

There are Christmas presents, and then there are Christmas presents. We can receive presents worth $5 or $5,000, or ones which are priceless. Healing from spiritual blindness is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive. This healing is even more valuable than a healing from physical blindness, as great as that is. Repent, open your Christmas present, and open your spiritual eyes.

Prayer: Jesus, "I want to see" (Mk 10:51).

Promise: "Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see." -Is 29:18

Praise: St. Nicholas was a saintly monk before God raised him to abbot, archbishop, and saint. He set a standard for giving gifts of generosity and freedom.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

St. Francis Xavier

Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17, Luke 10:21-24
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120313.cfm


"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him." -Isaiah 11:2

As we begin Advent, the Church directs our attention to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jesus, and He "rejoiced in the Holy Spirit" (Lk 10:21). Jesus calls us also to be "Spirit-filled." Those of us who have received Baptism and Confirmation have received the Spirit. However, all of us have stifled, quenched, saddened, and grieved the Spirit by our sins (1 Thes 5:19; Eph 4:30).
As we begin this new Church year, we must let the Spirit be stirred into flame in our lives (2 Tm 1:6). We do this by repenting of sin and asking for a renewal of our life in the Spirit. After we have stopped stifling the Spirit and have been renewed, we should ask the Lord for a completely new movement of the Spirit in our lives. We have only begun to receive the Spirit's infinite graces. There's always so much more, always something new.
Pray with the Apostles: "Grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the name of Jesus, Your holy Servant" (Acts 4:29-30). After that prayer, like Jesus' early disciples, we will be filled in a new way with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 4:31). Receive the Holy Spirit again, now, and anew.


Prayer: Father, stir up in me wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, and fear of the Lord. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

Promise: "Blest are the eyes that see what you see." -Lk 10:23

Praise: St. Francis allowed himself to be a messenger of God's love by constantly and sacrificially ministering to the poorest of the poor in India, Sri Lanka, and Japan.

IT'S TIME

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122:1-9, Matthew 24:37-44
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120113.cfm

"You know the time in which we are living." -Romans 13:11

Do you know what time it is? It's the first day of the Church year, the beginning of Advent, a time to prepare for Christ's coming. "It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near" (Rm 13:11-12). "Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming" (Mt 24:42).

When Jesus came the first time almost everyone missed Him. They were expecting a Messiah, but not one like Him. The same thing will occur when Jesus comes the last time. "The coming of the Son of Man will repeat what happened in Noah's time. In the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Mt 24:37-39).

Jesus is coming to us this Christmas - not in His physical body but nonetheless in a very real way. If we are awake and open to His coming this Christmas, we will have reason to believe we will be prepared for His final coming. "You must be prepared in the same way. The Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect" (Mt 24:44).

It's time to wake up and open up to Jesus. It's time to meet the Savior before we meet the Judge. It's time to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh" (Rm 13:14). It's time.

Prayer: Lord, as we begin a new Church year, begin something new in my relationship with You. I give my life to You.

Promise: "In days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills." -Is 2:2

Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus. You gave Your all so that You could be our All. "I will extol You, O Lord, for You drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me" (Ps 30:2).

NETWORK DIFFICULTY

St. Andrew

Romans 10:9-18, Psalm 19:8-11, Matthew 4:18-22
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/113013.cfm

"They immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers." -Matthew 4:20

Andrew brought people to Jesus. He brought his brother Simon (Jn 1:40-42) and the young boy with five loaves and two fish (Jn 6:8-9) to Jesus. When some Greeks asked Philip to bring them to Jesus, Philip asked Andrew what to do (Jn 12:20-22). This may imply Andrew was known for bringing people to Jesus.

How many people have you had at least a part in bringing to Jesus in the last year? Like Andrew, are you known for bringing people to Jesus? Many of us have not had a good year in fishing for men and women (see Mt 4:19). We may be hardly known as Christians, much less as evangelists who bring people to Christ.

To rectify this situation, we need to do what Andrew did before he brought even one person to Christ. First of all, Andrew left his nets (Mt 4:20). To bring people to Christ, we must leave behind a "net-work" of attitudes, habits, and patterns which limit our opportunities and effectiveness in proclaiming Jesus. For example, many Christians have the attitude that our relationship with Jesus is a private matter. Most have the habit of talking about the news with no reference to Jesus. We all have patterns of disobedience in our lives where we repeatedly ignore Christ's command to witness. We must repent and change patterns of selfishness into patterns of evangelization.

Prayer: Father, recycle me so I can win as many people to Christ as possible (1 Cor 9:19).

Promise: "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." -Rm 10:9

Praise: St. Andrew led the first pope to Jesus (Jn 1:40-42).

THE BATTLE OF THE FLESH

Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112913.cfm


"Up, devour much flesh." -Daniel 7:5

During yesterday's Thanksgiving feast, many obeyed the command to devour much flesh (Dn 7:5). We hear Jesus' command to not become bloated (Lk 21:34), lest by devouring too much flesh and drink, we starve our souls by overindulging our desires (Prv 13:19). When we constantly indulge our flesh, we then "feed the beast" (see Dn 7:7ff). Our fleshly nature is never satisfied; it always wants more. It cannot be tamed. The Lord teaches us that the proper way to deal with our fleshly nature is not through education, self-control, or self-gratification; instead, we must crucify our flesh (Gal 5:24; 6:14; Rm 6:6; Col 3:5).
When enough people in a nation feed their fleshly nature, it becomes a nation of the flesh, that is, an ungodly, pagan nation. Today many nations are devouring "much flesh" in the holocaust of abortion. Those nations resemble the beast of today's first reading, which speaks in arrogance and lives only to crush and trample (Dn 7:7). How can such a nation be converted to godliness?
God has devised an ingenious plan to win the battle for the flesh. He commands us: "Up, devour much flesh" (Dn 7:5). The flesh that God gives us to eat is the eucharistic body of Jesus, Who says: "Let Me solemnly assure you: if you do not eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has life eternal, and I will raise Him up on the last day" (Jn 6:53-54). Go to Mass frequently, daily if possible. Eat the flesh of the eucharistic Jesus, win the battle of the flesh, and make your nation holy.


Prayer: Father, when I receive Jesus in the Eucharist, His flesh renews my flesh. I give You thanks and I give You my life in return.

Promise: "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass." -Lk 21:33

Praise: Robert's mother's prayers were answered twenty years later when he returned to Confession.

FEAR, FAITH, AND THE END OF THE WORLD

Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Luke 21:20-28

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112813.cfm


"Men will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth." -Luke 21:26

On this Thanksgiving Day, the Lord reminds us of the last day, which can be the worst day in history or the greatest Thanksgiving Day. At the very end, people will be so stressed out that they will drop dead because of fear. However, we who love the Lord will "have confidence on the day of judgment; for our relation to this world is just like His (1 Jn 4:17). The Lord will make "all things work together for the good of those who love Him" (Rm 8:28).
This promise especially applies to the end of the world. When the world ends, we will have reason to thank the Lord, stand up straight, and raise our heads high, for our ransom will be near at hand (Lk 21:28). When the world ends, Jesus will return and we will be caught up in the clouds to meet Him in the air (1 Thes 4:17). We will see Him face to face (1 Cor 13:12) and live with Him forever. We will sit forever with Jesus on His throne (Rv 3:21). He will shepherd us, lead us to springs of life-giving water, and wipe every tear from our eyes (Rv 7:17).
At the very end of the end, we will break out in song: "Alleluia! The Lord is King, our God, the Almighty! Let us rejoice and be glad, and give Him glory! For this is the wedding day of the Lamb" (Rv 19:6-7). Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! May the world end this Thanksgiving Day or as soon as possible.


Prayer: Father, may I hasten the coming of the kingdom by my repentance, evangelization, holiness, and intercession (2 Pt 3:12).

Promise: "He is a Deliverer and Savior, working signs and wonders." -Dn 6:28

Praise: Scott and Timothy founded their business with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. Despite the advice of potential investors, they continue to operate in a proudly Christian company.

DIE WITH A SMILE

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28, Daniel 3:62-67, Luke 21:12-19

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112713.cfm

"I bid you resolve not to worry about your defense beforehand, for I will give you words and a wisdom which none of your adversaries can take exception to or contradict." -Luke 21:14-15

The book of Daniel was probably written around the time of the Seleucid Empire's persecution of the Jewish people. Although this was such a severe and brutal persecution (see 1 Mc 1:60-63), the author of Daniel could still poke fun at those persecuting him and his people. He pictured the persecutors as half-cocked and all shook up when they saw a disembodied hand and wrist writing on the wall. The author seems to enjoy describing the king of the persecutors thus: "When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked" (Dn 5:5-6). In the midst of some serious teaching about persecution, punishment, justice, and God's sovereignty, the author of Daniel still liked to crack a few jokes.
We too can smile even when we are manhandled and persecuted (see Lk 21:12). We can be light-hearted even when betrayed by our own family (see Lk 21:16) or when facing execution. The Lord will give us a special grace not only to speak up for Him at our trial (see Lk 21:15), but also to trust Him completely and  know that He will either rescue us or give us a glorious death. Therefore, "when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand" (Lk 21:28).
Anybody can crack jokes at a party, but only a child of God can do it at a martyrdom. Smile, laugh, suffer, die, live for Jesus, and love Him with all your heart.


Prayer: Father, may I die with the sense of humor that St. Lawrence and St. Thomas More had at their deaths.

Promise: "By patient endurance you will save your lives." -Lk 21:19

Praise: Jesus gave Robin calmness during her husband's rages. Eventually, her husband found Jesus and lost his ill temper.

THE LAST KING

Christ the King

2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colossians 1:12-20, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 23:35-43
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112413.cfm

"There was an inscription over His head: 'THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.' " -Luke 23:38

On the last Sunday of the Church's year, the Lord is calling us to harvest all the graces of this past year and express their life-changing power by making the greatest act of faith we have ever made. The Lord Jesus is calling us to acknowledge Him as King of kings and Lord of lords even in the worst circumstances. Religious leaders continue jeering at Jesus as they compromise with the ways of the world (Lk 23:35). Soldiers still make fun of Jesus and of those who refuse to join them (Lk 23:36). Criminals persist in blaspheming Jesus (Lk 23:39). Most people, even Christians, just stand there watching (Lk 23:35). They know if they speak up for Jesus, they may be crucified too.

However, we must be like the good thief and speak up for Jesus (Lk 23:40). Maybe we'll be the only ones to acknowledge Jesus as our King. We may even be crucified because we aren't "going along with the crowd." Nonetheless, we will speak up for Jesus even if that means repentance, the daily cross (Lk 9:23), rejection, and persecution. We will rejoice to live as subjects of King Jesus. Then we will be kings and queens ourselves (1 Pt 2:9; Rv 5:10). Later, we will live with King Jesus forever in paradise (Lk 23:43).

Prayer: King Jesus, may I live no longer for myself but for You (see 2 Cor 5:15).

Promise: "He is before all else that is." -Col 1:17

Praise: Alleluia! King Jesus, we adore You and submit our lives to You.

FULL HOUSE

St. Cecilia

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Luke 19:45-48
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112213.cfm


"My house is meant for a house of prayer." -Luke 19:46

In today's first reading, the people of Israel rededicated the house of God, the Temple, with a spirit of holiness and joy. God's house was filled with prayer and rejoicing (1 Mc 4:54ff). First, however, they had to empty it of unholiness (1 Mc 4:43ff).
A mere two centuries later, the people of God, and particularly their leaders, treat the house of God not much differently than the marketplace which surrounds it. God's house and its environs are full of commerce and busy-ness. Jesus had to empty the Temple of merchants and animals and fill it with teaching and prayer (Lk 19:45ff).
Most of us belong to parishes with a church building less than two centuries old. When first constructed, these church buildings were dedicated and blessed, undoubtedly with joy and a measure of holiness. Years after the dedication, how do our churches compare with the Temple of Jesus' time? Have we filled the house of God with unholiness, busy-ness, and commerce, either through the hearts of the people or the actions of the leaders? Do we still treat the house of God, the church building where Jesus dwells in the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament, as a place of prayer? Have we fallen from our first love? (Rv 2:4) After beginning in the Spirit, will the people of our church end at the level of the flesh? (Gal 3:3)
Jesus wants His house to be full of prayer (Lk 14:23). Repent of any behavior or attitude which fosters the decline of prayer in church, and lead the way in filling the house of God with prayer.


Prayer: Father, I rededicate myself completely to You.

Promise: "The entire populace was listening to Him and hanging on His words." -Lk 19:48

Praise: St. Cecilia was "the most perfect model of the Christian woman because of her virginity and the martyrdom which she suffered for love of Christ."

APOSTASY?

Presentation of Mary

1 Maccabees 2:15-29, Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15, Luke 19:41-44
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112113.cfm

"The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein." -1 Maccabees 2:15

King Antiochus Epiphanes sent officers to enforce an apostasy. Almost all the Gentiles and even Jews forsook the religions of their fathers and consented to the king's orders (1 Mc 2:19). However, Mattathias, his family, and some others refused to depart from their "religion in the slightest degree" (1 Mc 2:22). Therefore, they were forced to flee to the mountains and leave behind all their possessions (1 Mc 1:28-29).
We also may be tempted to give up our faith. We may even be living during the mass apostasy, which will occur at the end of the world (2 Thes 2:3). To keep the faith as Mattathias and his followers did, we must be firmly founded on Jesus the Rock (see 1 Cor 3:11) by totally committing our lives to Him. We also need to be confirmed in our faith by the Holy Spirit. Moreover, we must come under the authority of the Church and especially of the Pope. Finally, we should be sharing our faith. If we are giving our faith away, we will be able to keep it no matter what temptations and pressures we face.
Does Jesus see in you a faith that will fold or one that will stand? When He looks at you, do you bring a smile to His face or tears to His eyes? (see Lk 19:41)


Prayer: Lord, on this feast of Our Lady of Presentation, I ask You to inspire all those who read this to pray for Presentation Ministries daily. Use us to feed Your people so they can spread Your gospel to the nations.

Promise: "Let everyone who is zealous for the law and who stands by the covenant follow after me!" -1 Mc 2:27

Praise: We praise and thank You, Lord, for all those who have interceded for, worked for, encouraged, and supported Our Lady of Presentation Ministries.

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31, Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15, Luke 19:11-28

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112013.cfm

"Do not be afraid." -2 Maccabees 7:29

Eleazar "died, leaving in his death a model of courage" (2 Mc 6:31). "Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously" (2 Mc 7:20). These acts of courage, as great as they were, were only intimations of the greatest act of courage: Jesus' death on the cross.
As Jesus' disciples, we have followed in our Master's footsteps. We have been renowned for two thousand years for our acts of great courage. We have courageously "endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment" (Heb 11:36). We have become martyrs, virgins, missionaries, and pastors - risking and giving our lives courageously for the gospel of Jesus. We Christians are a people of courage.
Are you courageous? Do you have the courage to speak publicly of your love for God? Will you courageously let God plan your family? Do you have the courage and love to call sin "sin"? Do you refuse to be intimidated by the pressures of our secular humanistic "culture of death"?
Let us pray for each other that the Holy Spirit may give us the courage to proclaim Jesus and the gospel as we ought (Eph 6:20).


Prayer: Father, give me a martyr's faith.

Promise: "You showed yourself capable in a small matter. For that you can take over ten villages." -Lk 19:17

Praise: For decades, the Demarest family has sung together in the choir at Mass, praising God with full voice (Ps 149:6).

LASTING FAITHFULNESS AND FAITHFUL AT LAST

2 Maccabees 6:18-31, Psalm 3:2-7, Luke 19:1-10

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111913.cfm

"He declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God." -2 Maccabees 6:23

Eleazar was ninety years old when he was physically beaten to death for refusing to deny his faith (2 Mc 6:24, 30). He had lived an "admirable life" from his childhood (2 Mc 6:23), and he left "in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation" (2 Mc 6:31). Eleazar lived and died uncompromised and faithful.
Zacchaeus had sold out to the Roman empire to become "the chief tax collector and a wealthy man" (Lk 19:2). He, like all tax collectors at the time, was despised by his fellow Jews for compromising his principles and collaborating with Rome, the enemy of the Jewish people (see Mt 18:17). Zacchaeus had been anything but faithful. However, he repented, and salvation came to his house in the person of Jesus, the Savior (Lk 19:9).
If you are like Eleazar and have never betrayed or denied Christ, thank the Lord for His grace by which you have been faithful and have refused to compromise your faith. But if you are like Zacchaeus, repent and accept the Lord's mercy. By His grace, be faithful to Him from this moment on.


Prayer: Father, give me the courage to not compromise my faith in You.

Promise: "The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost." -Lk 19:10

Praise: Melinda received the gift of praising the Lord in tongues as she was walking back to her seat after the bishop had anointed her in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

A SELLOUT CROWD

Dedication of the Churches, of Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63, Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158, Luke 18:35-43
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111813.cfm


"They allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing." -1 Maccabees 1:15

In the town of my youth, a theater began to show movies featuring immoral content. Some godly men and women, including my father, staged regular public picketing of the theater in an attempt to persuade the crowds to reject these movies and thus force the owners to stop showing them. Dad's group was small but faithful. Sadly, the crowds kept coming, encouraging the ownership to increase, not decrease, their showing of objectionable movies. The owners and crowds made an alliance "and sold themselves to wrongdoing" (see 1 Mc 1:15).
This was over forty years ago. Dad saw the culture wars coming and fought the good fight (2 Tm 4:7). Most adults of his generation were blind to its significance and sold out. Since then, the American culture has deteriorated to the extent that prayer is not allowed in schools, abortion is legal and on demand, Sunday is no different than other days of the week, Christmas is now called "the holidays," network TV is raw sewage, etc.
Jesus wants to open our eyes to see the raging war between the kingdom of darkness and God's kingdom. He wants us to recognize our spiritual blindness and cry out to Him, "Lord...I want to see" (Lk 18:41). If we choose to stay comfortable and blind, selling out to the culture of death, our children and grandchildren may suffer horrors unthinkable to us now (see e.g. 1 Mc 1:60-61). The clock is ticking. What's your decision?


Prayer: Jesus, I make my alliance with You. I sell out to You. Use me as Your weapon for righteousness (Rm 6:13, RNAB).

Promise: "Your faith has healed you." -Lk 18:42

Praise: Sts. Peter and Paul, fisherman and tentmaker, became the great apostles to the Jews and Gentiles, respectively (see Gal 2:7-9).

WORD-POWER AND PRAYER-POWER

St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Gertrude

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9, Psalm 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43, Luke 18:1-8

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111613.cfm

"Your all-powerful word from heaven's royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree." -Wisdom 18:15-16

Jesus, the Word of God, is all-powerful. The Word of God leads the conquering armies of heaven (Rv 19:13-14). "Out of His mouth came a sharp sword for striking down the nations" (Rv 19:15).

God's Word in the teachings of the Church and the Bible is also powerful. God's Word does not return to Him void, for it achieves the end for which He sent it (Is 55:11). "There is no chaining the word of God!" (2 Tm 2:9) "No one can resist" God's Word (Jdt 16:14).

For God's Word to manifest its full power, however, there is "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1). Paul commanded: "Pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company. Pray for me that God may put His word on my lips" (Eph 6:18-19). "Pray that I may have courage to proclaim it as I ought" (Eph 6:20). "Pray for us that the word of the Lord may make progress and be hailed by many others, even as it has been by you" (2 Thes 3:1).

As Joshua fought in the valley (see Ex 17:8ff), so countless Joshuas are wielding the sword of God's Word (Heb 4:12) in the valleys of this world. As Moses prayed on the mountain and brought Joshua success, so we must pray for God's Word to be "not a mere matter of words...but one of power" (1 Thes 1:5). Proclaim God's all-powerful Word and pray.

Prayer: Father, let Your Word burn deep in me (Lk 24:32). May it be like fire in my bones (Jer 20:9).

Promise: "Will not God then do justice to His chosen who call out to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them, do you suppose? I tell you, He will give them swift justice." -Lk 18:7-8

Praise: St. Margaret, queen of Scotland, and her husband, the king, prayed together and personally fed the poor of their nation.

DAMNED FOOL?

Wisdom 13:1-9, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 17:26-37

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111513.cfm

"All men were by nature foolish." -Wisdom 13:1

All people are naturally fools - foolish enough to worship creations rather than the Creator or even adore the works of human creatures (see Wis 13:3ff; Rm 1:25). We all are by nature so foolish as to be spiritually blind hypocrites who lose touch with reality (Mt 24:17ff). A certain man had "blessings in reserve for years to come," and was relaxing, eating heartily, drinking well, and enjoying himself (Lk 12:19). To this man, Jesus said: "You fool!" (Lk 12:20) Masses of people will be so foolish as to conduct "business as usual" without acknowledging God on the last day of this earth (see Lk 17:26ff). These fools will be damned fools.
We all are naturally fools, and fools are definitely doomed. We are in an impossible situation. We need the Savior. We need supernatural wisdom. "God it is Who has given you life in Christ Jesus. He has made Him our Wisdom and also our Justice, our Sanctification, and our Redemption" (1 Cor 1:30). In a world of fools, Christ is "the Power of God and the Wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24).
"Do not act like fools" (Eph 5:15). Join the wise men and women of all times. Prostrate yourself in homage before Jesus (Mt 2:11). Give Him your gifts. Give Him your life totally, forever, and now.


Prayer: Father, give me faith to pray for wisdom without doubting (Jas 1:5-6).

Promise: "Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; whoever loses it will keep it." -Lk 17:33

Praise: St. Albert, patron of scientists, was a university professor with expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and mathematics, as well as other disciplines. His studies of God's creation led him to a deeper faith in God the Creator (see Wis 13:1-9).

THE NOW AND FUTURE KINGDOM

Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175, Luke 17:20-25

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111413.cfm

"You cannot tell by careful watching when the reign of God will come." -Luke 17:20

The kingdom of God is coming (see Lk 17:20), and "the kingdom of God is already in your midst" (Lk 17:21, our transl.). We will be ready for the final coming of the kingdom if we are seeking first and living for God's kingdom now (Mt 6:33). The final coming of the kingdom will happen so unexpectedly (Lk 17:20) and quickly (Lk 17:24) that it will be impossible to get ready for it at the last minute. Therefore, we must always be ready for it by living already in God's kingdom as presently established.
We live in God's kingdom by:
   * being born again of water and the Spirit through baptism (Jn 3:5),
   * repenting (Mk 1:15),
   * evangelizing (Mt 10:7),
   * choosing material poverty (Lk 6:20),
   * exposing ourselves to persecution (Mt 5:10; see also 2 Thes 1:5),
   * praying for the final coming of the kingdom (Mt 6:10),
   * healing others and doing miracles in Jesus' name (Mt 10:7-8),
   * driving out demons (Lk 11:20), and
   * seeking God's way of holiness (Mt 6:33).

Sell all that you have to gain the kingdom (Mt 13:44, 46). Seek first God's kingdom (Mt 6:33) and cry: "Maranatha!" "Come, Lord Jesus!" (see Rv 22:20)


Prayer: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" (Mt 6:10).

Promise: Wisdom, "who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; and passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets." -Wis 7:27

Praise: Steve inspired his fellow Christians by leading them in prayers of thanksgiving during times of adversity and struggle.

THE WHOLE THING

Wisdom 6:1-11, Psalm 82:3-4, 6-7, Luke 17:11-19

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111313.cfm

"One of them, realizing that he had been cured, came back praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself on his face at the feet of Jesus and spoke His praises." -Luke 17:15-16

After Jesus healed the ten lepers, one of the lepers also received faith, the grace to worship Jesus, and the greatest gift, salvation (Lk 17:19). Because of the Lord's perfect love, He wants to do more in our lives than heal us. We should not receive only healing from the Lord.
Especially for Christians, the Lord works in the reverse order from the way He worked with the lepers. Instead of healing us first, He heals us last. He gives us faith and salvation first. He calls us to abandon our lives to Him and throw ourselves at His feet not after, but before healing us.
God's healing usually comes to us in a package. Healing accompanies the proclamation of our faith (Mk 16:15, 17-18), the ministry of the word (Mk 16:20), repentance (see Jn 5:14), deliverance (see Mt 9:32-33), evangelization (see Acts 3:12ff), etc. God's healing not only comes in His package, but also in His order. For example, one person is called to repent after being healed (see Lk 10:13); others must repent before healing. Sometimes healing leads to evangelization (Acts 3:7ff); at other times, evangelization leads to healing (see Mt 10:7-8).
To receive and share God's healing, we should accept all that the Lord wants to give in the order in which He wants to give it. Jesus will be our Healer if we first accept Him as our Lord.


Prayer: Father, may I let You do it Your way.

Promise: "For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test." -Wis 6:6

Praise: Although originally refused entrance into a convent because of health reasons, St. Frances took her own private vow of virginity.

IN THE SERVICE

Wisdom 2:23-3:9, Psalm 34:2-3, 16-19, Luke 17:7-10

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111213.cfm

IN THE SERVICE

"When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say, 'We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty.' " -Luke 17:10

Jesus teaches that after serving God, we should not look for any reward or thanks from Him. Instead, we should humble ourselves and recall that we are only carrying out His orders (Lk 17:9-10). It's human nature to read this parable and think: "Is this all the thanks I get for serving You, God?" Jesus teaches that a better response is the one given in tomorrow's Gospel. A healed leper falls at the feet of Jesus, gives glory to God, and thanks Jesus (Lk 17:15-16, 18).
Once again, the Gospel challenges us to focus on what Jesus gets out our service, not what we get out of it. We expect to get thanks from Jesus; instead, we should be giving thanks to Jesus. This was Jesus' own mindset on serving. Although He was God, Jesus did not "come to be served but to serve" (Mk 10:45).
Therefore, "let us give thanks to the Lord our God" and thank Him for counting us worthy to stand in His presence and serve Him. Focus on serving as Jesus served, and not on being noticed or thanked. God will "honor" our humble service in His way and time (Jn 12:26), which will far surpass anything we can imagine (see Eph 3:20; Heb 6:10).


Prayer: Father, as the hymn says: "Knowing that I love and serve You is enough reward."

Promise: "Those who trust in Him shall understand truth." -Wis 3:9

Praise: St. Josaphat was misrepresented by both the East and the West when trying to reconcile the two factions. As a result, he was a victim of a murder plot. Yet, despite being aware of the danger, he was willing to die to gather God's people together (see Jn 11:51-52).

JESUS ON SCANDALS

Wisdom 1:1-7, Psalm 139:1-10, Luke 17:1-6

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111113.cfm

I just returned from the store, where I heard a man talking disgustedly on his cell phone about yet another sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. What does Jesus say about scandal?
In Luke chapter 17, Jesus presents a "scandal cycle" that is to lead to an end result of faith:
   * He sternly warns all to avoid scandal (Lk 17:1-2), a word which can be translated as leading others to sin.
   * This warning must lead us to be on guard (Lk 17:3). We are to correct both ourselves and those involved in scandalous behavior (Lk 17:3).
   * Correction is to lead to repentance and forgiveness (Lk 17:3-4), breaking the damaging power of the scandal. This is impossible for men, but not for God (Mt 19:26).
   * All of the above must lead to faith, mountain-moving faith (Lk 17:5-6). Jesus wants scandals to lead to faith.

In the midst of scandal, we can choose to stay on the human level and discuss our thoughts with others. This gives life to the scandal and ensures its spreading damage. On the other hand, we can choose to rise above the natural to the spiritual level. We can bring it to Jesus and receive His mind on the scandal. We can step out in prayer and fasting for victims, charitable correction where appropriate, constant forgiveness, and so act to overcome the scandal.
Jesus can turn even the worst mess into good (Rm 8:28). "Once you know all these things, blest will you be if you put them into practice" (Jn 13:17).


Prayer: Jesus, use me to heal those hurt by scandal. May I lead people to faith, not bitterness.

Promise: "[God] is found by those who test Him not." -Wis 1:2

Praise: St. Martin's parents were not Christian. At the age of ten, Martin so desired to become a Christian that he begged to be enrolled as a catechumen in the Church, and his wish was granted.

A HAPPY DEATH

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5, Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15, Luke 20:27-38

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111013.cfm

"It also happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king." -2 Maccabees 7:1

Seven brothers were arrested, tortured, scourged, and killed because they would not compromise their faith (2 Mc 7:1ff). These heroic deaths have inspired and transformed the lives of many for centuries.

We are all going to die, unless Jesus comes back first. The question is not: "Will I die?" but "How will I die?" Will my death be a mere statistic? Or will I glorify God by my manner of death? (Jn 21:19)

Most people think a happy death means dying at an old age and with no pain. God's word says a happy death has nothing to do with age or pain but it has everything to do with love, even to death on the cross (Phil 2:8). "The way we came to understand love was that He laid down His life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our brothers" and sisters (1 Jn 3:16).

"Happy now are the dead who die in the Lord!" (Rv 14:13)

Prayer: "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, may God our Father Who loved us and in His mercy gave us eternal consolation and hope, console your hearts and strengthen them for every good work and word" (2 Thes 2:16-17).

Promise: "It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life by Him." -2 Mc 7:14

Praise: Praise You, risen King Jesus, enthroned in majesty and glory! I lift up my hands, heart, and voice to praise You today.

BUILDING CHURCH

Dedication of, St. John Lateran

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17, Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, John 2:13-22

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110913.cfm

"We are God's co-workers, while you are His cultivation, His building." -1 Corinthians 3:9

St. John Lateran was one of the first parish churches. For the first three-hundred years of Christianity, there was no such thing as a parish church, since Christians met in their homes for worship, teaching, and fellowship (see Rm 16:4-5). However, as individual Christians need a community of other Christians, so individual home-churches need a community of other home-churches.

Because of persecution or the lack of a large enough facility, it was impossible for home-churches to get together with each other. After the persecution had subsided, the Holy Spirit inspired the home-churches of Rome to construct a building where a community of communities could gather. This was St. John Lateran.

This movement of the Holy Spirit teaches us that:
   * The home can be a church.
   * Home-churches should be the building blocks from which the larger, universal Church is to be constructed.
   * The Church is not primarily an institution but a community of communities, a family of families.
   * The Church is to be one, that is, united (Eph 4:4).
   * The Lord gives leaders to the Church to promote our unity through the use of their authority.

Because today's feast day tells us about the Church, it tells us about God's plan of salvation, what life is all about, how to be happy, and how to be pleasing to God. Learn Church, be Church, and love the Church (Eph 5:25).

Prayer: Father, may I make my home a center for Christian community, or may I join someone else's home-based community.

Promise: "Zeal for Your house consumes me." -Jn 2:17

Praise: St. John the Baptizer received the Holy Spirit as a six-month old fetus.

THE ONLY LIFE WORTH LIVING

Romans 15:14-21, Psalm 98:1-4, Luke 16:1-8

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110813.cfm

"I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me." -Romans 15:18

After a long lifetime of struggling, working, enjoying, learning, praying, suffering, etc., only what Jesus has done through us will mean anything. If we have just taken out the garbage in obedience to Christ, we will have done something that will last "unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27). In contrast, if we have become world-famous, phenomenally rich, and historically acclaimed by doing something other than God's will, our lives will have been far less than God intended them to be. Only what is done in Christ has lasting value; everything else is wasted. Therefore, "you are not to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the will of God. Already you have devoted enough time to what the pagans enjoy" (1 Pt 4:2-3).
"To me, 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21). "The life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). "One day" in God's courts is better "than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked" (Ps 84:11). "I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my Wealth and I may be in Him" (Phil 3:8-9). Live for Jesus alone!


Prayer: Father, may my life make sense only in the light of Your Son's death and resurrection.

Promise: "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God." -Ps 98:3

Praise: Mary invited her friend Melinda to come to a Bible study, and Melinda came to Christ.

JUST MERCY TO ALL

Romans 14:7-12, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, Luke 15:1-10

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110713.cfm

"Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God." -Romans 14:12

My son is a teacher. Recently, a thief stole his computer bag, which contained his laptop computer, numerous student homework papers which he had already graded, his social security card, passport, and checkbook. This will cost him much money, time, and re-work. It's difficult to comprehend that this thief can so readily be saved by the mercy of God at some future time without making restitution to my son for the damages inflicted.

That, however, is the essence of what we believe as Christians. In some mysterious way, Jesus provides both mercy to sinners and justice to victims. Jesus Himself sits on His judgment seat to give perfect justice to all (Rm 14:10). He restores all damages to all victims of all time. In Jesus, victims "have no further misfortune to fear" (Zep 3:15). The Lord promises: "I will repay you for the years which the locust has eaten," the thief has stolen, and the sinner has ruined (see Jl 2:25). When the Lord repays, He doesn't do it halfway. He restores far greater than we could ever ask or imagine (see Eph 3:20). "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love" Him (Rm 8:28).

"God is rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4) and justice (Rm 14:10, 12). If you are a victim, choose to let God do the restoring instead of acting in vengeance. "Leave it to the Lord...trust in Him, and He will act" (Ps 37:7, 5).


Prayer: Jesus, my Justice (1 Cor 1:30) and my Mercy, help me to be stouthearted and wait with courage for You to reign over all (Ps 27:14).

Promise: "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them." -Lk 15:2

Praise: Out of mercy, Dr. Jake forgave the debt of a poor client who owed him hundreds of dollars.

JESUS AND MONEY

Romans 13:8-10, Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9, Luke 14:25-33

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110613.cfm

"Owe no debt." -Romans 13:8

Jesus, the Lord of our lives and therefore of our money and possessions, commands us:
   * "Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another" (Rm 13:8).
   * "None of you can be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions" (Lk 14:33).
   * "Lend without expecting repayment" (Lk 6:35).
   * "Do not lay up for yourselves an earthly treasure" (Mt 6:19).
   * "I warn you, then: do not worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing" (Mt 6:25).

Jesus' ways, including His financial ways, are very different from our ways (Is 55:8-9). His financial wisdom seems absurd. It is the absurdity of the cross (1 Cor 1:18ff). The whole world may say that Jesus is wrong about living a simple life, not saving for the future, renouncing our possessions, not owing debts, and lending without charging interest or even expecting repayment. Nevertheless, Jesus is right; He is the Truth (Jn 14:6); He is Lord and God. Therefore, we must radically change our ways, refuse to conform ourselves to this world (Rm 12:2), and be obedient to the Lord. For Jesus to be our Lord, we must accept Him as the Lord of our finances. Repent and trust Him.


Prayer: Father, may I walk by faith and not by the financial policies to which I have been accustomed (see 2 Cor 5:7).

Promise: "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." -Lk 14:27

Praise: By Jesus' power, Keith gave up smoking a second time. This time it was permanent.

EXERCISE IN THE SPIRIT

Romans 12:5-16, Psalm 131:1-3, Luke 14:15-24

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110513.cfm

"We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us." -Romans 12:6

Doctors recommend regular physical exercise to keep our bodies in shape. Physical therapists recommend specific exercises to enable an injured body part to work normally. Musicians practice exercises on their instruments to develop "muscle-memory." Thereby musicians hone their physical talents to the point of being automatic, making them free to enter into the spirit of the composition.
In an even greater way, Doctor Jesus commands us to exercise the gifts of the Spirit He has given us (see Rm 12:6, RNAB). By exercising our spiritual gifts, the body of Christ becomes more vigorous. Many spiritual gifts help to heal the wounded parts of Christ's body when exercised properly. By exercising our spiritual gifts regularly, we become so "in tune" with the Spirit that we develop "Spirit-memory." We are more quickly able to recognize the movements of the Holy Spirit, even to the point that we become "co-workers" with the Spirit (1 Cor 3:9).
The risen Jesus has given us the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:8, 10). Now we have a choice. Will we exercise these gifts or make excuses for not using them? (Lk 14:18ff)


Prayer: Holy Spirit, "I will not treat God's gracious gift as pointless" (Gal 2:21). Fill me up and use me up.

Promise: "I want My house to be full." -Lk 14:23

Praise: In the past two decades, Sandra has led hundreds of youth and adults to the Holy Spirit through her involvement in numerous Life in the Spirit seminars.

Fwd: TERMS OF REPAYMENT - One Bread, One Body, 11/4/2013

Romans 11:29-36, Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36-37, Luke 14:12-14
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110413.cfm

"You should be pleased that they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid in the resurrection of the just." -Luke 14:14

Jesus is not against our being repaid for the good we do. His concern is when we will be repaid and by whom. God the Father plans to personally repay us at our resurrection (Lk 14:14). Upon reading this, we might feel like God has paid for our service by using a layaway plan! Will our payment ever come? In His love, God does repay us to a certain extent during our time on earth. He begins His eternal repayment plan a bit early by "depositing the First Payment, the [Holy] Spirit, in our hearts" (2 Cor 1:22).
Once we receive the Holy Spirit, we serve Him with such devotion and power that the world opposes us. Next comes our second payment on earth. St. Teresa of Avila once remarked to God: "How true it is that whoever works for You is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love You if we understand its value." To read the fine print on the terms of this second payment, read Sirach 2:1, 2 Timothy 3:12, and James 1:2-4.
As always, the Lord wants to purify our motives for serving Him. If we serve Him to be repaid in the currency of this world, we should "expect no recompense from" the Father (Mt 6:1).
"Who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?" (Rm 11:35, RSV-CE) God does not owe us anything. Yet no one can outgive God. True, He might repay us with a lifetime of troubles. "Do not, then, surrender your confidence [in God]; it will have great reward" (Heb 10:35). "Look out that you yourselves do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full" (2 Jn 8).


Prayer: Father, may I serve You not for hopes of repayment, but simply because I love You with all my heart.

Promise: "The Lord hears the poor." -Ps 69:34

Praise: St. Charles advised others to meditate in order to "find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and in others."

CROWD CONTROL - One Bread, One Body

Wisdom 11:22-12:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2, Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14, Luke 19:1-10

Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110313.cfm

"He was trying to see what Jesus was like, but being small of stature, was unable to do so because of the crowd." -Luke 19:3

So many people are trying to see what Jesus is like. Yet they're small and the crowd is large. Sometimes the crowd isn't people around us but things inside us. How many have a crowd of fears, doubts, and selfish desires inside? To see Jesus, we must fight our way through the crowd (see Lk 8:45) or climb above it.

If I told you to go to Confession right now, a crowd would form for some of you. You may feel afraid, and before long you'd have a hundred reasons why you're not going. You have to fight through the crowd to touch Jesus and be washed in His blood.

What if I told you to go to Mass daily, lead someone to Christ, or tithe? For many of us, another crowd of sin, selfishness, doubt, fear, and anxiety would form. We must climb the tree of faith above the crowd and fight by faith through the crowd. Don't be crowded out of eternal life; enter in by faith.

Prayer: "We pray for you always that our God may make you worthy of His call, and fulfill by His power every honest intention and work of faith. In this way the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him" (2 Thes 1:11-12).

Promise: "You have mercy on all, because You can do all things; and You overlook the sins of men that they may repent." -Wis 11:23

Praise: All praise be to You, glorious, risen Lord Jesus Christ! You reign supreme over the crowd of creation. I worship You, magnificent in glory.