I thank my God

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Philippians 1:1-11 Psalm 111:1-6 Luke 14:1-6

Philippians 1:3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

We must remember all the people in our lives.  We often tend to think that we can make it on our own, but we need to stop and consider how important all the things others do that benefit us.  Then we must give thanks to God for these people and that he has provided for them to be instruments of grace in our lives.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always remember that I need you and I need the people that you put in my life.  Thank you for making them instruments of your grace for me, and help me to be an instrument of your grace for others as well.

Amen

who trains my hands for war

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 6:10-20 Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10 Luke 13:31-35

Psalm 144:1  Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;

We are taught to love our enemies, but we are also taught to hold firm to our faith and our sense of righteousness and justice.  In these times we may be facing terrible persecution and we must take up our arms.  Our arms are our faith and trust in God and we must not give in to the evil one.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to hold firm to my faith and trust you in all things.

Amen

I do not know where you come from

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 6:1-9 Psalm 145:10-14 Luke 13:22-30

Luke 13:27 But he will say, `I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!'

It is very important that we be faithful and honest. We can't deny our faith and then expect Christ to honor it.  We must stand up for our faith today.  This is the day of salvation.  If we are not honest about our faith, how can our faith grow?  How can Jesus know us if we are a deception?  We must be who God has called us to be and we must not be ashamed of it.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be honest in all things and to be faithful at all times.  Help me to not give in to fear and envy, but to raise the name of Christ in faith and honor.

Amen

undation of the apostles and prophets

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 2:19-22 Psalm 19:2-5 Luke 6:12-16

Ephesians 2:20  built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

There are many different bodies that call themselves Christian these days, and there are many different ways that we can answer the question "what makes a church Christian?".

But, here is one important one.  Are we built on the foundation of apostles and prophets?

This means we have to get at what the apostles and prophets have said and follow their calling and leading.

This does not mean that we have to rethink our faith to make it work for today. It means following, not redefining.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek the wisdom and power that is in the words of your people the apostles and prophets.  Help me to know who are your apostles and prophets.

Amen

You hypocrites!

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 4:32 -- 5:8 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 13:10-17

Luke 13:15  Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it?

We can certainly see that the leaders of the people will often demand that we pay and follow rules that they themselves will not.  We must not expect others to do what we are not willing to do.  If we want people to be righteous, then we must be righteous.  If we want others to be generous, then we must be generous.  If we want others to lay down and let the evil take over without a fight, then all we need to do is let it happen.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek first to be righteous myself before I expect it from  others.  Help me to be an agent of your love and of faith.

Amen

The earth is the LORD's

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 4:1-6 Psalm 24:1-6 Luke 12:54-59

Psalm 24:1  The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;

We often forget that this world is the Lord's and not ours.  We act as if it is ours though.  But think about how you would treat property or even people that you have been given the responsibility to take care of for a friend.  You would treat it with respect because of your love and respect for your friend.  We should treat this world with respect because of our love and respect for our Lord.  The problem is that the world too often becomes a political bargaining chip for our own agendas.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to remember that all that I am and all that I have is from you.  Remind me that I am a servant and steward of your grace and love.

Amen

wisdom did not desert him

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Wisdom 10:10-14 Psalm 34:8-9, 16-20, 23 Luke 9:1-6

Wisdom 10:13  When a righteous man was sold, wisdom did not desert him, but delivered him from sin. She descended with him into the dungeon,

We are often tempted to loose our wisdom when times get tough.  True wisdom, however, goes with us into the trouble and guides us through without resorting to sin.  When times get tough, stay wise.  Don't resort to simple and easy ways out through sin.  This is a false path.  It doesn't lead out, but leads into a deeper and darker dungeon.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to cherish the wisdom that you give us. Help me to keep wisdom by my side when times get tough and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.

Amen

through the church

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 3:2-12 (Ps) Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke 12:39-48

Ephesians 3:10  that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

In this election season we look to the leaders to bring us peace and prosperity.  The church, however, is the means of God's wisdom.  Can we have true peace and prosperity without God's wisdom?  The politicians will not bring it, they will only lead us astray.  The church is the means of God's wisdom.

Father, hep me by your Holy Spirit to seek guidance from your word.  Help me to seek peace and prosperity through your wisdom as it comes to me though your church.

Amen

your lamps burning

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 2:12-22 Psalm 85:9-14 Luke 12:35-38

Luke 12:35  "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning,

It is easy for us to think that we will get better "later".  We fall back on the saying that "I am a work in progress".  But, the Bible says that we need to be on our guard all the time.  That means right now and at all times.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my guard and be prepared for your presence at all times.

Amen

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 2:1-10 Psalm 100:2-5 Luke 12:13-21

Psalm 100:4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!

The gates are the place not only of entrance into the city, but it is where the leaders meet.

We are entrusted with this world and this life and the lives of others.  We need to always give thanks for what we have been given and treat each other with respect because everything we have is a gift from God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always be thankful to you for each and every breath I take and all that I have.  Help me to not take credit or selfish possession but to share your grace with others.

Amen

do not fear those who kill the body

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 1:11-14 Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13 Luke 12:1-7

Luke 12:4  "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

This is what we need to hear today.  It is tempting to become utilitarian these days, that is to judge things according to the immediate value for ourselves.  We tend to place less value on things that have eternal spiritual value.  But this is all that matters in the end.  We must value the things of the spirit.  We must honor our baptism.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always keep in mind the things of the Spirit.  Help me to see through the temptation to judge according to immediate personal value.

Amen

you have taken away the key of knowledge

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Ephesians 1:1-10 Psalm 98:1-6 Luke 11:47-54

Luke 11:52  Woe to you lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."

It is interesting that Jesus calls out the lawyers.  Today it is the law that is the means of the kind of evil that Jesus is talking about.  They are not only sold out to the devil, but they are leading and even tricking others to follow.  It has been said that misery loves company.  So does evil.  Evil loves company and it seeks to get you to follow with it.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to discern what is good and what is evil and help me to not be a stumbling stone to others.

Amen

against such there is no law

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 5:18-25 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 11:42-46

Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.

In times when we think that there is a lot of evil and we hate the evil and we feel that we should fight the evil, we must remember not to become the evil ourselves.

There is no law against doing the work of God, the love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  In spite of all evil, and in fact because of evil we must continue to do the works of God.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always seek to do your works.  Help me not to become the evil that I so despise.

Amen

you love the best seat

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 5:18-25 Psalm 1:1-4, 6 Luke 11:42-46

Luke 11:43  Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.

We need to ask ourselves all the time if what we are doing is for the greater good or if it is for our own pride and notoriety.  It is easy to get caught up in the pride, to think that people who support the issues that you stand for are supporting you.  We begin to think that we are the ones that people vote for and forget that it is the issues and agendas that are really what people are interested in.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to work for the good but to remember that without you I am nothing and that I need to stay sincere at what I do.

Amen

for they repented

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 -- 5:1  Psalm 113:1-7 Luke 11:29-32

Luke 11:32  The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

We think that we are more moral than generations of the past.  After all we are so much smarter, right?

Well, morality doesn't have anything to do with knowledge.  It is a matter of conscience and of the will.  There is where we fail.  Today we have no will.  We need to stand up to evil and temptation or we will be judged by those who we think less of.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always look to be moral and not to rest in a false sense of righteousness.

Amen

no man is justified before God by the law

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 3:7-14 Psalm 111:1-6 Luke 11:15-26

Galatians 3:11  Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for "He who through faith is righteous shall live";

It is clear that faith and righteousness is the thing.  Following the law and the arbitrary rules that are created may have value but faith and righteousness are what God want and what He blesses.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek the righteousness of the Kingdom of God above all else.  Help me to not get caught up in the legalism but to understand the spirit of the law.

Amen

hearing with faith?

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 3:1-5 (Ps) Luke 1:69-75 Luke 11:5-13

Galatians 3:5  Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

This goes deep into my sacramental theology.  Is it faith that matters or is it the works of the law?  Is it form and style or commitment and belief?

Paul seems to be saying that it is by faith that the miracles of God are realized.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to discern whether the sacraments are made true through form and law or by our receiving them in faith?  Help me to have faith and allow you to take care of the miracles.

Amen

because he stood condemned

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Psalm 117:1-2 Luke 11:1-4

Galatians 2:11  But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

This is often cited as justification to stand up to the Catholic Church.  But in context this is more about truth and sincerity.  The problem is Peter was a little bit hypocritical and Paul challenged him on that.  This doesn't mean that he in any way thought that Peter was not prime among the Apostles.  But, he did understand that truth must be upheld at all cost.  

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always uphold truth.  Help me to not fear the truth, but to embrace it and trust you and not fear those who are deceived.

Amen

has done great things for me

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Acts 1:12-14 (Ps) Luke 1:46-55 Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:49  for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

This is what we must rest on.  Yes, we look ahead with faith and believe that with God anything is possible, but in order for that to become part of who we are we must understand and appreciate all that He has done for us personally.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to appreciate all that you have done for me.  Help me to understand that you can do all things and that you have done great things.

Amen

I did not receive it from man

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Galatians 1:6-12 Psalm 111:1-2, 7-10 Luke 10:25-37

Galatians 1:12  For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

This is interesting.  We spend a lot of time testing people to see if they are worthy to tell us the truth.  We scrutinize the message and try to determine the truth.  But how do we judge?  Well, Paul was visited by Christ personally and we have the promise of the Holy Spirit.  We must ultimately determine what is true ourselves.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to be able to discern the truth.  Help me not to rely on human knowledge and agendas.  Help me to know and see truth and they communicate truth.

Amen

who hears you hears me

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5 Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10, 13-14 Luke 10:13-16

Luke 10:16  "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

We are called to be the representatives of Christ here on earth.  We are to show grace and we are to be truth.  The kingdom comes through Christ living in us.  Jesus says that the kingdom is within us.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always be the best representative that I can.

Amen

I send an angel before you

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Exodus 23:20-23 Psalm 91:1-6, 10-11 Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Exodus 23:20  "Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.

These are comforting words if we can believe them and hold them.  God sends his angels before us and if we do as God wants us to he will do great things for us.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always trust that you have my best interest at heart.  Help me to trust that you can do all things and I am safe in your hands.

Amen

but let me first

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Job 9:1-12, 14-16 Psalm 88:10-15 Luke 9:57-62

Luke 9:61  Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home."

How many of us say basically the same thing.  Yes Jesus, I will follow you after I graduate, or after the kids are grown, or after I retire, etc...  Today is the day of salvation.  We must answer the call when it comes and not put others before Christ.  The commandment says we shall have no other gods before God.  Yet, we say let me first ...

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always put you first and answer your call when it comes.  Help me to see when I am putting others ahead of you and when I am a victim of my own flesh and lack of faith.

Amen