waters above the heavens

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, Martyr and His Companions, Martyrs (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 2:31-45 Daniel 3:57-61 Luke 21:5-11

Daniel 3:60  All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

This one struck me.  Many say that the waters above the heavens fell during the flood of Noah.  It is interesting the the scriptures make reference to the waters above the heavens, here, well after the flood.  It just strikes me how mysterious and eternal God is and how deserving of our praise.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not think I know more than I do.  Help me to always remember that you are God and I am not.

Amen

Blessed are you, O Lord

Monday, November 23, 2009 Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, Priest, Martyr (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20 Daniel 3:52-56 Luke 21:1-4

Daniel 3:52  "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

In this week of thanksgiving I am moved to simply reflect on who God is and what he has done.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly see the greatness of you name, your word, your love and your grace.

Amen

she is a reflection of eternal light

Thursday, November 12, 2009 St. Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

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

Wisdom 7:26  For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness

I think it is easy to forget about God’s wisdom.  We are all too often concerned with his judgment and grace.  But, in these days when we are technically minded and we think that we are smarter than we have ever been, God’s wisdom is something that we should consider.  In order to know God and talk with God we must use the language of God, and that is wisdom.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to seek and to trust in your Wisdom.

Amen

We are unworthy servants

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 St. Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)

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

Luke 17:10  So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

In this day and age many people have a sense of entitlement, they think that somehow they are owed something.  God is the creator and we are his creation.  If we are to have some rights, then it is God that gives them to us according to His good pleasure.  We are to do what we are called to do and be grateful that God has given us the ability to do that.  We must always remember who we are and who God is.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to keep my place in mind, that you are my creator, savior and sustainer. 

Amen

they believed the scripture

Monday, November 9, 2009 The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast)

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

John 2:22  When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

We spend a lot of time debating the meaning of Biblical prophecy and the meaning of things that have not happened yet, but the disciples remembered what Jesus said after he was risen and that helped them to believe.  Sometimes we have to just take things in and when the time comes we will better understand the meaning of them.  The key is to trust that God is the one who makes all these things happen.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to trust that you are the one that causes all these things to happen for our benefit.

Amen

to make excuses

Tuesday, November 3, 2009  St. Martin de Porres, Religious (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Romans 12:5-16 Psalm 131:1-3 Luke 14:15-24

Luke 14:18  But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.'

We all have excuses that we use from time to time when there is something that we would rather do or not do.  When Jesus calls us are we willing to put away our personal ambitions or comforts? Are we willing to go to his banquet?  You have to wonder what is so great about the lives of these people that they would not accept the invitation of the King.  Wouldn’t that be a great party with great food and entertainment?  Do we settle for the lowly lives that we lead instead of the life the King calls us to?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to answer your invitation.  Help me to see that life at your banquet is far better than anything that I have.

Amen

I am the resurrection

Monday, November 2, 2009 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

First Reading: Psalm Second Reading:: Gospel: Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14 Romans 5:5-11 John 11:17-27

John 11:25  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

I don’t know if we really get this sometimes.  We talk about resurrection and say we believe it, but do we really?  Do we live as though we will be raised form the dead?  Martha believed that Lazarus would be raised in the last day, but could she really believe that Jesus could do it here and now?  Did she even really believe in the resurrection then?

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly believe in you as the resurrection and the life, and help me to live as though I truly believe it.

Amen