Tag: faith

“Be vigilant at all times and pray.” | First Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

On this first Sunday of Advent, we hear Jesus telling the disciples about the final judgement, the coming in a cloud of the Son of Man with power and great glory. At his coming, signs on earth and in the cosmos will put nations in dismay and frighten people to death. Stand erect and raise your heads, Jesus tells the disciples, because our redemption is at hand. Before that day comes, Jesus says, remain vigilant, keep from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life (another kind of drunkenness that leads to the other). Jesus calls that day an assault and not to be caught by surprise by it like a trap. Just as God was present to the wandering Israelites in a pillar of cloud, Jesus will come again in power and great glory to judge the living and the dead. Jesus asks us to pray that we are prepared for his return.

God, at the beginning of this Advent set me on a path of vigilance and joyful expectation at the coming of Jesus. The Son of Mary is the Son of God, who came into the world as an infant and will come again in a cloud of power and glory. Give me the grace throughout Advent to remain hopeful in the fulfillment of your kingdom—not afraid, not anxious, an not absorbed in distractions. Strengthened by the real presence of Jesus to face the tribulations of daily life, keep me on a path to stand erect and raise my head as I meet my redeemer face to face. Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

From the responsorial psalm: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 4:18-22)

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

After calling Simon and Andrew, Jesus walks along the shore and calls James and John to follow him. Simon and Andrew are casting a net into the sea, and James and John are mending their nets. From his walk along the shore, Jesus calls four fisherman who would become the first apostles. In the first reading, Saint Paul also describes the consequences of responding to the call of the Lord. If we are called, we are sent so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” In choosing the apostles, Jesus exercises childlike faith in the Father’s plan, and we glimpse the beauty and simplicity of the mind of Jesus as he carries out his will. Men who cast nets to catch fish would be good at catching souls to be brought into his Father’s kingdom. Men who mend nets would make good stewards of the faith, loyal and persevering in times of adversity. The Gospel acclamation speaks to all of us in the voice of Jesus: “Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Father in heaven, strengthen my faith today; help me hear and respond to your call. To be saved is to be sent out and made fishers of men. As Saint Paul says, it is to confess that Jesus is Lord and to believe in my heart that you raised him from the dead. The risen Christ, alive in the word, in the Eucharist, and in the sacraments of the Church accomplishes your will as he calls me to respond immediately and follow him. As I look to you with childlike faith, make clear to me what skills and talents I have to bring the words of Christ to one person at a time so that everyone who hears would believe in the Gospel and call on your name. Saint Andrew, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Know that the Kingdom of God is near.” | Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. Blessed the men whose strength you are! They go from strength to strength. Here God lives among his people.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:28)

Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Jesus describes what the coming of the kingdom of God looks like in a tender comparison of the fig tree and all other trees. It buds and yet is to bud. Already here and yet to be, its coming looks like all the opening up to warmth and new life that summer brings. The generation in which Jesus spoke these words has passed away, but the kingdom was present then, is here now, and is yet to open wider. “Jesus Christ,” Saint Paul says, “is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

God, just as the buds of the fig tree burst open, let the coming of your kingdom work in me to bud and bring new life. The psalmist prays “Here God lives among his people.” Already here and yet to come, your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Let me remember throughout the day to radiate your love and praise you. Give me the opportunity to show others whose strength it is—from strength to strength—that finds a home in a soul that cries out for the living God. Lord, keep me in your kingdom as I seek to remain in you for eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time—Thanksgiving

From the responsorial psalm: “Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:20-28)

“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

Jesus describes to the disciples the destruction of Jerusalem, which took place in A.D. 70. Luke’s Gospel, written several years later, relates what had already taken place. What Jesus predicts about Jerusalem gives assurance to the disciples that the final judgment will also be fulfilled. In Jesus’ words, “a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon his people. . . . People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world.” As difficult as this time is to imagine—nations in dismay and terrible signs on earth and in the sky—Jesus will come with “power and great glory” as our hope and redeemer comes to call us to the “wedding feast of the Lamb.”

God, in the midst of the greatest distress you are not absent to your people but here among us in the risen Christ, who will come again to judge the living and the dead. Help me trust in you and remain steadfast in the trials of daily life and in preparation for the fulfillment of your kingdom in the Second Coming of Jesus. Keep me in your care, Lord, let me be grateful for the many blessings of each day. On Thanksgiving Day, grant me the grace to be a means of hope and love, especially for those in distress who most need your mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“Not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” | Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:12-19)

“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Jesus speaks to the crowd about the cost of discipleship. In following him and because of his name, Jesus tells the crowd, “It will lead you to your giving testimony.” The wisdom in speaking that Jesus himself gives us does not come in silence and in keeping quiet but in giving testimony to him and in persevering. Because of his name, betrayal and hatred from those closest to us and those with worldly power is a real possibility. In this instance, our defense and freedom as disciples of Christ will not be through intellectual readiness or intensive training but through his supernatural gift of wisdom. “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty!” Lead us to giving testimony to you.

God, help me remain faithful to you today and every day. I survey what lies before me today and hope for greatness in doing your will yet feel small in recognizing the limitations of my own powers. Give me the opportunity today to give testimony to Jesus Christ your Son and the wisdom to act according to your will. The path of discipleship leads toward the grasp of persecutors who silence and kill those who proclaim your great and wonderful works. Yet, your wisdom speaks through those who love you, and not a hair on their head will be destroyed. Keep me in your care, Lord; secure me for eternal life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“See that you not be deceived.” | Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Say among the nations: The LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. The Lord comes to judge the earth.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:5-11)

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”

Jesus observes some people who are speaking about the beautifully adorned temple, its votive offerings, and its costly stones. When Jesus tells them that the days will come when nothing of the temple will be left, they question when this will happen. Turning their attention away from the visible world, Jesus begins to speak of a time and place apart from the present. As much as God is outside of time, so is the kingdom of God; it is already hear and yet to be. The deceiving voices who say they know when the time will come don’t know. Jesus describes what could very well be the present with its wars and insurrections, nation fighting against nation, and global catastrophes. Yet, he also speaks specifically of the final judgment, a time of awesome sights and mighty signs, and as John describes, “sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” In turning our attention away from the present and toward the end times, Jesus invites us to behold a new creation and, ultimately, the realization of God’s promises.

God, before the day unfolds at a pace I struggle to derive meaning from, let me remember what Jesus did in turning the gaze of the people away from the realities and things of the present. First, I hear Jesus say, “See that you not be deceived.” Give me the grace, Lord, to hear you and tune out the voices draw attention to themselves and lead me away from you. Your kingdom is here right now, and Jesus is present today in the scriptures and in the sacraments. Give me wisdom to put my trust there and not take the things of this world or its agendas so seriously. The Gospel acclamation reminds in a few words what the gift of time on earth is for: “Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 21:1-4)

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

The eyes of Jesus fall on the wealthy and the poor widow, but as the Son of God he knows their hearts and judges them perfectly. The value of the offerings from their surplus wealth and from her whole livelihood differ. Jesus begins by saying, “I tell you truly.” In speaking truly, the author of reality describes the offerings as they really are and not as society views them. In what actually matters, the poor widow is spiritually wealthy and the wealthy people live a life of poverty. What gives value to the two small coins is the act of faith and trust in God that Jesus reads in her heart. In giving everything she has to God, she desires not what is vain but longs to see the face of God.

God, just as Jesus observes what the wealthy people and the widow put into the treasury, let me open my heart to him to see what I put in. Please guide me in recognizing the value of money and material things in relation to faith. If I have enough material wealth, help me see this as a gift that is returned to you as I give it away to others. Even more, what does it take for me to be confident enough to trust you with my whole livelihood? How willing am I to give you all of what I believe sustains and supports me? Strengthen me, Lord, to give glory to you as I offer to others the gifts you gave me first. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Saint Paul reminds us, “who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” Saint Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is king, in splendor robed; robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 18:33b-37)

Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate is trying to ascertain what Jesus has done; that is, why Jesus has become his problem. Pilate knows Jesus is not King of the Jews, but he asks him to check whether Jesus is in his right mind. Jesus answers his question with a question: “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Again, Pilate retreats from having to take responsibility for the fate of Jesus by saying that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him. Yet, as he tries to find a way in his power to deal with Jesus, he fails to see in Jesus, Truth made manifest, and gives Jesus over to the people to have him crucified. “What is truth?” he would ask Jesus, the way and the truth and the life in the flesh.

God, keep my mind clear today in knowing Truth as it is in the person of Jesus, King of the universe. Help me turn away from lies and the father of all lies, the evil one. Help me avoid the ways of the world that want nothing to do with you and to know the love you bestow on us in your kingdom as your children. Through Jesus who reigns in splendor at your right hand, Truth took on human form and brought us to truth and life in his passion, death, and resurrection as firstborn of the dead. Give me the grace to trust in the victory of Truth that we will all be witnesses to the glorious coming of Christ our King, that “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” Your dominion, Lord, is an everlasting dominion; your kingship will not be destroyed.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“To him all are alive.” | Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 20:27-40)

“That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.” And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

The question the Sadducees pose to Jesus is this: If a woman marries seven brothers in succession after her first husband dies and then each of those husbands die, whose wife will the woman be? It is a hypothetical, even ridiculous question, meant to support the Sadducees’s belief that there was no resurrection of the dead and that belief in it is absurd. But Jesus refocuses the question toward the truth and away from the diversion. Their question is about eternal life, and Jesus describes a life in the resurrection that goes beyond relationships and institutions. Jesus goes on to interpret Scripture, revealing to the Sadducees his role as the person of truth, God’s only Son who would receive the breath of God in his resurrection.

God, what the psalmist makes clear I want to carry with me throughout the day: this life is a spiritual battle, and you train my hands for battle and my fingers for war. In the first reading, you brought to life with your breath the prophets who were tormented and persecuted. After they died, your “breath of life” entered them, and they heard your loud voice from heaven, saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven as their enemies looked on. What does this say to me today? Be my mercy and my fortress, Lord, my stronghold and deliverer, my shield in whom I trust.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

“My house shall be a house of prayer.” | Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth! How sweet to my taste is your promise!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 19:45-48)

Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

The religious leaders who close in on Jesus are frustrated as he teaches every day in the temple area and one day drives out those who are selling things. Just as the scroll in the first reading is sour to swallow, so are the words of Jesus to those who oppose him because of the people who hear his words and hang on them. Taken in, the the words of Jesus are sweet. “How sweet to my taste is your promise!” the psalmist sings. Yet, taking in the words sometimes puts us in bitter opposition to people and the rulers of the world who seek to impose their purpose, which is to put to death the Word made flesh. Hearing and following his voice, we remain in him.

God, help me understand what it means to “take and swallow” your word. Jesus, the Word incarnate, is present body and blood, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist. How sweet is the promise of Christ, fulfilled through his death and resurrection, and given every time I receive the Eucharist. To take and eat is not to envelop myself in a supernatural shield but to be strengthened to confront suffering and sorrow with divine sustenance and help. Give me the grace, Lord, to listen out for you and follow your voice; if I fail in that effort, stir in me the desire to recognize my state and turn again to you. Saint Cecilia, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament