Tag: discipleship

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” | Second Sunday of Lent

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 9:28b-36, today’s readings)

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray, where they are witnesses to the Lord’s Transfiguration. During that time, Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with Jesus and revealing through their presence that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Peter wants to remain in that place, making three tents for them. But the mission of Jesus and the disciples lay ahead of them. Even as Peter speaks, a cloud overshadows them, and they hear the Father’s voice declare, “This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.” Just as God makes a covenant with Abraham, revealing his divine plan through a mysterious vision, God’s glory is revealed in the Transfiguration. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise, strengthening the disciples for the suffering to come. Like Peter, we want to hold onto moments of spiritual consolation, but discipleship calls us to bring Christ’s light into the world.

God, you call me to move forward in faith even in those moments when I sit quietly with you after receiving the Eucharist or before you in the Blessed Sacrament. Give me the courage to follow you, even when the path leads through trials and uncertainty. Strengthen me with your gifts of grace so that I can bring your light to the world and trust in the glory yet to come. Help me to listen to you and embrace the mission you have given me. Jesus, I trust in you.

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.

“Put out into deep water.” | Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 5:1-11, today’s readings)

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.

Luke describes the calling of the first disciples, namely Simon Peter, James, and John. Commenting on this passage, Saint John Paul II said, “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” By saying this, he reminded us that God continually calls us to live a deeper, more purposeful life. Simon Peter’s response to Jesus is an example of faith and humility; an experienced fisherman, Peter would have known well when and where to catch fish. Returning to the shore, Peter professes Jesus as Lord, not fit to be in his presence. Jesus says to him, calling him to his mission of evangelization: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

God, help me understand that you dwell in depth and mystery yet are ever present in the sacraments of the Church, especially in the real presence of the Eucharist. My own will, like Peter’s, moves from what it knows and toward what it knows. Give me the grace to hear and understand your will in the depth of my heart and then act on it. Guide me away from the mediocrity of determining that my life’s purpose is self-circumscribed. From the deep, unseen places where you are and through the body and blood of Jesus, guide me toward accepting your will and doing what you ask of me. Make clear to me, Lord, what it is you wish me for to do.

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.

“His heart was moved with pity for them.” | Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:30-34, today’s readings)

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

After the apostles return to Jesus and report all that they accomplished and taught, Jesus recognizes their need for rest and retreat after a round of strenuous ministry. He invites them to come away to “a deserted place and rest a while.” But as they try to find a secluded place, a large crowd follows them. The compassion Jesus reveals his boundless empathy and care for his people, and he provides for their needs with the comfort of his presence and teachings. As his followers, it is no stretch to say that the disciples see and follow Jesus as he once again does the work of God among the crowds.

God, in the midst of the day’s events, help me remember that you are always at my side. Just as Jesus invited the disciples to retreat from their busy ministry to restore their spirit, help me recognize when I need to step back and consciously choose to rest. Through your grace, teach me to respond to the needs of other as an instrument of your peace. Help me think about the words of Saint Paul from the first reading: “Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

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.

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “For he will hide me in his abode in the day of trouble; He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent, he will set me high upon a rock. The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (today’s readings)

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.

Because John the Baptist addresses the wrong done by King Herod in marrying Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias holds a grudge that results in John’s gruesome beheading through the manipulation of her daughter. Regardless of the consequences and mortal costs of speaking up, John remains faithful to carrying out God’s commandments and teaching moral truths as a prophet. The consequences of Herodias’s grudge quickly disintegrates into the worst outcome. Saint Paul reminds us instead to follow Jesus who is the same today, yesterday, and forever: “Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body. Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled.” In our own lives, what is the cost of steadfast commitment to God’s truth, especially in the face of adversity?

God, help me keep in mind the words of Saint Paul as I move throughout the day. He says, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” He urges his us to remain free of love of money and to be content with what we have. Herodias made her daughter an accomplice in the murder of John the Baptist. Keep me on guard against sin but especially in causing others to sin. Give me the grace to recognize that nothing separates me from your love as I hold to my commitment to your truth and justice, fully aware of the cost of discipleship. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust.” Be with me, Lord.

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.

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

From the responsorial psalm: “O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple. As your name, O God, so also your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Of justice your right hand is full. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (today’s readings)

So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Mark describes in detail how Jesus sends out the Twelve to preach, heal the sick, and exorcise demons. He sends them out in pairs with specific instructions for what they are to take with them, which is practically nothing. This turns their reliance entirely to God and to the hospitality of the people they stay with. He says, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.” This line alone contains profound teaching not only for the apostles but for every one of us. To enter into a house and stay means to be at peace in the place you are and not to seek a constant upgrade or rely on another, greater source of security and shelter. To “stay until you leave from there” also means to glorify God in the authority he gives us by being present in mind, body, and spirit in order to carry out his work as disciples.

God, I can only imagine what Jesus would say to people of today as he sends them out to proclaim the Gospel. So much of what I have goes far beyond basic needs. Yet although material things have good, legitimate uses, they are useless if they prevent me from entering in and staying with you. Saint Paul says in the first reading that Moses, on hearing you—”a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them”—was terrified and trembling. How much good there is in putting things down that make noise but don’t speak. Give me the grace, Lord, to stay where I am today and be grateful for the hospitality I receive from others as I witness to your goodness and mercy. Saint Paul Miki and martyrs, 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.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” | Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

On the sabbath and in the town of Nazareth, where Jesus had grown up, in the synagogue he reads from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. After reading it, he says to those in the synagogue, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” In saying this, Jesus claims divine identity as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Today’s Gospel begins from the first chapter of Luke, in which he lays out his intention for writing it: just as many have written of the events Jesus fulfilled, Luke carefully investigates the events so that “you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” As Jesus fulfills what we hear him read in the portion of the reading, he fulfills entirely all of it, as when Isaiah says Jesus was sent “To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning, a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit.” Jesus embodies the longing of the prophets; he is hope realized from every promise God fulfills.

God, strengthen my faith. Luke investigates the events of Jesus and retells them for that purpose. What I first received through faith, help me grow in the certainty of its teachings and be released from the bonds of doubt. Why does Luke retell what has been told but to share with one person, Theophilus, the entirety of the Gospel? In sharing that joy with one person, he shares with the whole world. Lord, give me the grace to see the words and actions of Jesus anew in Luke’s Gospel. Help me see in him the fulfillment of all of your promises made throughout the history of salvation. In receiving the word, let me be firm in faith and tirelessly retell to one soul at a time what Jesus brought to fulfillment: “The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, and to proclaim liberty to the captives.”

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.

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel.” | Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

. . .

From the Gospel acclamation:

“For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:15-18)

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

As Jesus speaks to the apostles, he describes the signs that will accompany them. Those who have been baptized and believe, he tells them, will be able to accomplish supernatural works through the Holy Spirit. Called by the same Lord and sent out to proclaim the Gospel is Paul, who describes himself as one to whom the risen Christ appeared last of all; in Paul’s words, “as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” The story of the apostles and the story of Paul teach us something about the call to discipleship. Among those who are baptized, the call will come early or the call will come late. Like Paul, with our many gifts, we are a “chosen instrument,” responding to the voice of Jesus who calls us to “get up and go” by proclaiming the Gospel.

God, help me throughout the day to consider the conversion of Saint Paul. He was literally knocked off his high horse, blinded by your light, and brought to wholeness through fasting and with the help of others. How familiar is the armor of self-preservation that keeps me moment by moment from receiving your grace. Yet, Jesus calls the apostles and Paul and all who hear his voice to put on the armor or Christ for a purpose the Gospel acclamation states perfectly: “I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” Jesus chose the apostles from the world, from out of the world, and he chose Paul as “a chosen instrument of mine.” Saint Paul, 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.

“You have revealed them to the childlike.” | Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest

From the responsorial psalm: “O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 10:21-24)

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Jesus rejoices not in knowledge gained through human learning and experience but to what the Father reveals. To be wise and learned is to observe the ways of the world and predict outcomes but to be childlike in faith is to share in the relationship between the Father and the Son. The knowledge gained through learning and worldly wisdom is good in itself but is worth nothing compared to the knowledge Jesus is able to reveal to us because the Father has handed all things over to him. This is why Jesus rejoices and expresses gratitude in revealing this truth as he does his Father’s will. With childlike faith, God can accomplish what the wise and the learned can only hope to glimpse.

God, help me understand with humility the role of every good gift of experience and learning you give me. Certain dimensions of wisdom and knowledge simply do not come through being learned and knowledgeable. Give me the grace to be open to what Jesus offers, to what Isaiah calls “a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD.” The Gospel acclamation says, “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” Enlighten my eyes, Lord, as I strain to see what human comprehension fails to reveal. Saint Francis Xavier, 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

“Only say the word.” | Monday of the First Week of Advent

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:5-11)

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Although Jesus is willing to go to the servant’s house, the centurion feels unworthy to have him under his roof. He asks Jesus to simply speak a word of healing, drawing on his experience as a leader and as one who leads others. He trusts the authority of Jesus and has faith in him. Jesus is amazed by this and turns to those following him, witnesses to the centurion’s faith, and says, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” We hear also in the first reading the hope of having the Lord enter under our roof, as Isaiah prays, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!”

God, let me follow the centurion’s example of faith and trust in the word of Jesus to heal me. In the Gospel, the servant is “lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” I am sure there will be moments throughout the day when I am completely stuck, stifled by uncertainty and wondering where you are and how to move toward you. I may be paralyzed in that moment, but you are not. Give me the grace to remember this prayer and bear witness to your mercy: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

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

“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