Tag: christianity

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church

From the responsorial psalm: “You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:20-26)

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Jesus goes on to tell the disciples the consequences of not settling quickly resulting from the limitations of human righteousness that the Pharisees exhibited. Addressing unforgiveness, Jesus says: “Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.” In other words, the bars of unforgiveness that you would have enclose another are the very same bars that you find yourself enclosed in. “Amen, I say to you,” Jesus says, “you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” That is why Jesus tells us first to reconcile with our brothers and sisters before bringing to the altar, to the Eucharistic sacrifice, the gift of self we offer to give glory and praise to God.

God, only you know and have as your being limitless mercy. The day will bring plenty of reconciliations to be worked out, lots of opportunities to work toward forgiveness in some form. Give me the wisdom to know the limits of my ability to forgive; when I stumble, show me the way to become a means of your mercy. Lead me not into the temptation to confine your mercy to my limited understanding but grant me the grace to see your hand at work where it is most needed. Saint Anthony, 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.

Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:17-19)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

As Jesus speaks to the disciples, he emphasizes continuity with the law and the prophets as the one who comes not to abolish but to fulfill. The words of Jesus do not supersede God’s commandments revealed in the Old Testament, but he opens up to all as the incarnate Word the path to the kingdom of heaven. Until everything the law points to is fulfilled, as Jesus says, “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law.” Jesus calls us into a genuine commitment to live out God’s commandments daily in our words and actions by following him.

God, help me be attentive today to your commandments. The day has a way of obscuring obedience to your word, or let me be more clear with myself: I tend toward succumbing to the temptation to shut out your will and do things my way and think things my way. I ask you for the grace to identify the threshold of disobedience to your commandments so that with you at my right hand I will not be misled. Let me remember the words of the psalmist today: “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” Teach me your paths, God, and guide me in your truth.

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.

“Your light must shine before others.” | Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:13-16)

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Jesus uses the analogies of salt and light to teach the disciples about a basic orientation to have while on earth and in this world. Salt of the earth and light of the world, the followers of Jesus have a task to go out to others in that manner. Inviting us to live our faith openly, Jesus calls us to witness to society the singular flavor and preservation of God’s word and to be a light that penetrates the darkness as we share the good news of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

God, help me be salt and light in the world today. When I face uncertainty about how I am to do your will when dealing with difficult people or situations, give me the wisdom to know how much salt is needed to season a relationship or at what angle light should shine in the darkness to give glory to you. Guide me today, Lord; reveal clearly my place today as salt and light. Saint Barnabas, 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.

“Blessed are they . . .” | Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life. The LORD will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:1-12)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Every word from today’s readings perfectly express God’s care for his people, guarding their coming and going and blessing us at each way of being in this life. What else is there to do but give thanks to God for the strength and confidence given to the meek, comfort given to those who mourn, and mercy to those who are merciful? And for each place we find ourselves in life, God blesses us abundantly with what we need to receive and in turn give away.

Praise and thanks to you, Lord, for your many blessings

of love, forgiveness, mercy, and peace. Help me strive to live out the beatitudes and trust in the truth of them in word and deed, as Jesus did. Suffering will come; crosses will come every day that obscure vision. Give me purity of heart so I can see you clearly, Lord, and the grace to be merciful because you yourself are mercy. Eternal glory to you, 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.

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” | Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 3:20-35)

His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Today’s Gospel begins and ends with descriptions of family. So great is the crowd that gathers around Jesus, they make it impossible for him to take time to eat. When his relatives hear of this, they go to remove him from the situation, saying, “He is out of his mind.” At the same time, the scribes claim that he is possessed by Beelzebul. Jesus responds to this by pointing out the inconsistency of the argument. He explains that Satan cannot cast out Satan because a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. He tells them that no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first binds the strong man, Satan. Jesus himself binds the strong man and frees us from him. As his mother and brothers stand outside asking for him, Jesus looks at the crowd circled around him and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Obedience to God’s will—free from the bondage of sin and blame—redefines and expands the meaning of family and is an invitation to unity with brothers and sisters in his undivided kingdom.

God, help me imitate Christ your Son, the New Adam, in recognizing brothers and sisters who do your will as part of my family with Christ as its head. Division is real, and taken in my own hands this is an impossible task. The Gospel passage says that to “those seated in the circle” Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.” Hear my voice, Lord, when I ask to remain close to Jesus in this earthly existence even as you ready me in it for eternal life. In daily life—in its struggles, its trials—help me see what is unseen for the sake of your glory. “For this momentary light affliction,” Saint Paul says, “is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” I trust in you, LORD; my soul trusts in your word. Keep me in your care!

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 the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:41-51)

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Mary ponders in her heart the finding of Jesus in the temple and the circumstances surrounding it. In the same way, Mary ponders earlier in Luke’s account of the Gospel. He tells us in the chapter before this one of the announcement of the angel Gabriel that Mary had “found favor with God” and that she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus, Son of the Most high. With faith in the Lord, Mary replies to Gabriel: “May it be done to me according to your word.” Here, as Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple, in their astonishment they find Jesus amidst teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Mary asks, trying to understand him, “Son, why have you done this to us?” By the time she visits her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaims in her Magnificat “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Father in heaven, help me see what Mary sees as she keeps in her heart all that you have done for her. In anxiety, she said to Jesus, “Son, why have you done this to us?” Let Mary’s prayer be my prayer when I seek to do your will even when I don’t understand what my part is or where it will lead. Grant me the quiet, contemplative faith to keep your word as Mary did, trusting in a savior whose greatness is in lifting up the lowly and whose “mercy is from age to age.” Help me, Lord, find your Son in the midst of the day so that with Mary as a model of holiness, I find through faith and trust in your mercy a grateful heart that rejoices in all that you have done for me.

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.

Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

From the Gospel acclamation: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 19:31-37)

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe.

After Jesus was crucified, it was the day of Preparation for the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders requested Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken to ensure they would die quickly and not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. However, when they came to Jesus, they found that he had already died and did not break his legs. The flow of blood and water from Jesus’ side is substantiated by an eyewitness account so that those who read the testimony may believe. The piercing of Jesus’ side confirms his death and the fulfillment of prophecy.

God, help me understand the yoke that Jesus asks me to take upon me. It is impossible for me to comprehend what that means to take on his yoke when considering his horrible crucifixion and death. Yet, the sacred heart of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is strength itself to endure suffering even more unimaginable than the cross. As Saint Paul says: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Teach me, Lord, to endure the inevitably of suffering for the sake of your glory.

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 Lord our God is Lord alone!” | Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel acclamation: “Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 12:28-34)

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In response to Jesus’ words, the scribe recognizes the kind of love that is “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” and commends Jesus. “You are not far from the Kingdom of God,” Jesus says to the scribe. With the words that begin “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!” Jesus prays a daily prayer of the ancient Israelites, still recited today, the Shema . With God as Lord alone, it is possible to say what Jesus says next. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The right ordering of God first affirms the inseparability between sincere love for God and love for neighbor. As Sulpician theologian Adolphe Tanquerey said: “Fraternal charity is indeed a theological virtue . . . provided that we love God Himself in our neighbor . . . that we love the neighbor for God’s sake. Should we love the neighbor solely for his own sake, or because of the services he may render us, this would not be charity.” How is God calling us into a genuine, wholehearted love that transforms our relationship with him and our interactions with others?

Father in heaven, you are the source of all love, and you loved us first. For the sake of your glory, Lord, show me how to love you and to love my neighbor. Keep me in your care. The daily trial of loving one another puts into sharp relief the realization that you are God, the source of love, and I am not. In the prayer of the psalmist, I ask for your guidance: “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Teach me your ways, O Lord.” Saint Norbert, 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.

Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

From the responsorial psalm: “To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 12:18-27)

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?”

The Sadducees question Jesus about the marriage obligations brothers have to each other after death. Although they don’t believe in resurrection after death, they ask Jesus because they are trying to trick him. Although the scenario the Sadducees propose has almost no chance of ever happening, the real tragedy is the complete lack of trust the Sadducees have in God’s providence and love. Jesus simply confronts them with the Scriptures and the power of God. “When they rise from the dead,” he tells them, “they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. . . . He is not God of the dead but of the living.” In his response to the Sadducees, Jesus affirms the reality of the resurrection despite the limits of human understanding, and he stresses the need to have steadfast faith in God’s promises.

God, help me strive today to live a life that leads me to heaven. I can’t conceive what heaven is like and fail to comprehend eternal praise of your name through the redemptive gift of your Son. But let me trust in what Jesus says about the resurrection, that we will be like angels and that you are the God of the living. “You are greatly misled,” Jesus said to the Sadducees. Give me the grace not to be misled by the limits of human understanding but instead trust completely in your infinite goodness and mercy. Saint Boniface, 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.

Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 12:13-17)

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?”

Jesus knows that he is being tested and makes clear that he is aware of that. He asks for a denarius to be brought to him and asks them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They tell Jesus it is Caesar’s. In asking them this, Jesus reveals a truth about personhood and image. The image and inscription are Caesar’s, and though they belong to him, they are not Caesar himself. So it is that Jesus is able to say, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” In the first reading, Peter reminds us that this world and all of its apparent realities are passing: “But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” And Peter tells us to grow in grace and to give glory to God now and to the day of eternity.

Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you today for the grace to live as you would have us live, at peace and waiting for and hastening your coming. “Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,” the psalmist prays, “that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.” Give me the wisdom to recognize and act on your will, accomplishing with the sight you give me to care for your every good gift. What Peter prays for I also ask that you help me keep in my heart: “be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.” In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. 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.