Tag: Prayer

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply,
“No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.

Today’s Gospel reading takes place after the archangel Gabriel visited Zechariah and told him that his elderly wife Elizabeth would conceive a son and that they should name him John. Zechariah questioned Gabriel, and the angel told him that he would be unable to speak until the child was born. At John’s circumcision, Elizabeth and Zechariah name him John to the amazement of their relatives and neighbors. Luke shows us that God is always faithful to his promises, even when we cannot see how they will be fulfilled.

God, help me hear and respond to your will today just as you were present to John who “grew and became strong in spirit.” A combination of fear and stubbornness often drives me throughout the day to overlook your presence. Help me carry on the work of John, who turned the hearts of the people of Israel to your Son. I want to understand my purpose on this earth in doing your will today and every day. Lord, as the day quickly runs its course, let me know the peace of your presence in every moment.

Be with me, Lord. From the responsorial psalm, “O LORD, you have probed me, you know me: you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.” Saint John the Baptist, 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.

Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Having taught the disciples about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, Jesus teaches them about the activity of the heart. Rather than seeking and storing up treasures on earth, Jesus commands the disciples not to seek and store up the goods of this life, subject to decay and theft. Instead, he instructs them to store up treasures in heaven. The goods of the earth are not evil in themselves, but Jesus calls the disciples to invest their hearts in what begins on earth and leads to heaven. Jesus compares this in another way to sound sight. “If your eye is sound,” Jesus says, “your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.”

God, I often turn my heart to the material things of this world that sustain me for a while but need continual replenishing. Help me see where I place my heart. In choosing treasures, give me the grace today of prudence in storing up the treasures that endure eternally in heaven. In the light of your grace, help me see with a sound eye and mind all the good gifts you give me.

Lord, help me be mindful of you throughout the day. Stay with me as I become aware of the freedom to choose where my treasure is.

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.

Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares with his disciples what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. Before teaching them how to pray, Jesus tells the disciples how not to pray. God does not hear our prayers better when we babble many words; he hears us and knows what we need, Jesus says, even before we pray. After saying the Lord’s Prayer with the disciples, Jesus adds: “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” Part of our “daily bread” is to ask God to forgive us just as we forgive others who have wronged us. In giving, we receive; in forgiving, we are forgiven.

God, as I pray the Our Father, help me hear each word and take to heart what I am saying. In today’s short Gospel passage, Jesus says the word forgive six times. What is there to forgive every day but trespasses (offenses) and transgressions (wrongdoing)? How many times today will I do wrong and expect your forgiveness? Just as many times, give me the grace to show mercy and forgiveness when I am wronged by a stranger or those closest to me.

You alone are just, Lord; you are mercy itself. Help me imitate your Son. From the responsorial psalm: “Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the 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 Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Jesus tells the disciples about giving alms, praying, and fasting. He teaches that when you do good deeds, do not do them for the praise of others, but do them for the glory of God. He promises that if you do good deeds in secret, your Father in heaven will reward you. With prayer, for example, Jesus teaches that when you pray, do not do it like the hypocrites who pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Instead, go into your room, close the door, and pray to God the Father in secret, and your Father in secret will hear your prayer and repay you.

God, help me recognize throughout the day that you see everything I do and hear my thoughts, spoken or unspoken. Jesus teaches me to pray, fast, and give alms. Give me the grace today to do each of these, even in a small way, to keep your word. With the Gospel acclamation, I pray: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” Help me today, God, love you and keep your word.

Lord, help me in all my words and actions today look to you and give to others for the sake of your greater glory. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.”

Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem for Passover. As they approach the city, Jesus sees a fig tree in leaf. He goes to the tree, hoping to find some figs, but there are none. Jesus curses the tree. Later, in the temple area, he drives out those selling and buying there. The next day, the tree he cursed is found to be withered. Jesus’ curse of the fig tree in a way shows that God wants us to be people of faith in his Kingdom—not money changers, not living a life of buying and selling material things—but to bear good fruit in our lives through our words and actions. In my heart, how do I put away doubt, and trust that God has infinite power to accomplish whatever I ask for in prayer?

God, help me understand today’s Gospel. In the pursuit of having enough in this life—and some stored away just in case—it’s easy to make material gain the primary aim. I don’t want that for myself, and I don’t want to be bound by fruitless pursuits. Lord, help me take to heart the words of your Son and trust that what he says doesn’t merely reflect reality but instead shapes it: “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” Lord, provide for me where faith is lacking; give me the grace to be bold in what I ask for and believe that it will happen.

Lord, I know that you love me. Help me remain childlike in my trust. From the responsorial psalm: “For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. The Lord takes delight in his people.”

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.

**Announcement: Please join me in praying a novena to Saint Anthony from June 5 to June 13. I’ll return to daily Gospel reflections on June 14.**

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to the disciples: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.”

Today’s Gospel continues the Last Supper discourses of Jesus. He shares with the disciples his oneness with the Father and his desire that they recognize that he does the will of his Father. “The words that I speak to you,” Jesus says, “I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.” Teaching them this, Jesus also tells them that whatever they ask in his name, he will do “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

God, as I hear these words of Jesus, skepticism and worldly wisdom challenge my belief that whatever I ask in your name you will do. How is this possible? I have to ground this in the truth to understand it. Just as Jesus does your will and models this to the disciples, so must I abandon my own will to yours and remain in you while recognizing my limitations. There is something of a mystery here. Do I abandon free will in doing this? No, instead I freely abandon my will to truth itself so that your will can be done.

Lord, help me remain in this truth today as I consider your love for me. From the responsorial Psalm: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the 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.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples during the Last Supper on the night before his crucifixion. He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled and that he will prepare a place for them in his Father’s house and come back again to take them to himself so that, as Jesus says, “where I am you also may be.” Thomas, uncertain of the way to follow him, asks how they can know the way. Jesus tells him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is the same Jesus, the I AM, who is God made man. In saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus is not proposing principles by which to live in truth; instead, the Son of God is the way and the truth and the life.

God, help me understand the love Jesus had for his disciples and his desire to be with them always. By that same love, Jesus prepares a place for me and will come to take me to himself so that I may also be where he is. Your Son is the way to your house and its many dwelling places.

From the Gospel acclamation, let me remember this prayer throughout the day: “I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Stay with me, Lord! Teach me the desire to come to you always.

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.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the synagogue officials ask Paul to speak a word of exhortation for the people. He tells them the history of Israel and the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. In a similar manner, Jesus speaks to the disciples at the Last Supper, clearly stating that he is I AM, the God of Israel present in the flesh. “If you understand this,” Jesus tells them, “blessed are you if you do it.” By washing the disciples’ feet, the humility of God made man demonstrates sacrificial love and service to them and to all of humanity. To become like you, Lord, is impossible without your grace.

God, help me understand the significance of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. You sent your Son, who is one with you; in receiving the one sent, I receive you as my Father in heaven. Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet, but Jesus said to him: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Grant me the grace, God, to receive your loving kindness fully in this life so that I can in turn bring your love to others and one day as your adopted son come into your glory.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.” Be with me today, 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.

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to Philip: Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

With these words, Jesus responds to Philip, who says to him: “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Especially among the disciples, Jesus’ divine identity in the Father is in plain sight. Yet, Philip is unable to see. As Jesus says, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Speaking to the disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus tells them that just as the Father does his works through him, whoever believes in him will do the works that Jesus himself does. Jesus asks Peter this question, one that I can ask myself throughout the day: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?”

God, help me understand the significance of today’s Gospel when I am faced with choices to refuse your will or to carry it out. I tend toward self-reliance at times, so much so that I am unable to see you in plain sight in the present moment. Rather than relying solely on my own initiatives today, let me ask in Jesus’ name that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jesus says, “If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” Only with childlike trust can I approach you, Lord, in what I ask of you and in what I expect to receive.

God, look upon me today with your love. Give me the grace to see myself as you see me—apart from my own means of measuring self-worth—wholly as you see me, as your beloved child.

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 Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.”

Jesus teaches the people gathered around him in the temple area. Addressing those who do not believe that he is the Christ, he emphasizes his unity with the Father, telling them, “The Father and I are one.” Although Jesus tells them that he is the Son of God and that those who believe and follow him have eternal life, they insist that he tell them plainly whether he is the Christ. Standing before them is God’s own Son, yet they fail to see what is in plain sight. What are the challenges I will face today in hearing and following the voice of Christ?

God, help me hear your voice today. Your ways, Lord, are hidden in mystery but are perceivable to ears that are open and a heart that longs to hear you. Long ago, in Jerusalem during winter, your Son walked around the temple area. Thinking about him that way makes him seem far away and out of touch with the present. Yet, your risen Son is alive today and accessible through your mercy in the sacraments of the Church, through the scriptures, and in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Grant me understanding, Lord, to know that it was through the death and resurrection of your Son the he placed me in your hands to receive the gift of eternal life.

Remain in me today, God, whether in times of quiet or commotion. Remind me I am in your hands. Saint Athanasius, 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.