Tag: faith

“Lord, please let me see.” | Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 18:35-43)

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God.

As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind man sits by the side of the road begging and asks what all of the commotion is about. “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they tell him. Suddenly, he shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people try to silence the man, but he cries out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” When Jesus hears the man, he stops immediately and asks that the man be brought to him. After Jesus restores the man’s sight at the request “Lord, please let me see,” the man follows Jesus and the people who witness all they have seen give praise to God. Jesus gives the gift of faith not only to the man he cured but to the crowd who witnessed his miracle.

God, help me understand your superabundant grace. You have more than enough for one soul, and through the one on whom you pour out your grace, others come to see you and deepen their faith. Like the blind man, I see Jesus passing by through his preaching and healing in the Gospel and in the sacraments of the Church. Let nothing stop me from going to him to cry out, “Lord, please let me see.” Today’s Gospel is a happy ending; nobody accuses Jesus or plots a way to trap him. Help me see in the Gospel an example of the way your grace should work in the lives of others, leaving them free to witness your works and give you praise. Thanks be to God!

From the Gospel acclamation: “I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” Lord, be the light in my life so that I can see your ways.

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.

“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” | Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 14:1-6)

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him.

After Jesus dismisses the man, he says: “‘Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?’ But they were unable to answer his question.” Luke tells us that Jesus dismisses the man after healing him and only then addresses the Pharisees. On his way and free of his illness, the man who suffered no longer suffers, but the Pharisees and scholars of the law are unable to answer, silenced in the hypocrisy they are bound by. The answer to the question Jesus asks them is in the affirmative. But they are unable to affirm what they know is true. Jesus heals the suffering man and invites the Pharisees to be healed in the truth of his mercy.

Father in heaven, help me understand today’s Gospel. In the darkness that sin casts over me, I am not far off from the scholars of the law and the Pharisees when I place strict observance over mercy or remain silent when I hear your voice. Help me live in your truth, in truth itself in the person of Jesus your Son. “I speak the truth in Christ,” Saint Paul writes. “I do not lie.” Let me do the same. Give me the grace of Christ’s healing presence in the Eucharist, and dismiss me today with a heart to love you and hands to serve you in knowing your truth and doing your will.

From the responsorial psalm: “My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow 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.

“The will of the one who sent me. . . ” The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 6:37-40)

Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowd about the will of the Father and what the will of the Father is. Jesus goes on to say it is “that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” Just as Jesus does the will of the Father, in coming to Jesus we go to the gift the Father has given us in his Son to make his will our own.

Father in heaven, help me learn your will and do my part in accomplishing it. Your Son’s perfect obedience in his life, death, and resurrection brings salvation to all who believe in him. At your right hand, may your Son intercede for all the faithful departed, who lived lives of holiness through obedience to your word. Grant me the grace to recognize all of the good gifts you give me every day, and let me come to you day by day better prepared for your gift of eternal life.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

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 All Saints

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” Lord, thank you for your kingdom; in it, let me grow more and more in love of its mysteries.

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

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.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus looks out over the crowd and in his Sermon on the Mount teaches the disciples and the crowd—in fact, every one of us—the Beatitudes. Every one of the eight beatitudes presents different facts of the Kingdom of God and guide us toward living a blessed life according to God’s will. The poor in spirit recognize in humility their reliance on God; those who mourn receive God’s comfort; the meek in their gentleness will inherit the earth. Jesus includes in the Beatitudes the blessings and the blessedness of the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted. Through Christ, all of us are called to be holy men and women of the Beatitudes, bringing forth the Kingdom of God here and now and preparing ourselves as children of God to one day see him face to face.

Father in heaven, in today’s celebration of the Communion of the Saints, I glimpse those in your kingdom whose “hands are sinless, whose heart is clean.” Teach me, Lord, to desire not what is vain but what leads to you in this life and to the kingdom that has not yet been revealed. Give me the grace to take in any one of the Beatitudes and all of them to see how each is integral to the others. Open my heart to see in everyday situations the opportunity to put into practice any one of the Beatitudes—good in itself—and the fullness of all of the Beatitudes in the imitation of Christ. Strengthen me, Lord, to know and do your will.

From the responsorial psalm: “Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”

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.

“What is the Kingdom of God like?” | Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” Lord, thank you for your kingdom; in it, let me grow more and more in love of its mysteries.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13:18-21)

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes comparisons to the Kingdom of God in two parables. The tiny mustard seed, no larger than the largest grain of sand, grows large enough for birds to make nests in its branches. Jesus goes on to compare the Kingdom of God to yeast mixed into wheat flour, which leavens a large batch of dough. To whatever degree the Kingdom of God is present now, much more is to come in its fulfillment. As Saint Paul says in the first reading: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God.”

Father in heaven, help me see your kingdom in the present but also wait for what is to come with eager expectation. The best days experienced on this earth still contain suffering. Yet, the smallest seeds of hope in your kingdom—already here and still to come—sustain me as I wait for what Saint Paul calls “the glory to be revealed for us.” Strengthen me today, Lord, with childlike hope. In the words of the psalmist: “Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. The Lord has done marvels for us.” Give me the grace to wait with endurance for what I cannot yet see.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” Lord, thank you for your kingdom; in it, let me grow more and more in love of its mysteries.

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 are set free of your infirmity.” | Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13:10-17)

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.

Today’s Gospel could end as the woman stands up straight and glorifies God. It’s a joyful moment that captures the imagination and could stand on its own apart from the rest of the passage. Yet, Luke goes on to convey even more to take to heart, showing us Jesus’ act of mercy in the right place at the right time. Despite witnessing a miracle, the leader of the synagogue criticizes Jesus for healing the woman on the sabbath when there are six other days to cure her. Calling out his hypocrisy, Jesus says to him: “This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” In his Father’s house and on the sabbath, in his mercy Jesus desires to free her from her illness, from bondage to the flesh. As Saint Paul says in the first reading, “Brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”

Father in heaven, help me live with a spirit of adoption as your child, a joint heir with Christ your Son. On my own, a sinner, I fall into the bondage of sin. That’s no way to live. Let me be led to you again and again, calling you to mind. Give me the grace to recognize how your will moves throughout the day so that I can live according to it, free from fear to worship you and give you glory. Just as Jesus acted freely in the right place at the right time, help me today see where your mercy is needed and be a means of freeing others.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.” Abba, Father, let me live 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.

“Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” | Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 22:34-40)

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus responds to a Pharisee, who comes to test him. Having heard that Jesus silenced the Sadducees, he comes to Jesus to contend with him, to measure Jesus’ knowledge of the law against his own overinflated view of himself. In what way did Jesus silence the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection? One can only imagine that Jesus’ reply to the Pharisee silences him as well when he says: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” In what particular way does Jesus, the same Lord who hears the cry of the poor, invite us to imitate his love and compassion?

Father in heaven, as I consider the words “with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” I am overwhelmed with this high calling to love you. Without that kind of love, it is impossible to turn to others and love them as myself. Give me the grace to be compassionate to others as a way to dwell in the freeing love you command me to follow. In turn, help me love you completely so that I know in word and deed what it is to love my neighbor as myself. Here is where trust is vital. As in the responsorial psalm, I ask you to be my strength: “I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.”

From the Gospel acclamation: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.”

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.

Saint Jude Novena: Day 9

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Most holy St. Jude—apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (Pause for a moment to pray for your intentions.)

You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.

Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.

St. Jude, pray for me that I will not lose faith.

O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saint Jude Novena: Day 8

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Most holy St. Jude—apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (Pause for a moment to pray for your intentions.)

You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.

Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.

St. Jude, pray for me that I will not lose hope.

O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaVQ82g2C4

Saint Jude Novena: Day 7

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Most holy St. Jude—apostle, martyr and friend of Jesus, today I ask that you pray for me and my intentions! (Pause for a moment to pray for your intentions.)

You are the patron of the impossible. Pray for me and my intentions! O St. Jude, pray that God’s grace and mercy will cover my intentions. Pray for the impossible if it is God’s will.

Pray that I may have the grace to accept God’s holy will even if it is painful and difficult for me.

St. Jude, pray that I may put my trust in God that He knows my needs even better than I do and that He provides.

O St. Jude, pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love and in the grace of Jesus Christ. Pray for these intentions, but most of all pray that I may join you in heaven with God for all eternity.

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.