Tag: bible

“You will find rest for yourselves.” | Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.  O bless the Lord, my soul!”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 11:28-30)

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The Lord who invites us to come to him when we are burdened and need rest is the same one in whom Isaiah tells us, “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength. . . . They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” And this is the same one we hear of in the Gospel acclamation: “Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.” So when the labor and burden and weariness do come, we have a source of infinite strength in the Lord who asks us to take up his yoke and find rest.

God, it would seem easy for me to remember to come to you today as the day wears on and I grow tired. But it’s often the opposite. I try harder to make the best of time, eagerly using the gifts and opportunities you give me, just as I should. Yet, why is it so hard to pause and allow myself to learn from you and to recognize that if I let you, you will be beside me to consecrate every effort and to consecrate time itself as your work unfolds? Give me the grace to pause throughout the day, attentive to the way and the truth and the life who invites me to rest in 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.

Maximilian Kolbe Shrine—Blessed Sacrament

Parable of the Lost Sheep | Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice. The Lord our God comes with power.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 18:12-14)

Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

In the familiar Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus sets an example for the disciples to seek out the sheep that go astray and bring back what was lost with great joy. By asking the opinion of the disciples, and all who hear him, the hypothetical question engages the missionary muscle of the disciples and puts them in the place of their master and teacher. In doing as the Good Shepherd does, the disciples follow God’s will and act through his grace so that not one of these little ones will be lost.

God, help me understand the compassion of Jesus in seeking out the lost sheep. It is both a glimpse into your infinite mercy and example of how to care for others who stray from you, “the little ones.” Isaiah describes the same shepherd who comes to rule us with tenderness and strength: “Here is your God! . . . Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the responsorial psalm: “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 1:26-38)

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” With these words, the angel Gabriel addresses Mary, telling her not to be afraid and announcing that she will bear a son and name him Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary asks how this is possible since she has no relations with a man, and Gabriel explains to her that the “Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Saying “Nothing will be impossible for God,” Gabriel then hears Mary’s great fiat as she says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about Mary’s Immaculate Conception: “Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, ‘full of grace’ through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.”

God, strengthen my faith. In the Annunciation, your overshadowing love through the Holy Spirit makes possible the redemption of all who call on the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God and son of Mary. Freely choosing to do your will, Mary becomes the vessel of your incarnation that brings to fulfillment all of your promises. If I remember only two lessons from the Annunciation, help me always be unafraid to say yes to your will; and in doing your will, help me live courageously in the realization that through your overshadowing love, nothing is impossible. Blessed Virgin Mary, 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 winding roads shall be made straight.” | Second Sunday of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 3:1-6)

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
    A voice of one crying out in the desert:
    “Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make straight his paths.
    Every valley shall be filled
        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The winding roads shall be made straight,
        and the rough ways made smooth,
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Luke couches the appearance of John the Baptist within a historical context. Before Jesus entered human history, John’s ministry was that of repentance and forgiveness of sins to prepare the way of the Lord. Within that context, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah. In that coming, God breaks into human history through the voice of the greatest of prophets who sets the stage so that “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

God, help me understand today’s readings for the second Sunday of Advent. Help me hear the prayer of Saint Paul as he writes in his letter what he desires for all who hear the voice of Christ: “that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value.” Right here and right now, Lord, in the context of a specific time and place, your word comes to me. The winding road of the present day lies before me. With your grace, work through me to make straight a path and prepare for your coming.

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

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

From the responsorial psalm: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:27-31)

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Jesus sends out the Twelve to do what he has been doing around all the towns and villages: teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and curing all manner of disease and illness. Moved to pity at the sight of the crowds, Jesus sees the need to give authority to the Twelve “to cure every disease and illness” and to drive out unclean spirits. This is the same Lord, responsive to every one of our needs, that Isaiah tells us about in the first reading: “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.”

God, help me today see in others what Jesus saw in the crowds. His reason for compassion was because “they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Help me be obedient to Jesus’ command to go to the lost sheep without counting the cost. Jesus models Christian discipleship not only for the apostles but for all who hear his call to remain faithful to the Church in proclaiming the kingdom. With your authority, Lord, through baptism and the sacraments, give me the grace to proclaim in my words and actions that your kingdom is now at hand. Saint Ambrose, 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

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.” | Friday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 9:27-31)

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.

After Jesus gives sight to the blind men, he sternly warns them not to tell anyone about the miracle. But they tell their story anyway, and word of Jesus spreads throughout the region. By asking the blind men if they believe he can heal them, Jesus invites them into a relationship with him just as the angel Gabriel invited Mary into a relationship with God. She said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” As Jesus touches the eyes of the blind men, he says, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” God, the giver of all good gifts, invites us to receive his mercy; in turn, we give him our trust and faith in him and are made whole.

God, it is difficult for me to say “Let it be done.” I would rather go by my own vision diminished by life experience and by sin than to have complete faith and trust in you. Yet, in complete trust, the blind men said yes to you and were given sight to see but greater still the supernatural vision of your love and mercy for them. I wonder if I have to be a bit reckless in the way a child might be reckless—unaware of self-preservation and not taking myself so seriously. Is it like this: within reason, one way is as good as another as long as I don’t turn away from you? Or “Love God and do what you will,” as Saint Augustine said. Open my eyes, Lord, my light and my salvation. Saint Nicholas, 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

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them.” | Thursday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 7:21, 24-27)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Jesus compares the lives of those who are obedient to the Father with those who are not. Obedience to the Father’s will is made up of listening and doing. When storms come in full force—winds, rain, floods—the house built on rock will not collapse. When the same happens to a house built on sand, Jesus says, “it collapsed and was completely ruined.” Hearing and responding to God’s will is the foundation for the house built on rock. Isaiah tells us more about keeping faith and remaining in the Lord: “Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.”

God, help me trust now and forever in you, the eternal rock. When storms come, help me listen to the words of your Son and act on them as I do your will. In doing your will, I work toward entering the eternal kingdom of heaven even as I enter it in the present moment. Keep me attentive to your will and not self-absorbed even as I call out, “Lord, Lord.” Your will, not mine. To listen for your voice in silence is worth more than many anguished petitions although I know you hear every one of my prayers. Help me today, Lord, have childlike trust in discerning and acting on your will.

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

“They all ate and were satisfied.” | Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

From the responsorial psalm: “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 15:29-37)

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

The great crowds come to listen listen to Jesus. With them come people who have all sorts of debilitations and illnesses, and Jesus cures them. The deformed are made whole, the lame walk, and the blind see. Because of this, Matthew tells us, “they glorified the God of Israel.” As he looks at the crowd, he is moved with pity for them because they have had nothing to eat for three days. The disciples question where they will get enough bread to satisfy the crowd. The ending to this familiar Gospel account is well known. Yet, the story goes on as the same Lord who destroyed death forever spreads a table for us in the sight of our foes. In the Eucharist, Christ prepares a feast of “rich food and pure, choice wines.” What is a fitting response to this invitation? “Behold, the Lord comes to save his people,” the responsorial psalm says, “blessed are those prepared to meet him.”

God, how little separates the people then with people today? Considering my own brokenness and sin, what will be my response to the invitation to receive healing from Jesus, to share in the superabundance of blessings in this day alone? Jesus also speaks to me as he speaks to the disciples: “How many loaves do you have?” It’s as if he is saying, “What little you have, give me. I will bless it and break it; in breaking it, I will not divide it but multiply it a hundredfold.” From on high, he asks the same of me, that I come to him in brokenness to be made whole and be made ready for the banquet of eternal life. Help me, God, remember to come to the feet of Jesus to bring him what I have to give.

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

“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