Tag: Catholic morning prayer

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” | Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The Lord is faithful in all his words.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 13:22-30)

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”

Jesus invites all who hear him to enter into the kingdom of God. Some will reject the invitation, and some will not be strong enough. For those who first hear the Gospel and reject it, the choice is theirs to remain outside the kingdom. But the invitation to come into the kingdom is not indefinite, and there will be a time when people knock but are not admitted. Remaining strong in faith and trusting in the call of Christ to follow him, we are called, as the Gospel acclamation says, “to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” now and in the life of the world to come.

God, you are faithful in all your words and holy in all your works. How can I not strive to enter in and remain with you, the God who “lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down”? Give me the grace today to recognize that the unique gifts you have given me are the same means by which I give glory to you. Help me be a doer of your word and not a hearer only. Strengthen my faith, and help me recognize your divine power to work all things for the good. As Saint Paul says, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

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.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.”

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.”

Jesus uses this parable to compare a heavenly mystery to a phenomenon familiar to anyone who has ever observed the growth of a planted seed. A child who marvels at the sprouting and growth of a tiny seed takes in this mystery just as the childlike in faith take in the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Jesus asks a rhetorical question, suggesting the inadequacy of comparisons and the completeness that lies in the mystery. “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” “To what can I compare it?” At the coming of his passion, Jesus would later reveal to the disciples what would become of a planted seed: “Amen, amen, I say to you, “. . . unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

Father in heaven, help me take in the mystery of your kingdom that Jesus reveals to all who would hear him. “Blessed are those who fear the Lord,” the psalmist prays. “You shall eat the fruit of your handiwork.” Although hidden in mystery, you are fully present and at work in the world. Guide me today, Lord, as I look confidently to you in faith. Give me the grace to trust in you, especially when your work in my life is not readily apparent to me but is hidden in mystery. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.

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.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

“He called his disciples to himself.” | Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

From the responsorial psalm: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Their message goes out through all the earth.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 6:12-16)

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke tells us that Jesus spent a night in prayer on the mountain before coming down. As day came, he called the disciples to himself and from among them chose the Twelve. Through prayer, Jesus discerned the Father’s will. We hear in the responsorial psalm: “Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge.” The result of appointing the Twelve is that the word of God pours out from them—“a dwelling place of God in the spirit”—over all the earth. Jesus comes down to us as he did to the Apostles. He condescends to offer us the same blessedness as we share the Gospel and participate as the apostles did in the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection.

Father in heaven, you observe all know my every need even when I am unable to ask you for it. As Jesus appointed the Twelve, did they willingly accept this in anticipation of honor, or did they dread the responsibility or the consequences of following Jesus? Help me choose to be unafraid when you provide me with opportunities to give glory to you. Give me the grace to discern the unassuming ways you make yourself present so that even “the heavens declare the glory of God.” Saints Simon and Jude, 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.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

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.”

After saying these words, Jesus turned to his disciples and told them in private that they are blessed to see what prophets and kings desired to see and hear but did not see and hear. What is the it that Jesus refers to? The Gospel acclamation explicitly says what it is: “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” Enlightenment for his servants; servants see what the wise and the learned hoped to see and hear. When I consider myself wise, how often have I shut my eyes and closed my ears to the wisdom of God right in front of me? To be childlike in faith, is it to see what is hidden in plain sight? Jesus, reveal the Father to me.

God, help me understand who it is you sent into the world to be seen and heard. You have given everything you have to your Son, and through you I come to know him, and through what he reveals I come to know you. Holy Spirit, help me know the Father and the Son so that I can seek you out and find your dwelling, where as the first reading from Isaiah says, “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.”

God, you hear my sighs; you see my restlessness and know that I want you near. For you, nothing is impossible. Help me through your grace recover childlike wonder—the blessedness of seeing you as you are—as I come into your presence; help me throughout the day remember to come into your presence.

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.

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