Tag: Saint Isaac Jogues

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the responsorial psalm: “Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 10:35-45)

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James and John ask Jesus to grant them the honor of sitting at his right and left in his glory. Misunderstanding what it means to share in glory as a leader, Jesus describes his coming suffering and death. He goes on to tell them that they also will face suffering. In this world, Jesus tells explains, rulers exercise authority over others, but among his followers it’s different: true greatness, Jesus tells them, comes from serving others.

God, help me follow what Jesus taught the disciples. On any given day, there are dozens of temptations to power, to be the one who lords power or wealth over others. Help me recognize that your gifts cannot be accounted for in the way the world accounts for blessings. Suffering is not something I would readily take on; yet, it is inevitable. Give me the opportunity to put my needs aside to take care of the person next to me. When I hesitate today and to put selfishness aside, recalling the words of Saint Paul, let me call to you for divine assistance: “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Lord, be merciful as I place my 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.

Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

From the responsorial psalm: “When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place—What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 12:8-12)

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.”

The words of Jesus call us to greater conversion and discipleship. If we acknowledge Jesus before others, he opens up his doors to us. If we deny him, how could we expect Jesus to do anything but deny us? Yet, we have a choice, and in choosing him there is forgiveness. Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, will not be forgiven. Difficult words to take in and understand in light of free will. Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is committed rejection of the love and forgiveness Jesus offers. Lucifer rejected God once and for all in his exercise of free will. How good it is to acknowledge the Son of God and trust in his mercy.

God, open my eyes today to the opportunity to acknowledge your Son before others. Give me the courage to do it, if only in a quiet way. While I would never desire to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, help me recognize the times in my life when choosing sin has completely eclipsed the light of the Lord, the giver of life. Give me a contrite heart, Lord, as I give over everything to you. Saint Paul said, “And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the Church, which is his Body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, 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.

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Jesus tells his disciples something that they can remember in all situations. It is a dynamic command he gives them: always be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. These words are especially challenging because they speak to the end of life as well as life as it will be lived today.

God, give me greater assurance that I can be prepared for you today by being attentive to your will. At times during the day, I not only feel unprepared to receive you but completely unaware of your presence. Jesus, give me the grace to see you in others as a way to remind me that you are right there. Everyday responsibilities of work and family life create a structure that seems to stand on its own. Help me understand, Lord, that you can break into that at any moment, but will I be prepared?

It is difficult for me today to sit still with God. Therefore, Lord, I ask for your grace so that you can act through me in the people and work I encounter today. Let the stillness and peace that is your very being animate my thoughts and actions. Help me be prepared today for the coming of your Son.

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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