5-31-2012 Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Gospel Lk 1:39-56

 Link to day’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/053112.cfm 

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

And Mary said:  

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” 

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. 

Holy Mother, you didn’t waste any time going to see Elizabeth and take care of her. Even finding yourself pregnant with the Son of God did not stop you from worrying about your family. Elizabeth had no way of knowing that you too were pregnant except for the Holy Spirit. She was filled with the Spirit of God as was John to be the first to recognize who your child was. Elizabeth gave us a beautiful prayer that we use to honor you and praise your Son, The Hail Mary. Your Magnificat is a prayer of joy, honor and praise to Our Lord. Thank you Mary for saying yes. For saying yes to the message of the Angel Gabriel and yes to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer: Holy Mother, help me to live as you lived, saying yes to God and leading people to your Son. May I never forget what you suffered to bring the Messiah into the world. I pray that I always honor you as I adore and praise your Son, Jesus. 

Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

 

5-30-2012 Reading 1 1 Pt 1:18-25

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/053012.cfm

Beloved: Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished Lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 

Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart. You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for: 

“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you. 

I am born anew by God, what a promise! You ransomed me and saved my life not with the things of this world, but your own body and blood. Your son died for ME, just so I would have faith and hope in You. Why me? Why can I not love others as you love me? Why can I not be obedient to your truth? Why can others not believe in your true presence? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your truth reigns supreme. You raise me from the depths of sin, help me to be steadfast in your love. May I live a life that others will know comes from you and the precious gift of your body and blood. May I be an apostle for you, spreading your word and your love, Amen. 

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, Alleluia!

5-29-2012 Reading 1 1 Pt 1:10-16

 Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052912.cfm 

Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who reached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. 

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. 

You want us to be holy Lord for no other reason than that you are? If I am a true follower of yours, then I MUST do as you say and do! Your prophets foretold of your coming, of the grace that we would receive when that happened. You came, you blessed us with your words and your body and blood. You left us the Holy Spirit to be our helper and guide so we do not fall back into our sinful ways. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live the life you want of me. Help me to listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides me on your path. If I fall I know He will be there so I find my way back to you. Help to do as you say and do, now and forever! Amen. 

The Lord has made known his salvation

5-28-2012 Memorial Day Gospel Jn 16:5-11

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051512.cfm 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” 

You fulfilled your promise Lord. The Holy Spirit is among us still and helps us to live your word. There are many today Lord who do not believe that the Holy Spirit is still with us, they follow the “ruler of the world” who tries to undermine all you say and do. I once followed that ruler Lord, and I know he is not a true ruler. You brought me to life, he brings death. You bring joy, he brings sadness. You bring love, he sows the seeds of hate. 

Prayer: Holy Father you are the giver of life and love. Help me to always see your truth and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. May I never forget how close to death I came and how the infilling and gifts of the Holy Spirit saved me. Thank you Lord! 

Your right hand saves me, O Lord, Alleluia!

5-27-2012 Pentecost Sunday Reading 1 Acts 2:1-11

 Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052712-mass-during-the-day.cfm 

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” 

Jesus you promised to send us a helper, someone who would lead us to the Father, who would be with us until the end of time. There are those who do not believe that He is still with us. You gave us a great gift of love, help and support and so many deny it. I thank you Lord for sending your spirit to help me through my life, to comfort, protect and guide me 

Prayer: Come Holy Spirit fill us with your power and love. Your presence is true and will bring life to all who believe. Show us how to live in your joy and spread your word to all those who cannot or will not hear. Help us to live in your love. Thank you for the gift of life. 

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth, Alleluia!

 

5-26-2012 Gospel Jn 21:20-25

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052612.cfm

 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?” 

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. 

I sometimes get jealous of those I think you love more than you love me. It doesn’t concern me, does it? I follow you, not that other person. Why do others not believe you did more than is written in the Bible? I believe you taught much more Lord and left it for us in many forms. Why do people put you in a box of their own making? How often have I done that?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I never be jealous of what others appear to have. I pray I always remember how much you love me and the rest doesn’t matter. You are all that matters to me. Amen 

The just will gaze on your face, O Lord, Alleluia!

5-25-2012 Gospel Jn 21:15-19

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052512.cfm

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” 

Peter betrayed your three times, you gave him three opportunities to affirm his love of you. Isn’t that what you do for me Lord? Every time I betray you, you give me a chance to reaffirm my love for you. Seventy times seven you told Peter he must forgive, you are more generous than that. You give me so many chances to love you and to show it. Am I being called to feed your sheep? How can I do that Lord? Following you doing your will is all I desire. Amen. 

Prayer: My love for you grows every time you give me another chance. Help me to always see these opportunities and take advantage of your grace. Show me how you want me to feed your sheep Lord, so I may testify to your love, grace and mercy. Amen 

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, Alleluia!

 

5-24-2012 Gospel Jn 17:20-26

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052412.cfm

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.” 

I just realized Lord that you prayed for me before your Ascension. Not just in a general way but “for those who will believe in me through their word”! I do not know the Father as I should, but I know you Jesus. You are in me, so the Father is also in me. You are always with me, why can’t I remember that? Why do I think you are with everyone BUT me? You prayed for me then, I must believe you pray for me know. 

Prayer: Holy Father, help me to know you better, to remember that you are in me as Jesus is in me. That you have always loved me, and always will. Help me to spread that message to others Lord, help me to love them as you love me. 

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope, Alleluia!

5-23-2012 Gospel Jn 17:11b-19

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052312.cfm

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for tthem, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” 

How many have we lost since you went back to the Father? How could we have gone so wrong? How could I have gone so wrong? You are saying that I belong to the Father, yet I forget that so easily. I want to share your joy completely, not just when I remember. I want to be consecrated in Your truth Lord. How can I forget? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you gave us Jesus to save us and to protect us from all evil. You sent Him so that we might be free.  Help us to always remember your gift, help us to spread your word and to always rejoice in your love and share that joy with others. Amen! 

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Alleluia!

5-22-2012 Reading 1 Acts 20:17-27

Link to today’s readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052212.cfm

From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus summoned. When they came to him, he addressed them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus. But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace.” But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.”

Oh, that I would know my mission as Paul does! Do I listen as closely to the Holy Spirit as he does? Do I know when the Spirit is speaking to me? Will I have the grace and courage to leave my ministry when my time comes?

Prayer: Holy Father, help me to follow in Paul’s footsteps. May I always listen to your word and be ready to declare your grace and your mercy. I do not know your plan for us Lord, but I do know it is for our life, not our death. May I always speak only your word. Amen. 

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Alleluia!