9-26-2018 Gospel LK 9:1-6

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092618.cfm

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

We are still tasked with bringing the Word of God to everyone we meet. We have it easier as we have access to many resources to do it, not just walking from town to town. Do you take advantage of what you have available to spread God’s word? Use your resources for good, not for evil. Make your world a better place to live.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, spreading your word has become my life’s work, sharing your word, love and mercy with all I encounter. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

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9-25-2018 Gospel LK 8:19-21

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092518.cfm

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Jesus has told us that we must be willing to leave everything behind for Him, including our mothers, fathers and families. We must be willing to live just for Him, listen to His word and do His will. What have you given up for the Lord?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you come first in my life, not always, but now I understand now that all I have comes from you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

9-24-2018 Gospel LK 8:16-18

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092418.cfm

Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

We are all given gifts by the Lord. If we hide them and do not use them, they could be taken away. Because we were given these gifts to not only use for others, but to bring others to God. What have you done with your gifts? Are they hidden or visible to everyone?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I try to always use the gifts you gave me for the benefit of all. Help me to remember and not try to hide or neglect them. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

 

9-23-2018 Gospel MK 9:30-37

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092318.cfm

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Are you as trusting as a child? Do you love like a child? It does not mean to be childish, it means to be open, willing to accept the love that is given to you without boundaries or reservations. Loving God completely, totally and trusting in Him is what He asks of us. Can you do that? Do you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I love and trust you completely and without reservation. Help me to always accept your will as my own. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

The Lord upholds my life.

9-22-2018 Gospel LK 8:4-15

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092218.cfm

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable.  The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”

Which one are you? Have you allowed the Devil to steal the word of God from you by listening and believing the world instead of Him? Or did you receive the word of God, was joyful and faithful, but then became lax. Not happy with this or that aspect of the faith? Or have you allowed the word of God to settle into your heart, taken it seriously, practice it faithfully and plant seeds in others? Which do you think the Lord wants you to be? Which one do YOU want to be?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have been all three in my life. I thank you for your patience in allowing me the time I needed to have your word settle in my heart! My joy is complete!!! In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

I will walk in the presence of God, in the light of the living.

9-21-2018 Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist Gospel MT 9:9-13

Learn more about St. Matthew: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=84

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092118.cfm

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Matthew’s call is good news for all of us. He was considered the lowest of the low, a crook, someone not worthy to associate with. Yet Jesus called Him to be one of His Apostles. We cannot say we are not qualified when the Lord calls us – He does not call the prepared, He prepares the called! When you are called by the Lord, say yes, you never know what He has in store for you! Trust Him, He will never let you down.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, so many times you have called me and I said a hesitant yes, but you have done marvelous things in my life and I am so grateful!! In Jesus’ holy name, I give you all honor and praise, Amen!

Their message goes out through all the earth.

9-20-2018 Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs Gospel LK 7:36-50

Learn more about St. Tae-gon and His Companions:  https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=20

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092018.cfm

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this w hed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Jesus knew who was washing His feet, He knew she was a sinner. He came to save sinners and so He forgave her because of her contrition and her love. Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? Someone who loves you and who has tried to seek your forgiveness? Be like Jesus and forgive.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you forgave my sins and I am forever grateful. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.