11-13-2018 Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Gospel LK 17:7-10

Learn more about St. Frances Cabrini: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=278

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111318.cfm

Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'”

Do more than you are asked is what Jesus is telling us. We know what we should do but do we do more? Do you go out of your way to do the works of the Lord? Are you willing to do more?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see what needs to be done, even when it is more than what you ask. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

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11-12-2018 Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr Gospel LK 17:1-6

Learn more about St. Josaphat: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=71

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111218.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”

And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

When we love someone we cannot be afraid to tell them the truth. When they sin, we must tell them. Not out of hatred or pride but out of love. If they do not repent, their fate is in question. Who do you love? Can you tell them when they are wrong? Will you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to confront those who are in sin, in love for you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

11-11-2018 Gospel MK 12:38-44

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

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.  Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.  For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

The Lord wants us to give Him whatever we have. It does not have to be a lot, but He wants us ready to give it all to Him. What do you have to give Him? Is it all you have or are holding back something from Him? He wants it all. Are you ready to give it to Him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to give you all that I have, what I own is yours, my money is yours, help me to give you my heart and soul also. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Praise the Lord, my soul! Alleluia.

 

 

 

11-10-2018 Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church Gospel LK 16:9-15

Learn more about St. Leo: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=299

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111018.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”

If you cannot be trusted with small things, then you can be trusted with nothing. If we are not honorable in all our dealings, how can we gain the trust of anyone? We have to earn trust, have you earned yours? Can your friends and loved ones trust you? How have you proven yourself?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I place my trust in you and if I betray that, I betray you. Guide me and help me to always do the honorable thing. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord, Alleluia.

11-9-2018 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome Gospel JN 2:13-22

Learn more about the Lateran Basilica: https://catholicexchange.com/feast-dedication-lateran-basilica-rome

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110918.cfm

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

I wonder what Jesus thinks about the churches who have coffee and snack bars for their parishioners? He drove out those who made money on the sacrifices that people offered to God. Our churches should be a place of reverence and worship, not retail establishments. How do you worship?

 Prayer: Heavenly Father, my love for you is stronger for the reverence and awe that I experience at Mass. My experience does not depend on man but on you alone. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

11-8-2018 Gospel LK 15:1-10

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110818.cfm

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus came to earth for US! For the sinners! What a gift He gave us. The gift of forgiveness of sin. We have the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the privilege of having Our Lord forgive our sins, bring us closer to heaven and everlasting life. All because He came down from Heaven to save us. Do you take advantage of this privilege? Do you go to reconciliation frequently? Do you know that He loves you enough to do this for YOU?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what a beautiful gift you have given me. I praise you every day for the forgiveness you have shown me, the healing I have received and the grace and mercy that can come only from you. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord, Alleluia!

11-7-2018 Gospel LK 14:25-33

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/110718.cfm

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’  Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?  But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.  In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus wants us to be willing to leave all we have to follow Him. He does not always ask us to give up our life, but He wants us to be willing to do that if He does. He wants our hearts pure and free of attachment when we do. What have you given up for Him? What are you willing to give up? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I give you my heart, soul and body and willingly give up everything to follow you. Be with me and help me to stay strong in that conviction.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.