6-28-2017 Memorial of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr Gospel Mt 7:15-20

Learn more about St. Irenaeus: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=291

 Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062817.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” 

What kind of fruit do you bear? If you speak the truth of God, you are bearing good fruit, preaching and living His word. If not, your life reflects the darkness of lies and deceptions. If you think you can hide your lived truth, you are wrong. By your fruits you will be known and darkness brings no life or growth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your truth is all I need to live my life. Your light, freedom and mercy bring the light of love into my life. Thank you and praise your holy name! Amen! 

The Lord remembers his covenant forever, Alleluia!

6-27-2017 Gospel Mt 7:6, 12-14

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062717.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. 

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets. 

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” 

The Lord never said it would be easy to find Him. Many of us start on the broad road because it looks more attractive, fun things to do, everything our senses can desire. The narrow path is usually rocky, twisted, hilly, and can be dry and dusty. But if we preserver, that is where we will find God. Because He wants us to not only appreciate what He has for us but when we fight for something, it means more. Are you willing to take that narrow path for eternal happiness and salvation? Or are you only interested in instant gratification? Choose wisely.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, my path to you has not been easy but the rewards are worth all the pain, sorrow and hurts along the way. Living in your love is worth more than anything I had in my old life. In Jesus’ holy name I give you thanks and praise, Amen!

 He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

6-26-2017 Gospel Mt 7:1-5

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062617.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” 

We must be careful what we criticize in others. Many times, what we see and dislike in others is our own biggest fault. When you find yourself becoming angry or upset ask yourself why. Do not rush to judgement, only the Lord can do that. And if what you see is morally or legally wrong, you can judge the action, but NEVER the person. Make sure you do not confuse the two.

 Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to always see your truth in everything. If I am quick to judge, be quick to remind me of your word. In Jesus’ holy name, I give you honor and praise, Amen.

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

6-25-2017 Gospel Mt 10:26-33

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062517.cfm

Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” 

When we hear the voice of the Lord, we must share it. He speaks to us in so many ways and we tend to ignore Him. But we cannot. We must trust in the Lord, remembering how much He cares for us, how much He loves us. What has the Lord said to you lately? Do you pay attention or ignore the voice of truth? The Lord knows, you cannot hide your actions from Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you speak to me all the time! I thank you for your wisdom and guidance. You help me Lord when I am in trouble or at a loss for words. In Jesus’ holy name, I give you honor, praise and glory, Amen!

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

6-24-2017 Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Gospel Lk 1:57-66, 80

Learn more about the birth of John the Baptist: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-06-24

 Link to today’s Gospel: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062417.cfm

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. 

Sometimes the Lord uses extraordinary means to get our attention and to reinforce the necessity of trusting in His word. As soon as Zechariah wrote the name the angel had given him, he could speak again. Even though he was a Priest he did not trust that the Lord could give him his heart’s desire. Where do you place your trust? Do think “not even God could do this or that”? You might want to reread Zechariah’s story and rethink that. “For nothing is impossible with the Lord”.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust you with all I have and all I am. You are the only one who will not fail me. I know that when I do not get what I ask for it is because you have something even better in store for me. May I never lose my faith and trust, in Jesus’ holy name, Amen. 

I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.

6/23/2017 Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Gospel Mt 11:25-30

Learn more about the Sacred Heart of Jesus: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-06-23

 Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062317.cfm

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. 

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Jesus wants us to bring Him our cares, burdens, and sorrows. But how often do we? We think we can hide from the Lord, but we cannot. He already knows what is troubling us and what we have done. He is waiting patiently for us to come to Him. His love, mercy and forgiveness is endless. Run to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have gathered me to your Sacred Heart and healed my cares, my worries and given me more love than I have ever known. In Jesus’ holy name, I give you praise, honor, glory and all my love, Amen.

The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

6-22-2017 Gospel Mt 6:7-15

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062217.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

“This is how you are to pray: 

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ 

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” 

The Lord knows what we need before we ask, but He still wants us to ask. We need to be reminded that we depend on Him! But we do not always know what we really need, so we do not need to lecture Him! We need to trust in Him and let Him be God! And we need this constant reminder to forgive others – because He forgives us! Who do you need to forgive? Yourself? Are you willing? Ask the Lord for help, it is THAT important.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the prayer that says everything. May we all remember to pray it and to forgive those in our life who we believe have wronged us. Most especially ourselves. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen. 

Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth, Alleluia!