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!

6-21-2017 Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Gospel Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

 

Learn more about St. Gonzaga: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=15

 Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062117.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” 

Jesus does not want to hide what we do for others. We must pray for others and  that often requires us to do it in public. And many times, when we give, others see what we do. But He is reminding us not to do these things just so that others can see us and applaud what we are doing. By being discreet, no one knows what we really do, and that is how it should be. Do not hesitate to do for others just because people are around, just do not brag about it. What do you do for others that only the Lord knows? If you do not know the answer, you must search your soul to find the answer. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to never brag about what I do or perform acts of charity for others to see. Show me Lord where I need to give and help me to keep it to myself. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen! 

Blessed the man who fears the Lord, Alleluia!

 

6-20-2017 Gospel Mt 5:43-48

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062017.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

This one is hard! How often is it hard to love those who love you and here Jesus is telling us we have to not only love our enemies but pray for them also! He is asking us to step out of our comfort zone, to honpr Him in those you do not know. Because how often do we not know our enemies? We think we know them, but what we know is based on a common battle. How well do you know the person? How much do you think your opinion will change if you get to know them as well as someone you love? Jesus is telling us to do just that.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to pray for and love not only those who love me but those whom I should love. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Praise the Lord, my soul! Alleluia!

 

6-19-2017 Gospel Mt 5:38-42

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061917.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” 

Jesus wants us to do more than is required of us. If we only do what it takes to survive or get along, we are just getting by. If we give more, go the extra mile, we are truly living. He asks us to give more than is asked so that we may show Him to the world. Are you just getting by or are you living?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask that you always help me to give more than is asked. When I am tired or sore, give me the strength to do your will. I want people to see you Lord, not me. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

The Lord has made known his salvation.

6-18-2017 Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ Gospel Jn 6:51-58

 

Learn more about the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-06-18

 Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061817.cfm

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” 

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 

Many people left Him when He said this. He did not call them back and tell them it was a misunderstanding, or that it was only a symbol. He was speaking of His body and blood. A gift that so many do not believe in today. How can you not believe? How can you NOT believe He would give us a way to partake of the true food and true drink? How can you take the word of the Lord seriously, but NOT this? Why? His Apostles did. Do you know more than those who walked with Him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, the gift of the body and blood of Jesus is one of the greatest gifts you gave us. I cannot have a more personal relationship with Jesus than by partaking of Him daily. I pray, Lord, that those who do not believe will come to know you and trust that your word is truth, not a symbol. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, Alleluia!

6-17-2017 Gospel Mt 5:33-37

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061717.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by do, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.” 

How many people break their promises today? How many say yes when they mean no? Have we become less reliable than in the days of Jesus or do we just find lying an easy out? When we do not tell the truth we are betraying Our Lord. Our words should be our code of honor, who we are and what we stand for. If we lie, what does that say about us? How often do you find yourself lying for an easy out? What does that say about you?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I cannot lie to you. You are there when I open my mouth, you see me as I commit sins that offend you. How can I lie to you? Help me to carry that into my every day interaction with those around me. I want people to see you when they are around me, not a liar. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!

The Lord is kind and merciful

6-16-2017 Gospel Mt 5:27-32

Link to today’s readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061617.cfm

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 

“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

I cannot imagine what Our Lord thinks of us as He looks down and sees what we are doing, how we ignore what His Son Jesus told us. With the nudity, porn in the movies, magazines and books we have, go far beyond just looking at a woman wrong. We allow divorce, living together all in the name of tolerance. When did we lose sight of what we were taught? These are not just vague admonishments, these are very direct and specific. And so many, churches included, do not pay the least bit of attention. Does it make you wonder what Our Lord thinks? It should and you should worry what is going to happen to those who allow this to happen – and that includes us if we say nothing.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, once upon a time I supported all these things and thought they were good. When I came home to you I learned how wrong I was and repented my ways and changed my thoughts. I pray Lord, that the hearts and minds of the world are changed and find You. Thank you for your guidance, you love and your mercy and in the name of Jesus, your Son, I give you honor, praise and glory.

To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise, Alleluia!