A simple, little thing

Readings for Friday January 30, 2009

First Reading:  Hebrews 10:32-39

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37

Gospel:  Mark 4:26-34

In today's gospel, Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.  When it starts out it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it is fully grown it is one of the largest of all the trees.  We are also reminded that this does not happen by anything that the person planting it does, it grows by its own accord.  

Like the Kingdom of God, it starts off small, and then grows into something might.  We must ask ourselves too if we have Jesus in us, are we saying yes to Him and allowing Him to grow in us?  Jesus tells us that some of the littlest and simplest things can turn into great and mighty things.  Imagine how our lives can change by letting Christ work in us.  A little, simple yes to God can mean amazing things for us and the world.  Mary's humble yes brought Christ into our world in the flesh.  The yes of Christ led to His death, crucifixion, and resurrection, and ultimately the forgiveness of our sins.  The yes by us can lead to an eternity in heaven with God.  

Brothers and sisters, may we always be among those who say yes to God, and may this simple little things turn into something mighty and amazing.  Let us remember today's words by Saint Paul; "We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life."  

Come, Holy Spirit

Come, holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you will renew the face of the earth.  

Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful.  In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Stand together

Readings for Thursday January 29, 2009 

First Reading:  Hebrews 10:19-25

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 24

Gospel:  Mark 4:21-25

In high school, one of my projects was to make a miniature bridge that needed to withstand a lot of weight.  Our teacher showed us that the wood that we were using was not very strong each piece by itself, in fact it could be easily broken.  But when they were put together and arranged in good patterns, they were able to withstand a great deal of weight and pressure.  

I believe that it is because of this principle that Paul tells us that "we should not stay away from the assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another."  We must remember that we are the bod of Christ, and when all parts of the body are strong and working right, then the body is strong; but when parts of missing or weak, then the body hurts.  We must remember that our actions do not just affect us, but the entire body.  This is why we  must head the words of Saint Paul and "consider how to rouse one another to love and good works."

When we stand by ourselves, we are weak and can be broken.  When we stand together with Christ, nothing can break us.    

Father above, we thank you for this day.  We thank you for the many blessings and gifts that you bestow on us ever day.  Lord, we are your people may we live for you all of our days, and serve you without growing weary.  Lord, we pray for all those who are suffering in this world and all those who are in need of healing.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

The Good Soil

Readings for Wednesday January 28, 2009

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church

First Reading:  Hebrews 10:11-18

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 110

Gospel:  Mark 4:1-20

  

Today Jesus tells us the parable of the seed sower.  He describes how some seeds fell on the path and were eaten up, others fell on the rocky ground but were scorched by the sun because of lack of root.  Some also fell amongst the thorns and could not grow, and the last seeds fell on good soil and produced a great deal of good fruit.  I pray that we can all be granted God's love and mercy to be in the "good soil" where we can thrive in this life, instead of just survive.  

Throughout history, we have many great examples of men and women who have sought to do God's will and have surrendered to Him.  Many of these men and women would be considered as being brought up in the "good soil" and produced much fruit in their lives.  Today we remember and honor one of these great men, Saint Thomas Aquinas.  Thomas Aquinas was a great priest and theologian.  When Thomas decided to enter the priesthood, there was much opposition from his family.  They even went as far as to send an impure woman to tempt him; but because God was with him and because of his desire to do God's will, Thomas continued on in his vocation.  Thomas went on to produce much fruit in his life, as he is considered one of "the greatest and most influential theologians of all time."  *(for more information about Saint Thomas Aquinas go to:  http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2530)

May we all continue to seek God with our hearts and to persevere through the temptations of this world.  Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.  

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  May we seek to strive and do your will each day in our lives.  Lord, protect us from this world, and strengthen us in this fight for truth that we are in.  Lord, we pray for all those who are seeking you, may they be brought to your love and mercy.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Here am I Lord

Readings for Tuesday January 27, 2009

First Reading:  Hebrews 10:1-10

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40

Gospel:  Mark 3:31-35

I remember in school there always seemed to be two sets of kids ... those who did what was asked of them by the teacher, and those who didn't.  The ones who followed instructions and rules of the teacher were always looked upon favorably, and those who didn't would most likely spend most of their time in trouble.  I think anyone who has experience working with kids or people, can certainly have a great appreciation for those individuals who do what is asked of them.  

So, if we appreciate it when people do what we ask, how much more does God appreciate it when we cooperate with Him?  Our world is filled with those who seek to do God's will, and with those who seek to do their own will.  We have great reason to believe that God looks favorably upon those who do His will.  We know this by looking at biblical history, our own past, and of the promises made to those who follow the Lord.  In today's gospel, Jesus even tell us that those who do the will of God are "his brother and sister and mother."  Listening and obeying God not only puts us in a favorable position, but brings us closer to our Lord and Savior.  We would do well to always think about this when faced with challenges and with temptation.  

We are all children of God ... are you the child who listens and does what is asked, or are you more of the rebellious type?  May we always speak the words of psalmists, "Here am I Lord; I come to do your will."       

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, may we gain strength and courage from reading your holy word.  Lord we pray for a heart of obedience and that your will may be done in our lives.  Lord, you know what is best for us and we trust in you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  Lord we pray for all of our leaders and for the conversion of our president.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Stand United

Readings for Monday January 26, 2009

Memorial of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, bishops

First Reading:  2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 96

Gospel:  Mark 3:22-30

In today's gospel Jesus is once again being accused by the scribes of something which is untrue.  They accuse Jesus of being possessed by a demon, and that He drives our demons by the "prince of demons."  As is always the case, Jesus puts these men in their place and proceeds to explain why their accusations are wrong.  Jesus tells them (and us) that a kingdom or a house divided cannot stand; and if Satan is divided against himself, then he cannot stand.  

Jesus tells us today, not only of the fate of a divided house, but also of the importance of standing united.  I am sure that Jesus' message to the scribes was not only one of which to show His innocence, but also to tell them the importance of standing together and being united.  Today, we remember and honor two bishops of the early church, Saint Timothy and Saint Titus.  Both of these men sought to spread the gospel and keep the early church united.  We must remember and look to their example of righteousness and their work for unity in our Christian faith, and not division.  

Around every corner their will be those seeking to divide us, but we must remain strong in the Holy Spirit, and stand united. 

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, we thank you and give you praise for all that we have and all that we are.  Lord we praise you for our lives and pray for your continued work in us, so that we may go out and serve you in this world without ceasing.  Lord, we pray for all of our leaders, and for the conversion of our president.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   

Covenant

Readings for Friday January 23, 2009

First Reading:  Hebrews 8:6-13

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 85

Gospel:  Mark 3:13-19

In the old testament, God made several covenants with His people Israel.  In each of these covenants, God made promises to the people if the people would be faithful and keep His commandments.  Unfortunately, even with God's extensive patience, the people would not stay faithful.  A covenant is an agreement between two people or two groups.  In a covenant, each group agrees to abide by certain terms and to hold up their end of the deal.  Being in a covenant involves an active part from both groups, it means that you have to be involved and hold up your end of the deal.  God kept His part of the covenant, but the people did not.  

In today's first reading Saint Paul tells us too that we are in covenant with the Lord.  We are in the new and better covenant which is through Christ our Lord.  We can see that in the gospel of Mark today that Jesus picks each of His disciples and asks them to follow Him.  Like the disciples, we are also called ... we are called into covenant with our Lord.  Christ came to offer us everlasting life, He calls us into this covenant and He tells us that if we are willing to follow Him and to let "the law be written on our hearts" that we can one day join Him in heaven.  I don't know about you, but that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!  

Remember, God is calling each of us into covenant with Him, but this is not merely a simple contract; this is a promise made by us and God, and it requires active participation and complete surrender to Him.  Remember, God will keep up His end, will we keep up ours?

"Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me."  And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you."  (Luke 22:19-20)

Father thank you for this day.  Give us the strength and courage to serve you this day and all days.  Lord we pray for all lives in our world, both born and unborn, and pray that our world might all come to value life.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

   

Here am I, Lord

Readings for Thursday January 22, 2009

First Reading:  Hebrews 7:25-8:6

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 40

Gospel:  Mark 3:7-12

In Paul's letter to the Hebrews, he tells us; "Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them."  

Today is the March for Life in Washington D.C.  Today, all those who value life and fight to protect it will gather at our nation's capital, march at events in their own cities, or pray diligently at home for an end to the culture which promotes death and destruction.  This year, we have a great deal of urgency to march and to pray, while our country has seen a historic event take place, in the election of our first African American President; we must remember that this new administration is very extreme in regards to life issues.  Let us all lift up our prayers for our new leaders, let us turn to Jesus in this great time of need.  Let us pray that our leaders and all those in our nation can become a country that seeks to protect life at all stages and to truly value the dignity of each and every person.  Paul tells us that Jesus is here for us ready to take our prayers and hear our needs, let us rely on the one who strengthens us and gives us life.  

May we speak the words of the psalmist today and all days;  "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will."    

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  We praise you for all the blessings that you have and continue to bestow upon us.  Lord, we pray for the conversion and for the change of hearts of all of our political leaders, that they may be led by you and that they might begin to lead this nation to value life at all stages.  Help us to be a nation that protects and builds, not destroys.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.