Angel Among Us

Readings for Monday September 29, 2010

Feasts of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Revelation 12:7-12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138

Gospel: John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (Jn 1:47-51)

In today's gospel we are told that Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew of him. Nathanael was so astounded that he proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus then asks him, "Do you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?" Jesus then goes on to tell Nathanael that he will see far greater things than this. Jesus tells him that he will see "the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Nathanael is promised to see something great, and Jesus tells Nathanael that he will see another one of God's glorious creations, His angels. As we honor Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; let us think about the role angels play in our salvation. St. Augustine makes an important point in regards to angels. He says that " 'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office it is 'angel'. " St. Thomas Aquinas said "the angels work together for the benefit of us all."

Throughout the scriptures we see many references to the angels. We see how important they are in doing God's will and in serving Him. While pure spiritual beings, the angels still have free will, and they like us, have the capability of accepting or rejecting God. The angels provide us yet another example of being good faithful servants of God. They show us that we should, like them, humble ourselves before our God and serve Him with all of our being.

The archangels have all played very important roles throughout history, and they continue to play important roles in God's plan; and so we honor them today. We thank God for sending His servants to help us here on earth, so one day we might be with Him in heaven.

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Lord we pray for your guidance throughout this day. Lord, may we serve you and give you the glory through all that we do. Let us humble ourselves and have no fear as we go through this life trusting in you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rejection

Readings for Tuesday September 28, 2010

First Reading: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 88

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. (Lk. 9:51-56)

Does it seem today that Jesus and Job are both having a bad day? Job is feeling rejected and doesn't even want to go on living, while Jesus is actually rejected from the Samaritans during His journey. Rejection is a very hard feeling to deal with, think about the last time you were rejected, how did it feel? It seems as though when we are rejected we want to feel angry, hurt, resentful, and vengeful.

Today with Jesus and Job we see two different reactions to rejection. Job feels lots of self pity, and goes on cursing his existence. This is like when we go around telling everyone how rotten our luck is. Jesus, however, takes a different approach. He doesn't get angry, or resentful, or vengeful (although His disciples became that way). No, Jesus just shakes it off and continues about His journey. Now which reaction would you guess is the better and healthier choice?

The reality is, is that we are all going to go through difficult trials in our lives, and we are going to feel rejected by many people, we may even feel like God is punishing us and rejecting us at times. But God is not like that, while others may reject and not accept us, He always does. Just because we may go through times in our life where we feel alone and that our lives are full of chaos, He is still there loving us and being there for us. There is always a reason for our suffering, it is just that we may never know that reason; or we are not able to understand that reason.

So our reaction to rejection and to all difficult challenges in our lives should be to simply shake it off and just keep on thanking and praising God for our lives. Our merciful God loves us so much, and wants to see us be peaceful and joyful in Him. It is not enough to just thank Him and praise Him when things are good, but we must give Him thanks and praise at all times!

Father above, we thank you for the gift of our lives. We ask that your will be done in our lives. Give us the strength and courage to follow you no matter what challenges you bring in front of us. Lord send your spirit to guide us and to help us in our lives. Lord, we pray for all those who are suffering, help them to see the fruits of their suffering and help them to offer it up for others. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Readings for Monday September 27, 2010

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

First Reading: Job 1:6-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17
Gospel: Luke 9:46-50


An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest."

Then John said in reply, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company." Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."


Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A Time for Everything

Readings for Friday September 24, 2010

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 144
Gospel: Luke 9:18-22


"He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without man’s ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done." (Ecc 3:11)

When we read this passage from today's readings, it is really quite humbling when you think about it. There are so many times in our lives that we want things to happen instantly; perhaps it is a good grade on a paper, a job promotion, or our kids to pick up after themselves (they were told them 10 times already, shouldn't they learn now?). But we learn today that there is a time for everything, and it is really not our time at all; it is God's time, and His time is perfect. The passage above reminds us that His timing is perfect, and if we are not careful we can go our entire lives not realizing the work that God has done in our lives.

There is one line that really struck me from the reading today; "a time to be silent, and a time to speak." We are all caught up in these moment and it is very hard to know when to say something (and what for that matter) and when not to say something. In all of these situations there is a choice to be made, the author does not say that we should always be silent or that we should always speak up, no there is some discernment that we need to go through. Ultimately it comes down to what God is calling you to do at that moment. It takes great courage at these times, and it is in these moments that we need to pray for the Holy spirit to work in us, to give us the courage and guide our words, or to give us the courage and bite our tongue. We must remember that no matter the situation, we should not worry what to say or do because if we cooperate with God, the Holy spirit will guide us.

Timing ... I think this is something that we all struggle with in our lives. There is an appointed time for everything, and let us ask for the Lord's guidance in the timing of things in our lives. After all, it is His timing and His plan that we are following...wouldn't it naturally make since to ask the Lord to steer us in the right direction?

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens." (Ecc 3:1)

Blessed be the Lord, our rock and our salvation! We thank you and give you praise for this day. Lord, help us to trust in your timing and give us the courage and strength to follow you without hesitation. Lord God we pray for the wisdom to discern the timing of things in our lives. Help lead us Lord where you want us to go. Let us give thanks and praise to you for all the work in our lives. We pray for all those who have fallen away from their faith, may they be brought back to you love and mercy. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Who is Jesus?

Readings for Thursday September 23, 2010

Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, priest

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him. (Lk 9:7-9)

"Who is Jesus?" This is the question that perplexed Herod the tetrarch during his reign. While to us this may seem like a silly question, but think how many people all over the world would ask or are asking this same question, "who is Jesus?" There is just as much speculation and theory today as their was back then. Was Jesus simply a prophet as some religions would have us believe? Was He simply just a good teacher and a good role model? Was He just and inspiring leader of His time? Was Christ no more than another person who fell to the ruthless death of the Roman empire? As we said, there are many thoughts and ideas about who Jesus was, but it is only in the Christian faith that you will find the true answer about who Jesus is and was.

Our Catholic faith teaches extensively about who Jesus is and was. It is never put any better than it is in the Nicene Creed which we say at mass every Sunday:

"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end."

The Church teaches extensively about Jesus Christ our Savior, the Son of God, the way, the truth, and the light. The important thing for each of us to do is to get to know Him personally. Find out who He is to you, what does it mean to know Him and have Him in your life. In today's gospel we see that Herod only wanted to see Him, but we each need to take an extra step and go to Him and ask Him into our lives and into our hearts.

May each of us surrender deeper into the loving arms of the Lord.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for the many blessings in our lives. Help to bring each of us closer to you and to your loving way. Lord, we need you so desperately, help us to only seek you in our lives. we pray for all our brothers and sisters who have fallen away from the faith, may they be brought back Home to the Church. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Got Trust?

Readings for Wednesday September 22, 2010

First Reading: Proverbs 30:5-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6


Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die: Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God. (Prov. 30:5-9)

I remember when I was a young boy and I started playing football. I remember how cool I thought all my pads and my helmet were. When I first suited up, I felt like a knight gearing up for battle. But then I remembered the part about how football involved a lot of hitting. I immediately went from knight in shining armor to safety inspector. Were these enough to protect me? I mean, some of those kids were pretty big (or at least they looked like it with their pads on). I came to quickly realize that the pads were more than adequate. My helmet and my pads protected me from every hit and shock that I came up against. That is not to say that it didn't hurt at times or that I didn't feel the effect of a hit, but my body was protected overall. Everything else that I felt helped to build my toughness and durability. I quickly came to trust in "my shields."

Today in the book of proverbs we are told that the Lord is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. The same mentality that I took with my pads is the same mentality that we need to take with "our shield". It takes us some time to trust in Him. But when we do, we realize that He will protect us, and that there is nothing to fear. Not to say that we will not feel pain or the after effects of some of the things that we go through, but all of these other things are just meant to build up our faith. We must always trust that the Lord will give us what we need in every situation, not what we want, but what we need. In the gospel today, Jesus sends out his disciples to the towns to preach the good news and to heal the people, but He tells them to take nothing with with. No food, money, extra clothes...nothing! Can you imagine the trust that this must have taken? I pray for that kind of faith in my life; to go out into the world, just me, and know that God will provide. Now that is faith!

The Lord is our shield. He will take care us of, and He will always give us the things that we need. But if we do not trust in Him at these times and cooperate with His grace, then we risk not seeing and experiencing the blessings that He has for us. The Lord will lead us to places that we would not usually venture and against things that we would not normally choose to face, but He calls us for a reason. It is during the times when we do not fully understand "why", that we just need to put our trust in "our shield." When we feel God is calling us to something in our lives, we only have to ask ourselves one question...Got trust?

Father above, we trust in you and your plan for our lives. Increase our faith so that we might not hold back in serving you. Help us to give ourselves totally to you Lord. Lord, help us to let go of the things that are holding us back and tying us down to this world. We pray for your guidance in our lives, and for your will to be done. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Readings for Tuesday September 21, 2010

Feast of Saint Matthew Apostle and evangelist

First Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13


Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. (Eph. 4:1-7, 11-13)


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." (Mt. 9:9-13)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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. Amen.