Pass it on

Readings for Tuesday November 11, 2008

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

First Reading:  Titus 2:1-8, 11-14

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 37

Gospel:  Luke 17:7-10

As servants of God, there is much expected of us.  Many times it is easier to follow our own desires or wants instead of doing what we should be doing.  I am sure that in today's gospel, the servant in Jesus' parable would have rather taken a break and rested before waiting on his master, but this is not the servant's role.  The servant must do all that is asked of him before he can rest and get what he earns.  Why is it this way?  Because that is the role of the servant.  It is their responsibility to wait on their master and to do what is asked of them.  In return for their service the master will take care of the servants needs and share what He has.  

Paul talks greatly about our responsibilities as followers of Christ in today's letter to Titus.  Paul talks about the ways in which we should act as men and women of God, and how our actions are very important, not only for our own salvation, but for passing on the faith to the next generation.  It is not enough for us to be "temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and endurance, reverent, etc."  It is our responsibility to also model this correct behavior to our youth.  We must teach young men what it means to be a  man of God, and we must teach young women what it means to be a woman of God.  One of the number one ways that we can do this is by modeling the behavior that we wish to pass on.  It means nothing to tell people how to live if you are unwilling to live that way yourself.  People (especially youth) do not follow hypocrites, they follow those who are honest and faithful and willing to practice what they preach.  

Think about youth that you are in contact with frequently, perhaps it is your own kids, nieces or nephews, or neighbors; our youth are desperately in need of men and women who will model the virtues that Christ is calling us all to.  I pray that we can all be strengthened in our faith to allow the light of Christ to shine through us to our young people and all those we are in contact with.  

Father above, we thank you for this day.  We praise you and thank you for all you give us.  Lord, increase our faith so that we might be strong enough to follow you.  Lord, help us to be the examples that our young people need in this life.  God, we pray for the youth of this world, that they might fight the temptations that this world calls them to and find you in order to find their lives.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.      

Increase our faith

Readings for Monday November 10, 2008

Memorial of Saint Pope Leo the Great, pope and doctor of the Church

First Reading:  Titus 1:1-9

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 24

Gospel:  Luke 17:1-6

In today's gospel, Jesus makes it clear to His disciples and us that we are to live a life avoiding sin and a life of forgiving others.  Certainly not easy tasks for us, especially since it is much easier to give in to sin, and to hold grudges instead of forgiving.  Jesus calls us to be more when following Him.  It is certainly no wonder the disciples asked for Christ to "increase their faith" upon hearing these instructions.  They knew that they would need a great faith in order to follow Christ, just as we all do.  

We are called to such a higher purpose when we surrender ourselves to our Lord and Savior.  When we surrender our lives to Him, we say "yes Lord, yes to your will and to your way, I will serve you with all my heart, mind, and strength."  To serve the Lord with all that we have and all that we are, certainly takes a great faith.  Let us ask our Lord, the giver of life, today and always to please increase our faith so that we might give our lives to Him ... as He did for us.   

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, help us to following you as good stewards of this life, as faithful and obedient sons and daughters.  Lord, increase our faith so that we may not veer or waiver when doing your will.  Lord, help us to have courage and strength through all that this life confronts us with.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

The Lost Sheep

Readings for Thursday November 6, 2008

First Reading:  Philippians 3:3-8a

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 105

Gospel:  Luke 15:1-10

Today we hear the parable of the lost sheep and the great joy over finding the lost.  Jesus tells those listening how much joy there will be in heaven over one sinner repenting than many other righteous people who do not need to repent.  I am always blown away by this parable, because the shepherd leaves 99 other sheep to go look for one lost one.  It is amazing that this is the attitude of God, when we are lost He looks for us and carries us back.  He does not say; "well one won't make a difference, I have 99 others."  God doesn't give up on us, He loves us more than we can ever know, and when we are lost in this world, He wants us to be found.  

From this parable I think often about how much we give up on other people in our lives.  When people seem to veer we just think, "oh well, they are lost now, no use going to help or trying to find them."  Many times we view helping others and help find others as a inconvenience.  Thank goodness that God does not think or act this way.  When we are lost, He help us along and is continuously allowing grace to flow in our lives so that we can be found.  Of course, we do have to cooperate with that grace so that we can be found.  And when those who are lost are found, we know that there will be great rejoicing in heaven!

Two things that I hope you will join me in thinking about today:  1)  Am I more likely to give up on someone when they are lost? or am I more likely to go out and find them?  2)  Where does your confidence lie, in Christ or in yourself?  

Father above we thank you for the gift of this day.  Guide us in all that we do, and glory be to you for all that we have and all that we are.  Lord we pray for all those who are lost in this world and who do not know your love.  May they be brought to the joy and peace that can only be found in you.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.   

Without Grumbling or Questioning

Readings for Wednesday November 5, 2008

First Reading:  Philippians 2:12-18 

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 27

Gospel:  Luke 14:25-33

As I was driving home tonight, I realized the situation for our presidential election (as well as other leaders) was not looking too good.  Even as I write this now, John McCain is severely lagging behind in the polls.  All week I had hoped for Senator McCain to pull a major come from behind victory, but as things are shaping up right now it does not appear to be so.  These types of situations are hard for us to understand as catholics, how this is all a part of God's plan.  I found a lot of comfort and gained valuable perspective from today's reading.  In today's gospel Jesus talks of how everything in this world must come second to God, even our own family!  To be a follower of Jesus we are asked to take up crosses and follow Him where ever we are called.  I have no doubts that throughout the years ahead we are going to be asked to carry many more crosses for our saviour, let us look to carry any such hardships and challenges for the glory of our Lord.  Christ carried a cross of great magnitude, all for love of us.  May we pick up any and all crosses that we are called to, for love of Him.  

Today, let us reflect on some of today's words of Saint Paul to the Philippians:

For God is the one who, for his good purpose,

works in you both to desire and to work.

Do everything without grumbling or questioning,

that you may be blameless and innocent,

children of God without blemish

in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,

among whom you shine like lights in the world,

as you hold on to the word of life,

so that my boast for the day of Christ may be

that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Lord God, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord help us to put all of our trust into you and your plan for our lives, the lives of others, our nation, and our world.  Lord God, be with all our elected leaders this day, may the come to follow you and your will.  Lord, we pray for your forgiveness for any judgement that we have thought.  Lord, increase our faith, hope, and love of you and of others.  We ask this all as humble servants of Christ.  Amen.  

Don't Forget to Vote!

Readings for Tuesday November 4, 2008

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

First Reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 22

Gospel:  Luke 14:15-24

Brothers and Sisters, we have come to an important point in America.  Today is the day that we each go out and cast our ballot for our political leaders.  No doubt all of you have been showered with political adds and propaganda, and in the midst of all the mudslinging it can be very overwhelming and a bit of an information overload.  It is during this time that we must thank God for giving us guidance through the church.  If you have not had a chance to check it out, I strongly recommend that you take a look at the statements issued by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops [http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org].  The documents found here talks about our responsibility as citizens, and our responsibility to have a well formed conscious before casting our vote or making out decisions.  

While no matter what happens in the election or any other, we must always look to God's will, and trust in His plan for us.  We may not understand at the time, but I am sure that we can all agree that God's plan in perfect, and throughout it all we must surrender to Him and put all of our trust in Him.  Our God is a loving and merciful God, today's readings speak loudly of His love and mercy for us.  Let us seek the kingdom first, and from there everything else will fall into place.  I pray that we can have the strength to follow Him until the end, and one day hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

May God bless you and the rest of your day ... and don't forget to vote!

An election prayer to Mary (Men of the Sacred Hearts):  

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most crucial time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.  

Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son.  Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.  

Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people.  Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.  

Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life.  Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God's law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  

O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.  Amen.   

There's no "I" in "team!"

Readings for Monday November 3, 2008

First Reading:  Philippians 2:1-4

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 131

Gospel:  14:12-14

Many sports teams use the phrase:  "There is no 'I' in 'team'"  This simple phrase is used to illustrate the point that a team is one entity, united for a common purpose.  A team is not a collection of individuals, each out for his or her own glory, but rather a single unit who works together for a common goal.  Teams that have a lot of players with a "I" mentality, instead of a "team"mentality find themselves not accomplishing their goals or unable to perform due a lack of unity.  Teams that put each other first and are willing to sacrifice their own glory for the sake of the team find themselves completely united and able to withstand any force that comes their way.  

In Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians, he warns against the "I" mentality, and talks about being unified in Christ.  Saint Paul talks about the joy of being united in Christ and being focused on just one thing - Serving God and others before us.  Having an "I" mentality does not just affect those on sports teams, but can also having damaging effects in our family lives or in our work lives.  If a father or mother is only concerned about themselves and their own interests, what kind of traits will their kids pick up on?  If each worker is only concerned for themselves and does not freely give their best at work and only does the minimum to get by, how does the company grow and thrive?  But if we each unite in Christ, and actively work to serve God and others before ourselves, then we will truly find a peace and a joy like never before.  And who knows, others might even recognize this in us and this idea of selflessness may even become contagious!

Today's gospel talks of giving without receiving.  Our lives are not so much about how much we make, what we get, or what titles we have ... our lives are about what we give.  If we want to find meaning and peace, then we must give to God, not just of money and gifts, but of ourselves  Today, let us reflect on how we give to God and others, and how we can improve.  

Remember, there's no "I" in "team."

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  We praise you and give you all the glory for all that we are and all that we have.  Lord, help us to serve you with all that we are today and all days.   Let us follow you where ever you might lead us to.   Lord, we pray for all those who are less fortunate and all those experiencing trying times.  May they see the blessings in disguise and find your love through all they go through.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Readings for Saturday November 1, 2008

Solemnity of All Saints

First Reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24
Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12