March 31, 2014

Read It:
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea.

Reflect on It:
Today, there are several things that we could focus in on the gospel. I want to focus on the fact that in the beginning of the reading, we see the prophet has no honor in his native land. This makes me think how closely Jesus related to teenagers. I know sometimes it's hard for me to feel at ease here in my native land. I'm a youth minister, I hang out with teenagers all day, people don't understand. I'm sure it's similar for you. The Son of God didn't even fit into his native land! How crazy. Today is all about being okay with who we are and understanding that the Son of God didn't fit in. Be assured that he's close to you in this struggle.

Pray about It: Lord, make your home in me. You belong here. Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, choose someone at work or school that needs to be loved on in a particular way and do something kind for them.

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Read It:
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”
He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

Reflect on It: today, we see that the blind man was healed. Those who don't see clearly are able to after Christ heals this man. What is the Lord asking you to see today with the eyes of faith?

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me to see with your eyes.

Live It! Challenge: Today, pray for those who are blind.

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March 29, 2014

Read It:
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”


Reflect on It: Are we humble? Today's gospel is all about humility. Are we humble in the midst of our prayer? Everything we have and everything we are belongs to the Lord. It's important to always remember that. Today, let's be mindful of how merciful the father is to us, a big old bunch of sinners.

Pray about It: Lord, help me to be humble today and to do everything for your glory! Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, pray the litany of humility again. It can be found here:

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/humility.htm#ixzz2MmROXK5b

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March 28, 2014

Read It:
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.


Reflect on It: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. We are called love the Lord above all else. Do you?

Pray About It: I love you Lord, let me love you today with everything that I am.

Live It! Challenge: One one we can love the Lord with our whole heart and soul is by loving those in front of us. Today, love on your family members.

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March 27, 2014

Read It:
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,
and when the demon had gone out,
the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,
he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself,
how will his kingdom stand?
For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,
his possessions are safe.
But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,
he takes away the armor on which he relied
and distributes the spoils.
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Reflect on It: As lent progresses, we see that the Lord is healing people, casting out demons and getting his flock ready for the fact that the most important thing of all time is about to happen. I think today's gospel really speaks of our need to be people who are committed to something. If we're not for God, we're against him. I think this half hearted lukewarm apathy that a lot of us take about something in our lives is what Christ is rising us to push past today. He's asking for us to be committed to him, with our whole hearts and our whole soul. I know sometimes for me that seems to be a lot, but I'm glad that the Lord of the universe is merciful and allows us plenty of chances to get it right.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me examine my life today and see where I have grown lukewarm in loving you and defending you. I love you Lord! Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, make an examination of conscience and really pray through the areas where you have grown slack.

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March 26, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Reflect on It:
We're called to Heaven. Are you living today like you want to go to Heaven? We are called to obey and teach the commandments and live as people who walk in that light. Live for Heaven today!

Pray about It: Lord, help me to follow your commandments with great joy! Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, go and pray for your family.

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March 25, 2014: Solemnity of the Annunciation.

Happy Feast of the Annunciation! The reflection for today is written by dear friend Irene.

Read It:
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38

Reflect on It: Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation, when Mary said "yes" to becoming the mother of her Lord and our Savior! Mary spent her life learning about God and His Law (the Torah) and this prepared her to make her fiat (her Yes to God). Like Mary, we must continually strive to know God and His Word so that when God invites us to participate in His redeeming work, we can, like Mary, make our own fiat and say Yes!
The angel Gabriel reminds us that nothing is impossible with God; He can do the unlikely and improbably (like Elizabeth getting pregnant after so many years of barrenness) AND the impossible (the virgin Mary getting pregnant). Keep that in mind when it feels like God is asking you to do the impossible - He can still make it happen, He just wants you to say "Yes!" to helping!

Pray about It: Mother Mary, pray for me that I might be as courageous as you were when God calls on me to serve Him. Holy Spirit, give me the gift of Your courage!

Live It! Challenge: Pick one thing that God is asking you to change about your life this Lent and say "Yes!" to His Will. Then, say "Yes!" again tomorrow morning...and the next...and the next!

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March 24, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflect on It: No prophet is accepted in his own native place. Today's Gospel shows us that the Lord is asking us to be faithful, not for us to be accepted. Today, we see that Elijah was rejected over and over and over again, but he still followed God. Preaching the good news isn't always easy, especially in our native land. How are you being called to challenge a friend today? How are you being called to be uncomfortable?

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me to follow you even when it's difficult.

Live It! Challenge: Today, talk with someone at work or school about the good things Jesus is doing in your life.

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Third Sunday of Lent: March 23, 2014

Read It:
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her,
“Go call your husband and come back.”
The woman answered and said to him,
“I do not have a husband.”
Jesus answered her,
“You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’
For you have had five husbands,
and the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned,
and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,
but still no one said, “What are you looking for?”
or “Why are you talking with her?”
The woman left her water jar
and went into the town and said to the people,
“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?”
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”
But he said to them,
“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
So the disciples said to one another,
“Could someone have brought him something to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me
and to finish his work.
Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’?
I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving payment
and gathering crops for eternal life,
so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for;
others have done the work,
and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him
because of the word of the woman who testified,
“He told me everything I have done.”
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

Reflect on It: Today's gospel is all about an encounter with Christ. The heart of our faith is based in this encounter. The Samaritan woman is there in the middle of the day because she is unclean. She can't go when everyone else goes and there she meets Jesus. This encounter changes her. Put yourself there, see what it's like to be loved on by Christ himself. Imagine was it was like for her....She had her life changed by this encounter and then went to tell the world. I've attached a video that shows an interpretation of this video and I pretty much am in love with it. I hope it helps you reflect more deeply and put yourself into the story. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q49BbfgJbto&playnext=1&list=PLB0395E15C6897D2C&feature=results_main


Pray about It: Lord, let me encounter you today. Amen.

Live It! Challenge:Spend a few extra minutes after mass today in prayer. Ask the Lord to make you attentive to how he's with you today.

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March 21, 2014

Read It:
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”

Reflect on It: For a long time, it never occured to me that the story of the prodigal son was actually about each one of us. Each one of us in some way is far from the Lord. He never leaves us. The Lord always rejoices when we return to him. Most especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The fattened calf is slaughtered, a ring is put onto our finger and again, we are found, safe in our Father's arms. Today, may we find peace resting there and be close to him.

Pray About It: Sweet Jesus, help me to be close to you today and to make a fearless examination of conscience in order to be close to you.

Live It! Challenge: Get yourself to confesison this week and pray the litany of humility.

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March 21, 2014: Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Read It:
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.


Reflect on It: The Son of God was rejected, disrespected and disgarded by those around him. We should expect the same thing. We become the cornerstone and the Lord is pleased. Today, let's pray that we can be people who expect to be rejected because of our faith, but choose to serve him anyways.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, let me choose you always.

Live It! Challenge: Today, pray for someone who is rejected because of their faith.

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March 19, 2014: The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of Blessed Virgin Mary

Happy Feast Day of St. Joseph! Today is a day of celebration in the midst of our Lenten Fasting. It's a Solemnity, so today we celebrate the awesomeness.

Read It: (There are two gospel options today...I'm using this one for the blog)

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Reflect on It: St. Joseph was a humble man tasked to be the earthly Father of Jesus. He was a righetous man who really gave his life to be about his son. He did not divorce Mary when she told him she was pregnant. He is someone who did exactly what the angel of the Lord told him to do. Imagine the pressure of living with the Incarnation and the Immaculate Conception! Two perfect people, and there's good old St. Joseph, loving and protecting and honoring his family. We do not hear alot about St. Joseph in Scripture after Jesus' infancy and then when Jesus is in the temple, and I think this is a true reflection of who St. Joseph was...a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord. He loved his family and he loved the Lord. May we have the same love and dedication to our family that he had to his.


Pray about it: Gracious Lord, help me to be small and humble like St. Joseph, but to have the gentle strength he had. I know he loved you and protected you. Help me to love you with his heart! St. Joseph, pray for us. Amen.

Live it! Challenge: Today, pray for your Father, whether he is an active or inactive part of your life. Then pray in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, for never leaving us.

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March 18, 2014

Read It:
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflect on It:
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. It is in being small and hidden that we are exalted and is the way the Lord calls us to follow him. Each one of us is called to be small, hidden and beautiful in that way. It's good for us to be humbled. Through our humility, we realize who it is that is called to be number one: Sweet Jesus! What a blessing.

Pray About It: Today, and everyday this week, pray the litany of humility and ask to be made humble (Don't worry, you will be humbled when you pray this...get ready).

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…


Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/humility.htm#ixzz2LwjieEci

Live IT! Challenge: Find a way to be small this week. Do something for someone else without them knowing it.

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Monday, March 17, 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Reflect on It: We are called to love. Today's gospel is about the fact that we are called to love. This doesn't mean we're not called to challenge people in that love, but above all, love is what we need to be about. Forgive and you will be forgiven. At the end of our lives, we will be measured based on how we love, so go for it, love without cost and without limitation!


Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me to love like you love: With my whole heart.


Live It! Challenge: Today, make sure you show your love to someone by performing an act of service for them.

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Second Sunday of Lent: March 16, 2014

Read It:
Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.


Reflect on It: Can you imagine what it would be like to be on a mountain top with Jesus, just to pray and all of the sudden, Moses and Elijah appear and it starts to go cray? Literally , this is what happened. They see the Glory of God and Jesus is transfigured. Think about how differently your life would be from that moment on. The transfiguration is about Peter, John and James seeing the face of Christ, hearing from God and living differently. How are we called to live differently today? Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, those who have hope, are called to live differently. We have Hope in our Lord. Live differently today.

Pray about It: Lord, you are constantly speaking to each one of us. Help me to hear your voice today and to live differently because of it. Amen!

Live It! Challenge: Pray today for those who's lives can be changed by hearing the word of God.

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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Read It:
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 and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflect on It: Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. This is a great call for each of us. Jesus loved his enemies. In the midst of his suffering and gruesome death, he loved those who put him to death. We are called to love our enemies with the same heart and mind. Of course, that perfection belongs to our Lord, but we should strive to be like him. Where are you in your Lenten fasting? How is it going? I know for me, parts of it have been super hard. The good news is that Jesus is merciful. Every day is a new day to start again.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me to be perfect as you are perfect! Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, pray for your biggest enemy.

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March 14, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

Reflect on It: I think today's gospel gives us a great challenge to reconcile ourselves to one another. If we have a grudge, we should go to the person whom we are upset with and seek reconciliation. We all have someone that it's hard for us to love. Is it worth it though? why are you mad? Today, go and seek their forgiveness and pray for them.

Pray about It: Lord, you teach us to forgive one another as you have forgiven us. Help me to see how you love the person who has most wronged me. Help me to see them with your eyes and your heart. Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Pray for the person who has wronged you and then go and ask for forgiveness for holding a grudge.

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March 13, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”

Reflect on It: Today's gospel is about boldness! The Lord of the universe wants to lavish love on us...he wants us to be bold enough to ask for the things that we need, the things we desire. He will give them to us. Ask you will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you! Sweet Jesus wants to lavish you with love, will you let him?

Pray about It: Lord, you know what I need and what is good for me. Help me to ask for those things only and help me to see when you are lavishing me goodness and these things! I love you! Amen.

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March 12, 2014

Read It:
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

Reflect on It:
The Son of Man is our sign! We live in a time where all we want is a sign. I know that I often ask the Lord for a sign....A sign that something is what I'm supposed to do or a sign that I'm wrong...I don't care, just a sign. In today's reading, we're given the challenge that we have already received our sign. It is the Son of Man! He is all we need and we should be content in that.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, you are our sign. Help me to be content in knowing that today.

Live It! Challenge: Today, instead of praying for a sign, pray for hope in Jesus.

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March 11, 2014

Read It:
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 men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions

Reflect on It: Today, we learn from Sweet Jesus the prayer of the Church. The "Our Father is considered to be the most perfect prayer. If it's good enough for our Lord, it should be good enough for us. I know that often I feel like I'm at a loss for what to say when I pray, but here in Scripture, we're taught how to pray. Sweet Jesus for the win!

Pray about It: "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."

Live It! Challenge: Pray this prayer today with a protestant friend.

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March 10, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”


Reflect on It: How are we seeing Jesus in our day to day interactions? Today's gospel is about serving Christ all day and to serve those in need around us. Sometimes, I think we are quick to say, well, the poor aren't around me. If we really, really look though, we can see those who are in need around us. Who really needs you to love them today? Lent is about making ourselves poor so that others lives can be enriched. It's a good thing.

Pray about It: Holy Spirit, help me to serve those around me most in need.

Live It! Challenge: Today, serve someone else, but make sure no one knows about it...unload the dishwasher without being asked. Sit at the table at school where people might judge you.

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Sunday, March 9: The First Sunday of Lent

Read It:
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
He said in reply,
“It is written: One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city,
and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.
For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him,
“Again it is written,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain,
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you,
if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to him,
“Get away, Satan!
It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.”

Then the devil left him and, behold,
angels came and ministered to him.

Reflect on It: Even Jesus is tempted. I think sometimes we make Jesus out to be this divine person who in his perfection doesn’t know what it’s really like to be human. Sometimes in my mind it seems hard to picture him experiencing the challenges of daily life just like we do. Today, we see that even Jesus is tempted. The devil tries to tempt Jesus after he spends forty days in the desert. He’s hungry and probably tired. Satan tries to prey on his weakness. Jesus is triumphant and tells Satan to back off. Today’s gospel reveals the perfect example of Christ always winning. It’s not that he wasn’t tempted, it was that his heart and mind were clear and he knew that God had his back. Today, let’s bask in the humanity of Sweet Jesus and trust that we too can triumph over our temptations.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, you fought temptation like a boss, Please help me to resist temptation like you did. I love you Lord.

 

Live It! Challenge: Today, do an examination of conscience to see where you were tempted.

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March 8, 2014

Read It:

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

Reflect on It:
"Follow me". The words in Scripture that are so simple, but so hard. Today, we are called to follow Christ without fear, in total confidence, knowing that he will provide everything to us. Come and follow him. I think about all the times I've been afraid to follow Jesus. Why? He promises us a life with him. We have nothing to fear.

Pray about It:
Lord, help me to follow you without fear. Help me to not be afraid.

Live It! Challenge: Today, come and follow Christ to the tabernacle. Stop by your local parish and pray for a few minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

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Friday, March 5, 2014

Read It:

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Reflect on It: Today, I chose the Psalm, because it is so very good. A humble and contrite heart is all that God asks of us. He sees our hearts, he knows what's important. So, maybe you've already messed up on your Lenten sacrifice, maybe you haven't, but what is important is what's in your heart. Are you humble and contrite? Humility is all about knowing that there is a God and we're not him! Thank goodness. Where is your heart this Friday of Lent?

Pray about It: Father in heaven, you never spurn us when our hearts are humble and contrite. Please help us to be men and women who's hearts are full of love for you. Give us clean hearts that know of how good you are.

Live it! Challenge: At the end of today, make a good examination of conscience. When did you love God today? When did you fail to love him? Did you give him a humble heart?

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March 6, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Reflect on It: Lately, in the readings at mass, we have heard the importance of following Christ. Well before Twitter, Jesus was calling men and women to follow him. Unlike Twitter, this following required his disciples to give everything that had. See, love will always cost you something. It will always cost you your life. To come and follow Christ means denying yourself and the comfort of this world and follow him. The pay off is eternal life with Christ. This is a daily choice. Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that the "world offers us comfort. You were not made for comfort. You were made for Greatness". Following Christ, carrying our cross, reaching that greatness is never about what makes us comfortable, but instead what makes uncomfortable. Today, may we have the strength to carry our cross alongside of Christ who carries a much heavier cross than ours and to ask for help when we need it.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, you carried your cross and never settled for mediocrity. Help me to carry my cross with great love for you.

Live It! Challenge: Today, identify what cross Christ is asking for you to carry and how you can do that.

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58 Things you can give up or add for Lent

Sure, it's Ash Wednesday already, but here's a list of 58 things you can give up or add on in case you're stumped.

58 Things you can give up or add for Lent:
1. Get up on first ring of alarm (no snoozing)
2. Be kind to siblings
3. No texting week
4. No texting for all of Lent
5. No facebook for all of Lent
6. No meat for all of Lent
7. No slacking at school
8. Additional Daily mass per week
9. No sweets for all of Lent
10. Fasting every Friday of Lent
11. Attend Friday Stations of the Cross
12. Go to confession
13. Pray a Rosary
14. Holy Hour
15. Pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet
16. Being on time to Sunday Night Sessions
17. Read the Readings BEFORE mass
18. 10 minutes of prayer Daily
19. No buying sweets/candy
20. No fun until Homework is done each day.
21. Read the passion narratives in the Gospels.
22. Read this blog
23. Not watching any TV
24. Give up your favorite show for Lent
25. Morning prayer
26. Participate in Operation Rice Bowl
27. Early mass on Wednesdays
28. Donate to a charity
29. Give money at mass each week
30. Sell possession, give money to the Church
31. Donate some clothing that you like
32. Raise money for Super Dance
33. Pilgrimage to a Catholic Shrine
34. Pray with a friend at school
35. Do things that your parents ask of you without being asked more than once.
36. Eat only simple lunches during the week at school.
37. Give away the possession that means the most to you.
38. Babysit for free.
39. Attend all three masses/services during the Triduum
40. Attend the Easter Vigil

41. No loungy pants
42. No starbucks
43. Don't take the best spot available in the parking lot
44. Take the worst parking spot you can find 
45. Make the bed everyday before you leave the bedroom
46. Don't use the dishwasher
47. Don't buy anything (except maybe food)
48. Don't eat out at restaurants
49. Say one decade of the Rosary as a family each day

50. Turn off the radio in the car

51. Get up at a specific time each morning

52. Go to bed at a specific time each night

53. Read a book aloud as a family

54. Give up caffeine 
55. Turn the lights off in empty rooms
56. Have lights turned on in only one room at a time
57. Don't use electricity
58. Do an Examination of Conscience and say the Act of Contrition at night

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March 5, 2014: Ash Wednesday

Read It:

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 be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Reflect on It: In today's gospel, we hear about prayer, fasting and almsgiving. What's most important with these three things in the reading is the thought that they are to be done in secret and in private. Typically, for me, Ash Wednesday feels like the hardest day of the year. Times when I would never be hungry, I feel like I'm famished or it feels like the LONGEST day known to man kind. It doesn't seem to make sense. So, I get a little whiny about how much this sacrifice costs me: my comfort. Today, we're called to get uncomfortable as we journey with Jesus. Our Hearts are ready oh God, our hearts are ready.

Pray about It: My Heart is ready and willing Father. Let me carry my cross and die with you this Lent.

Live it! Challenge: Whenever you feel like prayer, fasting or almsgiving is too much today, offer the prayers for someone who doesn't know God.

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