Rocks

And Jesus went unto mount Olivet. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them. And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst, and said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery. Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou? And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground. But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee? Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
John 8:1-11 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are the opposite of this reading. We pick up huge rocks and fling them at our neighbors on a daily basis. No matter what the sin, we are always perpetually reminded of them and not forgiven them. We know how truly wrong it is to sin, yet our world has deemed it okay to do it. How often we see it when we watch the television, one doesn't have to physically do the act in order to commit it. So why are we who are sinners always throwing stones at our neighbors for theirs? Jesus is the one without sin, and yet he forgave and didn't condemn but went on to tell this person to sin no more. Isn't that what we should be doing also, seeking forgiveness of our own sins and looking to not sinning anymore. Not judging others and flinging rocks at them as if we were without sin. Shame on us when we do this. Dear Father it is with hope that we find forgiveness in such a loving way as Jesus dealt with this woman in the reading today. That we too will seek the gift of reconciliation and come to not continue sinning as we so often do.

Forgiveness

Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: pay what thou owest. And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt. Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him; and said to him: thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
Matthew 18:21-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we don't always do as we are supposed to do. Many don't even know your Word but some know instantly to forgive from the heart. Jesus has given us the way to freedom. It's up to us to want to be free of the burden of sin. How often in our own lives we get angry or upset when we are cut off by another car while driving? All too often we see road rage, or we come across angry people fighting over some small matter. And the same for what Jesus spoke about, when we are forgiven, do we extend that forgiveness or do we hold back and put another into bondage out of our selfishness. Jesus gave us so very much to live by and we don't even bother to follow it. Maybe today when we are out and about, we might come across someone who hurts and lashes out without thinking. Forgive them. Didn't Jesus say these words on the very cross he was on. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. And those words are honest because we don't know what we do to you everyday we choose to not forgive.

The Weight of Sin

And again he entered into Capharnaum after some days. And it was heard that he was in the house, and many came together, so that there was no room; no, not even at the door; and he spoke to them the word. And they came to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, who was carried by four. And when they could not offer him unto him for the multitude, they uncovered the roof where he was; and opening it, they let down the bed wherein the man sick of the palsy lay. And when Jesus had seen their faith, he saith to the sick of the palsy: Son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And there were some of the scribes sitting there, and thinking in their hearts: Why doth this man speak thus? he blasphemeth. Who can forgive sins, but God only? Which Jesus presently knowing in his spirit, that they so thought within themselves, saith to them: Why think you these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise, take up thy bed, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say to thee: Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. And immediately he arose; and taking up his bed, went his way in the sight of all; so that all wondered and glorified God, saying: We never saw the like.
Mark 2:1-12 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son teaches us about your forgiveness. Yet we know that once we are forgiven we know that we have been healed. But sometimes dear Father we don't see it that way. We often go around with this huge weight of our own unforgiveness. For us it is harder to remove the forgiveness of ourselves and let it go. I know how difficult it is, since I too sinned in this way and you forgave me still. You taught me to forgive myself above all. From this it is the greatest gift of all to glorify you. Because without you dear Father we are nothing and without your Son teaching us how to forgive each other as well as ourselves, we wouldn't understand how to live in your love. All that Jesus has done is for love of you, so we too may love you with all of our hearts and give you the glory, honor and praise of all time, that only our hearts can sing.

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 10:17-22 (NAB)

Prayer

Dear Father how easily we do that in this day, hand people over to the courts suing them for easy money. This was written so very long ago and yet it reflects so much of our own time in how we deal with others. We don't forgive as well as we should and over small matters and in the bigger ones either. So what must we do then dear Father, many of us pray to have issues resolved with what seems as if no end of the strife in sight. But do we pray to forgive or even go the extra and offer that forgiveness as well as give it. You forgive us and we are the stubborn ones who continue to cause strife and hardship out of our own pride. Thinking that we don't want to be the one's to say I'm sorry, forgive me, first. When we let go of that pride and do what we are called to do life becomes amazing then. Dear Father may we extend the hand of forgiveness to those who we have offended as well as ask for their forgiveness. But most of all may we seek yours first of all so we may offer it to our neighbor. Amen

What is My Stature in Life

And entering in, he walked through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was, and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him; for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him, and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down; and received him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold. Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:1-10 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father not many of us have the stature of Zacheus, one who has money, but many of us live as if we do by using credit beyond our means. The sole survival in this world. How often we too call out to you Jesus, have mercy on us and hope to see you pass by as you did with Zacheus. I know of my many failings in life and when you passed by in mine I received you with joy as did Zacheus. My own stature is one that is not grand and I too fall short, yet I was a sinner in a different way. But you called me by name and chose to dine at my home with me, a sinner. You see dear Father you know everything and still you chose me, just like you chose Zacheus for a purpose. I think it is mostly out of our sinfulness that we truly seek you from our heart, because we love you and seek forgiveness. It is a change in our lives that we seek to bring you closer to us because we know you are our salvation. I thank you Jesus for choosing Zacheus to give us an example of honesty and forgiveness. May our lives seek healing from the day to day burdens and come to seek you in all our needs. Amen

Forgive

And he said to his disciples: It is impossible that scandals should not come: but woe to him through whom they come.It were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should scandalize one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him: and if he do penance, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying, I repent; forgive him. And the apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith. And the Lord said: If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea: and it would obey you.
Luke 17:1-6 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father thank you for the opportunity to go to a healing service where I sought healing whether it be of mind, body, spirit and soul. It was by your grace that I found sorrow in the depths of my being. When I left I could not shake the many I'm sorry's I was repeating over and over in my heart. Sorry for failing my family, and you. You planted the seed of faith and brought love to my life when I first saw you in the Eucharist. I haven't stopped loving you, but I failed in going out into the world and doing your will. You have shown me little by little and in the vastness of time the growth of the seed you planted. The many fruits that have been produced. What I found was in this reading that I should also have forgiven as well as been sorry, the two go hand in hand. I also found myself focusing on the cross throughout the service as a reminder of why I was there, to do your will. I didn't know there was a purpose in my prayers and my hands opening as I sat and prayed for those who sought your healing grace. May the seed of healing and faith come to those who seek the Lord's love. Amen

Forgiveness

Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.

But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest. And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt.

Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.
Matthew 18:21–19:1 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father no matter how often we transgress you forgive us. Jesus gives us an example to follow when we are sinned against as well as being the sinner. We are to forgive as often as we can. There is no limit to the amount of forgiveness we can give because you forgive us far more than we could ever imagine. Yet we don't do as Jesus speaks of. We often go through life with these burdens of unforgiveness. Jesus exhorts us to forgive from our hearts, where we find freedom and love. Any hurt, any discord, forgive from the heart those who cause pain and suffering and pray for them to find forgiveness in their hearts too. May we come to live this message of Jesus and do as he asks of us and forgive as many as seven times and more if need be those who need to be forgiven. Amen

Forgiven

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher, ” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
because she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:36-50

Prayer

Dear Father you teach us how to love beyond ourselves. To love those who have sinned against us. To forgive them from our hearts as you forgive them from yours. A woman with great love in her heart for our Lord, bathed his feet and anointed them out of the depths of her sorrow for her sins. She found forgiveness. We who are human judge so much those who sin without forgiveness in our hearts for them. We show ourselves as the Pharisees do, thinking the same way as they did. If a woman of ill repute showed up and bathed the feet of one of the guests with her tears we would have her thrown out. Our judgement is often harsh, but for one who sins and seeks the Lord finds him and receives the love and forgiveness God alone can give. May we also learn to love as Jesus loves and come to forgive those whose life was not as perfect or as pious as ours. May we in our life bring life to those who are lost and seek love and forgiveness. Let the face of our Lord shine for them to see the way back to him. Amen

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
and all the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in adultery
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
"Teacher, this woman was caught
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?"
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
"Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
"Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?"
She replied, "No one, sir."
Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more."
John 8:1-11

Prayer

Dear Father your son gives us a message of love, one that he does not condemn as we do but that he also requests that we do not sin anymore either. We pray for those who are caught in the web of deceit where lust rather than holiness rules their life. We pray not to condemn but to forgive and pray for conversion of sin where we may no longer sin but live a life pleasing to God. Amen

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?"
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.'
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
'Pay back what you owe.'
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
But he refused.
Instead, he had him put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?'
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."
Matthew 18:21-35

Prayer

Dear Father you forgive us so lovingly. We pray to be able to forgive others as you forgive us as well as forgiving ourselves for our sinfulness. Let us reconcile our hearts to you in confession. You teach us to love and forgive our neighbor as you love us. We pray for your constant guidance in our daily trials that when we come across those who hurt us, let us also be charitable and with our heart forgive them. Amen

Launch Out

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him.
Luke 5:8-9

Reflection:
Simon Peter admitted his sinfulness for not believing. He asked that Jesus who is God to depart from him. Simon Peter knew how unworthy he was at that moment for Jesus had just filled the nets with an over abundance of fish.

What over abundance of stuff do we receive that rightly we should not get out of our own sinfulness. Do we see it as Jesus' way of telling us to trust in him and have more faith in God. Or do we place it as luck. When we reach out for help and receive our answers in unlikely ways we often forget to whom we should thank.

But we also tend to push Jesus out of our lives in our sinfulness. We drift further away from the goodness of God. We tend to be more selfish when we are farther away from faith. In those moments we too say, "Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful person." Yet in our sinfulness we should be asking Jesus to please come ever more into our lives to bring us healing and forgiveness of our sins, not pushing him away as we tend to do.

Those times are the times when we do need him more than ever, to keep us strong, to keep us faithful. How can we also be fishers of men for the kingdom of God when we too in our sinfulness forget to mend our nets. How can we be part of this if we don't keep Jesus near us.

There are many vices out there that really do put Jesus far away from, acts that are unnatural to humans, pornography, abortion, killing, drugs just to name a few. But how do we fix us so we can have the faith and love that God seeks from us. Don't be afraid to change!

Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
Luke 2:16-17

Reflection:
The angels told the shepherds about Jesus' birth. Now it was up to them to go and witness this beautiful occasion. They were able to recount the message given to them to our Blessed Mother, so she could contemplate God's message.

If Mary can do this about a message given to shepherds, then we too should be able to listen to the Word made Flesh. Jesus was born to us this day to bring us love and forgiveness. Do we listen to the Word of God and live it's message as our Holy Mother has done. Do we try to bring about love and forgiveness among our neighbors.

Are the walls we have built around us so strong that we cannot tear them down with love. Mary's love for God was so great that she said "YES," and for that we have a savior who tears down the walls we build, that keep him out.

God gave us his Son to bring us much needed love. He gave us all the ultimate gift of himself, the love in his heart in the flesh of his Son. As parents don't we give that much of ourselves too for the sake of our children, out of love for them.

When we think of the love we have for our children and what we would do for them, then think about how much God does for us in a hidden way.

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Advent Prayer


Lord, fill our hearts with your love, and as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son as man, so lead us through his suffering and death to the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your hearts?"
Luke 5:22

Reflection:
For us forgiving is far easier than it is to bring healing to a lame person so they can walk. But for God nothing is impossible. He forgives us so much and he brings healing in ways we do not always understand.

As Jesus said which is easier, and for some even forgiving is hard to do as well as trying to make a person rise and walk. How often we try to help others walk in faith but find they are unable to. How many times have we tried to help others out only to see them continue along the path of destruction.

Yet for us it is far easier to forgive them. With Jesus it is possible to rise up and walk, because once we know of him we do rise and get up and walk the path of faith. We travel along with him on his journey following his steps.

So which is truly easier forgiving or rising up and walking? Can we forgive as easily as Jesus? Can we rise up and walk in faith as Jesus asks? Can any answer these questions honestly?