The Hands of Hope

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Mark 16:15-20

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son Jesus whom we love gave the disciples the Word to go out and proclaim the Gospel to every nation. It has been accomplished to the degree that it is around the world. Granted there are many places that still do not know of your Word, but after two thousand years plus, the disciples ministry has flourished. They do so much for your flock dear Father, many use their hands to bring healing to others by helping them when they are unable to do so themselves, as well as laying hands on those entering the Priestly Order. We are all called to be the hands of hope for others, giving signs of our belief. It is through those who believe that Jesus works through them. Faith and belief are the keys, how strong is ours that we are signs for others to see.

The Word

Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
John 12:44-50 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we often forget this truth at least part of it. We remember that Jesus comes to save lives, and the rest of what he says we soon toss aside. No matter what we do at the end we will be judged for it all. Many of us forget this and go about our day and say things that we shouldn't. Jesus asks us to believe in him and when we do we see the one who sent Him. That is beautiful in itself. Look how often our belief in family and friends, don't we see in their faces the joy in their heart for us because we believe in them. It's not just that either, when we are closed we don't see the way we should. When we are angry or just not as faithfilled as we should be what do we see when we look at another human being. Do we see the similarities of their parents in them as we look at them or are we blind by our self-centered ways. Jesus says when we believe in Him we will see the Father in Him because they are one. That's not hard to believe either. But the best part is believing in his presence in the Eucharist where we will always see him on a daily basis in the flesh and blood of the Mass.

Decisions, Decisions

These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum. Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it? But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you? If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him. And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.

After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
John 6:60-70 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father there are so many choices to make in our day, often it's the choice of where to dine and what to eat can often frustrate others. We make so many decisions throughout our day from the moment we wake up until it's time to go to bed. Jesus spoke the truth to many people in that time. Should he stand right before us in the flesh and speak these words to us too, would some of us walk away in disbelief at what he just said. Or would we believe in the truth of what he proclaimed and stand by his side. It's not like a decision we would make on where we are going or what we would have for dinner but a decision that speaks of life. When we make all our decisions is Jesus part of them where we choose to love him and trust in him. Or do we happen to decide that today is the day we give Jesus a little bit of our time and then tomorrow it's back to the routine we live. What's your decision going to be this day? Following Jesus and believing in him or going the other way, the way of the world. Remember, the decision to choose eternal life has greater rewards, where the other does not. Choose well then.

I Believe

The Jews then took up stones to stone him. Jesus answered them: Many good works I have shewed you from my Father; for which of these works do you stone me? The Jews answered him: For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God. Jesus answered them: Is it not written in your law: I said you are gods?
If he called them gods, to whom to word of God was spoken, and the scripture cannot be broken; do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you will not believe me, believe the works: that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. They sought therefore to take him; and he escaped out of their hands. And he went again beyond the Jordan, into that place where John was baptizing first; and there he abode. And many resorted to him, and they said: John indeed did no sign. But all things whatsoever John said of this man, were true. And many believed in him.
John 10:31-42 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father I know more than anything that you and Jesus have touched my life for a reason. But many in the world don't see you in theirs. Jesus tried many a time to give them proof that you and he are one. Not only that but of your sending him to bring love and mercy to them. To establish the truth of your existence. Without Jesus we would not have known your love in this beautiful way. The people had a hard time believing in Jesus back then but he perservered and continued to do your work in order that they may belief in the work that was done. We have some of the greatest testimonies of all time that have been passed down since. They have withstood over two thousand years and continue to draw people to you because of the works Jesus had done. He still continues to work for you even in our time. He draws us to him for you so they will believe. Now that is the greatest testimony Jesus has ever given to prove that you and he are one. I for one love you beyond all time because I believe.

Embers of Faith

Now there was a certain man sick, named Lazarus, of Bethania, of the town of Mary and Martha her sister. (And Mary was she that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair: whose brother Lazarus was sick.) His sisters therefore sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus hearing it, said to them: This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God: that the Son of God may be glorified by it. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he still remained in the same place two days. Then after that, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again.

The disciples say to him: Rabbi, the Jews but now sought to stone thee: and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world: But if he walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. These things he said; and after that he said to them: Lazarus our friend sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. His disciples therefore said: Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. But Jesus spoke of his death; and they thought that he spoke of the repose of sleep.

Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I am glad, for your sakes, that I was not there, that you may believe: but let us go to him. Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. Jesus therefore came, and found that he had been four days already in the grave. (Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.) And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus had come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live: And every one that liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die for ever. Believest thou this? She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.

And when she had said these things, she went, and called her sister Mary secretly, saying: The master is come, and calleth for thee. She, as soon as she heard this, riseth quickly, and cometh to him. For Jesus was not yet come into the town: but he was still in that place where Martha had met him. The Jews therefore, who were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up speedily and went out, followed her, saying: She goeth to the grave to weep there.

When Mary therefore was come where Jesus was, seeing him, she fell down at his feet, and saith to him: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews that were come with her, weeping, groaned in the spirit, and troubled himself, And said: Where have you laid him? They say to him: Lord, come and see.

And Jesus wept. The Jews therefore said: Behold how he loved him.

But some of them said: Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind, have caused that this man should not die? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days. Jesus saith to her: Did not I say to thee, that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?

They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes said: Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth. And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feet and hands with winding bands; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go. Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha, and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him.
John 11:1-45 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father this is a long reading but one filled with life rather than death. One of hope! As I read I couldn't help notice the phrase that I highlighted in red. That Jesus was glad, for their sakes, so that they may believe. And this was to his disciples too. They struggled with what they were witnessing and seeing first hand, just as Jesus was doing it. He wanted not only to give testimony to the you Dear Father that through you and Him they would have life eternal. Jesus did so very much to convince the disciples of the truth. Look in our own lives for the many times that he resurrected our faith when it was dying a slow death. What did he do to bring it back to life for you? Only thing, when he did restore it, did we continue to keep the light shinning that he so lovingly stoked back to life as if it were a burning ember. I'm sure there are countless times when he has touched us in such a way to do exactly that, but in our blindness we never saw it that way or attributed it to His saving grace. He wept for Lazarus, he weeps for us too because he loves us. Now what has he done in your life that restores your faith in Him?

Light in the Darkness

Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone? Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:7-12 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father so many times I've often heard it said that peoples prayers go unanswered. Some have turned away from you because of this. Their faith wasn't strong enough to sustain their trial. Is it possible that what they were asking for wasn't what they needed and they were only looking for, but a quick fix. Like many out there with addictions. They found their loyalty in something else that would take away their pain. Jesus knew their heart enough to tell us how to pray, how to ask you. But most importantly, how not to give up. The world we live in dear Father is full of suffering in many forms, I come to you this day and ask to heal these addictions that often takes away a persons soul. Be it in the form of drug, alcohol, hidden addiction, perversions and so much more. Be a light in their darkness so when they pray for deliverance from the evil that has taken hold of them, they may find freedom and healing. Restore their hope and love in you and forever banish the evil that has kept your people in bondage. Amen

In His Name

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:15-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it is a great hope that the world will believe in you and your Son Jesus. For them to be baptized by faith, that they may be saved. Your hope for mankind. The apostles were the first to be sent out to proclaim the good news, the first ones to receive the Holy Spirit and the one's who have done great things. We have throughout time come to imitate your Son, to do as he did. Bring healing, deliverance for many. Faith in you brings us hope that we too can go out into the world and bring many back home to you. Can we be your disciples too dear Father where we can do amazing things in your Sons name. For love and hope of the world. Amen

Decrease for Increase of Jesus

After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. And there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews concerning purification: And they came to John, and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony, behold he baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered, and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven. You yourselves do bear me witness, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:22-30 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father what a beautiful way to know that when Jesus is with us and part of us we must decrease while he increases. How true your disciple John spoke of the bride and the bridegroom, his joy was fulfilled. And so too ours when we place your Son in our lives and let Him increase while our desires decrease. We too will will find joy then. We have your Word to live by and the testimony of the many who lived and witnessed the divinity of Jesus for us to know you. What true words have been spoken and I for one realize the truth of them. How in my faith, Jesus becomes ever greater and more present in my life, this is increase and also that of doing your will. While my wants and desires for what this life can give decreases. I must become small while your Son becomes great in my life. I am not important but He is. And this is as it should be. After all, you do take care of us and our needs, not our wants but what is needed in our life and faith is the greatest need for many to come to know and love you so they too can decrease while your Son increases in their lives. Amen

Building a House

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof.
Matthew 7:21, 24-27 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it's good to know your Word and to live and act on it. That means I built my house on rock. Not rock in the sense of a stone but it's solid and firm. The test of faith is how we find out how well we did build the house. Often throughout our lifetime we may encounter many storms that buffet us in ways that would make a person crumble and fall away with the tide of time. But when we know your Word and live by it, it is our strength that keeps us standing when everything else is collapsing around us. That is an awesome way to live dear Father, to live by you and with you amid my life. You are the foundation I have built my faith upon and you have sent the winds of destruction to test my faith in you and it has prevailed against the onslaught. I am glad that you have tested me and for me to see how strong I have kept safe my hope and my home in you. Amen

Worthy?

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest


And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grieviously tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him. And the centurion making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:
Matthew 8:5-11 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father what an example of faith you have given us in this account of the centurion. He sought healing for another even though that person was a servant, that servant had worth in the life of the centurion. His humble response to Jesus brought healing. Jesus is so right, such faith! How often I too go to you dear Father with this same sentiment in mind when I go to receive your Son, but fail to have the faith like this centurion. Have I humbled myself and removed much to attain the faith that will make me worthy to be healed from a distance. Can I pray for another in such a way that will bring healing to them also from a distance. After all dear Father, it is this great faith that brings you to us and restores life to our parched and arid lives. May I contemplate the faith of the centurion and come to a better understanding of how worthy I can be in your eyes. Amen

Readying the Banquet Table

Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luke 12:35-38 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father should I let my faith slip and grow lax, then it is I who suffer the consequences. Then I would not be prepared for your coming. What must I do then? Is attending Mass enough or must I do more? Do I know the answer to this question, of course I do. Cleansing the inside of me as well as the outside helps. Confession makes a big difference when I haven't gone in a long time. This allows you to come shining through me, until then I would only see darkness. Have I set the table with finery in preparation for the banquet. In this regard of finery it is prayer and have I polished it so it will shine in the darkness. Or do I just pray when the need arises? So how can I say I am prepared when I don't pray throughout the day or use the sacrament of penance or for that matter attend Mass on a regular basis where I hear your Word and receive you in the Eucharist to keep the light inside me from going out. It's all essential to do in order to be prepared and I know it's difficult just as keeping our own homes clean can be. Dear Father help me to prepare and keep that light inside of me burning bright. May I be vigilant for your coming and let me be ready and not asleep at the table I was preparing. Amen

Faith

And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint, Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man. And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary. And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man, Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me. And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith. And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard? I say to you, that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?
Luke 18:1-8 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father I can now understand where the saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Often in the workforce this is what people do, complain until they get what they want. But that is also true for many who complain to get their way. I received an e-mail that showed a vast difference in count for those who want to keep your name. But in the lower count they are the one's who seem to be the ones who have been getting their way, having your name removed. In scripture then, it is not complaint that wins a judgement in this woman's favor but her persistence in asking for his help in rendering a just judgement. When I pray for my needs am I asking or complaining to you. When I am wronged, am I asking to hurt another or am I seeking to forgive and asking for conversion of heart. Asking in prayer finds results faster than complaining about our woes and seeking deliverance. Have I then prayed always to keep my faith alive rather than for what I want in material goods. Are my prayers for the good of others and their safekeeping? Have I prayed for you dear Father and given back to you what you so generously give me? May I pray always from my heart. May I be fervent in my prayer that my thought is one with you. That upon waking and throughout the day, my prayers may not stop for the sake of my soul. And should you come, it is with hope that you have found faith in me. Amen

Asking and Receiving

And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him: Friend, lend me three loaves,

Because a friend of mine is come off his journey to me, and I have not what to set before him. And he from within should answer, and say: Trouble me not, the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. Yet if he shall continue knocking, I say to you, although he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend; yet, because of his importunity, he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth. And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

And which of you, if he ask his father bread, will he give him a stone? or a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he reach him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the good Spirit to them that ask him?
Luke 11:5-13 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father how often I have knocked upon your door seeking your love and guidance. I remember a time where I asked for the Holy Spirit in prayer, kneeling at my bedside with hope in my heart. Did I come to understand that my life would change in many ways after that. Little by little it did and when I asked for something you gave it from your heart. It may not have been what I was seeking but it was given in different ways. It took me dear Father so much time that I wasted to see how wonderful you have graced my life in numerous ways. And to think all I had to do was ask in faith. That now when I ask for something, I look forward to receiving your love and response. You never disappoint in answering, and if I am disappointed it is my selfishness in what I was seeking. You know dear Father, it's like receiving gifts for no special reason, that's how delighted I am when I asked and you gave. But I also on occasion do not receive, and those are the times when I do not merit a response, a time when sin may have darkened my door. Dear Father I pray to always keep my own door from being closed to you, to keep sin away so that I may do your will. May my hearts desire be to receive your generous love. Amen

Lights

Now no man lighting a candle covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it upon a candlestick, that they who come in may see the light. For there is not any thing secret that shall not be made manifest, nor hidden, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how you hear. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, that also which he thinketh he hath, shall be taken away from him.
Luke 8:16-18 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father is it my faith that you speak of? That I shouldn't hide it under a bed, but let it shine for all to see. Or is it the love in my heart for you instead. Now that one I cannot hide under a bed nor keep to myself. The love that is there for you shines like no light ever made and one I cannot hide. But if my love for you is dim and my faith shallow then I would lose what was given to me. For I did not take care to keep the fire burning bright within my heart. How often I have known the love you give, because you know the very depths of my heart and I would be a fool to try to hide anything from you. You see all and know all and I too must take care in what I hear so I may keep my heart clean. If I falter in my faith it would only be right to have less than what I deserve. May I keep the fire of your love burning bright. Amen

Sowing the Seeds of Faith

And when a very great multitude was gathered together, and hastened out of the cities unto him, he spoke by a similitude. The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground; and being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, he cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.
Luke 8:4-15 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father teach me to embrace your Holy Word when I hear it. That I may carry out your will in my life. Jesus gave us this parable of seeds for a reason. Dear Father as I have encountered this parable I've always let it take root within my soul. Throughout my life I've done my best to be the part that rich soil Jesus speaks of. I know that when I heard this parable I made up my mind to be this. It is this then the choice I have made to let the seed of God's Word take root and grow. I have watched throughout my life the presence of your love and kept my ears open to your Word. Dear Father teach me to be ever fruitful on your behalf and continue to let the seed of faith grow in my heart and love will always be the resulting fruit. Amen

Centurions Faith

When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,

with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;
and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven,
but the children of the Kingdom
will be driven out into the outer darkness,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”
And Jesus said to the centurion,
“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”
And at that very hour his servant was healed.

Jesus entered the house of Peter,
and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
He touched her hand, the fever left her,
and she rose and waited on him.

When it was evening, they brought him many
who were possessed by demons,
and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick,
to fulfill what had been said by Isaiah the prophet:

He took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
Matthew 8:5-17

Prayer

Dear Father the centurion had more faith in Jesus at the time he was alive and there to show the world his true divinity than many of us do in our time. All he asked is for his servant to be healed without Jesus ever going near the person. From this accounting we have the words we say "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed," just after the Lamb of God. Spectacular words that humble us before the Lord in the Eucharist. Where we too can say the same as the centurion for our own unworthiness in seeking healing for others and ourselves. For it is with faith that we believe in his presence in his gift of love for us. That we too may be healed and come back to him. May we seek your divine light of love and healing, rather than the darkness. May we come to receive our Lord in humble supplication as we prepare our hearts for the kingdom of God. Amen

Faith

Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested.
Hebrews 11:1-2

Reflection:
Faith is believing that God exists when we cannot see or feel him. It is trusting that what we have is given by him for us to live an honest and holy life.

Have we ever hoped for something special from our hearts and received it. When we pray for help, or for someone else because they need it we trust in the realization that it has been answered. We have faith in God in those moments because we don't see him, yet we believe from all the testimony that has been given from the ancient ones about God. That's a long history of believing if you ask me, even though there is a small handful in the world that would put an end to this history.

It's a shame that evil continues in the way of sacrificing life, because God is love and he has gone on to give this to us so we will no longer sacrifice life as the ancient ones did. That is why he gave us back his Son after we put him to death. To show us that life is precious to him.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them,"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Luke 4:18-21

Reflection:
Jesus, I believe shocked them in the Temple that day with that proclamation. You got to love him for speaking the Truth. "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."21 Imagine if we were to read the Scripture ourselves and come out with that, people would look at us as if we were nuts. But we read of a man who let his Divinity show and reveals his home.

Not only that he was telling them that he was the one who is bringing hope to the poor, not the one's poor in material, but those whose spirit is poor. He is telling them that he gives sight to the blind, physically as well as spiritually. He frees them from captivity, where their souls were held bound by evil.

When Jesus read this particular Scripture passage, it was amazing for him since he was doing exactly as the passage foretold. He had every right to declare it has come to be fulfilled through him. And it was, since he did all that is mentioned.

Can we do the same when we read Scripture, proclaim it our message that it is being fulfilled through us. We are all part of one body, but our measurement is not all the same either. Some have gifts that surpass all others while even those with minimal are not excluded. We all have a purpose in the Body of Christ. When we look at our own bodies, each part is useful even the one's we don't think so. Our toes have a purpose to help us stand. Every part was made specifically by God, even when it's mismatched or missing.

Since the Church is founded on people, we are the body and each one of us has a purpose in it. Never think that being part of the Church is useless or that you are not needed because there are so many to do the job. Each one of us has the purpose to speak about faith and teach those who do not know faith at all.

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?