Category: Prayers

“We are truly His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good deeds.” –Ephesians 2:10 On Ash Wednesday, we began Lent, and the Lord commanded us to keep our works of mercy secret (Mt 6:4). At Easter Vigil, we begin the Easter season, and the Lord through the Church will ask us whether we reject all of Satan’s works. Works are important although we are not saved because of them (Eph 2:8-9). “Faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26). We will accept or hate the light of Christ depending on our works, for those doing good works...

“The Pharisee with head unbowed prayed in this fashion: ‘I give You thanks, O God, that I am not like the rest of men.’” –Luke 18:11 The Pharisee compared himself with the tax collector. He fell into the sin of pride, was not justified, and even deteriorated to the point of “holding everyone else in contempt” (Lk 18:9). Cain compared himself with Abel and became resentful and crestfallen (Gn 4:6). “Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him” (Gn 4:8), becoming the first murderer. Aaron and Miriam compared themselves to Moses. “So angry was the Lord against them that when...

“Some of them said, ‘It is by Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that He casts out devils.’ ” –Luke 11:15 Some people accused Jesus of driving out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. We may have sinned many times, but that’s one sin we likely have never committed. In our secularized society, many don’t even believe the devil exists. Consequently, they would not attribute any of Jesus’ works to the devil. Many are too ignorant or heretical to commit the sin referred to in today’s Gospel reading. In a few short weeks, at every Catholic Mass in the whole...

“Of this much I assure you: until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter of the law, not the smallest part of a letter, shall be done away with until it all comes true.” – Matthew 5:18 In the beginning of creation was the Word. In the beginning of the new creation of this Lenten-Easter time is also the Word. When God’s Word begins to come alive in our lives, we know that the risen life of Easter is not far behind. When our hearts begin to burn as Jesus explains to us the Scriptures, we know that...

“In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud.” –Daniel 3:25 Lent is the imitation of Jesus’ forty days in the desert (Mt 4:1ff). It is a desert experience in which we undergo “a trial by fire” (1 Pt 4:12). In the midst of the flames, we are tempted to grumble against the Lord or blame other people for our trials. We must overcome these temptations and stand up in the fire to pray as Azariah did (Dn 3:25). By faith, we must face the harsh realities of our lives, repent of our sins, and commit ourselves to follow the...