Category: Prayers

“They were overjoyed at seeing the star.” —Matthew 2:10 One of the prayers of the faithful for today’s Epiphany Mass reads: “That the Church, like the Star of Bethlehem, will draw the world to worship Jesus Christ.” Epiphany is a great feast of unveiling. Christmas was a revelation to the few; Epiphany is a revelation to the nations. In an unveiling, the veil is lifted, for all to see clearly. First, the Magi saw clearly, then, through them, all nations can see. We are to be like those who lift the veil. In a wedding, the father traditionally lifts the...

“Anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, should petition God, and thus life will be given to the sinner.” —1 John 5:16 Many have not had Christmas because they have not repented of sin in their lives. We should petition the Lord for sinners and life will be given to them (1 Jn 5:16). Through the Lord’s forgiveness, they will be given Christmas just before the season ends. The devil thought he had robbed them of Christmas. However, by prayer, we rob the robber and give many people another opportunity for Christmas. On this third...

“Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” —1 John 5:5 We are victors over the world or victims of the world. Only by faith in Jesus as God will we escape being victimized. Unless we pray to the Lord, we will become the prey of the world. Either Jesus runs our lives, or we are manipulated into running our lives into the ground, even into hell. By ourselves, we are unable to protect ourselves from unscrupulous, hateful demons. Of ourselves, our lives are necessarily out of control. Jesus is...

“That we have passed from death to life we know because we love the brothers. The man who does not love is among the living dead.” —1 John 3:14 Throughout Advent, the Lord through His Word has promised us a miraculous Christmas. The blind would see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dumb speak. Many of us may not have experienced such dramatic miracles this Christmas season. Nonetheless, there’s another miracle that is even more dramatic and more important: the miracle of unconditional love, love for enemies, love for the unlovable. This is the ultimate miracle of the...