Category: Prayers

“A man with a measuring line in his hand…” –Zechariah 2:5 Mass Readings: September 30 First: Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15; Resp: Jeremiah 31:10-13; Gospel: Luke 9:43-45 Listen to the Mass Readings In a vision, the prophet Zechariah raised his eyes and saw a man measuring Jerusalem in preparation for her restoration (Zec 2:6; see also Ez 40:3). St. John, the apostle and evangelist, was also given a measuring rod to “take the measurements of God’s temple and altar, and count those who worship there” (Rv 11:1). God’s people were measured to be protected from destruction. The Lord is still measuring people. On...

“His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where He sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him.” –Daniel 7:9-10 Mass Readings: September 29 First: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Resp: Psalm 138:1-5; Gospel: John 1:47-51 Listen to the Mass Readings Many people have a false impression of angels. They think angels are cute or sweet. This false impression contributes to a skewed view of God and of the entire plan of salvation. Many people think that life is a game and that life in Christ is nice, but not necessary. The...

“Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little.” –Haggai 1:5-6 Mass Readings: September 28 First: Haggai 1:1-8; Resp: Psalm 149:1-6,9; Gospel: Luke 9:7-9;Listen to the Mass Readings Today’s Reflection on the Mass Have you worked hard but gotten little out of it except a feeling of discontent? Have you eaten, bought, or consumed a lot but “not been satisfied”? (Hg 1:6) Have you stimulated yourself through drinking, distractions, sexual sin, sports, or entertainment but “not been exhilarated”? (Hg 1:6) Do you have a sense of emptiness and loss? We can be empty for many reasons. One...

He “gave them power.” –Luke 9:1 Mass Readings: September 27 First: Ezra 9:5-9; Resp: Tobit 13:2-4,7-8;Gospel: Luke 9:1-6 Listen to the Mass Readings When Jesus sent out His twelve apostles, He “gave them power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases” (Lk 9:1). Moreover, He did not allow them to take walking staff, traveling bag, bread, money, and extra clothes (Lk 9:3). Jesus made it clear that power and simplicity were essential to His mission. Worldly power is often complex. For example, armies, weapons, politics, and the media all are powerful and very complicated. In contrast, power...

“His mother and brothers came to be with Him, but they could not reach Him because of the crowd.” –Luke 8:19 Mass Readings: September 26 First: Ezra 6:7-8,12,14-20; Resp: Psalm 122:1-5 Gospel: Luke 8:19-21 Listen to the Mass Readings How many of us are crowded? Our lives, minds, and schedules are crowded. We have so many demands pressing in on us. We can hardly breathe. We feel crowded out from Jesus. We can’t seem to reach Him. We feel on the outside looking in (Lk 8:20). What can we do before we’re crushed by the crowd? We can obey Jesus,...