Category: Prayers

“In the same way, deacons must be serious.” –1 Timothy 3:8 Mass Readings: September 19 First: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Resp: Psalm 101:1-3,5-6 ; Gospel: Luke 7:11-17 Listen to the Mass Readings The first characteristic listed as a requirement for deacons is “seriousness.” This characteristic is also the first requirement listed for their wives (1 Tm 3:11). This same trait is expected of bishops, that is, overseers of communities. The word is here translated “dignity” and applied to the overseers’ parenting (1 Tm 3:4; see also 1 Tm 2:2, NAB). Seriousness or dignity is expected of the older men in the...

“My heavenly Father will treat you in exactly the same way unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” –Matthew 18:35 Many Christians don’t forgive others because they have been deceived into thinking they have already forgiven. This deception about forgiveness results in our being handed over to the torturers (Mt 18:34) and not being forgiven ourselves (Mt 6:12). Therefore, we are doomed if we are deceived about having forgiven. One of the best indicators of false forgiveness is anger. Before and after the writer of Sirach commands us to forgive (Sir 28:2), he teaches us that “wrath...

“He may be likened to the man who, in building a house, dug deeply and laid the foundation on a rock.” –Luke 6:48 Mass Readings: September 16 First: 1 Timothy 1:15-17; Resp: Psalm 113:1-7; Gospel: Luke 6:43-49 Listen to the Mass Readings Our lives are like houses which are about to face the tremendous force of floods. Only the houses with solid foundations will stand (Lk 6:48). We are well founded if we hear and do God’s Word (Lk 6:47). We must lay no “foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). We...

“Seeing His mother there with the disciple whom He loved, Jesus said to His mother, Woman, there is your son.’ ” –John 19:26 A few moments before Jesus died, He commanded His mother Mary to adopt all His disciples for all time, who were represented at the cross by a nameless, beloved disciple (Jn 19:26). In effect, Jesus told Mary to adopt those who were accomplices in His brutal death through their sins. Would you have the love, mercy, and forgiveness to adopt someone who helped torture and murder your son? Moreover, Jesus told Mary to adopt us at the...

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in Him.” –John 3:14-15 Mass Readings: September 14 First: Numbers 21:4-9 ; Resp: Psalm 78:1-2,34-38 ; Second: Philippians 2:6-11; Gospel: John 3:13-17 Listen to the Mass Readings “When I behold the wondrous cross on which the King of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.” These words from a traditional hymn are my prayer for you today. May you see in a new way...