Category: Prayers

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye.” ––Psalm 19:9 A few years ago, I attended a cordial meeting with Christians of various faith traditions. One non-Catholic participant excitedly posed a question to the group: “Brothers and sisters, do we not all agree with Romans 10:9, ‘For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved’ ?” He assumed we would all agree a verbal confession guarantees our salvation. Rather than...

“Let us walk in the light of the Lord!” –Isaiah 2:5 In the northern hemisphere, the days are growing ever darker as we approach the shortest and darkest day of the year, the winter solstice on December 21. In the world, we are a people that walks in ever-increasing darkness (see Is 9:1). In the spiritual world, though, we have the light of the Lord (Is 2:5). We prepare during this time of Advent for the coming at Christmas of the Christ-Child. In the world, there is indeed darkness and gloom (Is 9:1), resulting from a world of sin and...

“The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass.” –Luke 21:33 Only two days remain before this liturgical year comes to an end; upon what will you focus your attention? Will it be pre-Christmas sales? Will it be sports? Compared to eternity, only a short time remains in our life; until we die or until Jesus comes again, upon what will you focus your attention? Will it be making money? (see 1 Tm 6:9-10) Will it be power, pleasure, food, clothes? (Mt 6:24-34) The things of this world, upon which we focus so much attention,...

“To Daniel he said, ‘May your God, Whom you serve so constantly, save you.’ ” –Daniel 6:17 Daniel was faithful. He refused to disregard the Jewish law regarding kosher food (Dn 1:8). The Lord exalted Daniel and gave him “the understanding of all visions and dreams” (Dn 1:17). King Nebuchadnezzar “advanced Daniel to a high post, gave him many generous presents, made him ruler of the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dn 2:48). Daniel was faithful. He broke the law and “continued his custom of going home to kneel in prayer...