Category: Daily Prayer

“He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” —Philippians 2:8 Jesus began the day of His death on the cross by celebrating the first Mass. The Mass makes present the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1366). “In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ Who offered Himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner” (Catechism, 1367). Consequently, those who adore Christ crucified and “take up His cross each day” (Lk 9:23) are called...

“…Timothy, my own true child in faith.” —1 Timothy 1:2 What does it take to make disciples? It takes a spiritual marriage, a pregnancy, labor and delivery, and nurturing. Marriage – St. Paul said “I do” to Jesus and was baptized (Acts 9:18). He lived not for himself but out of love for the Lord (see 2 Cor 5:14-15). Pregnancy – St. Paul spent his life birthing communities (see Gal 4:19). Like a mother, he carried, fed, and nourished them at the expense of his own health. He shielded them by taking the attacks of the evil one upon himself....

“To you who hear Me, I say: love your enemies.” —Luke 6:27 What if your family was a victim of a terrorist attack? What if someone robbed and beat you? Jesus tells us to treat terrorists, murderers, rapists, and robbers in a certain way. Jesus commands us to: love our enemies (Lk 6:27), “do good to those who hate” us (Lk 6:27), “bless those who curse” us (Lk 6:28), “pray for those who maltreat” us (Lk 6:28), even remain vulnerable to our enemies (Lk 6:29), give to them (Lk 6:30), do to them as we would have them do to...

“Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms, where Christ is seated at God’s right hand.” —Colossians 3:1 In our secular humanistic society, many people, even Christians, are preoccupied with this world. They don’t think very often of God, heaven, or the afterlife. They live as if our short time on earth is all we have. This attitude is out of touch with the major aspects of reality. Therefore, secular humanists tend to feel empty, depressed, stressed, or fearful. If they find Jesus and give themselves totally to Him,...

“Continue, therefore, to live in Christ Jesus the Lord, in the spirit in which you received Him.” —Colossians 2:6 Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:3ff). Jesus struck Saul blind and implied that Saul should stop persecuting Jesus’ Church. In three days, Saul was baptized into Jesus and thereby accepted Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God. This was the beginning of Jesus’ revelation of Himself to Saul. Saul (later to be named Paul) became “rooted in [Christ] and built up in Him” (Col 2:7). Paul came to realize that “in Christ the fullness of deity resides...