Category: Daily Prayer

BAPTIZED, EVANGELISTIC, AND CATHOLIC

“The city shall be filled…They shall be My people.” –Zechariah 8:5, 8 Mass Readings: October 2 First: Exodus 23:20-23; Resp: Psalm 91:1-6,10-11;Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus attracted people. He was mobbed by crowds. People even pushed and stepped on each other to get closer to Jesus (Lk 12:1). Jesus attracted people of all kinds – Jews, Gentiles, rich, poor, young, old, Pharisees, priests, tax-collectors, prostitutes, etc. Jesus fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy concerning an evangelistic power with universal, catholic appeal (Zec 8:23). We who have been baptized into Christ are like Christ when we attract people of all...

HIS ATTITUDE

“Your attitude must be that of Christ.” —Philippians 2:5 Mass Readings: October 1 First: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Resp: Psalm 25:4-9;Second: Philippians 2:1-11; Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 Listen to the Mass Readings We can have not only the heart and mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) but also His attitude. Christ’s attitude was to empty (Phil 2:7) and humble “Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) The Lord’s attitude is “gentle and humble” (Mt 11:29). He came to serve, not to be served (Mt 20:28). He tells us to take the lowest place (Lk 14:10). The Lord “guides the...

MEASURING UP OR MEASURING DOWN?

“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...

REALITY CHECK

“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...

THE FULL GOSPEL

“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...