Category: Prayer Intention

“WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN NOW” (1 Jn 3:2)

“See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God!” –1 John 3:1 Mass Readings: January 3 First: Philippians 2:5-11; Resp: Psalm 113:1-8; Gospel: Matthew 1:18-23 Something happened to St. John that needs to happen to all of us. Like many of us, John heard he was a child of God. But by the grace of the Holy Spirit, John realized radically what it means to be a child of God. The Spirit cried out in his heart: “Abba” (Gal 4:6; Rm 8:15). It was as if John had heard the voice of...

BODY PARTS

“Who are you?” –John 1:19 Mass Readings: January 2 First: 1 John 2:22-28; Resp: Psalm 98:1-4; Gospel: John 1:19-28 Throughout this year, we will be continually challenged with the question: “Who are you?” The correct answer is: “I am a part of the body of Christ” (see Rm 12:5; 1 Cor 12:13). Our true identity is based on our relationship with Christ (see Col 2:17). An even better answer is to state the specific part of the body of Christ which you are. For example, John the Baptizer said he was a voice in Christ’s body (Jn 1:23). You may...

FIRST BLOOD

“When the eighth day arrived for His circumcision, the name Jesus was given the child.” –Luke 2:21 Mass Readings: January 1 First: Numbers 6:22-27; Resp: Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8; Second: Galatians 4:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 On the eighth day of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God. On the eighth day of His life, Jesus shed His blood for the first time as He endured circumcision. Mary, His mother, would have been the one who nursed Jesus’ wound, repeatedly washing off His blood during the next few days as the infant Jesus healed. This foreshadows Mary standing at...

THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR OF LOVE

“Of His fullness we have all had a share – love following upon love.” –John 1:16 Every day this year Jesus offered Himself to you in the Eucharist. The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14) and made Himself lovingly available in case you wanted Him. To you, who are “His own, He came” (Jn 1:11). Every day this year, Jesus, “the Word” (Jn 1:1), made His holy word available to you. His love letters to you, the Bible, were constantly present to you in case you wanted to listen to Him. Every day this year, Jesus made sure that your lungs...

THE FAMILY FIGHTS BACK

“The Lord sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority He confirms over her sons. He who honors his father atones for sins.” –Sirach 3:2-3 Mass Readings: December 30 First: Sirach 3:2-7,12-14; Resp: Psalm 128:1-5; Second: Colossians 3:12-21; Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 The Christian family is being assaulted with a vehemence which is unprecedented. Promiscuity, contraception, abortion, abuses, addictions, and divorces are rampant. Bitterness, resentments, and unforgiveness poison family relationships. Fewer families are surviving. The Lord wants this Christmas season to be the time for a counter-assault by the Christian family on the culture of death. We need...