Tagged: Prayer Intention

“His answer was, ‘I will never believe it without probing the nailprints in His hands, without putting my finger in the nailmarks and my hand into His side.’ ” –John 20:25 Mass Readings: July 3 First: Ephesians 2:19-22; Resp: Psalm 117:1-2; Gospel: John 20:24-29 Listen to the Mass Readings It was unreasonable for Thomas to make his examination of Jesus’ wounds a prerequisite for believing in Jesus’ resurrection. No one, including Thomas, has the right to examine the wounds of Jesus or of anyone. Nevertheless, Jesus fulfilled Thomas’ unreasonable request. Jesus goes to extremes to love and save us. His...

“Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” –Romans 6:3 Mass Readings: July 2 First: 2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16; Resp: Psalm 89:2-3,16-19; Second: Romans 6:3-4,8-11; Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42 Listen to the Mass Readings Your Baptism was the greatest event of your life and the basis for all the other great events in your life. However, many Christians are not aware of the “radical newness” of their baptismal life and the “immense, extraordinary richness and responsibility” of baptism (Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10, 61). When we...

“Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food.” –Genesis 18:4-5 Abraham ran up to three strangers and begged them for the privilege of offering them hospitality. Unknowingly he offered hospitality to God and two angels. This prompted the writer of Hebrews to command us: “Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by that means some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb 13:2). Paul also commanded us to “be generous in offering hospitality”...

“Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Or can Sarah give birth at ninety?” –Genesis 17:17 Mass Readings: June 30 First: Genesis 17:1,9-10,15-22; Resp: Psalm 128:1-5; Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4 Listen to the Mass Readings Gas stations offer different octanes in their gas. We can get regular, premium, or super premium. This is also true in our life with the Lord. Abram was blessed with a son, Ishmael. Abram was willing to settle for this regular blessing, but the Lord wanted to give him the premium of the miraculous birth of Isaac from the...

“This word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram!’ ” –Genesis 15:1 Mass Readings: June 28 First: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Resp: Psalm 105:1-4,6-9; Gospel: Matthew 7:15-20 Listen to the Mass Readings When the Lord promises something very great, He often announces His promise by commanding us not to fear (see Lk 1:13, 30; Mt 1:20). The implication is that when we give in to fear, we may sabotage God’s work in our lives. A covenant is one of the antidotes to fear, and it is also an assurance of the fulfillment of God’s promises. After God...