Tagged: Prayers in English

“HOPE IN HIM” (Sir 2:6)

“Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed?” –Sirach 2:10 Mass Readings: February 21 First: Genesis 15:5-12,17-18;Resp: Psalm 27:1,7-9,13-14;Second: Philippians 3:17–4:1;Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and then imprisoned, losing at least ten of the best years of his life (Gn 37:1ff). Yet he never wavered in his hope, and God restored him far beyond what he could have imagined. Abraham, Joshua, Caleb, and Ruth also suffered for years in “the generations long past…[They] hoped in the Lord” and were not disappointed (Sir 2:10). “Hope is the...

DISTRESS MANAGEMENT

Jesus said “to the crowd, ‘What an unbelieving lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you?’ ” –Mark 9:19 Mass Readings: February 20 First: Deuteronomy 26:16-19;Resp: Psalm 119:1-2,4-5,7-8;Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48 A lack of faith distresses Jesus (Mk 6:6). Jesus came into the midst of a crowd which lacked faith and expressed His exasperation quite openly (Mk 9:19, 23). Many of us are surrounded by crowds of people who lack faith. What is our comfort level in these crowds? Does it likewise distress us that people live lives lacking in faith? What kind...

LOVING THOSE WHO HURT YOU

“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” –Leviticus 19:18 Mass Readings: February 19 First: Ezekiel 18:21-28;Resp: Psalm 130:1-8;Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26 Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?” (Mt 22:36) Jesus surprised His questioner by mentioning not one commandment but two. He surprised all of Judaism by maintaining that loving one’s neighbor as oneself is the second commandment, and together with the first commandment forms the basis of the law and the prophets (Mt 22:40). The Biblical context for the second...

“ONE NATION, UNDER GOD”

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves.” –Genesis 11:4 Mass Readings: February 17 First: Jonah 3:1-10; Resp: Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,18-19; Gospel: Luke 11:29-32 The future of a nation which excludes God is dispersion (Gn 11:9), not unity. If a nation’s faith in God is not firm, that nation shall not be firm (Is 7:9). “A nation of firm purpose [God keeps] in peace; in peace, for its trust in” the Lord (Is 26:3). Any lasting unity comes from the Holy Spirit, Who is the Source...

“ONE NATION, UNDER GOD”

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves.” –Genesis 11:4 Mass Readings: February 17 First: Jonah 3:1-10;Resp: Psalm 51:3-4,12-13,18-19; Gospel: Luke 11:29-32 The future of a nation which excludes God is dispersion (Gn 11:9), not unity. If a nation’s faith in God is not firm, that nation shall not be firm (Is 7:9). “A nation of firm purpose [God keeps] in peace; in peace, for its trust in” the Lord (Is 26:3). Any lasting unity comes from the Holy Spirit, Who is the Source of...