DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Thursday, December 06, 2007
First: Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm: Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27


Reflect:
Where are your feet placed right now? Do you feel the firmness of the floor? Faith can be just as solid. We only need to practice at it more. Everyday God gives us the opportunity to discover the sacred. When we do, our foundation becomes solid. If you feel your faith foundation is still a bit shaky now is a good time to start doing those things that build up not only your faith, but the Kingdom of God.

Mass Readings for
Friday, December 07, 2007
First: Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31


Reflect:
Seems like nowadays we listen to Jesus, yet we are hesitant to share His Good News, while those who were told not to, did. What makes us afraid to share our journey with Christ with others? There is no reason to hold the secret about Jesus any longer. The secret is out: Jesus is our Lord and Savior and He loves all of us! Our faith is now one to be shared not kept a secret.

Mass Readings for
Saturday, December 08, 2007
First: Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm: Psalm 98:1-4
Second: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38


Reflect:
Sometimes I think I have too many choices. This is a blessing and a burden. The most important choice we could make is to continually say, “Yes” to God. From the beginning of time people had difficulty in accepting God’s call, even worse some went totally going against His requests. Mary begins our redemption with God. She says, “Yes” so that the rest of humanity, you included, can experience the awesome power of our Father’s love, through His Son, continued today with the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, December 09, 2007
First: Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Second: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Reflect:
You got to love John the Baptist! He was bold. He was not afraid what society thought and remained strong in his convictions about the Lord’s coming. He was given those gifts of the spirit mentioned in the first reading of wisdom and of understanding, of counsel and of strength, of knowledge and of fear of the Lord. What is the gift you are in need of to help yourself and maybe someone else prepare the way of the Lord in discovering the sacred.

Monday, December 10, 2007
First: Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm: Psalm 85:9-14
Second:
Gospel: Luke 5:17-26


Reflect:
Once again a story of Jesus healing someone. We are reminded that Jesus healed not to show off His power to heal or His authority, but simply because He loves. We may not experience total physical healing when we enter the Sacrament of Penance, but we definitely are given the gift of total spiritual healing; not for any reason other than that Jesus loves you. Prepare yourself to give glory to God at the coming of His Son by going to Confession before Christmas.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
First: Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm: Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14

Random Fact:
Reflect:
Our Lord loves us. He loves more than a million times you love your parents. He will go to the extreme to call you back to Him, yet we have are always given the choice to return or not. When and where have you gone astray today, the past week or month or even year? Take a good honest look at that situation and notice God was always there just for you, holding you closely.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
First: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm: (Ps) Judith 13:18-19
Second:
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 or 1:39-47

Reflect:
Feasts of our Lady always brings me back to the reality how we are to respond to God. Today we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary responds humbly to our Father’s call. She does not put up an argument. She is a model for all of us. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” We are called to serve God. Let us also remember to pray for our priests who strive to help us discover the sacred. They too are good examples of answering God’s call to serve. May our Mother continue to intercede for us and protect us in her mantle of love.

Thursday, December 13, 2007
First: Isaiah 41:13-20
Psalm: Psalm 145:1, 9-13
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15



Reflect:
There seems to be too much noise in the world. We are bombarded each day by many different and conflicting messages. The one message we ought to be listening to gets drowned out. The voice we choose to listen to will either help us or hurt us. Whose voice are you listening to? Is it the one that is most popular or the one lone voice crying out to prepare for the coming of the Lord? The choice is yours.

Friday, December 14, 2007
First: Isaiah 48:17-19
Psalm: Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

Reflect:
Before Jesus was born, the great Prophet Isaiah shows that God always teaches us what is good for us. Jesus once again reprimands those who choose not to follow the commands of our heavenly Father. This passage in Matthew seems like Jesus can be saying the same thing to the world today.

Saturday, December 15, 2007
First: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
Psalm: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13

Reflect:
Jesus gave us the remarkable and painful gift of salvation. The Christmas season is only ten days away. Take a moment from the chaos, stress and unnecessary worrying to reflect on the one gift that only matters in our life. The gift we cannot give but only willingly can receive, the gift of salvation offered all the time by our Lord, Jesus Christ