DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17
Psalm: Psalm 96:10-13
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26


Reflect:
This section of St. Matthew’s Gospel we hear Jesus giving the scribes and us some very direct warnings. We may look nice, work hard at keeping our bodies healthy, have our teeth whitened, maybe afford some kind of plastic surgery and buy the latest in fashion both electronic and clothing, but that does not mean anything to God. What matters most is what resides in our hearts (the inside). If our heart truly desires to strive in doing God’s will – that is good. However, if our heart is all about ourselves, well then we have to work and pray harder for a change and repentance.

Amazingly the evil spirits recognize Jesus as the “Holy One of God.” They are the first to call and recognize the Divine that is Jesus Christ. When we are the brunt of rumors and gossip sometimes it can be because others fear or envy the good we know and imitate. At the end of this gospel passage Matthew writes that the news of Jesus Christ “spread everywhere in the surrounding region.” Even Jesus was a victim of rumors and gossip. The question in my mind is “Do we have to wait for something or someone evil to point out our God or can we do it through our daily lives striving to do the good He commands

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
First: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm: Psalm 33:12-15, 20-21
Second:
Gospel: Luke 4:38-44


Reflect:
Even Jesus after long days of ministering needed time away. We too need to escape from the world now and then to reenergize ourselves. This time away, we can guess, gave Jesus the time He needed to pray to His Father in Heaven. During that down time Jesus was consumed by grace so He would be able to stay committed to the will of our Father. Take a few minutes right now, close your eyes and simply picture God pouring out His grace upon you. Pray He gives you the strength and energy to stay committed to His teachings in the days ahead.

Thursday, September 04, 2008
First: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Psalm: Psalm 24:1-6
Second:
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11


Reflect:
Oh that silly Peter. Once again Peter is not shown in the best of light. Yet, Peter reflects back to us our own doubt in the power of Christ. Who can blame him for his doubt? These fishermen were out all day long and caught nothing. A carpenter’s son comes along, who knows nothing about fishing, tells them to go back out and cast their nets. My response would not be too far off from Peter’s. Yet, Peter follows our Lord’s request and catches more than what he can ever imagine. Same with us, when we simply obey our Lord we gain more than what we ourselves can imagine or deserve. That abundance is not for our own sake, but to be shared with others.

Friday, September 05, 2008
First: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Psalm: Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40
Second:
Gospel: Luke 5:33-39


Reflect:
Doing new things can be challenging. A man went to a doctor complaining about a headache. The doctor asked when the man noticed the headaches occurring. The man answered, “After he gets done banging his head against the wall.” We too have to change our old ways to accept the new way Christ calls us to live. Well, not so much new to us as it was to Jesus’ contemporaries, but new in the sense of being clean of sin. We are challenged everyday to walk in His grace, doing so we are to be on guard against falling back into our old sinful ways. We can try all we want, but living the new way Christ calls us does not fit into the old sinful ways of living. Sooner or later we will burst

Sunday, September 07, 2008
First: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Second: Romans 13:8-10
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20


Reflect:
Jesus seems to be saying a lot in today’s Gospel. Sometimes when someone does me wrong I feel like telling the whole world. However, that’s’ gossip. Jesus is all about doing our best to reconcile with each other first. This gives us an opportunity to gather in His name. He then goes on to tell us that when two or more are gathered in His Name He is present. What better reason to get to Mass?!

Monday, September 08, 2008
First: Micah 5:1-4 or Romans 8:28-30
Psalm: Psalm 13:6
Second:
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

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Reflect:
Both options for the Gospel reading today ends with the same reminder, “God is with us.” Today we remember the birth of Jesus’ mother, Mary. In her heart she knew that God is with us. Through her, “yes” God became flesh so we can witness this true fact. Even after His death, God remains with us in His resurrection. Through that same Holy Spirit that came to Mary, we experience God with us. We discover the sacred each day we open our hearts to the reality of Emmanuel. We strive to imitate our Blessed Mother so we too can be consumed by grace

[IHS]

Mass Readings for
Friday, September 12, 2008
First: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27
Psalm: Psalm 84: 3-6, 12
Second:
Gospel: Luke 6:39-42


Reflect:
The last few days Jesus is giving us some sound advice on how to live our lives. We can be so judgmental to the point where we don't see our own faults. And yes we all have faults. My grandmother always reminded me that the last perfect person that walked our earth died on the Cross for the salvation of all. I am nowhere close to being able to endure that! If you take an honest look at yourself you may just discover that the other person's fault that annoys you the most is the same thing you want to change most about yourself.

Thursday, September 25, 2008
First: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Psalm: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17
Second:
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9


Reflect:
Have you shared any good news about someone else lately? Herod heard about all the good that Jesus was doing. Herod was becoming curious and threatened by Jesus’ popularity with the people. In our world today, it seems to be acceptable to spread the bad news about people. Unfortunately, bad news, and gossip sells. Even among our friends, very rarely do we share stories of goodness or great accomplishment with each other; instead we would rather share in the gossip and rumors. Are we are afraid their goodness might out shine ours? Strive to see the goodness God sees in all of His children.