In the post-haste of the holidays, and as we return to the regular routines of life, work, etc. - let us remember to set time aside to spend time with the Child King.
When we find ourselves confused, anxious, or too focused on “what comes next,” it can be a good opportunity to step back and to just receive everything into our hearts. We can imitate Mary and ponder what is before us, give it to God, and to draw close to Baby Jesus.
Merry Christmas! Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God took on flesh and stepped into time and space – piercing our reality, our lives, our joys, and even our brokenness. The loneliness of the night has been shattered by a small, adorable infant.
We might not always understand what God’s plan is, but we are called to be like Joseph — we are called to follow His commands, take Jesus and Mary into our homes and hearts, and to get to work.
Rejoicing isn’t always easy. With the news of war and violence constantly on our news cycles and news feeds, it can sometimes be a little difficult to rejoice. However, as we see in today’s Gospel, even in the worst of circumstances, we can find hope and joy.
Jesus calls us to make like a good Scout and to be prepared – to stay awake. We are reminded that we do not know what day or hour the Lord will come back, only that He will come like a thief in the night.
Seeing Jesus Christ as King should fill us with comfort and joy, knowing that we approach a friend, a brother, and a God who desires nothing more than our joy and salvation.
Starting this week, we’ll be sharing a new resource for your personal formation: a Lectionary-based Bible Study designed to help you (and your family) gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Sacred Scripture and the Holy Mass by looking at the readings for the upcoming Sunday.
In the second reading, St. Paul notes his nearness to death. Reflecting on his life, he writes, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). He compares the experience of life as a race with the destination of Heaven.
When it comes to praying during the Mass, Mary at the foot of the cross, fully receiving the sacrifice of Christ, can be a model for us. Seeking to unite our hearts to Mary’s heart can help us enter more deeply into the mystery.
1. Recognize Your Mission is Beyond Your Might 2. Remember the Promise of Power 3. Rely on the Intercession of Mary 4. Receive the Strength From the Holy Spirit & Fulfill the Call 5. Repeat!
Sweet 5-year-old Megan was sent to her room again for mischievous behavior. But this time, I had a plan. I quickly ran back down the stairs and exclaimed, “Mom, God spoke to me!” My mom asked, “Really Megan, what is it that God said to you?” I responded with a deep, thundering voice, “Megan, you do not need to go to your room.” I thought God’s voice would be something unfamiliar and loud. I thought God needed to yell at me from the outside for me to hear Him, as if God was far off or I had seriously impaired hearing. I had failed to discover the generous gift of my Baptism. God is so close to us.
It’s piercing that Thomas lacked faith to believe in the resurrection. He was an apostle. He saw Jesus heal people, raise people from the dead, cast out demons and multiply food. He was with Jesus when Jesus taught in parables and was a part of the select group of people that Jesus explained His parables to. He lived with Jesus for three years. He received the gift of the Eucharist at the last supper. He heard Jesus prophesy about His death and resurrection. He was told the good news of the resurrection from his brother disciples. If anyone should have believed the testimony of the disciples about the resurrection, shouldn’t Thomas have?
Faith Formation and Confirmation Students: Day 13-March 29, 2022 | Jesus Restores Sight to Bartimaeus, Mark 10:46-52 >>>CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT ONLINE PRAYER CHALLENGE<<<
In his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, Pope Saint John Paul II writes, “The ultimate purpose of mission is to enable people to share in the communion which exists between the Father and the Son.” [1] There is a communion which exists between the Father and the Son. The Father and the Son live in deep relationship with each other. This communion and relationship of love between them is a person, the Holy Spirit. With the gift of salvation, Jesus enables us to share in His communion with the Father.
In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself as a relationship of giving and receiving love that overflows in a tender love for man that is both fatherly and spousal.
Kierkegaard, in his work about the virtue of faith, writes “There were countless generations who knew the story of Abraham by heart, word for word, but how many did it render sleepless?” [1] The faith of Abraham is absolutely heroic. A pondering of the witness of Abraham is convicting–it can keep one up at night, opening our hearts more and more to receive the fullness of the gift of faith that Jesus has for us.
A powerful prayer can be declaring in faith the truth of who God is through the words of scripture. The devil, through speaking lies, tempts us to doubt and distrust God. By proclaiming in faith the truth of God, lies about Him lose their stronghold in our hearts—trust in God is restored and strengthened. Declaring in faith the truth of God even brings about real transformation in the circumstances of our lives—it aligns us to God’s will and unleashes the truth of God’s promises.