“Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.” – Psalm 113:1 This week, let’s focus on the Responsorial Psalm. Specifically for this Sunday, let’s focus on the exhortation in Psalm 113 to praise God. There are many Psalms that urge the faithful to praise God, but why, and just how can we do that in our daily lives? The Catechism teaches: “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately…
“…so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” – John 3:14 What does it mean to exalt the cross of Christ? In one sense, it means that we lift it up in honor because it is a “sign of salvation” for us (Wisdom 16:6). We cherish it because it is the altar of Christ’s sacrifice of Himself for us (see Hebrews 10:11 and 13:10). It’s interesting to think about the action of lifting or…
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27 Imagine you are standing in front of Jesus with your arms and hands full of items. You could think of them as your earthly possessions and relationships. Jesus has a cross in His hands. It looks somewhat different than His cross. As you look more closely, you realize that it is your cross. He holds it out…
My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. – Sirach 3:17 Do you ever pray for humility? If so, be careful! One morning I was praying for God to help me grow in patience and humility. Later that day I found myself waiting in my doctor’s examination room for over…
“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough” (Lk 13:24). This verse from our Gospel reading this Sunday (Luke 13:22-30) is a paradox. Jesus tells us that some will not be strong enough to enter the narrow door to heaven. It seems like we must become small—not strong—to fit through a small door. In fact, both are necessary. We must become…
The Lord heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp; he set my feet upon a crag; he made firm my steps. – Psalm 40:3-4 Have you ever read the book of Jeremiah? This Old Testament prophet endured so much for the love of God. He is known as “the weeping prophet” because the hard words he had to deliver to the people of…
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. – Luke 12:32-34 Worry can be sneaky. It crouches next to you, waiting for the right moment.…
This week my home parish celebrates our patroness, St. Mary Magdalen. There is much speculation about just who Mary Magdalen was, but it is certain that she was a model disciple of Christ. Here are seven steps to becoming a disciple and some examples of how Mary Magdalen lived those out in her own life. These steps may look simple, but they are not easy, nor are they meant to be. Being a Christian disciple…
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”– Luke 10:40-42 Who of us can’t…
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. – Luke 10:27 Have you ever prayed the Litany of Trust? It is a lovely but challenging prayer that can help open us up to God’s deliverance and love. It focuses on asking God to free us from things that hold us back from trusting Him.…