​December 14, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19

“But wisdom is vindicated by her works” 
Jesus in the gospel compared the generation of people in his time to children who are hard to please. John didn’t do anything against their tradition yet the people condemned him. And in the same way, they also condemned Jesus for doing deeds different from John’s. 

Maybe you have also experienced that.. “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. But Jesus encourages us to carry on our good deeds regardless of what people will think. The wise knows how to persevere despite discouraging results.

St. John of the cross, pray for us. 
#PrayVD 

​December 13, 2018 - Thursday
Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15

“John the Baptist stands as prophets do to this very day.” (Eugene Kennedy) 
In today’s Gospel, Jesus testified to the people about John the Baptist. He testified about John’s greatness, the prophesy about him and his identity – as Elijah. 
John, indeed, has shown his greatness by letting people hear his prophetic voice, by proclaiming the Kingdom of God and by preparing the hearts of the people through baptism.

Like John the Baptist, may we also live our lives baptized as prophets proclaiming the Kingdom of God and helping others to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. 
#PrayVD 

December 12, 2018 - Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

“Make our lives a total ‘YES’ to God.” 

The Gospel speaks of how Mary’s total “YES” played a big role in God’s plan of salvation. In becoming the Mother of God, she also became the first one who believed and trusted in Christ and the salvation that He will bring. May we learn from her how to give this total “YES” to God’s concrete plans for us today so that His work of salvation can continue through us.

As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us look to the woman of faith and be trustful to God’s will. 
#PrayVD ​

December 11, 2018 - Tuesday
Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14

“I once was lost, but now am found.” (excerpt from “Amazing Grace”)

“…will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” 

There are times when we are like the sheep who wanted to wander around ending up being lost. But like the shepherd, our Heavenly Father gives importance to each one of us, loving us as His children. He would give His all to find us back when we are lost. This is His unconditional love.

Savor this love and let others know about this unconditional love He has for us. 
#PrayVD ​

December 10, 2018 - Monday
Gospel: Luke 5:17-26

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” (Alexander Pope)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus has shown us the healing power of forgiveness and its authority over prideful hearts. This season of Advent can be a moment to totally let Christ’s healing power of forgiveness heal us as we humbly approach Him in the sacrament of reconciliation. With that renewed grace, we too will be able to forgive those who have hurt us and that can be healing for them too.

Mother Mary, help us to divinely exercise this capacity of forgiving that we can freely give to the ones who have wronged us and are in need of healing. 
#PrayVD ​

December 9, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel: Lk 3:1-6

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."

​How are we preparing for this Christmas season? We may have put Christmas lights and Christmas decors or created a list of things to buy. We may be attending retreats and preparing the way of the Lord to our hearts.
Jesus is inviting us to prepare also the way of the Lord for others. He wants to come to the hearts of our loved ones, our neighbors and in every person around us. Why not give Jesus as the best Christmas gift to the ones you love?  If we try this, surely all of us will experience real joy!

December 8, 2018 – Saturday
Gospel: Lk 1:26-38

“Nothing is impossible for God”
​
Jesus was born and lived with us because Mama Mary said yes to the will of God. Great things happened in our lives because Jesus came to us. When everything seems hopeless we have hope because we have Jesus. We are grateful for the love of our family and friends because Jesus is love. The world needs hope and love and the source is Jesus for nothing is impossible with God. Will you let Jesus come through you?

Mama Mary prepared the way of the Lord so that He can be born and be with us. Let us ask Mama Mary for guidance to help us prepare the way of the Lord to our hearts and to the hearts of others.

December 6, 2018 – Thursday
Gospel: Mt 7:21, 24-27

“House on rock”

On Christmas Day, Jesus will be born in our hearts—to be His home. How do we build His home in our hearts? Do we build it on rock or sand?

A house built on rock will stand against the flood and wind and will not collapse.We build our house on rock when we listen to the word of God through prayer with Scripture or when we listen to the preaching of others and as we act on it. 

Jesus desires to live in our hearts amidst the flood and the wind passing through our lives. May His home in us not collapse but stand strong. ​

December 5, 2018 – Wednesday
Gospel: Lk 15:29-37

“I do not want to send them away hungry”

Has it happened to you when you thought of doing something good but hesitated because we thought it might not be enough? We might have encountered people who are hungry spiritually. Hungry of the word of God, hungry of forgiveness, hungry of faith, hungry of attention, hungry of love and many more.

The next time we think of doing something good to help satisfy the hunger of others, go for it! Our efforts alone may not be able to satisfy the hunger of this world but Jesus doesn’t want the world to experience hunger so He will cover the difference! ​