February 28, 2019 – Thursday
Gospel: Mark 9:41-50

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”

Our objective in life is to live and do like Christ, and to go to Heaven. Thus He says when we sin due to our eyes, let’s pluck it out; etc. He uses strong words for us to realize the seriousness of sin.. Commonly these days, sin and conscience have lost their meaning. We are desensitized. We feel that even if we commit the same sin again and again without repenting, it’s alright with Him. Mama Mary help us not lose heaven.
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February 27, 2019 – Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 9:38-40 

“For whoever is not against us, is for us.”

St Augustine says that Jesus and the Church emphasizes “unity in all that is necessary, freedom in all that is subject to opinion, and charity in everything.” Our thoughts are not the only right way of thinking. There’s richness in diversity. How do we look at others’ beliefs; how do we behave with them? Our bias may be showing: in our words, and in our close-mindedness. Are you building a wall , or reaching out for more understanding? Let us learn to soften our hearts and think as one with others.
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February 26, 2019 – Tuesday
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

First Reading: Sirach 2:1-11“Wait on God, with patience, cling to Him, forsake Him not, thus will you be the wise in all your ways.”

When we accept the Lord into our lives, the misfortunes of life will not escape us but we need to face them with courage and patience. We trust that we will be directed. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are at peace with whatever outcome even if our problem is not resolved, because we know that the Lord loves us no matter what we are now. He gives us a chance to recover and redo our life.
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​February 25, 2019 – Monday
Gospel: Mark 9:14-29 

“But if you can, believe, all things are possible with him who has faith.”

Teach me, Lord, to pray again and again so as to increase my faith. But how is my internal disposition that I may increase my faith: my humility, my openness, firmness of conviction, purity of intention and love? These are essentials that I may not be shaken easily by delay, discouragement, and doubt, “Have pity on me and help me.”. Dear Lord, please don’t leave us alone with our weakness. Give us the strength because alone, we can’t possibly go on.
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​February 24, 2019 - Sunday
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Lk 6:36)

 In today’s gospel, Jesus invites the disciples to love their enemies in the different ways and situations that they are confronted by them. We are invited by Jesus to do the same as we all came to be sinners. However, we should love them without expecting anything in return. We must give no matter how hard it is to apply especially in the daily situations that we encounter. Jesus sets an example to start trying to love our enemies, may it be a person or situation.
Mother Mary, we ask the grace to be merciful to our enemies just as our Father is merciful to them. 
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​February 23, 2019 - Saturday
Gospel: Mk 9: 2-13

This is my beloved Son, listen to Him (Mk 9:6)

The disciples of Jesus witnessed amazing things happening in front of their eyes; from His own transfiguration in the mountain, disappearance of Elijah and Moses and the voice from the thunder roaring. The disciples were terrified and asked a lot of questions to Jesus. Today, we are invited to listen intently to the voice of God the Father leading us to follow Jesus and deeply connect with Him. 

Saint Polycarp, we pray for our hearts that it may rest in confidence recognizing and listening to the voice of God the Father in following His Son, Jesus.

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​February 22, 2019 - Friday
Gospel: Mt 16: 13-19

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church (Mt 16:18)

In the gospel, Jesus asked the disciples what do people say who the Son of Man is. Simon Peter answered that He is the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus called our Peter personally as the blessed one where he will build his own church.  Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter as the rock where our church is built.

Mother Mary, we pray for all the priests who follow from the line of Peter that they may truly tend the flock as God would have it, allowing God to build his Church. 
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​February 21, 2019 - Thursday
Gospel: Mark 8: 27-33

He spoke this openly (Mk 8:32)

Jesus asked the disciples who He is. He heard answers and taught them who He is. He spoke of the hardships that he will encounter, even His own death. Are we the same? Do we speak openly of who we are? Of our greatest sufferings? Or do we only share our accomplishments? Today, Jesus encourages us to speak openly and bravely to Him of who we are as how He did to his disciples.
Mother Mary, we pray for the time and space to have an open and honest dialogue with Jesus with whatever we are going through right now.
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​February 20, 2019 - Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 8: 22-26

Enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may know what is the hope that belongs to His call (Ephesians 1:17)

Jesus took a blind man and led him outside of the village. Today, we are invited to be led and enlightened from the blindness we are carrying: difficult people, challenges, unexpected sickness in the family, etc. Let us be the blind man who completely trusts Jesus in leading us to the hope that we yearn to receive.
Mother Mary, we pray to have an attitude that yearns for the hope and positivity  in our hearts in the daily struggles that we have. 
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​February 19, 2019 - Tuesday
Gospel: Mark 8: 14-21

Watch out and guard against the leaven (Mk 8:15)

Are you easily angered? Irritated by the traffic? A little jealous of a friend or co-worker on the blessings they are receiving? Jesus warns us to watch out and guard against the leaven in our hearts. It might be a tiny seed but once grown, it can make our hearts harden. Let us be cautious with the desires that we have in our hearts.

Mother Mary, we ask the grace to purify our daily intentions in everything we think and do. 

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