 January 7, 2019 Monday
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 “The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light” Early on in Jesus ministry, he made his home in Capernaum where people never heard of God. He went about the region teaching, proclaiming the good news and curing all kinds of sickness and disease. Such is the desire of God for us his people, is that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another. As you begin another year, any darkness hovering your situation right now? STAY with Jesus. OPEN your self to the healing light of Jesus. PRAY to Jesus. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”2Cor 3:17  January 6, 2019 - Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 "The star which they had seen in the East went before them" Where is our life heading? This is a difficult question to answer when you don't even know what is going to happen tomorrow. That is why it is important to keep identifying the signs in our everyday lives and discerning where they are leading us. And if we look with the eyes of faith, we can see many signs -- perhaps an unexpected fruit received in prayer, a compliment someone gave you, an event that happens to a loved one. When we see those signs, we have to pause and reflect on what God is trying to tell us. Whatever it is that He is telling you, one thing is certain: He wants to use those signs so that you can find your way to Him.  January 5, 2019 - Saturday
Gospel: John 1:43-51 "How do you know me?" Jesus knew who Nathanael was at his core, a very devout Israelite who was eagerly awaiting the promised Messiah. When Jesus saw him under the fig tree, he was very likely doing what he always did: meditating on the word of God. It is wonderful that Jesus meets us where we are and when we open our hearts to Him, we understand just how much He knows us deep inside. He knows us because He made us, forming us in our mother's womb and inscribing in our hearts a desire to know Him, the way Nathanael desired to know Him  January 4, 2019 - Friday
Gospel: John 1:35-42 "The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus." Many people liked John and yet, when Jesus arrived, John was quick to acknowledge that someone greater than him had come. So, being true to his humble and obedient nature, he pointed his disciples to Jesus. It is said in the gospel passage that John's disciples left him and followed Jesus. This was John's intention all along. He did not want to use his gifts to glorify himself, but to lead other people to Christ. Let this be our intention always: to lead people to become interested to come and see where Jesus lives and to know Him.  January 3, 2019 - Thursday
Gospel: John 1:29-34 “But for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” St John the Baptist’s life demonstrates humility. He understood and proclaimed that what he was doing was to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming and thus he carried out his work with great dedication. Whether it is by baptizing with water, or if he lived now, filing papers and helping arrange meetings, we reveal Christ in the work we do and the words we say. If we walk humbly before the Lord, we will reveal Him to more people than we ever thought possible. Lord, make us humble and persevering everyday that we may lead others to You.  January 2, 2019 – Wednesday
Gospel: John 1:19-28 “Who are you? Let us have an answer.” John the Baptist answers this question of the priests the way a true prophet and follower of Christ would. He spoke righteously and in the name of the Lord. He knew who he is in front of Christ. He knew who is Christ. Today, as most of us return to normal day-to-day routines, let us remember to give the right answer to the question of who we are. We are followers of the Risen Lord and we participate in His saving mission to make straight the way of the Lord  January 1, 2019 – Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God” Today we accompany the shepherds as they beheld the Holy Family in the manger. In a certain sense, seeing the child Jesus was like the opening of a new year. It meant a new life, a life that recognized the presence of God in this world. Maybe seeing the Lord did not change their situation in life. But it did give them a new perspective and reminded them of how much God loved them. Happy new start for all! We have no less than the Mother of God to hold us by the hand and see life in a new way.  December 31, 2018 – Monday
Gospel: John 1:18 "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” As each year comes to a close, I often spend time looking back over the year that was. I try to recall as much as I can of what happened, giving thanks for both the good and bad things. No matter how good or bad the year was, it always ends up with the conclusion that God was in control of everything. And whenever that grace comes to me in prayer, I stand in awe of God’s power and love. His power because He makes everything happen at the right time. His love because He never leaves nor forsakes me. Finishing the year like this is a great way to prepare for the year ahead, because you look forward to it in hope knowing that God stands waiting with His plan. And no matter how good or bad the new year will be, you can be certain God will be faithful. Reflecting on today’s gospel reading gave me that same reassurance. Fittingly, the passage for the last day of the year is the first passage of the Gospel of John. Our Lord Jesus is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. All things were made through Him, says St John. That means everything, big or small. Nothing that has happened and will happen in our life is not known by God. But more importantly, nothing will happen in our life that God will not accompany us and see us through. What was your 2018 like and where did you see the Lord at work? Lord, we thank You for helping us through the past year. We give you honor and praise for Your graces and blessings, especially through the most difficult moments of the year. May You be ever faithful to us in this coming year.  December 30, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house? When we find ourselves in darkness, we will find Jesus in the Temple, available for us, to do some talk with us, a place where we can meditate on His words. Mary and Joseph showed us the way back to Jesus, when we lose our way. When they couldn’t find Jesus, it was He who went away from Him. But in our case, it is us who turn away from Him. He never abandons us; He is always there waiting for us. And it is always He who takes the initiative to call us back, it’s just that we don’t seem to listen sometimes. Jesus, may we never lost sight of you again. Mary and Joseph, help us not to lose sight of Him again.  December 29, 2018 – Saturday
Gospel: Luke 2:22-35“Now O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen my salvation....” Simeon, a very upright and devout man, and touched by the Holy Spirit, was led to the Temple when Mary and Joseph brought Baby Jesus for purification according to Law. Simeon immediately took Him in his arms and declared these words. In our own way, do we offer ourselves each day to the Lord, each task, each decision, child, and project? Do we make Him first in our bucket list? Have we felt His joy in our hearts ? Have we realized the freedom that He is speaking of? Have we committed to creating a just and humane society? Let us pray for a better world by doing ordinary things extraordinarily. |
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