June 30, 2015 - Tuesday

He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (Matthew 8:26-27 NABRE)

Is our faith in Jesus as deep as it should be? How often are we afraid, even terrified, by the circumstances of our lives? Are we unsure of the sort of man Jesus is?

The men in the boat with Jesus that day were just like us. We might read this as an interesting story told to remind us of Jesus' authority over all the earth, even the wind and sea. But isn't it real when we place ourselves into the scene. We watch the waves churn, tossing and rolling our boat. Wind-blown mist stings our faces. The shore is out of sight, hidden by thick gray fog. We are afraid. We forget who is in the boat with us.

What wind blows stinging mist at you today? What sea tosses you carelessly in its waves today? What storm threatens to crash your boat on the rocks today? How will you respond to the storm?


Today, I will focus only on Jesus, who is in this boat with me today, rather than on the storm surging all around us.


First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, who, like Christ several decades before you, were persecuted and struggled unto death, pray for us.

June 29, 2015 - Monday

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19 NABRE)

With the swirl of public discourse threatening religious freedom, as persecutions against Christians are again becoming all too common around the world, despite the tragic costs of too many in the leadership of the Church having demonstrated disgraceful human failings, with the dramatic decline in Church membership, as the lures of false doctrine tug at our reason, it is incredibly difficult to remember that this Church we belong to was founded by Jesus Christ, the incarnate God, while he was here on earth, a man living among men.

Jesus appointed Peter as the rock upon which he would build his church. Today, Pope Francis is the two-hundred sixty-sixth Pope in a continuous line of apostolic succession. Remember Jesus' promise that "the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." Be confident that this present time of trial, testing by fire, and change will not prevail against this Church which Christ began in order that his witnesses might bring word of him to all the world.


Today, on this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, I will recall humbly that I belong to the Church founded by Jesus himself.


Saints Peter and Paul, called by Jesus to bring his Church to all the world, pray for us.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Oil on canvas by El Greco.
circa 16th-century. Hermitage Museum,Russia

June 28, 2015 - Sunday

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. (2 Timothy 1:6-8 NABRE)

It is believed that Paul may have written this second letter to Timothy from a Roman prison not long before his death about thirty years after Jesus' Ascension. In the letter, he expresses heartfelt emotion and encouragement to Timothy, whom Paul had made a pastor some time earlier by the laying on of his hands.

Three decades had passed since Jesus confronted the Jewish leaders and sacrificed himself. Time had also passed since Peter and Paul confronted the early Jewish-Christians who insisted their Gentile-Christian brothers must follow Jewish customs (see Acts 15:1). At the time of this letter, Paul, Timothy and their fellow believers faced opponents who were false teachers stressing knowledge (gnosis is the Greek word). These false teachers attracted some and confused others. It was a time in the early Church when special attention was given to correct doctrine and church organization.*

In that context, Paul urges Timothy to courage by the power of God's grace which he had been given. Paul reminds him that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. He encourages Timothy to proudly proclaim his testimony to the Lord without concern for consequences.

Lord, trusting in you today is not much different than it was for Timothy. Sure, some time has passed and the attack of the opposition changes over time, but I am called to have courageous faith in your promises and in the truth of your Word despite the opposition of those who, knowingly or unknowingly, work against your divine plan. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Lord, protect my heart during the confusion and distraction of our present conflicts so that I might not lose sight of your purpose for my life and so that I might not shy away from pursuing it with all my energy.


Today, I will remember that I, like Timothy, have been given God's Spirit of power, love, and self-control so that I might also proclaim my own testimony to the Lord despite opposition.


Saint Irenaeus, whose second-century scholarship gradually ended the influence of the Gnostics, pray for us.

Saint Irenaeus

June 27, 2015 - Saturday

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oak of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: “Sir, if it please you, do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest under the tree. (Genesis 18:1-4 NABRE)

Lord, my God, when you approach me, it is my prayer that I will welcome you as Abraham welcomed you and your travelling companions that hot afternoon under the shade of that tree. I hope that I will think to offer you rest and comfort. Lord, it is my prayer that I will see you in the people that cross my path each day. I hope that I will have the generosity to share whatever I have in meeting their needs.


Today, I will seek to give what I have to fellow travellers on this journey of life.


Saint Cyril of Alexandria, who reminds us that even saints must grow out of immaturity, narrowness and selfishness, pray for us.

"Pistacia palaestina" by Eitan f - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

June 26, 2015 - Friday

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. (Matthew 8:1-3 NABRE)

We can read today's passage as a reminder that Jesus also cleans our hearts. Each of us needs him to heal us. And this story reminds us that Jesus not only heals chronic physical scarring, but he also heals spiritual wounds. He prepares us for our purpose in this life and our place in the next.

For our part, we must be like the leper who knew he could not clean himself. We have only to recognize Jesus as the one who can heal our heart. Once we do that, we turn to him offering him special honor and asking him to make us clean. Whenever we do that, look at Jesus' reply, "I will do it. Be made clean." Jesus wants to make us acceptable to God! Let's put our pride aside, humble ourselves in his presence, and ask for his help today.


Today, I will seek the Lord's cleansing touch so that my own leprosy is removed.


Blessed Raymond Lull, who worked most of your life to spread the gospel, pray for us.

June 25, 2015 - Thursday

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,o ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 NABRE)

What distinguishes a true follower of Jesus? And why does it matter? In today's passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us something about his expectation of us as Christians.

This statement is an indictment of those disciples who perform works of healing and exorcism in the name of Jesus but live evil lives. On the day of judgment the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.*

A true follower of Christ takes care to keep his own heart clean and his lifestyle pure. Christians seek to understand and do the will of God the Father. Jesus tells us it is only by this means we will enter the kingdom of heaven.


Today, I will continue to seek and discern the will of God for my life so that I might do as he intends.


Blessed Jutta of Thuringia, who disposed of your wealth after your husband’s death and devoted your life to caring for those who had no means, pray for us.

June 24, 2015 - Wednesday

The word of the LORD came to me:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,
“I do not know how to speak. I am too young!”
But the LORD answered me,
Do not say, “I am too young.”
To whomever I send you, you shall go;
whatever I command you, you shall speak. (Jeremiah 1:4-7 NABRE)

God gave each of us a specific purpose. He knew us before we were born and dedicated each of us to that purpose. And so often, as it unfolds during the course of our lives, we resist the call. We make excuses and proclaim our shortcomings to avoid God's work, yet it is fear and the desire to determine our own purpose that holds us back.

Trust in God. Put fear aside. Welcome the purpose chosen for you by the one who formed you. God himself has appointed you for a unique role in his creation. Seek his purpose for your life and embrace it with joy and peace. Cast aside your fear and doubt, your ego and pride.

Lord God, open my ears to hear your whispered call to me. Open my eyes to see your purpose for my life. Take away my fear and doubt so that I may, with boldness and certainty, live out my days in the manner you appointed for me so long ago. Lord, my God, I do not know the path you have chosen for me. When I look forward I am blind. When I look backward, I see the route I've taken, but it only hints at my purpose. Light my way with your Spirit, so the path beneath me is clear, that I may step firmly this day, unconcerned about where you are leading.

Today, I will open my heart to God's direction for my life, even in the face of my own fears.


Saint John the Baptist, whose attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease,” pray for us.

June 23, 2015 - Tuesday

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NABRE)

Jesus' summarizes much of the law in what has come to be called the Golden Rule. However, we need to be careful not to misinterpret its intent. So many of us develop a shell of self-protection as children that it is easy to fall into a sort of situational relativism. What do I mean by this? Have you ever heard someone excuse their own misdeed by explaining that it is alright because, "I wouldn't mind if someone did the same to me?"

Through the years, I've seen many examples of this and, unfortunately, been responsible for too many of them myself. The examples become the norm. The comment that should have gone unsaid, but didn't. Or the joke that should have gone untold, but wasn't. Let's seek to change our hearts with God's help.

Lord Jesus, you alone can change a heart. I submit my heart to you, with all my pains, hurts, disappointments, sorrows, and longings. Please heal my heart so that I might become strong enough to risk injury. Please enlighten my mind with recognition so that I might do to others only what my most honest self would have them do to me. Lord, help me change my thinking wherever it is contrary to your will, and help me catch myself before--rather than after--I hurt someone, and replace my words of hurt with your words of peace, encouragement, and hope.


Today, I will consider my treatment of others as to whether or not I would want them to treat me in the same manner, and I will change myself whenever necessary.


Saint John Fisher, defender of the faith, pray for us.

June 22, 2015 - Monday

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye?
You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NABRE)

Jesus, during his Sermon on the Mount, warns us about judging others. He explains the cause-effect relationship between our conduct toward each other and God’s conduct toward us.* This is not a prohibition against recognizing the faults of others, but against passing judgment in a spirit of arrogance, forgetful of one’s own faults.*

Lord, open my eyes and remove my blindness toward my own faults. Allow me the great grace to see my own weaknesses and shortcomings so that I might work at removing them. Make me strong in prayer so that I might remember you are the real source of change in my life, that it is not by my own effort alone that I will change. And Lord God, though I cannot help but notice faults in others, bind my thoughts so that I might not even approach judgment of them, guard my heart so that I might not ever forget, in arrogance, my own condition. May I see only you in those around me, your Spirit, your fingerprint, your holy presence.

Today, I will thank God for those in public service who work with sincere hearts to maintain and improve our communities.


Saint Thomas More, patron of attorneys, civil servants, court clerks, lawyers, politicians, and public servant, pray for us.

June 21, 2015 - Sunday

In their distress they cried to the LORD,
who brought them out of their peril;
He hushed the storm to silence,
the waves of the sea were stilled.
They rejoiced that the sea grew calm,
that God brought them to the harbor they longed for. (Psalm 107:28-30 NABRE)

If you've ever been on a boat tossed by stormy seas, you remember the fear and worry, the nausea and cold, the darkness and persistent threat of capsizing. Perilous circumstances have a way of reminding us how small and helpless we really are.

When we are in distress caused by the storms of life, let us never forget to cry to the Lord. Let us never forget that he can bring us out of our peril, he can hush our storm to silence and still the waves that toss us so effortlessly, he can calm the sea and bring us to the safety of a calm harbor.

Read Job chapter 38 for a really clear reminder of what God can do and what we can do!


Today, I will remember God's great power and be grateful that he brings me through my own life's perils.


Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, patron of teenagers and youth, pray for us.

June 20, 2015 - Saturday

The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and he saves them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8-9 NABRE)

The following excerpts are from an article published on the Catholic News Agency website* in June 2014:

During his general audience Pope Francis spoke on the Holy Spirit’s gift of Fear of the Lord, saying it does not mean we should be afraid of God, but rather serves as a reminder to do the right thing.

“Fear of the Lord is an ‘alarm.’ When a person is not on the right path, he settles himself in evil,” ....

It “is no servile fear, but rather a joyful awareness of God’s grandeur and a grateful realization that only in him do our hearts find true peace” he continued, adding that “when the Holy Spirit lives in our heart, he instills consolation and peace in us.”

Referring to the fear of the Lord as an “alarm” that awakens us “to the presence of sin in our lives” and reminds us that one day we will “be held accountable to the just Judge,” the pontiff stated that when we start to sin, this spiritual gift can help direct the faithful back on the right path.

Today, I will take refuge in the Lord and welcome God's angel encamped around me, saving me in each moment of this present battle.


Saint Paulinus of Nola, whose life reminds us that devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done all around us, pray for us.

June 19, 2015 - Friday

I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him. (Psalm 34:5-7 NABRE)

Unfortunately, the only way each of us truly learns about fear, shame, poverty, and distress is to suffer through them. For example, look at the unimaginable suffering Saint Paul endured during his life for the sake of his witness to Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). And today's verse, which describes King David while pretending to be insane so he might survive while in the presence of his adversary.

These two, and many others, are amazing, wonderful examples of people finding their strength in God during times of greatest struggle. When even life itself was on the line, David sought the Lord, he looked to him, and he cried out to him for help.

And the good news for us is that God answers us! God delivered David from all his fears, removed all of his shame, and saved him from an incredibly dire situation.

In our own suffering, in the midst of threats to our witness for Jesus, when we see that it is not our fight to win, we turn to God, in all humility and fully confident in his answer, and we ask him to save us, to hold us up, to carry us through our trial.

When our lives themselves are witnesses to God, we become targets for evil. And it is when we realize this, we see that the battle is God's to fight. God will sustain the sacramental marriage. God alone can repair our broken trust. It is God who gives us words of love and healing when there are only anger and frustration in our hearts. He knows our suffering for his sake and he is with us in the midst of it. That's right. Jesus, who knows suffering and betrayal better than anyone, suffers with us. He stands with us in our shame. He cries with us in our desolation. He aches with us in every moment of distress. He never leaves us. So, we only need to turn to him and ask for his help.


Today, I will seek the Lord who saves me from my own distress, shame, and fear.


Saint Romuald, who challenges us by the absoluteness of your dedication, vigor spirit, and the depth of conversion, pray for us.

June 18, 2015 - Thursday

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Matthew 6:14-15 NABRE)

These verses reflect a set pattern called “Principles of Holy Law.” Human action now will be met by a corresponding action of God at the final judgment.* This pattern is seen in a number of other books of the Bible including Matthew (chapter 18, verse 35), Sirach (28:1-5), Mark (11:25), and James (2:13).

We all know the Our Father. It is one of the first prayers most of us learned as children because Jesus specifically taught us to pray this way. When you think about it, the final portion of the prayer is a request that we be spared at the final judgment, and it includes the way by which this will be possible: By our forgiving others. Today's verses are the two statements which immediately follow the Our Father. They emphasize this aspect of the prayer.

It is worth recognizing that forgiveness and trust are different things. We are called to forgive others, but we are not commanded to suddenly trust someone who has caused us harm. Trust that is broken, if it will be restored, will take time and commitment.

Lord, please give me a forgiving heart. Whenever I am hurt, let my heart be like your own, which I have hurt so many times and which offers me endless forgiveness. Lord, let forgiveness be the foundation on which my relationships are built. Let me see only your face when I look at those around me. And disarm me of any desire for vengeance, fairness, or justice. Replace this desire with a sense of love, sacrifice, and patience.


Today, I will forgive others who have wronged me. I will not withhold my forgiveness from them. I will forgive myself too, for the times I have wronged myself. I will not withhold my forgiveness from myself.


Venerable Matt Talbot, considered the patron of alcoholics, pray for us.

June 17, 2015 - Wednesday

Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NABRE)

Saint Paul--after acknowledging the eagerness of the believers at Corinth to be generous toward their struggling brothers in Jerusalem--describes the rewards of cheerful giving!

Paul tells us with impressive confidence (to a degree only likely from someone who's experienced this), that when we are generous in providing financial assistance to those doing God's work, we will receive generously from God in return. He reminds us that God provides all we need, and we are to use our abundance for good work.

Today's passage concludes with a quote from Psalm 112 which describes someone who is gracious in lending. Such a person, the Psalm tells us in lavish terms, shall never be shaken, shall be remembered forever, shall not fear an ill report, shall have a steadfast heart, shall trust the Lord, shall have a tranquil heart without fear, shall have righteousness which endures forever, and shall be exalted in honor.

Let's consider today how eager we are to share our abundance with others. The rewards are ours and will, no doubt, exceed our wildest expectations!


Today, I will give cheerfully of the abundance allotted to me for good works.


Saint Joseph Cafasso, patron of prisoners, pray for us.

June 16, 2015 - Tuesday

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.(2 Corinthians 8:9 NABRE)

About 24 years after Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, Saint Paul sent Titus to Corinth in part on a fundraising mission for the needs of fellow Christians in Jerusalem. Today's verse is part of his letter which describes the need in Jerusalem and, more importantly, the disposition of the giver.

Generosity. The giving Saint Paul describes is spontaneous, simple and sincere. There is an urgency in the desire to give which he depicts because the givers considered the act of giving to be participation in the service of the Church. He reflects on the ideals of sharing and equality within the Christian community. For Paul, the Church has a "singleness of purpose that manifests itself in generous giving."* This type of giving, ultimately, is a giving of self, which reflects the ultimate gift of Jesus on the cross, when he literally gave himself up for us.


Today, I will seek this disposition of generosity so that by example my sharing may draw others to the cross of Christ.


Saint John Francis Regis, whose faith and goodness touched others and brought them to deeper faith, pray for us.

June 15, 2015 - Monday

When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. (Matthew 5:39b-42 NABRE)

Here in Matthew's gospel, Jesus teaches a large crowd about revenge, or so it appears. But in his words, I find instead an astounding message of unreasonable generosity. Though it is surrounded by words of retaliation and evil, today's passage talks of doing more good than you are asked to do in every situation.

Consider the circumstances Jesus describes:

• Someone hits you
• Someone misuses the law to take your property
• Someone forces you unreasonably to work for them
• Someone asks you for something
• Someone wants to borrow money from you

Each of these is an injustice or an imposition, and responding to them is inconvenient at best and painful at worst. In every case, the right response costs us. In every case, the Jesus response contradicts our natural inclination. We are called to be unreasonably generous in our response.

Consider the specific deeds Jesus tells us are the right responses to these impositions:

• Turn the other cheek (instead of fighting for honor)
• Give away even more property than required (rather than pursuing legal recourse)
• Work doubly hard for the unreasonable person (rather than fight, argue, or offend over it)
• Give to those in need as soon as asked (rather than embarrassing the other person)
• Lend to those in need (rather than avoiding them or making excuses)

These good deeds challenge every Christian to change, to reconsider their own motivations, and to humbly seek God's power to overcome pride and the desire for revenge--which are almost always hidden from us, disguised as fairness or justice.

Today, I will keep aware of and pray for the strength to resist my own tendencies to pride, control, and vengeance.


Saint Marguerite d’Youville, called the Mother of Universal Charity, pray for us.

June 14, 2015 - Sunday

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9 NABRE)

Travelling is exciting, fun, and challenging. When we are away from home we see new things and meet new people. Our comfort zone expands and we broaden our understanding of the world. However, we compare our new surroundings with home and after a while we begin to miss what is familiar.

Now, imagine travelling not on a vacation, but on a diplomatic mission to a foreign country. It is our job to represent our country well while at our post. There are times when their culture and ours may clash and when we will long to return home. Such times call for the courage described by Saint Paul in today's passage.

Always, we are pulled in the direction of home, and eventually, we know will be called back. But for now, in the present moment, we do the things that need to be done in order to get us there. Someday.

In today's passage we see that, "tension between present and future is expressed by another spatial image, the metaphor of the country and its citizens. At present we are like citizens in exile or far away from home. The Lord is the distant homeland, believed in but unseen (2 Cor 5:7)."*


Today, I will remember my homeland and look forward to when I can return there.


Saint Albert Chmielowski, who "In [his] tireless, heroic service on behalf of the marginalized and the poor, ...ultimately found his path. He found Christ. He took upon himself Christ’s yoke and burden; he did not become merely ‘one of those who give alms,’ but became the brother to those he served...,” pray for us.

June 13, 2015 - Saturday

For as the heavens tower over the earth,
so his mercy towers over those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our sins from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:11-13 NABRE)

We have to use our imagination to understand today's excerpt from Psalm 103. The imagery is visual and we call to mind the expanse of sky over the earth.

Picture a sky full of stars while lying in a field at night. It seems to go on forever. Picture the sky with no clouds on a sunny day, a cool breeze blows as you stand on a mountain peak with nothing blocking your view in any direction. The sky seems to go on and on endlessly. So endless does it seem, we have to disengage from the view. It does not disengage from us. God's mercy goes on endlessly like that night sky full of stars, like that cloudless sky high in the mountains.

Stand on that mountain again where you can see for miles and turn to the east. Look as far as you can toward the horizon. Now, turn to the west and look far into that horizon. Imagine next that you are far out on the ocean, standing on the bow of a ship. Look east and then look west. Notice the horizon again. There seems to be no end and if you could mark a spot at the farthest point you can see in each direction, it is clear that they would never touch each other. It is this way with our sin when we seek God's mercy. God removes our sins from us so they can never touch us again.


Today, I will recall God's compassion and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for a special intention.


Saint Anthony of Padua, patron of lost items, the poor, and travelers, pray for us.

June 12, 2015 - Friday

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30 NABRE)

In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by scribal interpretation, Jesus invites the burdened to take the yoke of obedience to his word, under which they will find rest.* So often, we find ourselves falling back into human burdens, forgetting that Jesus offers us a share in his yoke instead, which is easy.

Lord, help me to put aside all that does not come from you and replace it with a complete desire for your will to be done in and through my life.


Today, on this Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I will conclude the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


Blessed Jolenta (Yolanda) of Poland, known for your generosity and willingness to serve well the people you lived with, pray for us.

June 11, 2015 - Thursday

At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch,
and one of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine all over the world, and it happened under Claudius.
So the disciples determined that, according to ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.
This they did, sending it to the presbyters in care of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 NABRE)

History leaves us several accounts of famine which occurred during the reign of Claudius about 10-12 years after Jesus' Ascension. This would, of course, have affected the already struggling Christian community. Despite their differences, the Gentile-Christians in Antioch showed true charity toward and solidarity with their Jewish-Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who, it seems, were in greater need.*

When we are joined together, in times of great struggle, we put aside our differences and help one another. Even when we do not agree about everything, the way we treat one another is a sign to the world of our faith and our commitment to God and each other.


Today, I will continue to pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


Saint Barnabas, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, pray for us.

June 10, 2015 - Wednesday

Make known to me your ways, LORD;
teach me your paths.
Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:4-5 NABRE)

It's not uncommon to hear talk of mentors and heroes this time of year. With Father's Day just around the corner, our thoughts--sometimes tinted with sentimental or nostalgic hues, sometimes tainted with resentment or anger--recall fathers who were, in the final analysis, only human. For many, they were our first heroes, role models, and mentors in life. For others, they were examples of what not to be when we grow up. Most of the time, they were probably a little of both.

Either way, we have a God whom Jesus invites us to call Daddy...what a special invitation! Today's verse, written by King David--though it is addressed to the King of kings (not so much to Daddy)--has that same intimacy in its appeal for help and guidance: David calls on God for help and even recognizes God as his savior.

Lord, help me to set aside the excess emotions of hero worship and the disappointment of dashed hopes. Help me to accept the humanity of all the people you send into my life, and to recognize and accept my own feelings with honesty and clarity. Help me look to you alone for true guidance, accepting that your good council comes through other people, and recognizing nonetheless that it is you who guides me. And finally, help me to discern your faithful and saving ways from the misdirection of the evil one, who seeks only the ruin of my soul. With the help of Saint Michael the Archangel, help me to recognize and endure all hardship with confident joy in your complete love and mercy for me.


Today, I will continue to pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


Blessed Joachima, who understood that in times of hardship all we can do is cling to the belief that sustained you: God watches over us always, pray for us.

June 9, 2015 - Tuesday

Steady my feet in accord with your promise;
do not let iniquity lead me. (Psalm 119:133 NABRE)

Psalm 119 is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life. It is written as an acrostic poem with stanzas in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 176 verses contains one of nine words for “instruction.” The nine words for “instruction” in the translation are: law, statute, commandment, precept, testimony, word, judgment, way, and promise.*

God offers us guidance and instruction. We are wise when we ask him to steady our feet and to keep us from being led into immoral behavior. As the snares of evil surround us, we need to keep God's instruction always in mind.


Today, I will listen for God's instruction, confident in his guidance.


Saint Ephram, fourth-century poet, teacher, orator and defender of the faith, pray for us.

June 8, 2015 - Monday

About [Christ] I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.
Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:5-9 NABRE)

When I struggle with my own demon, when I just can't seem to get past my weakness, when that bad habit just won't let me alone, when I keep falling into that bad behavior, I become just like Saint Paul!

Each one of us can do what Paul did! And the heart of what he did is listen to God who told him, and indeed tells each of us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for [my] power is made perfect in [your] weakness."


Today, I will submit my weakness to God, allowing his power to become perfect by that weakness, and admitting to myself that his grace is sufficient to carry me through.


Saint William of York, who, despite all that happened to you, did not show resentment toward your opponents, pray for us.

June 7, 2015 - Sunday

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51 NABRE)

The words of Jesus at the Last Supper remind us that he is the one who came to reunite us with God. He came from heaven and has returned there. He links us with what is eternal and his coming gives us the promise of eternal life.

We meditate on the utter mystery of such things, though we choose faith. We decide to believe. We take these things to be true based on many evidences from history as well as our own intuition and experience. May the Holy Spirit of God continue to enlighten us so that we remain firm in our faith despite changing circumstances in this life.


Today, on this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), I will continue to pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (it is day four, but you can start anytime).


Sister Marie De Mandat-Grancey, by whom we whom we have what has been called a little piece of heaven on earth called Mary's House in Ephesus," and whose cause for sainthood has been received by the Vatican, pray for us.

June 6, 2015 - Saturday

Prayer with fasting is good. Almsgiving with righteousness is better than wealth with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold,
for almsgiving saves from death, and purges all sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life,
but those who commit sin and do evil are their own worst enemies. (Tobit 12:8-10 NABRE)

Words from the angel, Raphael, who serves God, to Tobit and his son Tobiah, recall for us in powerful brevity the way of life to which we are called. We ask difficult questions like, What can I do to change things? How can I make a difference in my world? How can I help others? How do I turn my life around?

Raphael reminds us that our lives should be spent giving praise to God and our actions should be these:

• Pray
• Fast
• Give
• Do good

I propose that in times of greatest struggle, we should resist our human nature and with deliberate purpose, begin to do these four things to the exclusion of all other things.

Lord, in this time of trial, when we feel no peace, grant us the grace of faith; when we feel no joy, grant us the grace of hope; and when we feel no comfort, grant us the grace of trust in you. Help us to lay down our impossible problem and heavy burden and tie on your yoke which is easy and your burden which is light. Awaken your Spirit in us now more than ever before so that your light shines brighter in us now than it ever has. We ask all of this with complete confidence in the name of Jesus, your son. Amen.


Today, I will pray, fast, give, and do good so that my day may become a prayer of praise to God.


Saint Norbert, twelfth-century Church reformer who had success in converting heretics, reconciling enemies and rebuilding faith in indifferent believers, pray for us.

June 5, 2015 - Friday

Tobiah used both hands to peel the white scales from the corners of his eyes. Tobit saw his son and threw his arms around him.
Weeping, he exclaimed, “I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!” Then he prayed,
“Blessed be God,
blessed be his great name,
and blessed be all his holy angels.
May his great name be with us,
and blessed be all the angels throughout all the ages. (Tobit 11:13-14 NABRE)

Tobit had been blind for four years and in today's verse we see his son, Tobiah, restore his sight by doing what he was taught to do by the Lord's angel. While the story may be fictional, doesn't it suggest so much about how many of us come back to faith in God?

There are times in our lives when we are blinded to God's presence in our lives. We simply cannot see him. We wander around, day in and day out, leaning on other people or on our own effort because we are unable to see him.

And we are fortunate if we have a Tobiah in our lives, someone to pray for us, someone to talk to us, someone to remind us that God is with us in each moment. Friend, the one true God, creator and cause of all the universe, is with you in this moment! He wants you to know him!

May this reminder peel away the scales from your heart so that you might regain your sight and bless the Lord as Tobit did.


Today, I will stay aware of the spiritual blindness of so many people, and I will make myself available to do what I am taught by the Lord's Spirit so that they might see again.


Saint Boniface, who took on the painful, thankless, bewildering task of Church reform in eighth-century Germany, pray for us.

June 4, 2015 - Thursday

She got up, and they started to pray and beg that they might be protected. He began with these words:
“Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors;
blessed be your name forever and ever!
Let the heavens and all your creation bless you forever.
You made Adam, and you made his wife Eve
to be his helper and support;
and from these two the human race has come.
You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone;
let us make him a helper like himself.’
Now, not with lust,
but with fidelity I take this kinswoman as my wife.
Send down your mercy on me and on her,
and grant that we may grow old together.
Bless us with children.”
They said together, “Amen, amen!”
Then they went to bed for the night. (Tobit 8:5-9 NABRE)

She is Sarah, the new wife of Tobiah. He is Tobiah, Sarah's new husband. On their first night together, they began their marriage with this prayer. In the context of the story, they were praying for their life. They blessed God, recalled his greatness, and asked for his mercy and blessings.

Married couples become as one. If we pray together every day, we can experience real joy as we recall God's place in our lives!


Today, I will pray together with my wife, blessing God, recalling his greatness, and asking for his mercy and blessings on our family.


Saint Francis Caracciolo, who, despite his authority, welcomed opportunities to pitch in with tasks that lacked status or glamour, pray for us.

June 3, 2015 - Wednesday

You are righteous, Lord,
and all your deeds are just;
All your ways are mercy and fidelity;
you are judge of the world.
And now, Lord, be mindful of me
and look with favor upon me.
Do not punish me for my sins,
or for my inadvertent offenses,
or for those of my ancestors. (Tobit 3:2-3 NABRE)

The book of Tobit is the story of a devout and wealthy Israelite living among the captives deported to Nineveh from the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722/721 B.C. The main character, Tobit, endures many misfortunes in his life and ultimately utters a beautiful hymn of praise before he dies.*

For Tobit, prayer is significant and comes at significant points in his life.*

Tobit is a fictional character who, nevertheless, captures some great truths about us humans and our weak condition, as well as about God and his authority and compassion.

Lord God, you alone are mighty, good, and worthy of praise. Please extend to me your mercy and compassion rather than your justice when dealing with my offenses. For the sake of Jesus' sorrowful passion, have mercy on me and on the whole world.


Today, I will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.


Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, Ugandan martyrs who remained courageous and unshakable in faith during times of great moral and physical temptation, pray for us.

June 2, 2015 - Tuesday

[May] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call. (Ephesians 1:17-18a NABRE)

Saint Paul expressed these wishes for his fellow believers in Ephesus, that they come to know God and to know the hope that belongs to his call.

We ought to wish these same things for each other. Say it this way: My wish for you is that you will come to know God more deeply today, and also that you will come to feel the hope which springs from his call on your life.

God does call you! And if you will answer yes to his call, as Paul says, there is a new hope that will arise within you.


Today, I will pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation and an enlightened heart.


Saints Marcellinus and Peter, who once sent an impulse of encouragement through the whole Church, pray for us.

June 1, 2015 - Monday

Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2 NABRE)

There is something so straightforward about the beginning of the Psalms that its great value might be overlooked in a casual reading. Seeking to avoid a life of wickedness, sinfulness, and skepticism is something many people do because they believe it is the right way to live.

But the eternal value in this passage is most likely found where the joy is found. Each of us is invited to meditate day and night on the law of the Lord. The law of the Lord is understood to be either the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, or, more probably, divine teaching or instruction.* In any case, there is a gift here in the reminder to meditate on God's Word at all times, to learn from them, and to listen to instruction in their meaning.

There is a promise to each of us in these words. Meditation on God's Word, combined with good life choices, leads to joy and blessing. Joy and blessings do not depend on circumstances, but they are available to us in every moment we choose.

Today, I will welcome God's blessings and allow myself to experience the joy of trying to live by God's law.


Saint Justin, patron of philosophers, pray for us.