Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him.”

As Jesus reveals that he is the great I AM, some of the Jews he is speaking with challenge him when he says, “I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” The people ask Jesus if he is greater than Abraham or the prophets, who died, and Jesus answers that he is one with his Father and that the Father glorifies him. “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” the people ask Jesus. He tells them: “I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” They then pick up stones to throw at Jesus, but he hides and goes out of the temple area. Why Jesus hides here is not out of fear; by doing his Father’s will, the Father glorifies Jesus. The time of his passion had not yet come.

God, help me see what it means to know you as your son knows you. If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing. But if I know and do your will, my every word and action will glorify you. Just as the Father glorified Jesus, I give you glory, Lord, when I make my works, joys, and sufferings of the day a means to give you glory. In your son’s promise of eternal life, I see what those of Jesus’ time could not see: the resurrection that follows his passion and death. “I say to you,” Jesus says, “whoever keeps my word will never see death.” I believe in the resurrection. Glory to you, Lord; help my unbelief.

You are ever present, Lord, and transcend time. As you once promised Abraham, you promise to me: “I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Help me today, Lord, remember you are here in the present moment.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

In today’s Gospel, some of the Jews who believe in Jesus struggle to recognize the truth of his divinity. Jesus, truth incarnate in the person of Christ, says to them: “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But they believe that as descendants of Abraham, they have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it, then, that Jesus tells them that the truth will set them free? As the Son of God, Jesus freely chooses to do the will of the Father through his passion, death, and resurrection, and in that he invites us into the freedom of discipleship. Jesus tells them: “A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.” Like the people Jesus addresses in today’s Gospel, are there precedents or biases I accept that are obstacles to the truth of Jesus Christ?

God, give me the grace to recognize that I often accept partial truths as if they were incontrovertible realities. Help me take care today of the agendas I set for myself this morning that I check against tonight. Do I measure my worth by the things I plan to do and then carry out? Have I accomplished my will? There is something disappointing and bitter in living that way—checking off accomplishments. What can I hope to accomplish in a day unless I first seek to know your will?

God, I want to live today knowing that your Son frees me to hear your voice and do your will. Lord, thank you for the peace in knowing you are near. You loved me first. Keep me in your truth today and always so that I am free to receive your love! 

 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

CHRISTMAS WEEKDAY: JANUARY 6

 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

In yesterday’s reading from John, Jesus tells Nathanael: “you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Today, we see Jesus going to John the Baptist for baptism in the waters of the Jordan. As Jesus rises up out of the water, the heavens open and the Spirit descends upon him. The voice of God the Father speaks from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” What am I a witness to day by day that is not as magnificent as the heavens opening but is still a sign of God’s love?

Lord, help me understand that in your Son there is no untruth. What he says, comes to be; just as he said to Nathanael, so it becomes reality. The baptism by John with water precedes the baptism for all by the Holy Spirit. Of Jesus, John says: “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.” With such humility as John’s, what truths about your nature would I hear you reveal to me? Where are the opportunities throughout each day to recognize your divine authority, presence, and unconditional love? John describes this loving presence in the gift of your Son: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.”

Let me rest, here, Lord in your presence. In your Son, there is the baptism by the Holy Spirit; that is, dying and rising to new life through his resurrection. Grant me the grace, Lord, to recognize and hold in my heart today what Nathanael saw in Jesus: “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

In today’s Gospel, as Jesus walks by John the Baptist says to two of his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples immediately follow Jesus, who asks them what they are looking for. They ask Jesus where he is staying and he tells them, “Come, and you will see. Andrew tells his brother Simon Peter that they have found the Messiah, and he brings him to Jesus. In calling Simon Peter Cephas, Jesus gives Peter a new identity as the rock on which Jesus will build his church. Just as I received a new name at Confirmation, Jesus invites us to come and stay with him and through his grace gives us a new identity to put on. Or, as Saint Paul says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” This gift beyond measure through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection—how willingly today will I wear that, will I put on Christ?

God, help me understand the work of your Son in your choosing from among the most humble people the first apostles. The Gospel acclamation reveals how you magnified your mercy by coming to us in the person of Christ: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets: in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” Jesus, you are the Word of God made flesh; you are the Incarnate Word. Whatever you say, then, is spoken into existence. You speak through your Son; your Son speaks, and Simon becomes Peter, the rock on which you build your Church. Lord, create in me today a new identity so that I can recognize and do your will. From Psalm 51, I pray: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.”

Lord, let me be clothed with Christ today. Help me through natural gifts you give me to make good decisions; through supernatural grace, guide me when I lose my way, and restore me in your presence. Lamb of God, have mercy!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.