Missionary Families of Christ - Michigan

Missionary Families of Christ - Michigan Missionary Families of Christ - Michigan (MFC-MI)

Defending Faith, Family And Life

04/24/2022

𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒 π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ π‘†π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦

𝑂𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦, π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦ π‘‘π‘’π‘π‘‘β„Žπ‘  π‘œπ‘“ 𝑀𝑦 π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›. 𝐼 π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘Ž π‘€β„Žπ‘œπ‘™π‘’ π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘› π‘œπ‘“ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘π‘’π‘  π‘’π‘π‘œπ‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘ π‘’ π‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘  π‘€β„Žπ‘œ π‘Žπ‘π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘Žπ‘β„Ž π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ 𝑀𝑦 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦. π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ π‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘™ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙 π‘”π‘œ π‘‘π‘œ πΆπ‘œπ‘›π‘“π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘π‘’π‘–π‘£π‘’ π»π‘œπ‘™π‘¦ πΆπ‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘–π‘œπ‘› π‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘œπ‘π‘‘π‘Žπ‘–π‘› π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘π‘™π‘’π‘‘π‘’ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘”π‘–π‘£π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘œπ‘“ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑠 π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘π‘’π‘›π‘–π‘ β„Žπ‘šπ‘’π‘›π‘‘.

𝑂𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒 π‘“π‘™π‘œπ‘œπ‘‘π‘”π‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž π‘€β„Žπ‘–π‘β„Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘π‘’ π‘“π‘™π‘œπ‘€ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘œπ‘π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘‘. 𝐿𝑒𝑑 π‘›π‘œ π‘ π‘œπ‘’π‘™ π‘“π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘€ π‘›π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑀𝑒, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Ž 𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑏𝑒 π‘Žπ‘  π‘ π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘’π‘‘. 𝑀𝑦 π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑠 π‘ π‘œ π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ π‘›π‘œ π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘‘, 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑑 π‘œπ‘“ π‘šπ‘Žπ‘› π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘œπ‘“ π‘Žπ‘›π‘”π‘’π‘™, 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 π‘Žπ‘π‘™π‘’ π‘‘π‘œ π‘“π‘Žπ‘‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘š 𝑖𝑑 π‘‘β„Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘”β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘™π‘™ π‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦.

π‘‡β„Žπ‘’ πΉπ‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ π‘’π‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘”π‘’π‘‘ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š 𝑀𝑦 π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦ π‘‘π‘’π‘π‘‘β„Žπ‘  π‘œπ‘“ π‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘›π‘’π‘ π‘ . 𝐼𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑀𝑦 π‘‘π‘’π‘ π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘‘ 𝑖𝑑 𝑏𝑒 π‘ π‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘šπ‘›π‘™π‘¦ π‘π‘’π‘™π‘’π‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ π‘œπ‘› π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘‘ π‘†π‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦ π‘Žπ‘“π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ πΈπ‘Žπ‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ. π‘€π‘Žπ‘›π‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘‘ 𝑀𝑖𝑙𝑙 π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘’ π‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘π‘’ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑙 𝑖𝑑 π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘›π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ πΉπ‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ 𝑀𝑦 π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦.

𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑠 π‘‘π‘œ 𝑆𝑑 πΉπ‘Žπ‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘–π‘›π‘Ž, 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒 π‘€π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘¦ 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑦 π‘†π‘œπ‘’π‘™.

01/22/2022

Let's make the faith alive in your home by doing these 7 habits of Catholic families.

Source: Catholic Link

01/03/2022

3
January
Monday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE
Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus

Light-less
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. – Matthew 4:16 (NAB)
Imagine life without light or fire. No chicken inasal. No lechon. No sinigang. No coffee. No K-dramas. No cell phones. A light-less life would be radically different and difficult!

But that’s in the physical sphere. In the spiritual dimension, a light-less life is more prevalent and harmful. Worry. Confusion. Fear. Hopelessness. Depression. The cure? Light. The switch? The Name above every other name: Jesus.

The simplest way to turn on the Light is to call on the name of Jesus. It is the shortest prayer and yet the most powerful.

Jesus is an English translation of the Greek Iesus. This was rendered by Saint Mark from the Aramaic Yeshua, which means β€œYahweh saves.”

Is it dark? Turn on the Light. Call on Jesus. Don’t just recite it like a β€œmagic word.” Let it come out of your lips with love as you call on the name of the One Who knows you fully.

Who loves you truly. And reigns supremely. β€œJesus.” Marc V. Lopez ([email protected])

reflect

Is the name of Jesus just a magic word for you or the name of a True Friend who is also your Lord?

Jesus, let Your Light shine magnificently in my life today. Amen.

Saint Genevieve, pray for us.

COMPANION
Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus

First Reading | 1 John 3:22-4:6 (or Philippians 2:1-11)

Obedience to the Father’s will sets Jesus apart from other people. As Jesus’ disciples, we must also obey the Word and will of the Father. The person who keeps His commandments will stand holy and pure on judgment day. We do not lose our freedom when we embrace the Father’s will. In fact, we will have the best experience when we live out the freedom He has given usβ€”to become like Him in all that we say and do.

22 Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And his commandment is this: We should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. 24 Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us. 4:1 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, 3 and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist who, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. 4 You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12 (or Psalm 110:1-2, 3-4, 5-6)

R: I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

7 The Lord said to me, β€œYou are my Son; this day I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.” (R) 10 And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling 12 rejoice. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 ( or Luke 2:21-24)

People came to hear Jesus speak and see Him heal the sick. His ministry soon became well-known. However, this does not affect Jesus. He continues His mission with a heart that comes from obedience to the Father. Jesus does not let this seeming fame to β€œgo to His head” as this would endanger His mission. May we also have the same single-mindedness and detachment from our β€œseeming” successes. What is most important is that we do what God wants us to do. The rest is up to Him.

Gospel Acclamation

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: 15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. 17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, β€œRepent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 23 He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. 24 His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Reflect:
β€œGod has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
Read the Bible in one year! Read JOHN 7 - 9 today.

SABBATH
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Ubi Caritas et Amor

Remember when we clapped for frontline health workers around the world at seven o’clock every night at the height of the pandemic? Every time I did so, I had a feeling that I was clapping not just for them and for the heroism and self-sacrifice with which they cared for our beloved sick, but also for the Spirit that was inspiring and sustaining them all. It was the same Spirit that allowed me a surge of joy and hope amidst the darkness, and that seemed to reassure me, β€œThe Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Time and again, many who have taken part in the volunteer work of packing and delivering goods for relief operations or food banks for those in desperate need have shared that they felt this Spirit too. As we like to sing, β€œUbi caritas / et amor / Ubi caritas / Deus ibi est.” Where there is love and charity, where there is compassion and magnanimity, there is God. When we respond in love, God’s life flows.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that whenever we respond to great need with loving compassion, we are not just participating in the work Jesus had begun, but we are also continuing the work of the incarnation.

If we understand what this means, then we will see that heaven is no longer just a pie in the sky, and eternal life is not a far-off reward, with joy that we can begin to taste only after death. Emmanuel, β€œGod with us,” means that eternity starts now. How? If the goal of our life is to be with God forever, then we can begin to achieve that goal by making Him more present to us today and in our day-to-day lives.

The Kingdom of God is at hand. Let your heaven begin today. Fr. Mark L. Lopez, S.J.

reflection question

How can you make the Kingdom of God real and alive in your life today?

Dearest God, may I always be mindful of Your presence in my life every single minute of my day. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _________________

01/02/2022

2
January
Sunday
TODAY'S READINGS:

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

The Perfect Gift
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary . . . Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:11 (NLT)
We all have our wish lists and we all want to get that perfect gift. But there will never be a perfect gift. Every gift has its pros and cons. But here’s the good news: God has prepared the best gift for all of usβ€”His Son, Jesus.

When we receive Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we give ourselves the most perfect gift in the world. We give ourselves peace, love, and joy that no person or material thing can ever give. We can also give others this perfect gift. How? By bringing them closer to Jesus through His Word, His Church, and our witness. We give the gift of love, peace, and joy to people around us by being Jesus to them every day.

Friends, let’s remember the true reason for the season. Let’s not pursue the trivial wants of this world but stay focused on what every heart needs. Let’s give the perfect gift to ourselves and to others. Let Jesus be your perfect gift today! Monching Bueno ([email protected])

reflect

Who do you want to bring closer to Jesus today? Let the life you live show them the way.

Father God, thank You for giving us the best gift ever. We will treasure Your gift by sharing it to the world. Amen.

Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and Doctors of the Church, pray for us.

COMPANION

First Reading | Isaiah 60:1-6

We need to lift our eyes to the Lord and stop focusing on our difficulties and problems. If we always look at the problems we are facing, we will feel depressed and defeated. We need to focus on the victory God has already won for us. Let us walk with our heads held high, not because we are able to overcome trials through our own strength, but because we believe that God is doing this for us. This is what discipleship is all aboutβ€”we have been given victory over sin to live the life of a redeemed person.

1 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. 4 Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. 5 Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. 6 Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

1 O God, with your judgment endow the king and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (R) 10 The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. 11 All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. (R) 12 For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R)

Second Reading | Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

We are stewards of God’s grace. It means we have been given the strength, power, and everything we need to live the Gospel of Christ. Jesus came so we may have life to the full (John 10:10). He wants us to be joyful people living in the victory of His salvific grace. Let us be witnesses and inspire all those we meet. After encountering us and seeing us live our Christian lives to the full, they should be able to say to themselves,β€œI want what that person has!”

2 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 5 It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel | Matthew 2:1-12

The wise men came from far away to give their gifts to Jesus. Did they really know who Jesus was, what He would do, and what He would stand for in the eyes of the world? Maybe the wise men were inspired by something that compelled them to do what they did. Much of our faith walk involves learning to trust in the impulse of the Holy Spirit at work within us. We need to listen to these impulses and trust them completely. May we become the living witnesses of the Good News that we are meant to be.

Gospel Acclamation

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.

1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, β€œWhere is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, β€œIn Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, β€œGo and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 9 After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflect:
How well do you trust the Holy Spirit’s leading for you?
Read the Bible in one year! Read JOHN 4 - 6 today.

SABBATH
Finding God in Our Deepest Desiring

What do you want most for the New Year? As you finish writing down your resolutions and wish lists for 2022, the First Principle and Foundation of Saint Ignatius (paraphrased by Fr. David L. Fleming, S.J.) might be worth keeping in mind:

The goal of our life is to be with God forever. God, who loves us, gave us life. Our own response of love allows God’s life to flow into us without limit.

All the things in this world are gifts from God, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily. As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God insofar as they help us develop as loving persons. But if any of these gifts become the center of our lives, they displace God and so hinder our growth toward our goal.

In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all of these created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some obligation. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God.

Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to the deepening of God’s life in me.

Through centuries, these words have served as a guiding star for the Church and for pilgrims in search of God. They illumine a path to our deepest desires: spiritual freedom, lasting joy, and profound meaning. On this day, the Feast of the Epiphany, may these words help you follow paths that draw you ever nearer to Christ and allow you to bear His light for others in the world. Fr. Mark L. Lopez, S.J.

reflection question

What is your deepest desire for this year? Lift it up to God and ask Him to bless it.

Dearest God, You know my deepest desire. If it pleases You, help me to fulfill it. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________

01/01/2022

Happy New Year! I pray for a great 2022 ahead of you!

1
January
Saturday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. – Galatians 4:7
A professor threw a congee party for his students. He gave them different serving bowls: beautiful porcelain, wood, and a few plastics.

The students chose the more expensive bowls. The professor asked, β€œWas the congee more delicious because it’s in a nicer container?” They answered, β€œNo, if the congee’s delicious, then it will be delicious regardless of the container.”

That’s when he gave the lesson: β€œThe bowls represent our physical lifeβ€”our homes, clothes, and what people say about us. It doesn’t have to be expensive and sophisticated. Because insideβ€”the most important thingβ€”is the lugaw. That’s who we really are.”

As we welcome another year, let me remind you about these two things. Number one: You are a soul carrier. Inside that bowl is your immortal soul, and you will live forever.

Number two: You’re also a God carrier. Because you are a child of God. Always remember that nothing can ever take away who you truly are. Bo Sanchez ([email protected])

reflect

Declare this truth: β€œI am a child of God. I am precious in His eyes. I am loved.”

Father, bless my new year. May I shine Your light as Your child in all circumstances. Amen.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

COMPANION
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

First Reading | Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord is the source of all blessings. Yes, we can be a blessing to one another, but this is only possible if we draw from our relationship with God. He is the source of all good things. We cannot achieve goodness or blessing apart from His grace. Let us continue to trust God even if we cannot feel His presence because He is always at work in us.

22 The Lord said to Moses: 23 β€œSpeak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 The Lord bless you and keep you! 25 The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! 27 So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R: May God bless us in his mercy.

2 May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 3 So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 5 May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 6 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 8
May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

Second Reading | Galatians 4:4-7

Paul believes that God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. Do you believe that God has adopted you as His child? It is hard to believe that God will be able to complete the work of redemption in our lives. Let us trust that He is always at work to fulfill His promise of redemption.

4 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5
to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 As proof that you are sons, God sent the
Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, β€œAbba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Gospel | Luke 2:16-21

Let us give praise to God in every moment of our lives. Yes, we are all sinners. However, the truth is, we can put sin to death and surrender completely to God’s will. Having a New Year’s resolution is good, but the problem is it usually rests on our own desire and strength to fulfill it. Let us remember that when we are fully surrendered to the work of God’s grace, we will live a life of goodness and virtue.

Gospel Acclamation

In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

16 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflect:
It is the first day of the year. What is God’s Word for you this year?
Read the Bible in one year! Read JOHN 1 - 3 today.

SABBATH
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Surprised by Grace

When people come for retreats or spiritual direction, the first thing I ask of them as they begin their spiritual journey is to prepare themselves to be surprised by grace. They do this by committing to the following dispositions:

1. Generosity, because the wider we open our hearts to others, the more God’s Spirit can flow into our persons. God is infinite goodness, but we are finite vessels. He who seeks grace, therefore, must learn to enlarge one’s vessel, and that is be done by living generously.

2. Attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, because it will be the Spirit, no less, who will accompany and cheer us on in our spiritual journey. Daily prayers and ponderings that allow us to look back, give thanks, embrace mercy, and be more mindful of the patterns of our lives and stirrings of our hearts will teach us this attentiveness to the Spirit’s actions and invitations.

3. Humility, because we will need to learn to let goβ€”and not be in controlβ€”in order to reverence and trust God who is. At the beginning of this new year, we can take on the same dispositions to prepare our hearts for the Lord. Today, we remember that these dispositions are so clearly manifested by Mary, our Mother and the Mother of God. Perhaps that is why God allowed her the greatest of all surprise gracesβ€”the opportunity to bear and give birth to Grace Incarnate.

May the Lord bless and keep you, and be gracious to you in 2022! Fr. Mark L. Lopez, S.J.

reflection questions

How can you become a more generous person in 2022? How can you be more attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit? How can you be more humble in your dealings with others and with God?

Dearest God, may Your Spirit fill me with grace every day of this year. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________

12/31/2021

31
December
Friday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE
EXPERIENCING GOD'S UNENDING GRACE
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16
In 2020, my 71-year-old mother got hit by a motorcycle. When I got to the place of the accident, I saw my mother lying on the busy road. I wasn’t prepared for itβ€”emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and financially. I prayed the sincerest prayer of my entire life while my mother was in the ambulance.

I’m the breadwinner and was then going through adjustments in my new job. She needed an orthopedic surgery right away so she wouldn’t turn into an invalid for the rest of her life. My new work demanded both my time and energy, but I also had to be there for my mother during her one-month hospitalization. My concerns seemed endless!

But God is faithful. I realized He permitted these things to happen to me all at the same time so I could grow in my faith and learn that He is a dependable God. Slowly, I realized the value of gratitude and prayer in everything I do.

We don’t know what trials await us in the New Year. But we can rest in the knowledge that whatever lies ahead, God is already there. His unending grace will see us through. Gracious B. Romero ([email protected])

reflect

Life may be hard but God’s grace is unlimited.

Lord, I don’t know what the New Year will bring, so teach me to fully trust in Your goodness and plan for my life even if I do not understand. Amen.

St. Sylvester, pray for us.

COMPANION
First Reading | 1 John 2:18-21

As the year ends, let us reflect on our life during the last year. Have we grown in holiness? Is there progress in our spiritual life? Have we deepened our knowledge of the Scriptures? Have we developed our God-given gifts and talents, and used them to serve God’s Kingdom? I hope so.

18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus, we know this is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. 20 But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

R: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day. (R) 11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord. (R) 13 The Lord comes, he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. (R)

Gospel | John 1:1-18

It seems ironic to read the start of John’s Gospel at the end of the year. It reminds us that as one year comes to a close, another will begin. As we pass over the cusp of one year to another, let us be mindful that we are getting closer to the day when we stand before God and give an account of our life. Let us prepare well for that day in the coming year.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be 4 through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; 5 the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. 12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified to him and cried out, saying, β€œThis was he of whom I said, β€˜The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, 17 because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Reflect:
β€œSo much has been given to me, I have no time to ponder that which has been denied.” (Helen Keller)
Read the Bible in one year! Read Sirach 46-51 today.

SABBATH
The End Is the Beginning

We become emotional when the end comes. During graduations, we cannot miss seeing students crying because they know it could be the last time they will see their classmates. They will part ways and pursue their own dreams. During funerals, relatives of the deceased cry loudly because they are aware that it would be the last time they would gaze at the physical face of their beloved. The departed person will only be reminisced in memory.

A few hours from now, 2021 will end. This is also emotional. Many things happened this year. Some are happy, others sad.

Looking at the Gospel on this last day of the year, the end we expected to happen seems to be the beginning. β€œIn the beginning was the Word . . . and the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” It brings us back to the beginning. At the end of this year, our Gospel reminds us of the start of everything. It all started from God. And when sin tried to end what God has started, the Word became flesh to restore what God has done. Thus, these actions of God confirm that He is indeed the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. The blessings God has given us do not end today. His love does not end with the year. He is eternal. God loved; He loves us; and He will love us forever.

Let these words of St. John Paul II inspire us: β€œDuc in altum! These words ring out for us today, and they invite us to remember the past with gratitude, to live the present with enthusiasm, and to look forward to the future with confidence: β€˜Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’” Fr. Eugene Fadul

reflection questions

Do you appreciate the blessings you received from God this year? Conscious of God’s unwavering love, how do you welcome the New Year?

Thank You, Lord, for the year that’s ending today. Thank You for the New Year that begins tomorrow. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________

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