The Givor

Yep, it's been a while since I posted something. It's been a bit chaotic in the prayermans life over the past couple of months. But the good news is....after one year of being unemployed I have...wait for it...found a job! Woohoo!

Good things all seem to happen at the same time, as do the bad things. How we cope with all of that is pretty much an individual thing.

Long story short, things are going well, better than I could have expected. Anyway, I digress.

I'm headed to spend a week with my parents Tuesday. I'll get to play golf with my Dad which is always fun. As part of the golfing experience, all bets must be placed in advance, and the requisite smack talking must begin and end prior to stepping onto the first tee.

I had a funny email conversation with my Dad (who is a 22 handicap for the golfers out there)which is below:
I wrote:
How many shots are you going to give me? Based on the slope and my current handicap index which is 6 I was going to propose you give me three shots a side if we play from the white tees, four shots from the blue, or we can just play a straight up match from the ladies tees, what ever you prefer. :)

My Dad responded with:
I think you have the "givor" and the"givee" reversed.

I responded with:
according to the usga handicap guidelines they consider the benefit of local knowledge, therefore you shall be the givor.

My Dad responded with:
Don't beg.

What's funny about this, is that my Mom and Dad have always been the "Givor." I could write volumes about what they have done for me over my entire life.

I am truly blessed by these incredible people.

Sometimes when we are mired down in our own drama, we forget the many good things we have going on around us. Sometimes we forget or don't have the ability to stop, get in a different environment, and focus on what's good vs. what's not good. Sometimes we are afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, that request for help is a small amount of assistance from the "Givor."

My parents are an incredible blessing.

God Bless my parents as they are among the most amazing people in the universe.

Peace,

MPK

Pray for Pinky

I've been remiss in writing my blogs lately but hopefully everyone will understand that I have been consumed with a new job that I really dig! I think that maybe God hasn't inspired me to write anything because I needed something that inspired me to share. Maybe not.

I've been working on houses in Houston doing various things. For a guy that's always driven a desk, driving my truck around town with my lawn mower in the back is somewhat liberating. It's fun to be outside, and feels great to come home and know that I have done an honest days work, and earned an honest days pay.

Anyway, I digress.

Today I took on a last minute assignment to do the yard on a house in one of the more depressed neighborhoods. I would imagine that many people would be afraid to go to this part of town but because I believe God will protect me, I had no second thoughts about going there.

As I cut the grass a women named "Pinky" came up and asked me if she could help me. I said "Sure" and she asked me how much I would pay her. I told her if she would mow the back yard I would pay her $10.00. After a brief discussion she told me that she was homeless and did drugs. I asked her to promise me that if I gave her $10.00 she would not spend it on drugs. She promised.

As we stood by my car, she told me a bit about her story. It was sad to say the least.

I got her set up to mow the back yard, and she did a great job! I was really impressed!

As we stood by my truck and I gave her the money, I asked her if she believed in God. She told me she did and asked why I wanted to know.

I told her that I wanted to pray for her. That she would find her way off drugs, and off the street. She was touched that I offer to pray for her.

This women really touched me. She worked hard, was kind, friendly, and wanted to have a better life. I wish I could do all of that for her.

I feel very fortunate to be connected to God. I hope that all of the blessings I have enjoyed, can be shared through God with Pinky. Meeting people like her make me remember how fortunate I have to have a family that loves me, friends who care about me, and that God is watching over me. God has touched me, you, and those around us. Hopefully we can all pass this along to those less fortunate than our self.

Heavenly Father, bless Pinky with strength, direction, and your touch. She is a kind soul to whom I will be eternally grateful for the reminder of how fortunate some of us are.

Peace.

MPK

Prayer for Revival for Wednesday, January 21, 2009

On the first official day as President of the United States for Barack Obama, I felt moved to pray for revival.

Below is an excerpt from a great blog I read this morning:

"Pray to see His Spirit pour out across this land to bring thousands and thousands to Him. Let us love one another and share the love of Christ. May God be glorified through His people coming before Him with the souls of our countrymen and women on our hearts. God does not desire that any should perish but that all should have eternal life."

http://www.allaboutprayer.org/how-to-pray-for-revival.htm

Everyone have a great day! My God bless and revive us all!

Prayers for Gods Grace for Tuesday, January 13, 2009

O Lord my God, who created me in Your own image and likeness, grant me this great grace, so necessary for my salvation, so that I may overcome my fallen nature which drags me down to sin and the loss of my soul. I see in my fallen nature the law of sin opposing the law of my mind (Ro 7:23), leading me captive to sensuality.

Without the assistance of your holy grace, infused copiously into my heart (Eph 1:7), I cannot resist these passions.

I need a great abundance of your grace to overcome my fallen nature, which has an inclination toward evil even from my youth (Gn 8:21).

O Lord, how absolutely necessary Your grace is for me, both to begin a good work and to persevere until I accomplish it. Without grace I can do nothing (Jn 15:5), but I can do all things in You, when Your grace strengthens me (Ph 4:13).

Daily Prayer for January 8, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God our Father, through Christ your Son the hope of eternal life dawned on our world. Give to us the light of faith that we may always acknowledge him as our Redeemer and come to the glory of his kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God. 1 John 4

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." Luke 4

The mission of Jesus is so clear. He has come to show us how to love; how to love those who most in need of love. Sometimes the poorest, neediest person, is the person in my own house that I have the least patience with. I can't say I love God and ignore the one I'm called to love.

May we have the light, the grace, of this week, all about love, to love more and more, starting out very close to home.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Rejoice in the wonderful works of the Lord for he has given us hope through the birth of his Son. Let us all cry out with great joy:Glory to God in the highest.
With the angels and patriarchs and prophets, we praise you, Lord.
With Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,- our whole being proclaims your greatness, Lord.
With the apostles and evangelists,- we give you thanks, Lord.
With all the holy martyrs,-we offer our bodies to you as consecrated victims.
With all your holy witnesses in the Church, we dedicate our lives to you in deepest faith.

Closing Prayer:
You have given me the great gift of faith that offers so much meaning in my life. You call me to see with new eyes, those who are in my life and ask me to love them as you love me. Such a challenge, Lord!

As you touched the eyes of the blind and let in the light, touch my heart and help me to open it to those who most annoy me, those who are hardest for me to love.

I know that I am only redeemed through you and I beg you to fan the flame of hope in my life.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Wednesday January 7, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God, light of all nations, give us the joy of lasting peace, and fill us with your radiance
as you filled the hearts of our fathers.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. ...There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 1 John 4

"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were (completely) astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened. Mark 6

How often fear takes away our ability to love! But, love drives out fear. It appears that the key is to "understand the incident of the loaves. "If Jesus has power, then it is foolish for us to fear. If we won't let Jesus have power in our lives, then our hearts are still hardened.

Let us surrender our hearts to the Lord, that we might let him love us and take away all our fears, that we might love more courageously, more completely.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
In the fullness of time, the eternal Word was begotten of the Father. He is the child who is born for us, the son who is given to us. To him we lift our voices in joy: Praise be to you, Lord.

Son of the living God, you existed before the world was made and you came on earth to save all, enable us to be witnesses to your Gospel.

Sun of Justice, whose brightness shone forth from the bosom of the Father and flooded the entire world, be light for all who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

You became a little child and lay in a manger, renew in us the simplicity of little children.

For our sake you became the living bread of eternal life, fill us with joy through the sacrament of your altar.

Closing Prayer:
My love for you is so imperfect, Lord. I know I am filled with fear and yet I long to taste the depths of your love.

Give me the joy of lasting peace and fill my heart with so much love that there is no more room for the worry and dread. Open my eyes to those around me and give me the courage to act in justiceto make their lives better as you would do for me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Let us all be greatful! Daily Prayer for Tuesday, January 9, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father, your Son became like us when he revealed himself in our nature: help us to become more like him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. 1 John 4

O God, give your judgment to the king; your justice to the son of kings; That he may govern your people with justice, your oppressed with right judgment, ...That he may defend the oppressed among the people, save the poor and crush the oppressor. Psalm 72

His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ...They all ate and were satisfied. Mark 4

Jesus is full of compassion for us in his unconditional love for us. Even when it seems impossible, he still shows us the way and nourishes us with his love.

May we be grateful for his love for us these days. May we be like him in our love for one another.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Let us rejoice in the compassion of Christ, who came to free mankind from the slavery of corruption and to give us the freedom of the sons of God. Trusting in this divine compassion, we plead: By your birth, deliver us from evil.

Lord, you existed before the ages, yet you entered into a new life, renew us continually through the mystery of your birth.

Without surrendering your divinity, you wondrously took on our humanity, grant that our lives may press on to a fuller participation in your divinity.

You came to be a light to the nations, the teacher of holiness, let your words be a light along our way.

Word of God made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, you entered this world, live in our hearts always through faith.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, you became one of us on this earth. What I want now is to be more like you: more compassionate and patient, more guided by your Holy Spirit.

'In this is love.' It is impossible to believe in the kind of love you have for me. If only I believed it how different my life would be! It seems impossible that you could love me as you do and yet you are the very center of that impossible love. Help me to be more grateful for all you have given me so that my response might be one of generosity to you and those you have placed in my life.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Monday, January 5, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Lord, let the light of your glory shine within us, and lead us through the darkness of this world to the radiant joy of our eternal home.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus. 1 John 3

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt. 4

Jesus hears that John has been jailed. He realizes his time has come. He begins by quoting Isaiah, chapter 8. He is the light who has come into our lives, which are so often overshadowed by death, in so many ways.

In this week after Epiphany, let us keep letting the light shine into the places of darkness within us and around us. And where we have seen and felt his enlightening, freeing presence, let us continue to rejoice with Christmas joy.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
All the ends of the earth have seen Jesus Christ, the saving power of God. Let us praise him and cry out in joy: Glory be to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Redeemer of all, you came to tear down the walls separating Jew from Gentile root out the prejudices which erode the depths of our humanity.

Through your incarnation and your birth you established your presence among us, teach us to recognize the many forms of your presence in the Church and in one another.

You are the fullest revelation of God to men and women, show us how we can assent to your word with integrity of faith and action.

You are God-with-us, wondrously transforming all creation, let every heart, every voice, every deed throughout the universe now be transformed.

Closing Prayer:
Radiance. Your radiant light blazes in my world today. I know I will have difficult times and the darkness will gather around me again. But today the shining light of your love comes into my life and frees me.

There are other days that are shadowy, when I don't always know where I am going, Lord. When the gloom gathers in my life, lead me through it. I will reach out my hand in the darkness, put aside my fears and walk next to you, comforted by your presence and the warmth of your unending love.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Feast of the Epiphany - January 4, 2009

Daily Prayer
"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Entrance Antiphon:
The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray(that we will be guided by the light of faith) Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray(grateful for the glory revealed today through God made man)
Father of light, unchanging God, today you reveal to people of faith the resplendent fact of the Word made flesh.

Your light is strong, your love is near; draw us beyond the limits which this world imposes, to the life where your Spirit makes all life complete.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. Isaiah 60

May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute, the kings of Arabia and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him. For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. Psalm 72

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3

This great feast celebrated in the East as the Baptism of the Lord - is a feast of "revelation." Jesus is the beloved Son of God, a light for the whole world, the very one who comes to us in time, this year,to be our savior: to rescue the poor, to hear our cry,to save us in our need, in our poverty.

May we bring him the gifts of our faith and trust and hope. May we recognize him as our savior who gave his own life to set us free from the power of sin and death.Come, let us adore him.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Today our Savior was adored by the Magi. Let us also worship him with joy as we pray Light from Light, shine on us this day.

Christ, you revealed yourself in the flesh, sanctify us through prayer and the word of God.
Christ, your witness was the Spirit, free our lives from the spirit of doubt.
Christ, you revealed yourself to the angels, help us to feel the joy of heaven on earth.
Christ, you were proclaimed to the nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit open the hearts of all.
Christ, you generated faith in the world, renew the faith of all believers.
Christ, you were taken up in glory, enkindle in us a longing for your kingdom.

Closing Prayer:
Light of the world, You have come into my life; you are here for me in my poverty. I am dazzled by the gifts you bring to me on this day:"Your light is strong, your love is near."

Truly you have drawn me far beyond the limits of the world,and into the limit less boundaries of your dizzying love. My gifts are small, and often filled with fear. They are my trust and my hope.

Please accept them and heal me and let me be free enough to rejoice that you are the Beloved Sonand that you have come for me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for Saturday January 3, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
All powerful Father, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to bring the new light of salvation to the world. May he enlighten us with his radiance, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 2

(John) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. John 1

John recognizes Jesus, from the Light that descended from Heaven, and invites the disciples - and us - to recognize Jesus. He's the one who takes away our sins.

May we continue to welcome him, more deeply into our hearts this week. May we continue to celebrate the gift we havein Jesus, now, and where we need it.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us glorify the Word of God who was revealed in the flesh, appeared to the angels, and was proclaimed to the nations. Let us faithfully acknowledge him: We adore you, only begotten Son of the Father.

Liberator of mankind, through the Virgin Mary you came to renew us, through her intercession keep us from our old ways.

You made your uncreated justice radiate from heaven to earth, direct our days and our nights in the brightness of the Sun.

Son of God, you have shown us the Father’s love, help us to show him to one another by our love.

You chose to dwell with us, make us worthy of your companionship.

Closing Prayer:
Lord of Light, how many times do I walk by youand not see you?

You have come onto this earth to live in my life and embrace the humanity of us all. I ask that you give me the light to see you and to recognize your presence in others. Take away my sins: my sins of blindness and ignorance and of indifference.

Help me to share in your great and compassionate heart and the loving vision with which you see each one of us.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Daily Prayer for January 2, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God our Father,when your Son was born of the Virgin Mary he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in him be free from our sinful ways.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. 1 John 2

John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." John 1

Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. All that has prepared us for his coming gives witness to his presence with us now.

May we remain in the one who has come to be with us.

May we place our trust in the one who promises us life.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Let us joyfully invoke the Son of God, our Redeemer, who became man in order to restore man: Be with us, Emmanuel.

Jesus, Son of the living God, King of glory, and Son of the Virgin Mary, brighten this day with the glory of your incarnation.

Jesus, Wonder-Counselor, Mighty -God, Father of the future, Prince of peace, direct our lives according to the holiness of your human nature.

Jesus, all-powerful, patient, obedient, meek and humble of heart, show the power of your gentleness to all.

Jesus, Father of the poor, immeasurable goodness, our way and our life, grant your Church the spirit of poverty.

Closing Prayer:
I beg you, Lord, give me the sight I needso that I can see you in those around me and welcome you into my heartwith the joy of celebration.

If only my eyes could be opened! Give me the wisdom and internal vision to see and I will recognize you as my saviornot only in my heart today but in my life every day.

I ask that you help me to open my heart more fullyto your own dizzying love for me. Help me to be grateful for your incredible gifts to me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Sixth Day in the Christmas Octave - December 30

Daily Prayer:
"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Ever-living God, in the birth of your Son our religion has its origin and its perfect fulfillment. Help us to share in the life of Christ for he is the salvation of all, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do. 1 John 2

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God. John 1

The beginning of this gospel is so simple and so profound. Depending on what has been going on in us this week, this reading can pull it all together, or at least lead us to find our hope in him."From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace."

No one has ever seen God. The only begotten Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him. John 1

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Humbly yet confidently, let us invoke Christ the Lord whose favor has been shown to all people:

Lord, have mercy. Christ, born of the Father before the ages, splendor of his glory, image of his being, your word holds all creation in being, we ask you to give new life to our world through your Gospel. Christ, you were born into the world at the fullness of time to save us and to give freedom to every creature, we ask you to extend the liberty of our relationship with you to all people. Christ, consubstantial Son of the Father, begotten before the dawn of day, and born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of the scriptures, we ask you to make your Church a notable exception of poverty and simplicity. Christ, God and man, Lord of David and Son of David, fulfillment of all prophecies, we pray that Israel may recognize you as its Messiah.

Closing Prayer:
God of all beginnings, thank you for choosing me, for giving me the great gift of faith.
Guide me to a better understanding of your Word, and help to strengthen my faith. I am so grateful to you for your many gifts given so lavishly in your generous love and for the fulfillment of your promises through the birth of your son. The profound truth is beyond my understanding but I am filled with hope and peace in your word.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Fifth Day in the Christmas Octave - December 29

Daily Prayer:
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Opening Prayer:
All powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world h as made the darkness vanish. Teach us to proclaim the birth of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,One God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:

Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. 1 John 2

Today we can contemplate Mary and Joseph hearing Simeon's prophesy, including the part where Simeon addresses Mary. He tells her that her Son is a sign that will be contradicted and that a sword would pass through her own heart.

Let's pray today in gratitude to Mary for her parting our salvation story.

Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people,a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." Simeon, Luke 2

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Because God has been merciful to us and sent his Son to us,the Prince of peace, let us cry out with confidence: Peace to his people on earth. Almighty God, Father of the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Church now celebrates your saving love, graciously receive our praise. From the very beginning you promised us your victory through Christ our Savior, let all be enlightened by the good news.

In praise of your Son whose coming was joyously forseen by Abraham, hoped for by the patriarchs, announced by the prophets and yearned for by the Gentiles, save the whole people of Israel. You wished the birth of your Son to be proclaimed by angelsand to be praised by the apostles, martyrs and faithful of all ages, grant the world that peace which the angels proclaimed.

Closing Prayer:
Lord of light,the darkness has vanished in the worldand I want to joyfully proclaim your presence in my life.I want my life to be like Mary's, a "Yes" to your call to my heart.
Let me always be aware of the darkness in my own heartand I ask for a greater desire to live your love in my life.

I humbly beg for the grace to be aware that your love is the light that guides my lifeand gives me the strength to withstand the swords that will pierce my heart.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Feast of the Holy Family - December 28

Daily Prayer:
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Entrance Antiphon:
The shepherds hastened to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Luke 2:16

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray for peace in our families: Father, help us to live as the holy family,united in respect and love. Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray, as the family of God, who share in his life: Father in heaven, creator of all, You ordered the earth to bring forth life and crowned its goodness by creating the human.In history’s moment when all was ready, you sent your Son to dwell in time, obedient to the laws of life in our world.

Teach us the sanctity of human love, show us the value of family life,and help us to live in peace with all that we may share in your life for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
Blessed are those that fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Psalm 128
Every son or daughter can read the first reading and let it be a life long guide. The second reading is a wonderful guide for family life. We could all do well to prepare our New Year's resolution desires from here. The gospel is from Luke and brings us back to Mary. A sword will pass through her faithful heart.

May God bless all our families with fidelity and courage in loving as we have been loved.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,the peace into which you were also called in one body.And be thankful. Colossians 3

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions: Let us adore the Son of the living God who humbled himself to become a son of human family, and let us beseech him: Jesus, you became obedient; sanctify us.

Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, you made yourself subject to Mary and Joseph, teach us humility. You are our teacher, and your own mother pondered in her heart every one of your words and deeds, make us attentive to your word, and let us ponder it in hearts that are pure and good.

Christ, by your work the world was made, but you were willing to be called a worker’s son, teach us to work diligently. Jesus, in the family at Nazareth you grew in wisdom, age and grace before God and men, help us to grow in all things toward you, our head.

Closing Prayer:
God of such faithfulness,we are a big and messy family; both as humans and in my own family. Help me today to be especially patient and loving, and to forgive those who have hurt me. We may not look like "The Holy Family" I see in paintings, yet we are united with Jesus, Mary and Joseph because in your great love for us you sent your son to live in this world and to share in our human experience.

Sometimes I forget the sacredness of our family life and the privilege it is to be together in this bond. Help me not only love others as you love us,but to be more aware of those families in the world who struggle so much with poverty, war and disease. Help me to pray with and for them today and to carry an awareness of all families fleeing for safety, longing for the peace you offer to us all.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

St. Stephen Prayers- December 26

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Lord, today we celebrate the entrance of St. Stepheninto eternal glory.

He died praying for those who killed him. Help us to imitate his goodness and to love our enemies.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Daily Meditation:
The gates of heaven opened for Stephen, the first of the martyrs; in heaven, he wears the crown of victory.

We remember the first martyr today to emphasize the invitation we haveas followers of Jesus to witness to his presence in our world, even whenit is unpopular, counter-cultural, or may even cost us our lives.

May we ask for the grace today to pray for our enemies and to surrender even our lives in sharing this Good News with others.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Our Savior's faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them: You redeemed us by your blood.
Your martyrs freely embraced death in bearing witness for the faith,- give us the true freedom of the Spirit, O Lord.

Your martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood,- give us a faith, O Lord, that is constant and pure.Your martyrs followed in your footstep by carrying the cross, help us to endure courageously the misfortunes of life.

Your martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, help us to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

Closing Prayer:
God of all great love, you know how full of courage Stephen was and how full of fears I am.
Help me to have the strength to be a witness for my faith, standing up for those who are weaker, speaking out for what I believe, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.
Also give me a share in your compassion and understanding that I might pray for those who oppose me,those who ridicule me, and those who dismiss me.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Advent Prayers for December 25, 2008 - Christmas Day

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Entrance Antiphon:
A light will shine on us this day,the Lord is born for us: he shall be called Wonderful God,Prince of Peace, Father of the world to come; and his kingship will never end. (Isaiah 9:2,6; Luke 1:33)

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray that the love of Christ will be a light to the world.
Father, we are filled with the new light by the coming of your Word among us. May the light of faith shine in our words and actions.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray for the peace that comes from the Prince of Peace.
Almighty God and Father of light, a child is born for us and a son is given to us. Your Eternal Word leaped down from heavenin the silent watches of the night,and now your Church is filled with wonder at the nearness of her God.

Open our hearts to receive his life and increase our vision with the rising of dawn, that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation: A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
As we are gathering for our Christmas celebration this morning,the story of the shepherds reminds us that the good news is for the poor. As we arrive, dressed in our Christmas finest, let us remember that the good news is address to what is poor in us. Jesus comes in poverty so we will always know that we are never alone,even when we are overwhelmed by fear, anxiety or any discouragement or disillusionment.

Let us sing this morning with hearts that are grateful,glorifying and praising God. And let us never forget the shepherds that he brought so much joy to,as we accept our mission to bring joy to a worldhungering for justice and peace.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Ps. 25

Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
The Word of God existed before the creation of the universe yet was born among us in time.We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy. Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come!You are the eternal Word of God who flooded the world with joy at your birth, fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life.You saved us and by your birth revealed to us the covenant faithfulness of the Lord, help us to be faithful to the promises of our baptism. You are the King of heaven and earth who sent messengers to announce peace to all, let our lives be filled with your peace.You are the true vine that brings forth the fruit of life, make us branches of the vine bearing much fruit.

Closing Prayer:
My heart is filled with wonderand my soul bursts with joy.at your nearness to me, dear Lord.
As the dawn rises, so do my spiritsand I sense your presence in this jubilant light. I feel like one of the shepherds in your presence, humble and so very aware of my poverty but so willing to spread the joyful news.

I just want to sing out, Lord. My voice is rising and my soul is opening up to you. Thank you for coming into my very poor life. I feel joy and hope and love.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

December 24 Daily Advent Prayer

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
God of love and mercy, help us to follow the example of Mary, always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel she welcomed your eternal Son and, filled with the light of your Spirit, she became the temple of your Word, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Mary could become the "temple of God's Word" because she was so ready to do God's will. As we approach this anniversary of our redemption, let's spend the day placing our life in God's hands embracing the ways he will come to us and let us be his instruments for others.

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions: To Christ our Lord, the light of the world , let us cry with joy: Come Lord Jesus!

Dispel our darkness with the light of your presence, and make us worthy of your gifts. Save us, Lord our God, that we may praise your holy name this day. Enkindle in our hearts the flame of your love, and make us long to be united with you. You bore our infirmity, aid the sick and those who are to die this day.

Closing Prayer:
Oh, God with us, for so long you have promised forgiveness, peace, salvation. Now in my heart, I am filled with joy because of your coming.

Thank you for your promises and for the way I can trust in you. I feel a new freedom in my life and a courage I have not known before.

I know you came to save me and bring new life and I am so grateful to you. Let me show my thankfulness with my life. You have brought me through the darkness and into the light of your saving grace.

Guide my feet on the way of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

December 23 Daily Advent Prayer

Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Opening Prayer:
Father, we contemplate the birth of your Son. He was born of the Virgin Mary and came to live among us. May we receive forgiveness and mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. When Zechariah could say "John," that is, "God is Gracious," he was freed to give thanks and praise to God.

Let's each of us express our gratitude to our God for coming to be with us, for forgiving our sins, for saving us from the power of death. Let's ask that we might be purified of all self-love that we might receive his coming to us this week.

But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye.

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:To God our Father who sent his Son to save mankind: Show us your mercy, Lord.
Father most merciful, we confess our faith in your Christ with our words, keep us from denying him in our actions.

You have sent your Son to rescue us, remove every sorrow from the face of the earth and from our country.

Our land looks forward with delight at the approach of your Son, let it experience the fullness of your joy.

Through your mercy make us live holy and chaste lives in this world,-eagerly awaiting the blessed hope and coming of Christ in glory.

O EMMANUEL, God with us, Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour: Come to save us, O Lord our God

Closing Prayer:
Oh, Emmanuel, "God-with-Us," You have touched me; you are God-with-Me.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer. In the spirit of the season my waiting, my patience, feels sacred.

Refine and purify my heart with the hottest flame of your love. Give me the courage of your prophets and let me do what is right even when others don't understand.

Bless my heart with generosity and make me ready to receive you.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

December 22 Daily Advent Prayer

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Opening Prayer: God our Father,you sent your Son,to free us from the power of death.May we who celebrate the coming of Christ in the fleshshare more fully in his divine life,for he lives and reigns with youand the Holy Spirit,one God, forever and ever. Amen

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation: And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my savior."
Mary's response (the Gospel) based upon Hannah's prayer (Responsorial Psalm) can be our prayer today.Our anticipation of the coming of our Lord into our hearts grows as we praise God for coming to us in our lowliness.
My heart exults in the Lord, my savior.

Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions: To Christ our Redeemer, who comes to save us from our sins, let us cry out with joy: Come, Lord Jesus! The prophets of old foretold your birth among us, now make virtue come to life in us.We proclaim your saving work, now grant us your salvation. You came to heal the contrite, heal the weakness of your people.You came and saw fit to reconcile the world,- when you come again in judgment, free us from the torments of punishment.

O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver us, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.

Closing Prayer:
Oh, king of us all. I find myself standing before your strength and splendor watching, waiting and filled with total joy.
You have lifted my mind in hope. Now help me to open my life the the coming of the Spirit.
I want to be like Mary, your mother. Her wonderful courage and strength inspire me to do the same. She simply said Yes and the impossible was done.

Thank you for this Advent journey. The anticipation has filled my life and made me long for a closer relationship with you.

My life gets so busy that I forget to focus. Thank you for guidance. Thank you for the quiet moments when I have felt your love.

Nothing will be impossible with God.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Daily Advent Prayer

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Entrance Antiphon:
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray as Advent draws to a close, that Christ will truly come into our hearts.
Lord, fill our hearts with your love, and as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son as man, so lead us through his suffering and death to the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Alternative Opening Prayer:
Let us pray, as Advent draws to a close for the faith that opens our lives to the spirit of God.
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Today's Readings
Daily Meditation:
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,and of his kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1

On this last Sunday of Advent, we quietly reflect on the mystery. We rest in awe, in wonder, at how our God entered our world and came to be with us. We pause to receive the gift offered us: that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and that Jesus will really come into our hearts.
May we have watchful hope today, believing what the Lord promises us. Let us pray today, that we might be God's servants, that we might be instruments of God's love for our families and all we serve this week.

I will give you rest from all your enemies 2 Sam. 7

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.May it be done to me according to your word.” - Lk. 1
Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
To the Lord, Jesus Christ, judge of the living and the dead, let us pray: Come, Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus, you came to save sinners,- protect us in times of temptation. You will come in glory to be our judge,- show in us your power to save. Help us to keep the precepts of your law with strength of Spirit,- and to look forward in love to your coming. You are praised throughout the ages; in your mercy help us to live devoutly and temperately in this life,- as we wait in joyful hope for the revelation of your glory.

O Dawn of the East, brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice; Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Closing Prayer:
Loving God, It is growing in my heart: An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me; Like the sun rising in the East to warm and comfort my life and to bring new growth.

Thank you for these weeks of prayer. In the spirit of the season my waiting, my patience, feels sacred.

Bless my heart with generosity and make me ready to receive you.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come!