A LAMP TO MY FEET. A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is

– His good, pleasing and perfect will.

.

– Romans 12:2 (NIV)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

It is not simply a matter

of not, outwardly, conforming to an increasingly ungodly world.

.

It is more a matter of renewing and transforming the mind,

and our way of thinking

and the reasoning behind our actions.
The world, after all, is full of actions,

which in themselves may be virtuous and praiseworthy.

.

A true inward spiritual transformation is life-changing

and as we entrust our reasons and objectives totally to God,

submitting ourselves faithfully to His will,

we will be able to see for ourselves

how truly good and pleasing and perfect is God’s will.

.

.

.

QUOTE…

.

“May the Virgin Mary teach and help us

to make of our life a humble and joyful hymn of praise to God,

in whose eyes one act of love is more valuable than grandiose enterprises.

.

May Mary sustain us in our daily effort

so that…we do not conform ourselves to the mentality of the world,

but renew our mind to be able to discern the will of God.”

.

– Pope John Paul II

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Yes, Sweet Mother of God,

teach me

and help me make my life

a humble and joyful hymn of praise to the Lord my God.

.

Mary, full of grace,

sustain me in my daily effort not to conform to the mentality of the world.

.

Pray for me, Most Loving Mother,

that I shall always say “Yes” to the Spirit,

that my mind be renewed

and that I am able to discern the will of God.

.

Pray for me, O Holy Mother of God,

that I may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Sweet Mother of God,

help me make my life

a humble and joyful hymn of praise to the Lord my God.

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

By prayer we can discern “what is the will of God”

and obtain the endurance to do it. (Rom 12:2)

Jesus teaches us that one enters the kingdom of heaven

not by speaking words,

but by doing “the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 7:21)

.

[CCC 2826]

.

.

“If any one is a worshipper of God and does His will,

God listens to him.” (Jn 9:31)

.

Such is the power of the Church’s prayer in the name of her Lord,

above all in the Eucharist.

Her prayer is also a communion of intercession

with the all-holy Mother of God

and all the saints

who have been pleasing to the Lord because they willed His will alone. […]

.

[CCC 2827]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
if we endure, we will also reign with Him;
if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
if we are faithless, He remains faithful
– for He cannot deny Himself.

.

– 2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NRSV)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

Through Baptism

the Christian becomes a sharer in the passion, death and burial of the Lord,

and also in the glory of His resurrection.

Grace is the supernatural life

and that life will attain its full form in heaven.

.

Christians have a stark choice to make in the face of difficulties –

the choice is between endurance, or denial of the faith.

If we focus on Christ, rather than on ourselves,

we will endure and be faithful

and we will also reign with Him.

.

What encourages and reinforces our Christian endurance,

to stay faithful – come what may –

even in the face of adverse circumstances .

is our Lord’s eternal faithfulness.

.

.

.

QUOTE…

.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to Your name goes all the glory
for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.”

.

– Psalm 115:1

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

I give You glory, O Lord,

I give You honour and thanks,

for You are my God

and there is none like You.

.

O faithful God,

Your unfailing love and Your truth

fill me with hope.

.

When I hold out my hand to You

and allow You to lead and guide me,

I am strengthened and renewed,

and I experience incomparable love, joy and peace

that cause my heart to gladly acknowledge and proclaim

that You are Lord!

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Lord, Your faithfulness fills me with hope!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

The divine name, “I Am” or “He Is”, expresses God’s faithfulness:

despite the faithlessness of men’s sin and the punishment it deserves,

He keeps “steadfast love for thousands.” (Ex 34:7)

.

By going so far as to give up His own Son for us,

God reveals that He is “rich in mercy.” (Eph 2:4)

.

By giving His life to free us from sin,

Jesus reveals that He Himself bears the divine name:

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man,

then you will realise that “I AM””(Jn 8:28)

.

[CCC 211]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Jesus said,

“How happy are those who hear the Word of God and obey it!”

.

– Luke 11:28 (GNT)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

Perfect faithfulness to God’s Word means

that it must be lived and put into practice

sincerely, unstintingly,

fulfilling its every consequence,

but never amid fanfare,

rather in the hidden and silent sacrifice of each day.

.

How happy are those who humbly and lovingly search…

seeking the deep spiritual sense of God’s plan for them!

.

How happy are those who, having searched,

find themselves open to receive and ready to accept

without completely understanding God’s plan!

.

How happy are those who, having received and accepted,

live in accordance with what they believe,

adapting their own life to God’s plan as it unfolds!

.

How happy are those whose faithfulness to God endures and is constant!

.

.

.

QUOTE…

.

“All faithfulness must pass the most exacting test, that of duration. […]

.

It is easy to be consistent for a day or two.

It is difficult and important to be consistent for one’s whole life.

.

It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm,

it is difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation.

.

And only a consistency that lasts throughout the whole life

can be called faithfulness.”

.

– Pope John Paul II

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Lord God, I believe!

I believe and my souls thirsts for You,

and I need You so much

to guide me

and to make me strong and consistent,

treasuring every moment of my relationship with You.

.

Please help me be faithful to You

as Your plan for me unfolds.

Help me know and accept that You are in control of my life

.

My God, help me be faithful to Your Word

– today…and always.

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

My God, help me be faithful to You – today…and always.

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

…the Creed’s final “Amen”

repeats and confirms its first words: “I believe.”

.

To believe

is to say “Amen” to God’s words, promises and commandments;

to entrust oneself completely to Him

who is the “Amen” of infinite love and perfect faithfulness.

.

The Christian’s everyday life will then be the “Amen”

to the “I believe” of our baptismal profession of faith:

.

May your Creed be for you as a mirror.

Look at yourself in it, to see if you believe everything you say you believe.

And rejoice in your faith each day.

[CCC 1064]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Truly my soul finds rest in God;

my salvation comes from Him.

.

– Psalm 62:1 (NIV)

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

You

and only You, are my Lord,

and my soul finds rest in You alone.

.

There is none like You, my God,

nothing and no one compares to You.

.

You are my Maker,

You are the One whose love is incomparable,

You are my salvation,

Master of everything.

.

You alone are worthy to be praised.

You are everything to me

and my soul sings out with joy.

.

Alleluia. Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

My Lord, my God, You are everything to me!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

Faith in God leads us to turn to Him alone

as our first origin and our ultimate goal,

and neither to prefer anything to Him

nor to substitute anything for Him.

[CCC 229]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Oh, the joys

of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

.

But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

.

– Psalm 1 (NLT)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

God turns a loving gaze

upon all those who desire to do His will

and to walk in His ways.

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Dear God, most wonderful Creator,

in whom and in whose ways I find my delight,

please give me the wisdom to seek Your will every day of my life,

and create in me a desire to know Your truth

and an insight on how to live that truth.

.

I know Your Holy Spirit is in me to refresh me

and to help me on my journey,

as I seek to please You,

to praise and bless You forever,

and to thank You for all the ways in which You have blessed me.

.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Water of Life that never runs dry.
Help me as I seek to immerse myself in Your Word,

and with my determination to live it

not as a burden,

but as a pure joy.

.

For this I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen..

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Word; for Your Water of Life!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

The Holy Spirit is the living water

“welling up to eternal life”(Jn 4:14) in the heart that prays.

It is He who teaches us to accept it at its source: Christ.

.

Indeed in the Christian life there are several wellsprings

where Christ awaits us to enable us to drink of the Holy Spirit.

.

[CCC 2652]

.

.

The Church forcefully and specially

exhorts all the Christian faithful

…to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Phil 3:8)

by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.

.

Let them remember, however,

that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture,

so that a dialogue takes place between God and man.

For ‘we speak to Him when we pray;

we listen to Him when we read the Divine Oracles.‘ (St. Ambrose)

.

[CCC 2653]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord,

for I cry to You all the day long.

Give joy to Your servant, O Lord,

for to You I lift up my soul.

.

You, O Lord, have mercy and compassion.

O Lord, You are good and forgiving,

full of love to all who call.

Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer

and attend to the sound of my voice.

.

– Psalm 86:3-6 (The Grail Psalms)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

Are you feeling down today?

Is it something you did or said,

which you know you should not have?

.

Is it that lack of self-control

you have on your nerves,

on your habits, your vices,

your thoughts,

your tongue…?

.

Is it that particular weakness in your character

that keeps letting you down

…and pulling you down?

.

Are you angry with yourself,

especially because you feel that,

once again, you have let God down;

that you have not kept your promise;

that you have succumbed to your weakness

…yet again?

.

Do you feel lost for words before God

…tongue-tied…and embarrassed?

..

If yes, then He has sent today’s reading

specifically for you

…for you to make it your prayer to Him!

.

Go to that quite place,

bow humbly before Him,

thank Him for giving you the grace

of recognising your wrong-doings and omissions

…and He will pick you up

and hold you to Him

and tell you that He loves you.

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord,

for I cry to You all the day long.

Give joy to Your servant, O Lord,

for to You I lift up my soul.

You, O Lord, have mercy and compassion.

O Lord, You are good and forgiving,

full of love to all who call.

Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer

and attend to the sound of my voice.

.

Forgive me, Lord.

Heal me, Lord.

Please hear my prayer, Lord.

.

.

.

Thank You, Lord.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Please hear my prayer, Lord. Have mercy on me.

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin

is a process born of the grace of God

who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men.

One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.

[CCC 1489]

.

.

The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance,

entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed,

and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future.

Conversion touches the past and the future

and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.

[CCC 1490]

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

If You, O Lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?

But with You is found forgiveness:

for this we revere You.

.

– Psalm 130:3-4 (The Grail Psalms)

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Yes Lord,

if You were to keep a record of my sins

I wouldn’t stand a chance.

.

But You, my God, are so kind,

and so generous with Your love.

.

You seek a humble and contrite heart,

and, time and time again,

as soon as I approach You as my Lord,

and seek Your pardon and forgiveness,

You take me into Your saving arms

and whisper: “go, and sin nor more.”(Jn 8:11)

.

Lord, strengthen my resolve

and my self-control.

.

Thank You, O Lord my God.

Forgive me, O Lord my God.

I worship You, O Lord my God.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Forgive me Lord.

Strengthen my resolve…and my self-control.

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

Penance requires the sinner

to endure all things willingly,

be contrite of heart,

confess with the lips,

and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction.

.

[CCC 1450]

.

.

Among the penitent’s acts

contrition occupies first place.

Contrition is "sorrow of the soul

and detestation for the sin committed,

together with the resolution not to sin again."(Council of Trent (1551))

.

[CCC 1451]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

God gave us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

Whoever has the Son has life;

whoever does not have the Son of God

does not have life.

.

– 1 John 5:11-12 (NRSV)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

God has given us life in Christ.

.

Christ is the Son of God,

and His words, miracles, passion and death,

and His resurrection

are, for us Christians, evidence of His divinity.

.

Eternal life comes through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,

who is always present in the Holy Eucharist.

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is, therefore,

the most powerful means we have to reach our eternal destiny.

.

.

.

QUOTE…

.

Jesus said,

“Very truly, I tell you,

unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood,

you have no life in you.

.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood

have eternal life,

and I will raise them up on the last day;

for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.

Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood

abide in me, and I in them.”

.

– John 6:53-56 (NRSV)

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Lord God,

thank You for Your sanctifying grace

and for adopting me as a child of Yours

and making me an heir of heaven.

.

Lord Jesus, come and stay in my heart;

have mercy on me;

teach me; heal me; forgive me;

and carry me through life.

.

Holy Spirit, fill me with Your presence;

fill me with Your love;

fill me with Your anointing.

.

Lord God, make me worthy

to live in eternal happiness

with You.

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Lord Jesus come, stay in my heart…and give me life!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

Holy Communion augments our union with Christ.

The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion

is an intimate union with Christ Jesus.

Indeed, the Lord said:

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”(Jn 6:56)

.

Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet:

“As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father,

so he who eats me will live because of me.”(Jn 6:57)

.

On the feasts of the Lord,

when the faithful receive the Body of the Son,

they proclaim to one another the Good News that the first fruits of life have been given,

as when the angel said to Mary Magdalene, “Christ is risen!”

Now too are life and resurrection conferred on whoever receives Christ.

.

[CCC 1391]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

“Increase our faith!”

.

– Luke 17:5 (NRSV)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

We need perseverance and humility.

The way to follow to be with Jesus and like Jesus

must be taken with a determined faith,

and dedicated humility.

.

As we follow Jesus,

we feel inadequate

and consequently we ask Jesus to ”increase our faith.”

.

Faith is to settle permanently in God,

and it is really not a matter of quantity

but of quality;

of authenticity

rather than of effort.

.

Each one of us, in our everyday life,

can bear witness to Christ,

through God’s grace

with the power of faith

– the authentic, humble yet strong faith

that we get from God in prayer.

.

“Prayer is the breath of faith.” – Pope Francis

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

My Lord, my God,

I believe – I have faith.

I do put my confidence in You,

but I fear that my faith is not as strong as it should be.

.

Lord, heal the shortcomings of my faith.

Make me more determined

and give me the strength and grace

to always put all my trust in You.

.

Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

…..

Lord, increase my faith!

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Lord, strengthen my faith!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

Just as Jesus prays to the Father

and gives thanks before receiving His gifts,

so he teaches us filial boldness:

“Whatever you ask in prayer,

believe that you receive it, and you will.”(Mk 11:24)

.

Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: “all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mk 9:23)

.

[…]

[CCC 2610]

.

.

The prayer of faith consists not only in saying “Lord, Lord,”

but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father. […]

.

[CCC 2611]

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Be consecrated to Me,

because I, the Lord, am Holy,

and I will set you apart from all these peoples

so that you may be Mine.

.

– Leviticus 20:26(JB)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

God wants to set us apart

from those who follow the ways of the world

but it is, as always, up to us

to decide which way, or who, to follow.

.

One way, is to seek to follow a good life,

consecrated to God

and based on following the path of fulfilling altruistic love,

genuineness and truth.

.

The other way, is to blindly go with the flow

into the glittering world

of multiple and instant, though short-lived, moments of self-satisfaction

– a toxic concoction of deception and dishonesty,

leading to self-destruction.

.

The decision is ultimately ours.

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Lord,

set me apart.

.

I don’t want to go

where so many seem to be heading to.

.

Lord, I want to go

where You want to take me

– I want to go with You.

.

Lord, I am Yours.

All that I have…is Yours,

and I have nothing

if I do not have You

in my heart.

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Lord, set me apart – I am Yours!

.

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life.

The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens

signifies cleansing and strengthening;

the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort.

The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination

is the sign of consecration.

.

By Confirmation

Christians, that is, those who are anointed,

share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ

and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which He is filled,

so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ." (2 Cor 2:15)

.

[CCC1294]

.

.

.