Are my possessions safe? - Thursday, March 31st

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 11: 14-23
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

• against: in opposition to; in competition with; in an opposite direction to
• How do I guard the "palace" of my own soul, of the souls of my loved ones?  Am I aware of the many influences around me that are "against" my faith and morals?  How do I respond to the culture without closing myself off?  How do I teach my children to have this security in their convictions?
• gather: to bring together (harvest, pick); to assemble from various places or sources; to draw about or close to something; to collect
• What tools are at my disposal to bring together and bolster my faith, and the faith of others?  Do I take comfort in knowing that I am gathering with Christ - that He is present with His grace in all I do for Him?
• scatter: to fling away heedlessly; to divide into ineffectual small portions; to separate and go in various directions
• How often do I, myself, feel scattered?  Is this a consequence of not "gathering with Christ" - of allowing myself to be bombarded by temptations and influences stronger than what I can handle on my own?  Do I know that Jesus is always there, just waiting to help me? - I just have to ask.

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

What will I be called in the Kingdom of Heaven? - Wednesday, March 30th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

• fulfill: to perform or do, as duty; to develop the full potential of; to put into effect; to convert into reality.
• The law was given to the Israelites as part of their covenant with God - how do I "develop the full potential" of the commandments in my life?  Or is my sense of fulfillment legalistic and mere duty?
• obey (obeys): to comply with or follow the commands, instructions or guidance of; to comply with or follow; to conform in action to
• The commandments are given to us not because God wants to "ruin our lives" and take all the fun out of life - do I see them for what they are, instruments of God's fatherly guidance to live a truly happy life?  How much true happiness have I found in breaking the commandments?
• teach (teaches): to impart knowledge or skill; to instruct by precept, example or experience.
• Teaching the fulfillment of the commandments leads to being greatest, teaching to break them leads to being least - through my words and actions, at home, at work, among friends - will I be least or greatest in the Kingdom?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Forgiveness from the Inside Out - Tuesday, March 29th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 18: 21-35
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

• patient: bearing trials or pains calmly or without complaint; steadfast despite opposition or difficulty; bearing misfortune or hardship with fortitude.
• Did the Master forgive the debt because the payment really didn't matter to him?  Was it rather that he saw the servant/debtor saw him as a fellow human being, and moved by his humility in asking for understanding?  How often do I humble myself before God and ask for his mercy, in forgiveness, in prayers of petition and intercession?
• pity: sympathetic sorrow for one suffering, distressed or unhappy, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy.
• Do I have a sense of just how much God has forgiven me?  And moreso, how freely and unconditionally his forgiveness has been given?  How can I imitate this better with those I struggle to forgive, wanting, on some level, to receive retribution?
• heart: one's innermost character, feelings or inclinations; the essential or more vital part of something; the center of the total personality.
• Does God's forgiveness change my heart?  How can I let his love and mercy "sink in" deeper and affect my feelings and inclinations towards those who hurt or frustrate me, from the inside out?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

My Accepted Prophets - Monday, March 28th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 4: 24-30
Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

• prophet: a person who speaks for god or a deity, or by divine inspiration; a person who foretells or predicts what is to come; a person regarded as, or claiming to be, an inspired teacher or leader.
• Is Jesus Christ more than a prophet to me?  What other "prophets" - or inspired "teachings" (moral, historical, cultural, political, religious...) - do I adhere to?
• accept (accepted): to take or receive (something offered); receive with approval; to agree or consent to; to regard as true or sound; to make a favorable response to.
• If I look at my daily life, which "teachers" am I consenting to with greater frequency?  Are my actions in accord with truths, or the passing "prophet" proclaimed as such by the popular culture?
• fury: unrestrained or violent anger; violence; vehemence; intense, disordered and often destructive rage.
• How do I react to truth proclaimed about my own life?  Am I able to honestly look at myself, and calmly be honest about where and when I follow my convictions, and where and when I don't?  Are my insecurities such that they don't allow me to accept the truth about myself (both positive and negative), and rather force them out as unacceptable? 

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

A Spring Welling up to Eternal Life - Sunday, March 27th

Readings of the Day

Gospel:  John 4: 5-42
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.— Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?”

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”

At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, "Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him.

Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

• thirsty: deficient in moisture (parched); having a strong desire; eager.
• What do I thirst for?  How do I satisfy this thirst?  What is Christ thirsty for?  How do I satisfy His thirst?
• spring: a source of supply, especially a source of water issuing from the groung; an ultimate source of action or motion; fountainhead of something.
• What is the "water" Christ is speaking of that will be a spring for eternal life?  Do I see His grace in my life as such?  How do I foster and care for this spring?
• believe: to accept something as true; to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something; to have confidence in the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
• Is my belief in Christ my own, or based on others' beliefs?  Do I really believe?  Or do I seek and demand too many proofs?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

This Man Welcomes Sinners - Saturday, March 26th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So to them Jesus addressed this parable.  “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

• welcome: to greet the arrival of a person/guests with kindly courtesy; to accept with pleasure.
• How does "He welcomes sinners" speak to me?  When I have sinned or fallen short, do I feel myself welcomed by Christ and his forgiveness?  Or do I shy away and not want to admit my faults?
• embrace: to take or clasp in the arms; to receive eagerly; to encircle, surround; hug; cherish.
• Even before the son expressed his sorrow and asked for forgiveness, the father took him in his arms - do I grasp just how much God loves me, because He is my Father, even though I sin?  Have I experienced just how unconditional is His love and forgiveness?
• celebrate: to commemorate an event with festivities; to make known publicly; to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice.
• Do I celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation?  How do I help those close to me, and myself, not to be afraid of our sins, as long we seek God's mercy?  Do I put more importance on my image as righteous before others instead of availing myself of His forgiveness?  Do I realize the barrier this sets up between my soul and God's grace?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

...Sent from God - Friday, March 25th (The Annunciation)

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  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.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

• from: used to indicate source or origin; used as a function to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity.
• Do I live attentive to all that God wants to send me?  What, or who, else is the source and origin of my thoughts and actions?  Can I see God's hand in everything that comes to me - pleasant or uncomfortable?
• grace: favor or good will; moral strength; the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God; the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them; unmerited divine assistance given humans for their sanctification.
• What am I "full of"?  Do I allow God's freely given grace to sanctify me, to make me holy?  Do I long for and see more of His grace, especially through prayer and the sacraments?  Am I aware of how sin affects grace, and how confession restores it?
• handmaid: something whose essential function is to serve or assist; something that is necessarily subservient or subordinate to another.
• If one were to observe my actions and my thoughts - who, or what, would they see me serving?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

The Rich are Tormented, the Poor Comforted - Thursday, March 24th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’

He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

• rich: having abundant possessions and especially material wealth; well supplied or endowed; magnificently impressive; abounding in resources.
• Do I understand the riches include many things besides money and possessions?  In what ways am I rich?  Do I wrongly look at wealth as sinful - and the rich as automatically condemned?  Do I see it rather as a means to do good and serve others - and pray for the wealthy to be generous?
• poor: lacking material possessions; characterized by poverty; less than adequate; inferior in quality or value; having little or no money, goods or other means of support; deficient or lacking in something specified.
• Do I understand that poverty includes many things besides lack of money and possessions?  Oftentimes, the poor are just as attached to their possessions as the rich - am I detached from what I have, be it a lot or a little?  Do I trust in God's providence over my own desire to be self-sufficient?
• comfort (comforted): to give strength and hope to; to ease the grief or trouble of; consolation in time of trouble; a feeling of relief or encouragement; contented well-being; to soothe or reassure.
• What do I turn to as sources of comfort?  What relationships or activities might procure greater, truer comfort in my afflictions, whether they are associated to material wealth or not?
• torment (tormented): the infliction of torture; extreme pain or anguish of body or mind (agony); a source of vexation or pain; to cause severe usually persistent or recurrent distress of body or mind to; to afflict with great bodily or mental suffering.
• Do I see the tormented in my midst - both rich and poor?  Do I value relationships above all things?  Do I value my relationship with God above all other human relationships?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

The Son of Man is our Ransom - Wednesday, March 23rd

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 20: 17-28
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

• indignant: feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting or base.
• What causes feelings of indignance in me?  Seeing someone else's successes or advancements when I felt I was the one deserving?  Do I feel indignant at seeing true injustice, or mere indifference?  Is my concept of justice worldly, or in line with the full teaching of the Church?
• authority: the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; the right to control, demand or determine; a power or right delegated or given; an accepted source of information; power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.
• When I am/have been in positions of authority, do I "lord it over my subjects"?  How about my authority as a parent - do I exercise it for authority's sake?  Or do I misunderstand the authority-servant dynamic and serve my children in ways that don't respect the authority God wants me to have, so as to form my children's consciences and wills to know and choose the good?
• ransom: the redemption of a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped person or captured goods, for a price; the sum or price paid or demanded; a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin.
• Does this definition help me to understand the value God has placed on me - that He sent His Only Son to die a horrific death, so that I could live with them in Heaven?  Does this help me to understand the "cost" of sin?  How sin "kidnaps" my soul?  Does this increase my gratitude for grace, and the sacrament of confession?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

One Teacher, One Master, All Servants - Tuesday, March 22nd

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’

As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

• teacher: a person who teaches or instructs.
• To whom do I look for teaching or instruction?  How have I let Christ be a teacher to me?  What efforts do I make to learn and understand the teachings of the Church he established?
• master: a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something; an employer of workers or servants; a person whose teachings others accept or follow; one having authority over another; a worker or artisan qualified to teach apprentices.
• Do I resent Christ being my Master?  Do I rather see his "mastership" as a loving parent, who has knowledge and experience beyond me?  Do I see following Him as Master as something freeing - along a path that brings me to peace and true interior happiness?
• servant: a person whose teachings others accept or follow; a person in the service of another; one that serves others.
• How do I serve the Lord?  How do I serve others?  Looking back on my life, when have I been happiest - trying to be master, or servant?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

The measure with which you measure - Monday, March 21st

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 6: 36-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

• mercy (merciful): compassion or forebearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment.
• How has the Father been merciful to me?  How do I measure up to His standard of forgiveness and compassion?  Are there desires for revenge/punishment towards others that I need to resolve?  How can this reading help me to do that?
• judge (judging): to form a negative opinion about; to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation; to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises; decide upon critically; to infer, think, or hold as an opinion; to make a mental judgment.
• How often do I find myself judging others?  Is it mostly internally?  Or do I let it lead to gossip?  What efforts do I make to be objective and weigh the facts over opinions?  Could getting to know the person or situation I am judging help me to be more understanding?  Can I separate a correct judgment of someone's wrong action from the person?  Can I do this with myself - being able to see my sin without feeling like I am unforgiveable? 
• condemn (condemning): to declare reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation; to pronounce guilty (convict); indicate strong disapproval of; sentence to punishment.
• Do I look for evidence and facts before pronouncing disapproval?  Do I follow along with the judgments of others, or try to make my own assessment of the person or circumstances?  Do I correctly condemn actions that are contrary to good and truth, or am I afraid to go against popular opinion?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Listen to Him - Sunday, March 20th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

• here: in this place; at this point; the present.
• Do I recognize Christ in the present moment?  Does the vision of Him in His glory give me hope for eternal life?  Do I try to grasp onto the moments and experiences of glory here on earth?
• listen: to give attention with the ear; heed, obey; to wait attentively for a sound; to hear something with thoughtful attention.
• Do I foster a reflective and attentive heart, always ready to hear His word?  Do I have a relation with all three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
• touch: to come into contact with and perceive; to come into or be in contact with; to lay hands upon with intent to heal.
• Do I allow Christ to touch me when I am afraid - directly, through prayer, the Eucharist, Confession, and indirectly through readings, words of others?  Do I allow myself to be Christ's touch for others?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

In tune with God's will - Saturday, March 19th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24a
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

• decide: to make a final choice or judgment about; to select as a course of action; to infer on the basis of evidence (conclude).
• What criteria do I use to discern God's will?  Do I use the intelligence He has given me to cooperate in a process of discernment?  Or do I wait for "an angel" to come?  Once I have made a decision, am I open to God changing my course of action through "angels" or other circumstances?
• intention: a determination to act in a certain way; resolve; an instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
• Do I purify my intention often?  By this, do I offer my decisions and actions to God, asking for His help and reaffirming my desire to do His will over mine?  Is my determination to fulfill His plan for my life over and above what I think I'm called to?
• do (did): to bring to pass; carry out; execute or bring about; to perform an act, duty, role, etc.
• Once I see clearly God's will - whether it is in line with what I decided or not - how immediately do I carry it out?  How joyfully and serenely do I perform my duties, especially when they are contrary to what I'm "comfortable" with, or to what seems reasonable to me?  What have been the fruits when I followed God's will, even when it didn't make sense in that moment?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Who is my brother? - Friday, March 18th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

• anger (angry): a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong; wrath; rage
• What are the roots of anger in my own life?  Does my anger come from within, or is it spurred on by external circumstances?  Most importantly, is my anger objective, related to a concrete good/evil?  Or is it mostly subjective, related more to my ego? 
• brother: one related to another by common ties or interests; all members of a particular race, or of the human race in general; a male offspring having both parents in common with another offspring
• Who do I count as "brothers"?  What are the strongest binding ties outside of my immediate family (faith, secular interests, politics)?  What stands is the way of seeing all humankind, as children and creations of God, as my brothers?
• reconcile: to restore to friendship or harmony; to cause a person to accept or be resigned to something not desired; to win over to friendliness; make compatible; to restore to communion in a church
• Is my idea of reconciling with another making them resign to my will or belief system?  Or is my sense of brotherhood in God strong enough to make me willing and able to compromise to restore friendship?  Am I capable of treating others with dignity and deference even though I strongly disagree with them on matters of faith, morals and politics?  Do I treat with respect those I disagree with, seeing them as part of the Body of Christ, knowing that He died for them, too?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Ask, Seek, Knock - Thursday, March 17th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 7: 7-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

• ask: inquire of; request of; to solicit from; to demand or expect; to call on for an answer.
• What do I ask for from God?  Do I ask too much?  Do I ask too little?  Do I ask as a request, or a demand?
• seek: to make a search or inquiry; to try to find or discover by searching; to try to obtain; to ask for.
• How do I ask God for things?  How do I expect Him to answer?  Do I put my own intelligence in the search, actively seeking and trying to discover through prayer AND action?  Or am I passive in my request - if God wants it, it will happen?
• knock: to strike a sounding blow with the fist or knuckles, especially on a door or window, as in seeking admittance, or calling attention; to make a pounding noise.
• How perseverant am I in my asking and seeking?  Do I have the humility to ask over and over again?  Do I have the humility and serenity to accept His answer of "no"?  Do I have faith strong enough to see that in His "no" is always hidden a "yes", but to something other than what I was asking for?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs - Wednesday, March 16th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 11: 29-32
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

• sign: indication; any object, event, pattern that conveys a meaning; an omen; a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed for public view; something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual; something indicating the presence or existence of something else.
• What indications, or assurances, do I seek from Christ?  Is He my "sign"?  Or do I let myself be rattled by worldy - political, social, economic - signs?  By being our "sign", what else does Christ want to show us?
• judgment: the ability to judge, make a good decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing; (as in the Final Judgment) the final trial of all people, both the living and the dead, at the end of the world.
• Do I value wisdom and knowledge?  What am I willing to do to grow in these virtues?  What am I willing to do to grow in my knowledge of God even more?
• great (greater): considerable in degree or power; first-rate; exceptionally outstanding; highly significant or consequential; of high rank or social standing.
• What is Christ "greater than" in my life?  What is "greater than" (takes precedence over) my faith?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Father, forgive us - Tuesday, March 15th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 6: 7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. “If you  forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

• father: a male parent; any male ancestor; paternal protector; (Verb form) - to be the creator or founder of; originate; take the responsibility of.
• How do I personally experience God as a Father?  What kind of Father do I perceive Him to be - what words would I use to describe Him?  How natural is it for me to relate to God as His child?
• forgive: to grant relief from payment of; to cease to feel resentment against (pardon); to cancel an indebtedness or liability of; to pardon an offense or an offender.
• Does the word forgive bring my thoughts first to what God has forgiven me, or what wrongs done to me I have forgiven?  Is the forgiveness I offer to others of the same calibre of Christ's forgiveness offered to me?  Who, or what, in my life do I need to forgive?
• transgressions: infringement or violation of a law, command or duty
• Do I know God's laws?  Do I know the commandments of the Church?  What do I do to inform my conscience about these laws and duties?   What is my main motivation in following God's commands?  Why do I think He asks us to follow certain norms of thinking and behavior?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Right & Left; Sheep & Goats - Monday, March 14th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’

Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

• separate: to make a distinction between (distinguish); to set or keep apart; to isolate from a mixture; to sever an association; disconnect; to divide, as by an intervening barrier of space.
• inherit: to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion; to receive as an heir.
• eternal: having infinite duration (everlasting); continued without intermission; without beginning or end; perpetual; ceaseless; endless; existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change.

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Angels Came and Ministered to Him - Sunday, March 13th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you,if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

• tempt: to attract, appeal strongly to; to put someone to the test; to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain.
• devil: the supreme spirit of evil; a subordinate evil spirit at enmity with god, and having power to afflict humans with bodily disease and spiritual corruption; something very trying or provoking.
• minister: to give service, care or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities; to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Leaving everything behind - Saturday, March 12th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 5: 27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

• follow: to engage in as a calling or way of life; to be or act in accordance with; to accept as authority; to copy after (imitate); to go after or along with as companion; to keep up with an understand.
• What, or whom, do I follow?  Do I view my following of Christ as an obligation, a "list-checking" exercise?  Or do I see myself as His companion, going along with Him at my side, and me at His?
• leave: (bequeath), to allow to remain in the same place or condition; to fail to take along; to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control; to go away from; to terminate association from (desert, abandon).
• What things have I already left behind to follow Jesus?  How often do I thank God, and others, for the grace to leave behind other, un-godly ways of thinking and being?
• behind: in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from; in a secondary or inferior position.
• How closely does my past, and my past sins, follow me?  What can I do to, on a daily basis, leave everything behind and make the everything farther behind and in a more inferior position of influence in my life?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Pharasaical Phasting - Friday, March 11th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Matthew 9: 14-15
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

• disciple: a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; any follower of Christ; one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another; a convinced adherent of a school or individual.
• What doctrines am I a student of?  What would someone say my convictions are based on observing my actions?
• mourn: to feel or express grief or sorrow; to grieve or lament for the dead; to show the conventional signs of sorrow over a person's death.
• When I look at Christ nailed to the cross, do I feel mournful?  For Him?  For the souls that don't believe or reject Him?  What does Mary mourn for at the foot of the cross?
• take: to seize or capture, to carry off without permission; to remove by death; to get into one's hands, control
• Very few of us actually intend to be separated from Christ.  What habits, thought processes, distractions, etc. take Him away from me?  What can I do to reduce how often this happens?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.

Profits & Gains - Thursday, March 10th

Readings of the Day

Gospel: Luke 9: 22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

• lose: to come to be without something in one's possession or care, through accident, theft, etc. so that there is little or no prospect of recovery; to suffer the deprivation of; to bring to destruction or ruin; to let oneself go astray; to allow oneself to become absorbed or engrossed in something and oblivious to all else.
• What absorbs most of my time?  What causes me to lose "possession" of my self?  What engrosses my mind?
• save: to deliver from sin; to rescue or deliver from danger or harm; to preserve or guard from injury, destruction or loss (maintain, preserve); safeguard; to avoid the spending, consumption, or waste of.
• If I am not losing my life for Christ and His Kingdom, what am I preserving it for?  Do I truly believe He has, and can, save me?  Do I ask Him to?
• profit: returns, proceeds, or revenue, as from property or investments; the excess of returns over expenditure in a transaction or series of transactions.
• When the day is over, and I can say I truly carried my cross and followed Christ, what profit remains?  Has denying myself ever left me in the red?  How do I feel after a day I've saved my life and denied my cross?

Definitions from http://www.merriman-webster.com/ and http://www.dictionary.com/.