Prayers and Meditation

Jesus, what a beautiful day in the life of your disciples: you walked along the shore and called them! I wish to respond to your gentle call in the same way they did. I know that you will never lead me astray; rather, you will protect me and lead me home to heaven. Here I am Lord, at your service.

Lord, I need to understand better that you desire a personal and intimate relationship with me like. What can I do to show better my gratitude for your call? For your graces? Help me see that it makes a difference to you how I respond. To you I am not a number or a statistic. I am a soul for which you died.

"Lord Jesus, your ways are life and light!  Let your word penetrate my heart and transform my mind that I may see your power and glory. Help me to choose your ways and to do what is pleasing to you."

Meditation is from Kairos;

Meditation

Do you know the joy and freedom of the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom of God?

John the Baptist's enemies had sought to silence him, but the good news of God's kingdom of salvation cannot be silenced. As soon as John had finished his testimony Jesus began his in Galilee. Galilee was at the crossroads of the world and much traffic passed through this little region. It had been assigned to the tribes of Asher, Naptali and Zebulum when the Israelites first came into the land (see Joshua 9). For a long time it had been under Gentile occupation (non-Jewish nations).  Jesus brings the light and truth of salvation to the world The prophet Isaiah foretold that the good news of salvation would reach Jews and Gentiles in the "land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations" (Isaiah 9:1). Jesus begins the proclamation of the Gospel here to fulfill the word of God. The Old Testament prophets spoke of God’s promise to send a Redeemer who would establish God's rule. That time is now fulfilled in Jesus who brings the light and truth of the Gospel to the world. The "good news" brings peace, hope, truth, promise, immortality, and salvation Jesus takes up John's message of repentance and calls his hearers to believe in the good news he has come to deliver. What is the good news which Jesus brings? It is the good news of peace - the Lord comes to reconcile and restore us to friendship with God. The good news of  hope - the Lord comes to dwell with us and to give us a home with him in his heavenly kingdom. The good news of  truth - the Lord Jesus sets us free from the lies and deception of Satan and opens our mind to understand the truth and revelation of God's word (John 8:32). The good news of promise - Jesus fulfills the promise of God to reward those who seek him with the treasure of heaven. The good news of immortality - Jesus overcomes sin and death for us in order to raise our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body which will never die again. And the good news of salvation - the Lord Jesus delivers us from every fear, every sin, and every obstacle that would keep us from entering his everlasting kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.   The Gospel is the power and the wisdom of God - both power to change and transform our lives and wisdom to show us how to live as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord makes it possible for us to receive his word with faith and to act upon it with trust and obedience. The Gospel demands a response of faith and obedience to God's gift of salvation In announcing the good news, Jesus makes two demands: repent and believe! Repentance requires a change of course - a turning away from sin and disobedience and a turning towards the Lord with faith and submission to his word of truth and righteousness (right living according to God's truth and moral goodness). The Holy Spirit gives us a repentant heart, a true sorrow and hatred for sin and its bad consequences (the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23), and a firm resolution to avoid whatever would lead us into sin. The Holy Spirit gives us grace to see our sin for what it is - rebellion and a rejection of the love of God. God's grace helps us to turn away from all that would keep us from his love.  We believe, hope, and love Him because He loved us first and drew us to Himself Faith or belief is an entirely free gift which God makes to us. Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit who moves the heart and converts it to God. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the mind and makes it possible for us to accept and to grow in our understanding of the truth. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit we can know God personally and the truth he reveals to us through his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. To believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior is to accept God's revelation of his Son as the eternal Word of God and the Redeemer who delivers us from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death. Out of his great love for us God the Father made the supreme sacrifice of his Son on the cross to atone for our sins and to bring us back to himself.  Do you want to grow in the knowledge of God's love and truth? Ask the Holy Spirit to renew in you the gift of faith, the love of wisdom, and the heart of a disciple who desires to follow the Lord Jesus and his will for your life.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Book of Isaiah 8,23.9,1-3.

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land West of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness; for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Psalms 27(26),1.4.13-14.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life's refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD

this I seek:

to dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD

and contemplate his temple.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

First Letter to the Corinthians 1,10-13.17.

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.

For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you.

I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Kephas," or "I belong to Christ."

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4,12-23.

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

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

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them,

and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Day 9 - St. Peregrine Novena

We're almost finished! Thank you for joining us in praying for all cancer patients and others who suffer daily. We will have one final prayer tomorrow.

Today, though, let's pray for all cancer patients and others who are suffering once more. Let's pray that their lives -- that all of our lives -- will glorify God alone. We do not exist for any other reason. Let's pray that we all live for our true purpose: for Him. 

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that our lives will glorify God alone!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Day 8 - St. Peregrine Novena

With as many advances as there are in medicine and science, it's easy to look to doctors for a cure and a fix to our suffering. It's easy to depend on them. 

And while doctors are important, helpful, and can provide life-saving treatments, everything is ultimately in God's hands. 

So today let's pray that we all may come to depend more on God through our suffering. 

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that this sickness will teach me to depend more and more on God!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Prayers for Today

Jesus, thank you for this opportunity to be with you, my Lord and my God. You always seek me first. Even my desire to encounter you is a fruit of your love for me, of the action of your grace in my heart. I trust that this day will be filled with the graces I need to respond generously to your call to holiness and to be your apostle.

Thank you for always coming toward me, Lord. Thank you for your love for me. At times I don’t know what you see in me, Lord, but even in my weakness and sinfulness I want to return love with love. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, help my love for you to be bold and ardent.

"Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit and let me grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Let your Spirit be aflame in my heart that I may know and love you more fervently and strive to do your will in all things."

Homily and Reflection

Here is a homily/reflection for this Sunday. Taken from A Catholic Moment;

INTRODUCTION
The Agnus Dei “Lamb of God” is one of the titles given to Christ in the bible. This is typical in the writings of St John the Evangelist. In the book of Revelation, he equally referred to Christ as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5).
Meanwhile, the use of this title “Agnus Dei” in the order of the mass was introduced in the Roman Rite by Pope Sergius (687–701). At first, this might have been an act of aberration according to the Byzantine Rite (Constantinople) which originally forbade the iconographic depiction of Christ as an animal, and in this case, a lamb.
However, in today’s Liturgy of the Word, we learn that Christ has a title. John reveals him as that nameless Servant of Yahweh spoken of in the First Reading by Isaiah. And in the Second Reading, Paul calls him Christ Jesus. 

FIRST READING: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
The First Reading is the second song to the servant of Yahweh. First it describes the authenticity of the servant as one called by God himself: “You are my servant in whom I will be glorified.” And secondly, it describes his mission as one who is to be a light to the nations so that the salvation of God will reach to the ends of the Earth. Yes, God will never cease to think about his people, that is why His primary concern is that they be saved.
When Isaiah speaks of ‘light’ he refers to the darkness of men’s life that needs to be illuminated. He refers to the salvation from the slavery of sin. This is the work of God and the mission of the servant. This servant who will be a light to those in the darkness of sin will be revealed in the Gospel by John the Baptist. He will call him “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Yes, Christ is that light that has shone in the darkness of men’s life.

SECOND READING: I Corinthians 1:1-3
It is characteristic of Paul to introduce himself to the Christian communities founded by him. This is very important not just from the point of view of making himself known to the community but also to affirm the authenticity of his vocation as an apostle called directly by the post-resurrection Christ himself. It is also a way to inform his community to always keep in mind the source of the the authentic message they have first received so as to be conscious of other false self-acclaimed prophets and teachers that were diffusing false doctrines.
Today Paul addresses his first letter to the Corinthians. The city of Corinth was an indecent seaport in cosmopolitan Greece. At the time Paul was writing, there was a strong wave of all forms of Greek philosophy coupled with the vice we find in every seaport. These were making a great impact in the lives of the Corinthians. Therefore he reminds them of their call to witness to holiness: “sanctified and called to be holy.” And again in this second reading we see that an accent to the servant is still maintained. Paul is mentioned as the servant, the apostle of Christ Jesus who is the true Servant himself.

GOSPEL: John 1:29-34
The Evangelist John has a distinctive character of portraying the image of Christ. Apart from our passage today where he refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God, in the Book of Revelation as well, he refers to him as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev 5:5) Why? Because for John, the mission of Christ is all encompassing. It is not just the humble servant, the lamb that lays down his life for the sins of the world but he is also the fierce lion that defends his people against the powers of this world and the underworld.
However, the passage of the Gospel of today is John the Baptist’ formal introduction of Jesus to his disciples, and he prefered to use the title “Lamb of God.” This appellation made a great impress in the mind of John the Evangelist which will inform his conception of Christ throughout his writing.
What does this title “Lamb of God” signify in reference to Jesus?
In the Old Testament we can clearly identify two important moments when the lamb was used; one was real and the other was used in a metaphorical way.
The true lamb was the one instructed by God to be slaughtered on the preceding night of exodus. It is the lamb whose blood served as a sign of passover and liberation for the Hebrews.
The other lamb was the figurative lamb of prophet Isaiah. The prophet describes it as one taken to the slaughterhouse (Is 53:7). However there is something particular about this lamb which is different from the Exodus lamb. It is the lamb wounded for our rebellions, crushed because of our guilt; the lamb in whom the punishment reconciliation fell on, and through whose bruises we are healed…(Is 53:5).
John the Evangelist was aware of the contents of these two separate passages of the Old Testament, and he saw in Jesus a perfect description of both. So when he mentions Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, he does not just see in him the Passover lamb of Exodus but also the healing lamb of Isaiah. That is why on the holy hill of Calvary, at the very moment of piercing, John will be preoccupied with reminding his audience that Jesus is the true Lamb of God, a prefiguration of the Exodus lamb which God ordered that the bone should not be broken (Ex 12:46), and that is why he will report that the soldiers did not break the bone of Jesus but only pierced his side (Jn 19:33-36). And it is not a surprise that John is the only evangelist to use the Greek word τετέλεσται (tetelestai) meaning “It is finished” or “Paid in full.” Hence, this paid in full of John 19:30 refers to John 1:29 today; the Lamb that has finally paid in full for the sins of the world.

LIFE MESSAGE:
1. CALLED TO BE WITNESSES TO THE LAMB
John the Baptist recognized Jesus and gave witness about him because he met him personally.
We know that distant lovers do not always find it easy to be consistent (I may be wrong anyway). In the same way, we cannot love Christ from a distance.To love him is to be drawn closer to him. We must know him personally, feel him present in our lives and experience him through the Word, the Sacraments, prayers and even through our brothers and sisters especially the suffering. It is only when we have a lived experience of Christ that we can be able to share his Good News to others: “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
2. OUR WOUNDED LAMB IS STILL BLEEDING
Jesus our Lamb has not stopped bleeding. It is necessary that he keeps bleeding so that our wounds may be healed (Is 53:5). He must keep bleeding so that you and I may receive a “supernatural transfusion” in order to live. This is the Lamb of the Eucharist whose blood we consume in order to have life. We must recognize that he bleeds for our sake. And for us to receive the healing due for our diseases especially the disease that attack our soul (sin) we must accept that we are sick. Saint Ignatius of Antioch says that this type of disease called sin has only one doctor; Christ our Lord.
3. OUR LAMB HANGS ON THE CROSS
If we want to understand what John says about Jesus the Lamb, then we must never stop looking at the Cross. There we see a wounded Lamb, a skinned Lamb, and a rejected Lamb who does not have external beauty anymore (Is 53: 2) yet we know his beauty lies within our soul, and we feel the warmth of his love in our lives. So when we feel wounded, skinned, rejected, hungry, naked, poor, and frustrated by life, please let us find strength in the Lamb hanging there for us. He first experienced whatever we may be experiencing now, and he understands it all.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us to be the humble lamb you have become for our sake so that the sin of pride may be healed in our lives. Amen.

PAX VOBIS!

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, January 19, 2020

First reading	Isaiah 49:3,5-6 ©

I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth

The Lord said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel,

in whom I shall be glorified’;

I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord,

my God was my strength.

And now the Lord has spoken,

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him,

to gather Israel to him:

‘It is not enough for you to be my servant,

to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;

I will make you the light of the nations

so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’

---

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 39(40):2,4,7-10 ©

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord

  and he stooped down to me;

  he heard my cry.

He put a new song into my mouth,

  praise of our God.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,

  but an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

  Instead, here am I.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written

  that I should do your will.

My God, I delight in your law

  in the depth of my heart.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed

  in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed;

  you know it, O Lord.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

---

Second reading
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 ©

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace

I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.

---

Gospel Acclamation	cf.Lk19:38,2:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessings on the King who comes,

in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven

and glory in the highest heavens!

Alleluia!

Or:	Jn1:14,12

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Word was made flesh and lived among us:

to all who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	John 1:29-34 ©

'Look: there is the Lamb of God'

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

Prayer Intentions

Here is a web site where can submit our prayer intentions.You send through your intentions and with prayer through Our Holy Mother Mary they are said for us. I have been submitting since my illnes started.
 The site is called Rosary For The World (just click on link) go there and look around as there are a few options for prayer available.
 God Bless!

Day 7 - St. Peregrine Novena

When the saints suffered, they allowed that suffering to bring them closer to Christ on the cross. They became Christ-like, even, through each pain and affliction they suffered from. Instead of becoming selfish because of their pain and suffering, they became even more selfless. 

So today let's pray that all cancer patients and others who suffer will become more selfless through their suffering, like the saints. 

And while we reflect on true selflessness, let's also remember to pray for everyone else's needs and intentions during this novena. 

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that in our pain we will not become selfish but ever more selfless!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Day 6 - St. Peregrine Novena

Through the witness of the saints, we know that suffering has meaning. Many saints accepted suffering while others even asked for more of it. They did so because they were motivated by love and by a desire to join Christ in redemptive suffering - however painful and long.  

Let's pray today for all cancer patients and others who are suffering. Let's pray that their suffering will not rob them of joy.

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that our suffering will not rob us of joy!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Day 5 - St. Peregrine Novena

While St. Peregrine was cured of his cancer miraculously, many people will not experience that same healing. But everyone does have the chance of enjoying an even greater reward: everlasting life with God.  

So today let's pray for everyone suffering and nearing death. Let's pray that through their faith, they will not be afraid of death but will have hope in everlasting life with God. 

Let's pray that their fear will be relieved, and that their hope will be strengthened.  

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that the fear of death will be replaced with the hope of everlasting life!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Day 4 - St. Peregrine Novena

Today let's pray that all cancer patients, as well as others dealing with chronic & life-threatening diseases, will be consoled.

Let's pray that they will experience the healing presence and love of our Lord whether it be through prayer or through their interactions with others, especially through their family and friends. 

We also want to remember in a special way to pray for all the families and friends who know someone suffering with cancer; may God console them too.

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that the loneliness of our suffering will be consoled!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Day 3 - St. Peregrine Novena

Today, let's pray that all cancer patients and others who suffer from debilitating diseases or illnesses will be able to offer up their suffering in union with Jesus Christ. 

Pray that their suffering will bring them closer in union with Christ as He suffered when He was on this earth. 

Jesus understands our human feelings and sufferings. He is capable of carrying them for us, and He wants to. So pray that those who are suffering are able to turn it all over to Jesus. 

And lastly, pray that we are able to help our family and friends carry their burdens, so that none of us are ever alone in our suffering. 

You can also follow along daily at Pray More Novenas.

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that we will have the courage to offer up our suffering in unity with the Cross!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Amen

Novena Day 2 for Cancer Patients

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that we may persevere in hope!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass

So Pope Francis came out with this today. I used to get upset why are these little kids there misbehaving or the babies crying but it is not them it is the parents who refuse to try to calm the little ones down or the toddlers under control. But as I witness the decline in attendance to mass it is important to get these little ones in so that they get used to but also through time learn with the help of their parents to enjoy and grow with their understanding of the mass.
 To me I am saddened when the candidates come for confirmation and not just them but the parents have no clue what goes on in mass and how to behave. I am not sure if bringing them when they are babies and allowing them to cry helps in the long run but we have to get numbers up. Anyway here is the Pope's address taken from Catholic News Agency;

Vatican City, Jan 12, 2020 / 04:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at Mass.

“Let the children cry,” the pope said. “It is a beautiful homily when a child cries in church, a beautiful homily.”

On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Jan. 12 with the parents and godparents of 17 boys and 15 girls, who were baptized surrounded by Michelangelo’s frescoes.

“Just as Jesus went to receive baptism, you bring your children,” Francis said. “The power of the Holy Spirit comes to defend them for the rest of their lives.”

“This is why it is so important to baptize them as babies because they grow with the power of the Holy Spirit,” the pope added.

Pope Francis said that he wanted to keep his homily short because the babies might not feel comfortable in their baptism gowns and in a new environment. “Babies are not used to coming to the Sistine Chapel,” he joked.

The pope reminded the parents that their personal example at home will help their child to grow in faith. He said that baptizing a child is an act of justice because the child receives the pledge of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament.

Each of the 32 baptized infants are children of Vatican employees born in 2019. St. John Paul II began the papal tradition of baptizing  children in the Sistine Chapel on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Following the Mass, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus prayer from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, while a voice rang out from above saying: ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,’” he said.  

The pope said that it is important for each Catholic to know and remember the date of their own baptism. This is a date to be celebrated, he said, because it is when we received the Holy Spirit that remains with us.

“On the feast of the Baptism of Jesus we rediscover our baptism. As Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, we too, born of water and the Holy Spirit, know that we are beloved children … invested in a great mission to testify and announce to all men the boundless love of the Father,” Pope Francis said.

Novena for Cancer Patients

I joined a few years ago a site where they send out Novenas throughout the year to pray along to. It is easy as every morning the prayer for that day is there. The name of the site is Prayer More Novenas.
 The Novena up now is to St. Peregrine who is the patron saint of cancer patients. Here is the Novena for today please pray along for all of us who suffer with cancer. God Bless!

Day 1 - St. Peregrine Novena

(Audio/Video Version)

Dear holy servant of God, St. Peregrine, we pray today for healing.

Intercede for us! God healed you of cancer and others were healed by your prayers. Please pray for the physical healing of…

(Mention your intentions)

These intentions bring us to our knees seeking your intercession for healing.

We are humbled by our physical limitations and ailments. We are so weak and so powerless. We are completely dependent upon God. And so, we ask that you pray for us…

Pray for us, that we will not let sickness bring us to despair!

We know, St. Peregrine, that you are a powerful intercessor because your life was completely given to God. We know that in as much as you pray for our healing, you are praying even more for our salvation.

A life of holiness like yours is more important than a life free of suffering and disease. Pray for our healing, but pray even more that we might come as close to Our Lord as you are.

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

Homily and Meditation for Today

This is from our friends at Kairos;

Meditation

Why did Jesus, the Sinless One, submit himself to John's baptism at the River Jordan?

John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3).  In this humble submission of Jesus we see a foreshadowing of the "baptism" of his bloody death upon the cross. Jesus' baptism is the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God's suffering Servant (Isaiah 42:1-4). He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father's will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God? . Jesus' baptism - beginning of a new creation The Father proclaimed his entire delight in his Son and spoke audibly for all to hear. The Holy Spirit, too, was present as he anointed Jesus for his ministry which began that day as he rose from the waters of the Jordan river. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all who come to believe in him. At his baptism the heavens were opened and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, signifying the beginning of a new creation. Heaven will open for those who bow before the Lord How can we enter into the mystery of Jesus' humble self-abasement and baptism? Gregory of Nazianzus (329-389 AD), an early church father tells us:  "Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him." Do you want to see your life transformed in the likeness of Christ? And do you want to become a more effective instrument of the Gospel? Examine Jesus' humility and ask the Holy Spirit to forge this same attitude in your heart. As you do, heaven will open for you as well.  The Holy Spirit transforms us in the likeness of Jesus The Lord Jesus is ever ready to renew and refashion us in his likeness through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit - and he anoints us for mission as ambassadors of his kingdom of righteousness (moral goodness), peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). We are called to be the "light" and salt" of his kingdom that radiate the beauty and aroma of his mercy and goodness to those around us (Matthew 5:13,15-16). The Lord Jesus wants his love and truth to shine through us that many others may may find new life, freedom, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with his Holy Spirit that you may radiate the joy of the Gospel to those around you.

Prayers for Today

Lord, thank you for this time to be with you. I believe in you. I believe that you are here with me and that you want to speak with me today. I wish to open my heart to hear your word and put it into practice out of love for you.

Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself. Teach me to be humble. It is hard for me to put others ahead of myself, to take second place, to let others win the praise and glory I crave for myself. Help me to be humble and to seek repentance from all sin in my life. I need your help to do your will. Strengthen and guide me in your service.

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and with the fire of your love and goodness. May I always find joy and delight in seeking to please you in doing your will just as you have delighted in the joy of pleasing your Father and doing his will."

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Reading 1 Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R/ (11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R/ The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Reading 2 Acts 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

Alleluia Mk 9:7

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by you,
and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us
to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized,
he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened for him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”