Thought for Wednesday April 1

Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
Glory and praise for ever!

John 8: 31 – 42 Jesus said, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

How does the truth set me free? Have I ever been trapped in a lie?

Action: Look at a bad situation and see if any Gospel truths are bing ignored. Try to bring truth into the situation.

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Thought for Tuesday March 31

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

O LORD, hear my prayer,

and let my cry come to you.

Hide not your face from me

in the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me;

in the day when I call, answer me speedily.

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

John 8: 21 – 30 So they said to him, "Who are you?"

Where have I learned something about who Jesus is? Do I continue to look for new sources to know him?

Action: Read the Bible to get to know Jesus.

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Thought for Monday March 30

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

Only goodness and kindness follow me

all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of the LORDf

or years to come.

Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

John 8: 1 -11 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.

Do I wonder what Jesus was writing on the ground? Do the fine details distract me or help me know Jesus as a person?

Action: Make a list of the little, seemingly insignificant things from the Gospels that you have noticed. [If you have never noticed any, start looking for them.] See what insights about Jesus you get from this list.

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Thought for Friday March 27

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

Many are the troubles of the just man,

but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

John 7: 1 – 2, 10, 25-30 You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.

Do I know Jesus? Do I know the one who sent him?

Action: List 3 things in your life that would be less fulfilling to you if the Father had not sent Jesus.

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Thought for Thursday March 26

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

They forgot the God who had saved them,

who had done great deeds in Egypt,

Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,

terrible things at the Red Sea.

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

John 5: 31 – 47 You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.

Why do I read the Bible? Do I expect to get to know Jesus through the Bible?

Action: Read through one of the gospels until you learn something new about the person of Jesus.

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Thought for Wednesday March 25

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

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,

To do your will, O my God, is my delight,

and your law is within my heart!"

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

Luke 1: 26 – 38 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.

Would this kind of greeting make me nervous? Would I be worried or excited about what was coming next?

Action: The next time you are called upon to perform some “special” task, respond with as much trust in the Lord as Mary showed.

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Thought for Tuesay March 24

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,

the holy dwelling of the Most High.

God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;

God will help it at the break of dawn.

The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

John 5: 1 – 16 Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

Am I ever quick to judge someone based on what I seem them do at Sunday Mass (the Sabbath)? Do I let minor things distract me at church?

Action: When you walk into church this week, promise yourself you won’t let anyone’s behavior distract you from worshipping God.

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Thought for Monday March 23

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger lasts but a moment;

a lifetime, his good will.

At nightfall, weeping enters in,

but with the dawn, rejoicing.

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

John 4: 43 – 54 The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.

Do I believe Jesus will do what he promised without first seeing proof? Do I ever ask Jesus for things I know I won’t be able to see done?

Action: Think back on some things you have asked Jesus to do and try to decide if he has done them yet.

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Thought for Friday March 20

I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

"Unseen, I answered you in thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Hear, my people, and I will admonish you;

O Israel, will you not hear me?"

I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

Mark 12: 28 – 34 And no one dared to ask him [Jesus] any more questions.

Have I ever been afraid to ask Jesus a question? Are there answers I don’t want to hear?

Action: Take 5 minutes and ask Jesus a question about a passage you find difficult and quietly listen for an answer.

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Thought for Thursday March 19

The son of David will live for ever.

The promises of the Lord I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,

For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";

in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

The son of David will live for ever.

Matthew 1: 16 – 24 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

Have I ever been inclined to just quietly slip out of a bad situation? What does it take for me to get past my fears and do the most loving thing I can?

Action: Fix something around your home today in honor of St. Joseph.

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Thought for Wednesday March 18

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;

praise your God, O Zion.

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;

he has blessed your children within you.

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Matthew 5: 17 – 19 I have come not to abolish [the law] but to fulfill.

Have I ever thought of the law as something to be fulfilled? What is/ should be the purpose of law?

Action: Pick a law, any law (biblical, criminal, institutional) and ask what its real purpose is and what values it upholds and think about how you uphold those same values in everything you do.

Thought for Tuesday March 17

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Matthew 18: 21 - 35 Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.

What do I owe God? What am I doing to pay him back?

Action: Read the prayer at the following link: http://www.prayerfoundation.org/st_patricks_breastplate_prayer.htm

Thought for Monday March 16

Athirst is my soul for the living God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?

As the hind longs for the running waters,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Athirst is my soul for the living God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?

Luke 4: 24 – 30 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.

Do I ever feel overwhelmed seeing how many people need help? Who do I feel I have been sent to help and can help?

Action: Focus some effort on one person you know you can help, even if it is with something small.

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Thought for Friday March 13

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

When the LORD called down a famine on the land

and ruined the crop that sustained them,

He sent a man before them,

Joseph, sold as a slave.

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Matthew 21: 33 – 46 Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.

What gifts has God given me? What am I producing with them?

Action: Use one of your God given talents today to help somebody.

Thought for Thursday March 12

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not

the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the LORD

and meditates on his law day and night.

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Luke 16: 19 – 31 If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.

Do I read the Bible with the intent of making changes in my life? What does it take to get me to change?

Action: Make a list of the last 3 changes in your life that were inspired by reflection on scripture.

Thought for Wednesday March 11

Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,

as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.

Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Matthew 20: 17 – 28 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.

Would I continue on the road to Jerusalem after hearing Jesus’ description of what will happen? Am I using Lent to prepare myself for the reality of Jesus death and resurrection?

Action: Add something new to your Lenten program to help you focus on Jesus’ death – give up something you really like, fast an extra day or two, abstain on Wednesdays, go to something at a church that you were planning to skip, etc.

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Thought for Tuesday March 10

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

"Why do you recite my statutes,

and profess my covenant with your mouth,

Though you hate discipline

and cast my words behind you?"

To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Matthew 23: 1 – 12 For they preach but they do not practice.

Do I always practice what I preach? Are there things I believe I should do, but just can’t?

Action: Think of one thing you think everyone should do and make a point of doing it today.

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Thought for Monday March 9

Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Help us, O God our savior,

because of the glory of your name;

Deliver us and pardon our sinsfor your name's sake.

Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Luke 6: 36 – 38 Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Is this a message that really needs to be heard in my society? Is this a message I really need to take to heart?


Action: The next time you encounter someone being unjustly judged or condemned, speak up.

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Thought for Friday March 6

If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

I trust in the LORD;my soul trusts in his word.

My soul waits for the LORD

more than sentinels wait for the dawn.

Let Israel wait for the LORD.

If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

Matthew 5: 20 – 26 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,

Is Jesus’ standard too high for me? Would I prefer a simpler Old Testament set of rules?

Action: Pick a number between one and ten (inclusive). Got your number? Now, read the commandment that goes with that number and ask yourself how Jesus would ask you to live it.

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Thought for Thursday March 5

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth;

for you have made great above all things

your name and your promise.

When I called, you answered me;

you built up strength within me.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Matthew 7: 7 – 12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

What am I looking for in life? Are there any spiritual doors I don’t want to have opened for me?

Action: Start asking, seeking and knocking for a new spiritual insight – you might have to take a class, join a prayer group, attend a retreat, read a book, volunteer for a service project or talk to someone about God (children often have excellent insight).

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Thought for Wednesday March 4

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

A clean heart create for me, O God,

and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out from your presence,

and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Luke 11: 29 – 32 she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.

Where do I look for wisdom? Do I think of Jesus as wise?

Action: Identify some situation in your life which you have not handled with wisdom and try to fix it.

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Thought for Tuesday March 3

From all their distress God rescues the just.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,

and your faces may not blush with shame.

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,

and from all his distress he saved him.

From all their distress God rescues the just.

Matthew 6: 7 – 13 Our Father who art in heaven,

Who do I include in “our”? Who does Jesus include?

Action: Pray the Our Father slowly and think about the meaning of every word from Jesus’ point of view. What did he mean by Father, Heaven, Kingdom, Bread, Temptation, etc.?

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Thought for Monday March 2

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Matthew 25: 21 – 46 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.

Are these the things that define my practice of the faith? How often do I do these?

Action: Adopt someone or something and find ways to care for it. [Not necessarily a legal adoption. It could be a child or a new pet, or the birds in your yard, the homeless man you pass on the way to work, a lonely co-worker, a bored child, a nursing home patient, a prisoner …]

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