Thought for Friday July 31

Sing with joy to God our help.
Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel,
the pleasant harp and the lyre.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our solemn feast.
Sing with joy to God our help.

Matthew 13: 54 – 58  They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son?”

Do I look to Jesus for the wisdom to deal with modern problems?  What is the wisest statement I can think of from the Gospel?  

Action: Be wise this weekend – stay cool, get some rest, learn something new, eat something good, and don’t forget to go to Church.

Thought for Thursday July 30

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!
I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!

Matthew 13: 47 – 53 Jesus asked the disciples, "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes."

Do I ever say, “I don’t understand” to avoid taking responsibility?  Am I willing to act on what I do understand from the Gospel?

Action:  Make a commitment to focus and act on what you do understand from the Gospels. 

Thought for Wednesday July 29

Holy is the Lord our God.
Extol the LORD, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the LORD, our God.
Holy is the Lord our God.

 

Luke 10: 38 – 42  She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.  Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?  Tell her to help me.”  The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  There is need of only one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  

 

Am I a Martha or a Mary?  Do I stay busy because I think I [and my work] is more important than what someone else may have to contribute?

 

Action:  Spend at least 8 hours this week [not necessarily consecutive] doing nothing constructive.  Sleeping and eating don’t count as nothing.

Thought for Tuesday July 28

The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

 

Matthew 13: 36 – 43  Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.  His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Is there anything Jesus said that I would like him to explain further?  What do I do when I don’t understand something in the Bible?

Action:   Pick up your Bible today, read a few verses and really try to understand what they mean.

Thought for Monday July 27

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Our fathers made a calf in Horeb
and adored a molten image;
They exchanged their glory
for the image of a grass-eating bullock.
 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Matthew 13: 31 – 35  “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

Am I yeast or flour?  What do I see in my community that kneads to be raised (leavened)?

Action:  Try to be the yeast in 2 situations this week and let yourself be flour in 2 others.  In other words, be a leader and allow yourself to be led.

Thought for Friday July 24

Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

Matthew 13: 18 – 23  The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.

What anxieties am I facing?  What “riches” are luring me away from the word of God?

Action:  This weekend focus on the word of God with the specific intent of making it bear fruit in your life.

 

 

 

Thought for Thursday July 23

Glory and praise forever!
"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 forever!

Matthew 13: 10 – 17  To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Am I a “has” a “has not” or a little of both?  What do I have and what do I lack?

Action:  Give from what you have.

Thought for Wednesday July 22

The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Yet he commanded the skies above
and the doors of heaven he opened;
He rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

John 20: 1 – 2, 18 – 20  And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"  She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I don't know where they laid him."

Do I ever think anything is threatening my faith?  Do I believe I am strong enough to stay faithful in the face of any challenge?

Action:  Examine your faith and look for any “weak” spots.  If you identify any, make a plan to shore them up.

Thought for Tuesday July 21

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
At the breath of your anger the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.
The enemy boasted, "I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword; my hand shall despoil them!"
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Matthew 12: 46 – 50  While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother?”

How do I think Jesus’ mother responded to this?  If he were my son would I be able to accept that he was just making a point or would I be really hurt?

Action:  Call your Mother (or another important family member) today just to say hello.

Thought for Monday July 20

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Matthew 12: 38 – 42  Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

How many days would I have to spend “in the belly of the whale” before I gave up my resistance to doing what God asks of me?  Would I rather endure pain than change?

Action:  If there is some change you have been dreading or avoiding maybe now is the time to get on with it.

Thought for Friday July 17

I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

Matthew 12: 1 – 8  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath."

Do I ever judge people about their observance of the Sabbath?  Do I ever criticize people (in my mind or to others) at church because of the way they are dressed, or when they arrive, or how their kids act, or whether they receive Communion?

Action:  Make a point of going to church this weekend and appreciating the presence of everyone who is there without judging anyone.

Thought for Thursday July 16

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Matthew 11: 28 – 30  Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

What burdens am I carrying?  What could I do if I laid them down?

Action:  Lay down your burdens and open up your heart.  Trust Jesus to do the heavy lifting for a little while.

Thought for Wednesday July 15

The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord is kind and merciful.

 

Matthew 11: 25 – 27  At that time Jesus exclaimed:  "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”

 

How often do I praise God?  What do I praise him for?

 

Action:  Praise God for three things today.

Thought for Tuesday July 14

Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am sunk in the abysmal swamp
where there is no foothold;
I have reached the watery depths;
the flood overwhelms me.
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Matthew 11: 20 – 24  Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

What things have I not repented from?  Am I getting closer?

Action:  Repent, or at least take one small step in that direction.

Thought for Monday July 13

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
We were rescued like a bird
from the fowlers' snare;
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 10: 34 – 11: 1  Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward.

Do I really want to hear what prophets have to say?   What reward do I expect for doing so?

Action:  Look for prophets (even if what they say bothers you) this week at work, in the news, at church, at home, and try to learn more about what they are talking about.   Challenge yourself to make one change because of what they are saying.

Thought for Friday July 10

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Matthew 10: 16 – 23  You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.

How important is it to me to be liked?  Will I risk being disliked [or hated] to share Jesus’ love with others?

Action:  Take a risk for Jesus today.

Thought for Thursday July 9

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 10: 7 – 15  Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.

Have I ever been in this situation?  How easy is it to shake off rejection?

Action:  If there is some rejection that has been really bothering you, shake it off. 

Thought for Wednesday July 8

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of  gladness.
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Matthew 10: 1 – 7  Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Do I feel that Jesus has chosen me for something special?   What special gifts do I have?

Action:  Make a list of 12 things you want to do for other people and start doing them.

Thought for Tuesday July 7

In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee from their foes.
In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.

Matthew 9: 32 – 38  At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Who is my shepherd?  Have I ever felt abandoned?

Action:  Read the latest thing your Pastor/Bishop/Pope has written or sent out.

Thought for Monday July 6

In you, my God, I place my trust.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
In you, my God, I place my trust.

Matthew 9: 18 – 26  While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."  Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Do I look to Jesus for immediate help or long term help?    What should I expect from him?

Action:  If you tend to look to Jesus for mostly long term stuff, identify a situation in your life today that needs help and ask him for it.  If you look to him for mostly the immediate stuff, think about what you want him to do for you in the long run and make a plan for asking for it consistently.

Thought for Friday July 3

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

 

John 20: 24 – 29  So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Do I think Thomas was justified in doubting the other disciples?   Whose testimony do I believe?

Action:  Research saints and learn about one you never heard of before whose story resonates with your life. 

 http://www.catholic.org/saints/ has a good index of saints.

Thought for Thursday July 2

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.

Matthew 9: 1 – 8  Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,  “Why do you harbor evil thoughts?”

Do I ever harbor evil thoughts?  When am I most likely to have thoughts that are less than loving?

Action:  When you are going to be in a situation that you know stirs up bad thoughts for you, make a plan for reminding yourself to ask for Jesus’ help and presence in that situation.