Thought for Friday January 1

Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Alleluia, alleluia

Numbers 6: 22 – 27  The LORD said to Moses:  “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:  This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:

The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Have a great New Year!

Thought for Thursday December 31

Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
Alleluia, alleluia.

1 John 2: 18 - 21  Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared.  Thus we know this is the last hour.   But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.  I write to you not because you do not know the truth  but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

Did I make good use of this year?  Did I let anti-Christian thoughts or lies have too much power over me this year?

Action:  Resolve to be better in 2016 than you were in 2015 – for those of us who were almost perfect in 2015, it will be very difficult.

Thought for Wednesday December 30

Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.
Alleluia, alleluia.

 

1 John 2: 12 - 17  Do not love the world or the things of the world.   If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.   For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.  Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.  But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

 

What do I value that is of this world?  What do I have that I am just not willing to let go of?

Action:  Let go of your attachment to something of this world.

Thought forTuesday December 29

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Luke 2: 22 – 35  Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Do I know anyone like this?  Would anyone ever describe me this way?

Action:  Work on being righteous (not self-righteous) and devout.

Thought for Monday December 28

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

 

Matthew 2: 13 – 18  The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.  Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Is “run away and hide” the advice I would expect from the God who sent plagues to Egypt, wiped out the Amalekites, and destroyed Jericho?  Does the birth of Jesus seem to usher in a new era in God’s dealings with his people?

Action: Make a point of doing something nice for the “innocent” people around you.

Thought for Thursday December 24 - Christmas Eve

Alleluia, alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Luke 1: 67 – 79   Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Thought for Wednesday December 23

Alleluia, alleluia.
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Alleluia, alleluia.

Luke 1: 57 – 66  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

Do I rejoice when I see others receive mercy?  Who do I know who most needs mercy?

Action:  Get ready to rejoice with whomever you are spending Christmas.

Thought for Tuesday December 22

Alleluia, alleluia.
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Alleluia, alleluia.

Luke 1: 46 – 56  He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.

What do I plan to do to observe the Year of Mercy?  What do I hope to get out of it? 

Action:  Show mercy for the first 3 people (and as many others as you can) who really annoy you today.

 

Thought for Monday December 21

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Luke 1: 39 – 45  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

When was the last time I leaped for joy?  Is there enough joy in my life?

Action:  Plan some joy in your life.

Thought for Friday December 18

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

Matthew 1: 18 – 25  She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

How do my actions give my name meaning?   What do I want my name to mean?

Action:  Make a point of calling people by their names today, conscious that we are all still creating ourselves as persons.

Thought for Thursday December 17

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

Matthew 1: 1 – 17  The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  … Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations.

It was over 800 years between Abraham and Jesus, but the Gospel highlights just two; does that mean everyone else is unimportant?  Do I think Jesus regards anyone as unimportant?

Action:  Introduce yourself to and learn the names of three “unimportant” people.

Thought for Wednesday December 16

Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

 

Isaiah 45: 6- 45   I am the LORD, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things.

 

Does focusing on God as the creator of all help me prepare for Christmas?  Does the darkness at this time of year make me more aware of the gift of light?

 

Action:  When you light your pink candle today think about God who formed the light.

Thought for Tuesday December 15

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
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.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

 

 Matthew 21: 28 – 32  Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion?  A man had two sons.  He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’  The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.  The man came to the other son and gave the same order.  He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.  Which of the two did his father’s will?” 

Which son is more like me – am I the stubborn one who resists God but usually does the right thing, or the agreeable one who sometimes fails to follow through?   Is one really that much better than the other?

Action:   Work on being the third son (or maybe the daughter) who says yes cheerfully and then follows through with great energy.

Thought for Monday December 14

Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Matthew 21: 23 – 27  But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.”   So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”

How often have I said “I don’t know.”, because I was afraid to give the real answer?  Am I willing to give an unpopular answer or opinion?

Action:  Don’t be afraid to tell the truth.

Thought for Friday December 11

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
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.

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Isaiah 48: 17 – 19  Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.

How have I learned what is good for me?  Do I let God lead me or am I on my own?

Action:  Do something for your own good this weekend.

Thought for Thursday December 10

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Isaiah 41:  13- 20   I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.”

Do I understand that God reached out to me before I looked for him?  Do I accept that God will help me?

Action:  It is the year of mercy – show a little mercy for someone who is often ignored; there are plenty of opportunities this time of year to buy presents for children, nursing home patients, veterans, etc.

Thought for Wednesday December 9

O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

O bless the Lord, my soul!

Isaiah 40: 25 – 31  Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound.

Does God get enough credit for being the creator of everything?  Am I willing to admit my strength comes from him and is not my own?

Action:  Do something big confident that God is giving you the strength you need.

Thought for Tuesday December 8

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Luke 1: 26 -38  Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

So an angel comes to Mary, tells her a wild story about what God wants from her, and she says, “Sure whatever you want.”  Would her response have been possible had she not been immaculate from the time of her conception?  Can I imagine telling God, “Sure, I will do whatever you want.”?

Action:  Imagine telling God, “Be it done to me according to your word.”, and see what scares you the most.

Thought for Monday December 7

Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
Our God will come to save us!

Luke 5: 17 – 26  And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.   But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

For whom would I work this hard [carry on a stretcher, cut a hole in a roof, etc.]?  Does it seem strange that Jesus’ response to an act of faith is to forgive the faithful? 

Action:  Go the extra mile for someone this week.

Thought for Friday December 4

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Matthew 9: 27 – 31  As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!”  When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”  “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.

When I hear people pray for peace or the conversion of non-believers or a change of mind and heart for those who would do violence to another, do I believe God really can and will answer that prayer?  Is prayer my first response to evil or a last resort?

Action:  Pray for peace, conversions, and an end to violence and then do whatever else you can to help make it happen.

Thought for Thursday December 3

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Isaiah 26: 1 – 6  On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:  “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.  Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.”

What do I trust to keep my nation safe – walls or God?  Do I believe justice and faith are key to being at peace?

Action:  Pray for peace and justice and trust in God to deliver.

Thought for Wednesday December 2

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

 

Matthew 15: 29 – 37  The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”  Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”  “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”

Do I ever find myself in situations I think are too big for me?  Am I willing to give everything I have even when I don’t think it is enough?

Action:  Pick a big problem you see in the world today and make a plan to give everything you can toward solving it in the next year.