Thought for Monday February 1

Lord, rise up and save me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
Lord, rise up and save me.

Mark 5: 1 – 20  “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?

What does Jesus have to do with me?  What do I have to do with Jesus?

Action:  Involve Jesus in some activity in your life.

Thought for Friday January 29

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Mark 4: 26 – 34  It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.

What things can I think of that started small and grew into something great?  Have I ever planted a “mustard seed”?

Action:  Plant a small seed – do something good that you think could grow into something great.

Thought for Thursday January 28

Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mark 4: 21 – 25  Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?

What light has God given me?  Do I let it shine?

Action:  Be there for someone who needs a little light in his life.

Thought for Tuesday January 26

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Timothy 1: 1 – 8   Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.

How do I identify myself?  Who do I remember in prayers?

Action:  Write someone a letter today and let them know who you are and that you are praying for them.

Thought for Friday January 22

Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Mark 3: 13 – 19  He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons: He appointed the Twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

How important is it that Jesus specifically appointed these men and gave them authority?  With whom do I share my work, my mission, my authority?

Action:  Be aware of your role in sharing Christ’s mission this weekend.

Thought for Thursday January 21

In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
In God I trust; I shall not fear.

Mark 3: 7 – 12  He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

Why didn’t Jesus cure everybody?  Why don’t I invest all of my time to relieve human suffering?

Action: Do one thing to relieve the suffering in your community.

Thought for Wednesday January 20

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My refuge and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Mark 3: 1 – 6  Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent.  Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart,

What hardens our hearts?   What is the risk of being soft-hearted?

Action:  It is the Year of Mercy, let your heart be a little soft and show some mercy this week.

Thought for Tuesday January 19

Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mark 2:23 – 28  At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

Is it in the “spirit” of the Sabbath to judge others?  Do I judge other people at church?

Action:  Next time you go to church, make a point of being happy about the other people who are there regardless of their clothing, arrival time, singing voice, etc.

Thought for Monday January 18

Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mark 2: 18 – 21  Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.

Do I experience God constantly pouring himself out to me?  What am I doing to keep myself new and fresh enough to accept the revelation of God in my life? 

Action:  Try something new this week – a new book or website, daily mass, a different way of praying, a new volunteer service, …

Thought for Friday January 15

Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mark 2: 1 – 12  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” – he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once,  and went away in the sight of everyone.

Do I think I could handle the responsibility of being cured like this?  Would it be a little like winning the lottery?

Action:  Take responsibility for the gifts you have been given and make a special point of using one of them for good this weekend.

Thought for Thursday January 14

Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Mark 1: 40 – 45  Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.  He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

Have I ever had the experience of being known for something – maybe among family, friends or coworkers?  Do I like getting a lot of attention?

Action:  The next time you are the “center of attention,” whether you like it or not,  use the opportunity to bear witness to Christ.

Thought for Wednesday January 13

Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.
I know them, and they follow me.
Alleluia, alleluia

Mark 1: 29 – 39  Rising very early before dawn,  he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

When and where do I pray?  Do I sometimes need to get away from my usual distractions to pray?

Action:  Review your “prayer plan” and make sure it is working for you.  If it isn’t, change it.

Thought for Monday January 11

Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Mark 1: 14 – 20  After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

 

What is the fulfillment Jesus is promising?  Am I willing to change to get it?

 

Action:  Add one more New Year’s resolution – Repent and believe in the Gospel.

Thought for Friday January 8

Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
 Alleluia.

1 John 5 : 5 – 13  Beloved: Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Has it been hard to face John’s long treatise exhorting us to love; am I glad it’s over?   Do I believe, are you the same as me, do we see things they'll never see, are you and I are gonna live forever?

Action:  Select some music that inspires you to live and to love and to be your best self.  Find it on 8 track or cassette or vinyl or download it onto your favorite electronic doohickey and listen to it as often as you need encouragement.

Thought for Thursday January 7

Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
Alleluia, alleluia.

1 John 4: 19 – 5:4  Beloved, we love God because he first loved us.  If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen  cannot love God whom he has not seen.  This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Who are the brothers God is calling me to love?  Can I come on now, smile on my brother, get together with everybody and  try to love one another right now?

Action:  Call your brother and tell him: Oh, brother, brother, brother, I know you've been hangin' on a long time, You know I love you, love you, love you like no other, Oh, brother, brother, brother, brother, brother.  OR maybe do something loving for someone you see every day.

Thought for Wednesday January 6

Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the Gentiles.
Glory to you, O Christ, believed in throughout the world.
Alleluia, alleluia.

1 John 4: 11 – 18  God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.  In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.

When people talk about love are they talking about this kind of perfect love?  How often do I think about and try to express perfect love?   

Action:  Longer than there have been fishes in the ocean, higher than any bird ever flew, longer than there've been stars up in the heavens, God has been in love with you.  Do something this week to acknowledge his love for you.

Thought for Tuesday January 5

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The mountains shall yield peace for the people,
and the hills justice.
He shall defend the afflicted among the people,
save the children of the poor.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

1 John 4: 7 – 10  Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.  Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.

Does it seem like fear and hate are making our world go around more than love?  Do I rely on the power of love to help me every day?

Action:  The next time you are feeling down, let the memory of love see you through.

Thought for Monday January 4

Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
Alleluia, alleluia.

1 John 3:22 – 4:6  Beloved: We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.

What do I ask of Jesus?  Do I believe in the name of Jesus enough to love others as he commanded?

Action:  Love one another as Jesus commanded.