Thought for Friday July 1

The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
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.
The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Matthew 11: 25 – 30  Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Do I feel overburdened?  What constitutes real rest?

Action:  Take some time this weekend to set aside your burdens and get some rest.

Thought for Thursday June 30

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.

Thought for Wednesday June 29

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

 

Acts 12: 1 – 11  Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.

 

Am I fervently praying for anything with the whole Church?

 

2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8, 17 – 18  I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

 

Is it important to me to finish the race and keep the faith?

 

Action:  Peter and Paul kept the Church united in spite of their own conflicts.  Find a way to stay united with  people in spite of your conflicts.

Thought for Tuesday June 28

O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.
O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Matthew 8: 23 – 27  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.  Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Have I ever been really scared?  Is calling on Jesus the first thing I do in a bad situation or the last?

Action:  Do something to help or comfort someone (human or animal) who is afraid of loneliness, unemployment, homelessness, disease, violence, or anything else.

Thought for Monday June 27

Remember this, you who never think of God.

“Consider this, you who forget God,

lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.

He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;

and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”

Remember this, you who never think of God.

Matthew 8: 18 – 22  Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

What makes me feel “at home:?  Where am I at home – in a particular place, with certain people, doing something specific…?

Action:  Do something to support the people who give up the comforts of home to helpers – military, missionaries, relief workers, et al.

Thought for Friday June 24

I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

Truly you have formed my inmost being;

you knit me in my mother’s womb.

I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;

wonderful are your works.

I praise you for I am wonderfully made.

 

Luke 1: 57 – 66, 80  “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed.

Why did my parents give me my name?  What do I want my name to mean?

Action:   Every time you hear your name today, make an effort to respond with the same love Jesus shows for those who call upon him.

Thought for Thursday June 23

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,
or proclaim all his praises?
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Matthew 7: 21 – 29  Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.


Am I a fool?  Upon what foundation have I built my life?
 

Action:  Work on  your foundation. 

Thought for Wednesday June 22

Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain:

by your way give me life.

Teach me the way of your decrees, O Lord.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20  Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them.”

Have I encountered any false prophets lately?   What fruits do I look for?

Action:    Make sure you are not contributing to the spread of falsehoods or the messages of false prophets – don’t gossip, fact check things on social media before sharing, find good things to spread the word about.

Thought for Tuesday June 21

God upholds his city forever.

Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised

in the city of our God.

His holy mountain, fairest of heights,

is the joy of all the earth.

God upholds his city forever.

Matthew 7: 6 – 14  Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many.

How often do I go through the narrow gate?  As I grow older, are the roads getting narrower of wider?

Action:  Get off one of the wide roads you are on.

Thought for Monday June 21

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

You have rocked the country and split it open;

repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.

You have made your people feel hardships;

you have given us stupefying wine.

Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.

Matthew 7: 1 – 5  You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

 

Why does the splinter in my brother’s eye bother me?  Am I worried that if I remove the beam from my eye, I will clearly see a bigger beam in my own eye? 

Action:   The next time someone else’s sin really bothers you, ask yourself if you are guilty of the same sin.

Thought for Friday June 17

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

For the LORD has chosen Zion;

he prefers her for his dwelling.

“Zion is my resting place forever;

in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

 

Matthew 6: 19 – 23  Jesus said to his disciples:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

What is my treasure?  Where is my heart?

Action:  Make a deposit to your store of treasures.

Thought for Thursday June 16

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

and all peoples see his glory.

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Matthew 6: 7 – 15  “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others,  neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

How good am I at forgiving?   Is there anyone I refuse to forgive?

Action:  Forgive.

Thought for Wednesday June 15

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, O LORD,

which you have in store for those who fear you,

And which, toward those who take refuge in you,

you show in the sight of the children of men.

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

 

Matthew 6: 1 – 6, 16 – 18  Jesus said to his disciples:…  When you give alms… When you pray… When you fast…

Is Jesus assuming too much saying “when” instead of “if”?  When do I give alms, pray and fast?

Action:  Give alms, pray and fast.

Thought for Tuesday June 14

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.

Matthew 5: 43 – 48  Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Am I persecuted?  How do I respond to being treated badly?

Action:  Do something a little bit loving for someone who has done something wrong to you.

Thought for Monday June 13

Lord, listen to my groaning.

At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you.

For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;

no evil man remains with you;

the arrogant may not stand in your sight.

Lord, listen to my groaning.

 

Matthew 5: 38 – 42  Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.”

Am I at peace with Jesus’ words here?   Do I focus more on the evil outside of me, or the evil within?

Action:  Find a way to respond to the evil in your community without getting pulled into it.

Thought for Friday June 10

I long to see your face, O Lord.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
I long to see your face, O Lord.

1 Kings 19: 9 – 16    “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD— but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake— but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake there was fire— but the LORD was not in the fire.  After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.

Do I look for God in wind and fire or in gentle whispers?  Which influences me to act ?

Action:  Spend some time this weekend being quiet enough to hear the whispers.

Thought for Thursday June 9

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Thus have you prepared the land:

drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,

Softening it with showers,

blessing its yield.

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

 

Matthew 5: 20 – 26   Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Is it easier to bring a gift to the altar or to reconcile with someone you are mad at?  Is there anyone I have been mad at for a long time?

Action:  If you answered yes to the second question, do something to help yourself let it go.

Thought for Wednesday June 8

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

 

1 Kings 18: 20 -39  Elijah appealed to all the people and said, “How long will you straddle the issue?  If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.”  The people, however, did not answer him.

Does anything in my life make it seem like I am “straddling the issue?”  Do I respond to anyone or anything more consistently than I respond to God?

Action:  Ignore your other gods (phone, TV, email, fax, telegraph, social network, books, exercise, food, boss, kids?; but not your dog or cat) for one hour and focus on God.

Thought for Tuesday June 7

Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
Lord, let your face shine on us.

Matthew 5: 13 – 16  Jesus said to his disciples:  “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

Am I more suited to be salt or light?  Do I see myself as both?

Action:  Accept your God-given gift to be the salt of the earth AND the light of the world.

Thought for Monday June 6

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Matthew 5: 1 – 12  He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What can I learn from this teaching?  How important is this lesson in my life?

Action:  Be merciful, clean of heart, a peacemaker, and remain loyal to God.

Thought for Friday June 3

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

Ezekiel 34: 11 – 16  I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly.

 

Am I confident that God “has my back”?  Do I accept his leadership or am I determined to  be independent?

 

Action:    It is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Pray this today:

 

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

 

Thought for Thursday June 2

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy

toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,

and his covenant, for their instruction.

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Mark 12: 28 – 34  One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

What commandments do I actually live by?  Which ones would I prefer to ignore?

Action:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,  and with all your strength.