Thought for Wednesday February 1

The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Hebrews 12: 4 – 15  Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.

What does “peace with everyone” mean?  Do I have to accept or agree with what other people believe in order to be at peace with them?

Action:  Acknowledge the bitter roots that have sprung up around you and start taking small steps to overcome them.

Thought for Tuesday January 31

They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"
They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 4  Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.

Who witnesses my sins and burdens?   Does focusing on Jesus help me persevere?

Action:  Rid yourself of some sin that is slowing you down.

Thought for Monday January 30

Lord, rise up and save me.
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
Lord, rise up and save me.

Hebrews 11; 32 – 40  Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.  The world was not worthy of them.

Is the world worthy of me?   Do the stories of the early Christians inspire me or scare the heck out of me?

Action:  Be strong, be brave, be ready.

Thought for Friday January 27

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 26

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Mark 4: 21 – 25  To the one who has, more will be given;  from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Am I a “have” or a “have not”?  Am I excited about what I may be given or worried about what might be taken away?

Action:  Thank God for what you have.

Thought for Wednesday January 25

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.

Mark 16: 15 – 18  These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.  They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Have I ever done any of these things?  Have I ever tried?

Action:  Find a way to communicate with someone who seems isolated, be brave enough to deal with some evil head-on, help heal someone who is hurting...

Thought for Tuesda January 24

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Hebrews 10: 1 – 10  Brothers and sisters: Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come,  and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices  that they offer continually each year.

If the law isn’t enough to lead me to a good life, what else do I need?  Does this mean that following the law has no value?

Action:  Look beyond the law for the path to perfection – St. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life might be a good place to start.  You might even be able to download it for 99¢.

Thought for Monday January 23

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.

Mark 3: 22 – 30  But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property  unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.

Am I strong enough to resist sin, doubt, worry, fear, hatred, self-righteousness, etc.?   How can I get stronger?

Action:  Get stronger.

Thought for Friday January 20

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Mark 3: 13 – 19  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.

Would Jesus have wanted me to be one of his posse?  Would I have wanted to be one of the twelve?

Action:  Do your best to carry out Jesus’ mission like his Apostles have.

Thought for Thursday January 19

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
May all who seek you
exult and be glad in you,
And may those who love your salvation
say ever, "The LORD be glorified."
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Hebrews 7: 25 – 8:6  Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

Do I ever doubt that Jesus is always able to save?  How often do I encounter a situation or person I think is hopeless?

Action:  The next time you face an impossible person or situation, remind yourself that Jesus can save it and see if that helps you deal with it.

Thought for Wednesday January 18

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,

Where does my hardness of heart show itself?  Are there sad situations for which I have no compassion?

Action:  Take on (volunteer, donate, campaign, support, etc.) a new cause; one which you have ignored in the past.

Thought for Tuesday January 17

The Lord will remember his covenant forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
The Lord will remember his covenant forever.

 

Hebrews 6: 10 – 20  Brothers and sisters: God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.  We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.

Is serving others a priority for me?   Am I ever a little sluggish in the practice of my faith?

Action:  Imitate those who are faithful and patient.

Thought for Monday January 16

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5: 1 – 10  Brothers and sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

Do I count myself among the ignorant and erring?  Am I thankful for people who deal with me patiently?

Action:  Be patient with the next ignorant person you meet.

Thought for Friday January 13

Do not forget the works of the Lord!
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
we will declare to the generation to come
The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.
Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Hebrews 4: 1 – 5. 11  Let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

Do I sometimes feel that I have failed?  What benefit is there in being united in faith with others?

 
Action:  Resist the urge to divide yourself from others.

Thought for Thursday January 12

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Hebrews 3: 7 – 14  Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today,"  so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

What do I do each day to encourage myself?  What is the reality that I hold on to?

Action:  Say something encouraging to 2 or 3 people.

Thought for Wednesday January 11

The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Hebrews 2: 14 – 18  Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,  that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Can I imagine Jesus being like me in every way – getting a headache, enjoying a cool breeze on a hot day,  eating something that upset his stomach, cheering for the Capernaum Cowboys football team, …?   Do I ever think about Jesus’ suffering when I am having a bad day?

Action:  Be merciful and try to empathize with people who are having a bad day.  

Thought for Tuesday January 10

You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Mark 1: 21 -28  In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Do I have any unclean spirits within me?  Do I want Jesus to help me be free of my unclean thoughts, words and deeds or am I kind of comfortable with them?

Action:  Clean up something – in your heart, mind, or environment.

 

Thought for Monday January 9

The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.

 

Isaiah 42: 1 -  4, 6 - 7  Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Am I glad Jesus teaches and leads with gentleness and firmness?  Do I feel called to be a joyful witness who illuminates a path that brings hope and love?

Action:  Be gentle but firm in your dealings with others, and yourself.

Thought for Friday January 6

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
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!
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Luke 3: 23 – 38  When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.  He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, …

Why are people interested in their heritage?  What value is there in recording Jesus’ ancestors?

Action:  Give thanks today for something previous generations did that  made the world better.

Thought for Thursday January 5

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
 Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

 

John 1 : 43 – 51  Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel.   There is no duplicity in him."

Could Jesus say the same about me – that I am not deceitful?  What effect does dishonesty have on relationships, families, societies?


Action:  Be honest.

Thought for Wednesday January 4

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy before the LORD.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

John 1: 35 – 42 Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”

Am I looking for anything?  Is there something I really don’t want to find?

Action:  Keep looking.

Thought for Tuesday January 3

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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.

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 John 2: 29 – 3:6  See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.  Yet so we are.

Do I treat others like children of God?  Do I treat myself like a child of God? 

Action:  You are a child of God.  Act like it.

Thought for Monday January 2

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
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.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

John 1:19 – 28  So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."

Do I ever feel like I am the lone voice crying out in the face of some injustice?  Who do I know that continues to faithfully cry out even when he/she seems to get no help or support?

Action:  Pope Francis says 2017 will be a good year if people do good things.  Do good things.