Thought for Friday December 1

Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
Here God lives among his people.

 

Luke 21: 29 – 33  “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open,  you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;  in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

 

Do I see any signs that the Kingdom of God is near?   What would I like to see happening?

Action:  Get involved with or start your own project to make the Kingdom of God a little more present here and now.

Thought for thursday November 30

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

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Matthew 4: 18 – 22  As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,  Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

How do I identify myself?  What job does Jesus see me doing?

Action:  Embrace your work – be competent, be caring, stay balanced.

Thought for Tuesday November 28

The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Luke 21: 5 – 11  While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

What, in the church I go to, helps me to worship and pray?  Does Jesus’ description of the end times worry me comfort me, or…?

Action:  Decorate your house for Advent in a way that will really help you focus on the season.

Thought for Monday November 27

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.

Luke 21: 1 – 4  He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

What is the hardest thing for me to give – money, energy, time, love, etc.?  What is the greatest gift another person has given me in the last year?

Action:  Give until it hurts – make a donation that is a little more than is easy for you.  It doesn’t have to be money – blood is in great demand at this time of year.

Thought for Wednesday November 22

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
My steps have been steadfast in your paths,
my feet have not faltered.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20 - 31   It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.

Who would I want with me if I was being “put to the test”?  In what ways is your faith tested? - (I assume no one is force-feeding you pork)

Action:  Give thanks for the people who support you in the practice of the faith.

Thought for Tuesday November 21

The Lord upholds 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.

The Lord upholds me.

2 Maccabees 6: 18 – 31  Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat…  But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God…  He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: "At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion.

 

Am I aging with dignity?  Do I see my responsibility to live the faith growing as I get older?

Action:  Remember your words and your example have an influence on others – live up to your responsibility.

Thought for Monday November 20

Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten.
Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

Luke 18: 35 – 43  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

Have I seen a miracle?  What miracle would I most like to see happen?

Action:  Work to improve some situation that “would need a miracle to fix.”

 

 

Thought for Friday November 17

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

Wisdom 13: 1 – 9   All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan;

Do I know people who see everything God created and still aren’t smart enough to really appreciate him?   How different would my life be if I were ignorant of God?

Action:  Be wise – don’t do anything stupid this weekend.

Thought for Thursday November 16

Your word is forever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
Your word is forever, O Lord.

Wisdom 7:22 – 8: 1  In Wisdom is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.

Who do I know that exhibits this kind of wisdom?  Do I accept that I have this gift of Wisdom and am I willing to accept the responsibility to use it?

Action:  Remember to ask Mother Mary to come to you speaking words of wisdom; she will be there in your hour of darkness standing right in front of you.

Thought for Wednesday November 15

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.

 

Luke 17: 11 – 19  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

How often do I say “Thank You” to people who have helped me?  Do I sometimes take help for granted?

Action:  Think back in your life and pick out something someone did for you that has had a great impact on your life, especially if you didn’t notice at the time; contact the person who helped you and thank him or her; if you can’t do that – pay it forward.

Thought for Tuesday November 14

I will bless the Lord at all times.
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.
I will bless the Lord at all times.

Wisdom 2: 23 – 3:9  But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,  and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.

Does my faith in God’s love and promise of his peace inspire love and charity in me?  Do my acts of love and charity sustain my faith in God’s love?

Action: Let your faith inspire charity and your charity keep your faith.

Thought for Monday November 13

Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

 

Wisdom 1: 1 – 7  Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart;  For perverse counsels separate a man from God, and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy; Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.

Does sin make us stupid?  What is separating me from God?

Action:  Pay off some of your “debt of sin” – examine your conscience, repent, confess, make amends, seek indulgences, offer an act of contrition…

 

Thought for Thursday November 9

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!

 

John 2: 13 – 22  Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.

Does this mean the disciples didn’t believe Jesus or the scriptures until after the resurrection?  When did I come to believe Jesus and the scripture?

Action:  Make a point this week of acting like somebody other people will believe.

Thought for Wednesday November 8

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

Luke 14: 25 – 43  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?

Have I calculated the cost of carrying my cross with Jesus?  Do I have what it takes to complete the job?

Action:  Reallocate some of your time, money, talent, or energy  to something you know you need to do but have been putting off – visiting someone, going to the doctor, quitting smoking, learning a new skill, volunteering, praying, exercising, getting married, changing jobs, dealing with a problem …

Thought for Tuesday November 7

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

Romans 12: 5 – 16  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

What grace has been given to me?  Who do I know that exercises his gifts really well?

Action:  Invest time improving your ability to exercise your gifts – take a class, read a book, etc.

Thought for Monday November 6

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Romans 11: 29 – 36  Brothers and sisters:  The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

Do I sometimes see my gifts as a burden because of the duty I have to exercise them?   Is there a responsibility I would really like to have taken from me?

Action:   Reach out to support someone who seems to be struggling with his gifts or call.

Thought for Friday November 3

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 14: 1 – 6  On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.

How often do I eat with people who are suffering?  Who invites me to eat when things aren’t going well?

Action:  Start thinking about your plans for the upcoming holiday season.  Consider spending part of your time serving those who are  suffering instead of just the usual insufferable relatives. [Just kidding folks]

Thought for Thursday November 2

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.

Wisdom 3: 1 – 9  The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.  They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.  But they are in peace.

Is there anyone I know who has died that I worry about, i.e. maybe they didn’t quite make it?  How often do I pray for the dead?

Action:  Pray for the dead.