Thought for Thursday February 21

From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."
From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

Mark 8: 27 – 33  He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.

Do I really want to work for someone who predicts this kind of outcome?  What did the disciples know that kept them going in spite of this prediction?

Action:  Make a list of 3 – 5 reasons to kept following Jesus in spite of his own prediction.

Thought for Wednesday February 20

To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

  

Mark 8: 22 – 26  "Do you see anything?"

What do I see?  Do I see Jesus Christ working in the world today?

Action:  Point out something you see that you think can be made better and get people to help you make it happen.

Thought for Tuesday February 19

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.

Mark 8: 14 - 21  The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.

  

What do I forget when I go out to do the work of Jesus?  What do I always take with me?

  

Action:  Make a list of things (spiritual, emotional, & physical) that you need to do the work of the Kingdom.

Thought for Monday February 18

Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

Mark 8: 11 – 13  "Why does this generation seek a sign?”

Do I look for signs from God?   Have I ever used “not having a sign” as an excuse for not doing something I knew I should do?

Action:  Do something you have been putting off while waiting for the “right time” or ‘right sign”?

Thought for Friday February 15

Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

 Mark 7: 31 – 37  And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.

What do I hear everyday that I would rather be deaf to?  What would I miss most if I were deaf?

Action:  Pick 5 words that you believe shouldn’t be in your vocabulary (e.g. hate, stupid, can’t, ugly, @#$%^) and try to stop saying them.

Thought for Thursday February 14

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

  

Mark 7: 24 – 30  Jesus went to the district of Tyre.  He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,  but he could not escape notice.

  

Have I ever thought about what it would be like to have my every movement followed and publicized?  Do I show respect for the people who have sacrificed privacy to serve?

  

Action:  Pray for all of those who are in public positions and think about everything they have sacrificed before gossiping about them.

Thought for Wednesday February 13

O bless the Lord, my soul!
All creatures look to you
to give them food in due time.
When you give it to them, they gather it;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Mark 7: 14 – 23  Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.”

  

What does it take to understand Jesus’ message?  How hard do I work to understand scripture?

  

Action:  Work to understand whatever Jesus is trying to tell you.

Thought for Tuesday February 12

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!
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.
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

Mark 7: 1 – 13  "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"

What do I do based mostly on familial or societal tradition?  Is following tradition having a positive effect on my life?

  

Action:  Adopt a new tradition (for Valentine’s Day, Lent, Spring, President’s Day, etc) that you think will have a positive effect on your life.  To get started you could ask others what they do or research different cultures.

Thought for Monday February 11

May the Lord be glad in his works.
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
May the Lord be glad in his works.

Mark 6: 53 – 56  As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him [Jesus].

How do I recognize Jesus?  Do I see him working in the world?

Action:  Look for Jesus this week in places where you have never noticed him being.

Thought for Friday February 8

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
For he will hide me in his abode
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Mark 6: 14 – 29  The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

If someone offered to grant me a wish, what woud I wish for?  Am I working to make  that wish come true?

Action:  Work to make something you would wish for come true.

Thought for Thursday February 7

O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
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.
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Mark 6: 7 – 13  Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

If Jesus were to send me out like this (two by two) whom would I want to go with?  Who most helps me do the work of God?

Action:  If you have someone you would want to go with, do something nice for him or her today.  If you don’t know someone you would want to go with, treat yourself to a “rugged individualist” special treat.

Thought for Wednesday February 6

The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Mark 6: 1 – 6  Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,

  

Do I ever pigeonhole people based on my first impression or experience of them?   Do I stereotype people in a way that limits their ability to “perform mighty deeds” around me?

  

Action:  Take a fresh look  at 3 people in your life and see if you can notice how God is working through them in ways you haven’t noticed.

Thought for Tuesday February 5

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.

 Mark 5: 21 – 43  But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?"

In the crowd of people that has surrounded me throughout my life, who has touched me?  How have I touched others?

Action:  Make it your goal to help (touch) as many people as have helped you, but don’t overburden yourself with a schedule.

Thought for Monday February 4

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

Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!

The LORD keeps those who are constant,

but more than requites those who act proudly.

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

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 that you have never made him a part of.

Thought for Friday February 1

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

  

Mark 4: 26 – 34  To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? 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.

Does this give me hope that my faith will grow?  Does it give me hope that my society can grow toward God from the smallest seeds of good?

Action:  Do something really small to help establish the Kingdom of God and believe that your action will grow.

Thought for Thursday January 31

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 30

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 4: 1 – 20  A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

What in my life “eats” the word of God before it can even begin to take root?  What can I do about it?

Action:  Identify something in your life that steals your attention from God and work to get more control over it.  For example: turn off your computer, cell phone, TV,  or put away your romance, spy, western or mystery novel or a little while every day.

Thought for Tuesday January 29

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.

Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Mark 3: 31 – 35  A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”  But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

What do I think Mary would have said in response to this?  Does my relationship with my family help me to be a more faithful, loving and spiritual person?

Action:  Write, call, text, email or visit someone in your family today.

Thought for Monday January 28

Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all you lands.
Sing to the Lord; bless his name.

Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

  

Mark 3: 22 – 30  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

What division do I see today?  Is that division slowing progress toward establishing the Kingdom of God?

Action:  Join in with a project you believe transcends divisions to focus on solutions.

Thought for Friday 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 tried to do any of these things?  Do I know someone who does these things?

Action:  Leave snakes alone and don't drink poison.  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 Thursday January 24

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.

Mark 3: 7 – 12  A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.  Hearing what he was doing,  a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,  from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,  and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

What did these people have to invest in order to follow Jesus?  What am I willing to invest?

Action:  Invest something (time, energy, attention) to get to know Jesus better.

Thought for Wednesday January 23

You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Mark 3: 1 – 6  “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”

Do I believe I have done or been involved in things that are actually evil?  What evils are obvious in today's world?  

  

Action:  Honestly examine your life and identify an evil that you do or are at least involved in and quit.

Thought for Tuesday January 22

The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

  

Mark 2: 23 – 28  As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.  At this the Pharisees said to him,  “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”

Were the Pharisees really upset at what the disciples were doing or were they just looking for a reason to be annoyed?  Do I ever catch myself looking for a reason to be annoyed?

Action:  The next time you find yourself being annoyed, ask yourself if it is something important or just an excuse to be mad.

Thought for Monday January 21

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 Mark 2: 18 – 22  People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

Do I pay more attention to what other people do or to what I am doing?  What is my experience of fasting?

Action:  Fast when no one else is.

Thought for Friday January 18

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!

 Mark 2: 1 – 12  They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him.

How hard do I work to bring people to Jesus?  Do I give up easily?

Action:  If you have been working to bring someone to Jesus, keep trying.

Thought for Thursday January 17

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.

  

Mark 1: 40 – 45   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.

Am I so overwhelmed with news that I just tune out the good with the bad?   How would I get the word out about something good that happened?

Action:  Share good news.

Thought for Wednesday January 16

The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
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 for ever.

Mark 1: 29 – 39  He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

If Jesus cured me, would I immediately jump up and serve him?  What excuses do I give for not serving him?

Action:  Face one of your excuses head on and try to overcome it.

Thought for Tuesday January 15

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  All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority.

Do I look respect authority?  Am I willing to accept that God has authority and that there is right and wrong?

Action:  Try to go for one day without using relative terms (in some cases, it depends, usually, maybe,  agree to disagree) when you are talking about what you believe.

Thought for Monday January 14

Let all his angels worship him.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
Let all his angels worship him.
Let all his angels worship him.

  

Mark 1: 14 – 20  Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him.

What would Jesus have to offer me for me to give up everything I know?  What am I willing to leave behind?

  

Action:  If there is something you are holding on to that is getting in the way of living your faith, make a plan to give it up.

Thought for Friday January 11

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.

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?

Do I feel like a victor over all the world?  Do I ever feel like the world has beaten me?

  

Action:  Celebrate the small victories in your life.

Thought for Thursday January 10

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
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.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Luke 4: 14 – 22  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region.  He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

Does everyone who praises Jesus’ teaching change their lives?  Am I changing my life because of his teaching?

Action:  Do something in response to Jesus’ teaching.

Thought for Wednesday January 9

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Mark 6: 45 – 52  About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea.  He meant to pass by them.  But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out.

Have I ever wondered where Jesus meant to go?  Have I ever wondered where I am going?

Action:  Go somewhere - physically, spiritually, emotionally, geographically - this year.

Thought for Tuesday January 8

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Mark 6: 34 – 44  When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd;

Do I accept Jesus’ leadership or do I prefer to be my own shepherd?  How well is my choice working for me?

 Action:  If there is some aspect of your life that isn’t going well, look for a new shepherd – starting with Jesus.

Thought for Monday January 7

I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.”
I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

Matthew 4: 12 – 25  From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Does celebrating Christmas make me feel like the Kingdom of God is at hand?  If the kingdom is at hand, is there something of which I should repent?

Action:  Begin the new year by repenting of a sin or bad habit.

Thought for Friday 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:  Figure out what you are looking for in life and come up with a plan to find it.

Thought for Thursday 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.

John 1: 29 - 34  John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Is this any way to introduce your cousin?  Does John’s introduction of Jesus make him seen friendly/approachable or distant?

Action:  The next time you are talking to someone about God, be aware that you can make him seem friendly, scary, powerful, overwhelming, patient, vengeful, etc.

Thought for Wednesday 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  When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?”

What is my most honest answer for “Who are you?”?  Who do I really want to be?

Action:  If there is a difference between who you are and who you want to be, make a change in your life to close the gap.

Thought for Friday 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 Thursday December 20

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
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.
Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

  

Luke 1: 26 – 38  …for nothing will be impossible for God.

Do I believe that nothing is impossible for God?  Do I believe he can do great things through me?

Action:  Take on something that is a little over your head and trust that God will help you.

Thought for Wednesday December 19

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Luke 1: 5 – 25  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

Does the way I live my life  bring joy and gladness to my parents?  What could I do to make people rejoice over my existence?

Action:  Do something today your Mom & Dad and God the Father would be proud of you for.

Thought for Tuesday December 18

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Matthew 1: 18 – 25  Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

Am I ever afraid to do what is right?  How do I overcome my fears?

Action:  Support someone who is doing something that scares him.

Thought for Monday December 17

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Matthew 1: 1 – 17 ... Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.   Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah...

Who cares?  Do I think Jesus spent any time contemplating what it meant to be part of a long line of people?

Action:  Send a Christmas card to your most distantly related, shirttail cousin or acquaintance just to acknowledge that we are all one family in Christ.

Thought for Friday December 14

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Matthew 11: 16 – 19  Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation?

How would I describe my generation?  Do I think older generations were somehow better than mine or that the younger ones are worse?

Action:  Work to make your generation as great as the one you admire most.

Thought for Thursday December 13

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.

Matthew 11: 11 – 15  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

Are the violent winning?  How does Jesus help me “survive” the violence that is around me and in my own heart?

Action:  The next time you have a violent thought ask Jesus to help you resist the temptation and then do something nice for the next person you see.

Thought for Wednesday December 12 Feast of our Lady of Guadeloupe

You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
You are the highest honor of our race.

  

Luke 1: 39 -  47  And Mary said:  “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;  my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”

  

What do my words and my actions proclaim the greatness of the Lord?  What do I find most amazing or inspiring about Mary?

Action:  Do something today to rejoice in God’s greatness.

Thought for Tuesday December 11

The Lord our God comes with power.
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 let all the trees of the forest rejoice.
The Lord our God comes with power.

Matthew 18: 12 – 14  If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills  and go in search of the stray?

Have I ever been the stray?  If so, who came looking for me?

  

Action:  Go out on a limb to help someone who really needs it.

Thought for Monday December 10

Our God will come to save us!

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

Our God will come to save us!

Isaiah 35: 1 - 10   Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; The abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.

What am I anticipating?   Do I have a sense that something great is happening or will happen?

Action:  Don't just wait for great things to happen, put some of your own energy into changing the world.

Thought for Friday December 7

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

How did the blind men follow Jesus?  Does Jesus help me rise above my limitations?

Action: Spend some time this weekend developing a plan to address those things you tell yourself you can't do or are not good at.

Thought for Thursday December 6

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, 

for his mercy endures forever.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD

than to trust in princes. 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 7: 21 - 27  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.   The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.  And it collapsed and was completely ruined.

Are there things in the Gospel I just kind of ignore?  Do I feel like I am on sand or solid rock?

Action:  Don't just sit there; o something great today - volunteer, visit, donate.

Thought for Wednesday December 5

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

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.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Matthew 15: 29 - 37  Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.  I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way." 

How many meals would I miss to listen to Jesus teach?  If I had something with me, would i have shared?

Action:  Share what you have and trust that it will be enough.

Thought for Tuesday December 4

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

Justice shall flower in his days,

and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

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

Isaiah 11: 1 - 10  Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;  The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.  The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.

Am I able to spend time with people who seem like they are the exact opposite of me?  Do I tolerate people in these situations or do I really work to form peaceful productive relationships?

Action:  Whether you are the wolf or the lamb, try to be the one who makes the relationship work.

Thought for Monday December 3

 Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my relatives and friends

I will say, "Peace be within you!"

Because of the house of the LORD, our God,

I will pray for your good.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Isaiah 2: 1  - 5  In days to come, The mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.  They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.

Can I envision a world without violence and conflict?  What role do I play in the conflict around me?

Action:  Do something to bring peace to your community, family, or workplace.

Thought for Friday 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:  This weekend, do something you want Jesus to see you doing.

Thought for Thursday November 29

Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9  Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb."

What does it mean to me to be invited to a wedding?  Do I feel like I have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb?

Action:  Spend as much time preparing for mass this Sunday (first Sunday of Advent) as you do preparing to go to a wedding.

Thought for Wednesday November 28

Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty 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.
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!

Luke 21: 12 – 19  By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Through what have I persevered?  What have I given up on finishing?

Action:  Make an effort to accomplish something you have given up on doing.

Thought for Tuesday November 27

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.”

How does the art, architecture and decoration of a church affect me?  What makes a church a church?

Action:  Be thankful for your church community and participate in something they are doing during the holiday season.