Taurians….

November 30,2007-Why catch fish when you can catch people? Jesus’ personalized promo catches Andrew and Simon’s attention and catches them forever. They have plans of thier own but hear of a Plan hard to ignore. So they leave everything and follow Jesus. What are your plans? Listen: the Lord may have other plans for you.

November 29,2007- Like Daniel we find ourselves in dark, threatening dens. (Pause to recall an experience like this). But we have a choice: Either so stare at or curse the dark. Or look up above and set our eyes on the Light. Whatever dark dens we find ourselves in, God’s morning will come. We will pull through.

November 28, 2007- St. Catherine Labourne, to whom Our Lady gave the Miraculous Medal, lived in the convent with out her co-Sisters knowing she was the priviledged one. She quietly  worked. She did menial jobs like the rest. She reminds us that life isn’t about honor and status. The Lord after all worked hard–without fanfare.

November 27,2007-How do you learn persistence? Look at the heroes of our faith–Abraham,Joseph, Mother Teresa. They stood still even if the situation was unsetting. You can look even more: See how God stayed and stood with them even in the most unsetting moments. And now look at yourself: See God hasn’t given up on you!

November 26,2007-A widow loses name and benefit when she loses her husband. Poor and powerless she is at the mercy of the society. Yet she readily gives up to her small coins. It must’ve hurt since it is her last and her bare means and the only thing she has. But she gives still! Ponder your own giving and the gifts you give God and others.

November 25,2007-Perhaps the hardest to conquer on earth isn’t any land but something much smaller and closer: the human heart. It insists on self-rule. But the more it stubbornly follows its own way the less free it is. Honestly look at your own heart. Christ your King invites you to lay down your arms before Him.

November 24,2007-Amont the 117 martyrs of Vietnam is St. Agnes Thanh Thi Le, housewife and mother of 6 who bravely carried letters from priests in prison. She was imprisoned and tortured. At her execution she requested to wear beautiful clothes to ‘meet the Divine Bridegroom.‘Thanh’ in Vietnamese means successful.

November 23,2007-Blessed Miguel Pro was a Jesus martyrd in 1927 in the persecution in Mexico. Even as a kid he was known for his jokes and pranks. Because religion was banned he had to wear many disguises (as old woman, clown,husband) so he could avoid the police and say Mass. Yes we can serve God with a sense of humor!

November 22,2007-Say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander and malice of every kind.’(Eph 4) Start your day with a sincere resolve to be better. Self-conquest isn’t easy. But right intention and best effort matter much.

November 21, 2007-A mother eagle teaches her young to fly by taking them far up in the air and dropping them from there. In between gasps for air, they flap their wings  and learn to glide in the wind. All through this the mother eagle stays close by to save anyone in peril. God is ever near us. We are in the shadow of His wings!

November 20,2007-Zacchaeus is another man who doesn’t see. Not because he’s blind but because he’s small. His wealth and power have so sorrounded and dwarfed him. But he climbs a tree to see Jesus! We may be stunted by our sinful patterns. We fall short of our own expectations of ourselves. But we can rise above them.

November 19,2007-The blind beggar is on the roadside but Jesus notices him. Jesus stops and restores his sight. The man is able to see and walks after Jesus. From begging on the roadside he, now follows Jesus on the road. In following our Lord we are to look at the roadside, help others find their way and make them see.

November 18,2007-We all have fears, some of them sensible, some unnecessary. What is it that you fear most? Reflect before you scroll down. We’re afraid of storms and earthquakes, fires and road accidents, diseases and suffering. But are we ever afraid of losing our relationship with God? What matters is life that lasts!

November 17,2007-Because the widow keeps coming to the merciless judge to plead  for her case, he finally gives in. In prayer we learn persistense. In reality we do not get all that we want, e.g., material needs. But something changes in us when we ‘cry to Him day and night.’ We grow in trust. We persist in God.

November 16,2007-St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches us to find God in all things, to see that everything around us and in us is gift. But mant times we get caught up with the gifts that we forget the Giver. It’s exactly 40 days before Christmas. How can you be more aware of the Giver who comes to give Himself to you each day?

November 15,2007-For us sign-seekers we search for the Kingdom far and wide. We ask where, when and how. But Jesus tells us: Look here it is! There it is! See the Kingdom is among you.’ What we do, where we are and how we live are opportunities to find and live God’s Kingdom on earth. Are you in the Father’s business?

November 14,2007-A leper loses privileges and relationships due to his illness. To be Samaritan and leper is to be 2x disadvantaged and allienated, shunned all the more by Jews. Often it’s when we accept our humble condition that we become appreciative and grateful. Of the 10 lepers, only the Samaritan leper went back to thank Jesus! 

November 13,2007- A good servant knows his place. He belongs to his master. He follows him and attends to his needs. He stay within reach so he can go when he’s needed. We are good servants. Through our talents and gifts we become aware of the roles and responsibilities He entrusts to us. So how are you serving
your master?

November 12,2007- If others have wronged you do you fight them head-on? Or do you treat them as if they don’t exist? The Gospel offers a little note on kindness: ‘If your brother offends you rebuke him and if he’s sorry forgive him.’ (Lk 17:3) The Lord who has been so kind to you asks you to be kind to others too.

November 11,2007-Jesus comes to give us new life. The signs and wonders He works all speak of life. This Sunday relish and ponder the experience of life. What has given you much life thesew past days or weeks? What has drained you?   See how in these moments the Lord seeks to renew you and give you the  fullness of life.

November 10,2007-How much have you thought of others this past week? Close your eyes and reflect. ‘Do to no one what yourself dislike. Give to the hungry some of  your bread and to the naked some of your clothing.‘ (Tob 4:15ff). It’s 45 days before  Christmas. What can you do for those most in need in your community?

November 9,2007-Queen Isabella tells St. Anthony Claret: Everyone always asks favors from me. Is there anything you’d like for yourself? The saint promptly replies: Let me resign as your confessor. We know how interiorly free one is by how ready and willing he is to let go of the honor and power he enjoys. How free are you?

November 8,2007-The shepherd is restless when 1 of his 100 sheep is lost. He braves the treacherous terrain to look for the 1 gone astray. Finding it he gently, joyfully carries it on his shoulders back home. How have you experienced God’s shepherding these days? Relish the many moments when He led you back home.

November 7,2007-To hate one’s parents and family and one’s own life doesn’t mean to treat them cruelly. ‘To hate’ is an expression in Jesus’ time which means to put one thing in second place. We’re reminded there’s One who is our first place: Jesus. In all things we must seek Him. All things must lead you and me back to Him.

November 6, 2007- We are all invited to God’s great banquet. No exception-rich and disabled. But often we refuse this invitation because we’re occupied by many personal affairs and possessions. God desires to share His abundance with you. What in your life keeps you from your keeps you from accepting his invitation?

November 5, 2007- Only when grain falls to the ground and dies does it bear fruit. Jesus teaches us not only how to live but also how to die. We truly live and share life when we give up our selfish joys, focus on others and less on ourselves. Lord falling to the ground scares me. But help me see it’s your life-giving Way.

November 4,2002-Obstacle get in our way to the Lord. Ponder the ‘crowds’ that overwhelm you now., Don’t let them push you down. The Lord is near.

November 3,2007-How does one behave oneself at table during a feast? The Pharisees jostle for the best seats and best places. Jesus has a simple table rule. Occupy the last, least and lowest. For it’s better to be told ‘Move up!’ than ‘Move down!’ The Lord raises up the lowly. It’s they who are first in the Kingdom.

November 2,2007- We prayerfully remember today all our faithful departed. In many ways this feast is for us the living. As we recall the lives of our departed, we quietly, honestly reflect on our own. Where are we on our own earthly pilgrimage? Where are we headed? How faithful–or not faithful–have we been?

November 1,2007- Happy All Saints Day! We have patron for youth and expectant mothers, laborer and athletes, lovers and the hopeless. This only shows us that holiness is found in our-daily ordinary tasks and concerns. Our daily struggles are occasions to become who we truly are in God. Saints offer much comfort: We can!