Category: Prayers in English

STIR THE LORD TO CONCERN (JL 2:18)

“Then the Lord was stirred to concern for His land and took pity on His people.” -–Joel 2:18 God is a God of mercy. Jesus has revealed that nothing causes more joy in heaven than a repentant sinner. The Lord apparently cannot resist a humble, contrite, repentant heart (Ps 51:19). Those of us who are parents are blessed to get a glimpse of the heart of God in this area. When my children have approached me truly sorry for what they have done wrong, my fatherly heart melts with love for them. If I want good things for my children,...

FOOT-NOTES

“When I say, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your kindness, O Lord, sustains me.” –Psalm 94:18 Mass Readings: February 13 First: James 1:12-18; Resp: Psalm 94:12-15,18-19; Gospel: Mark 8:14-21. Listen to the Mass Readings When we walk in Jesus’ footsteps (Lk 9:23), we will fall because Jesus Himself fell while carrying His cross. We cannot allow these falls to erode our trust in our heavenly Father. In tempting Jesus, Satan even told Jesus that Scripture promised that He wouldn’t even hit His foot on a stone (Mt 4:6; Ps 91:12). However, when the Lord promises to guard our feet from stumbling...

LOOKING FOR A SIGN?

“[The Pharisees] were looking for some heavenly sign from Him as a test. With a sigh from the depths of His spirit He said, ‘Why does this age seek a sign? I assure you, no such sign will be given it!’ ” –Mark 8:11-12 Mass Readings: February 12 First: James 1:1-11; Resp: Psalm 119:67-68,71-72,75-76; Gospel: Mark 8:11-13 Listen to the Mass Readings Do you need a sign from God to believe in His power and love? Well, then, despite not giving the Pharisees of His time a sign, the Lord is about to give the world an incredible sign, one...

A. M. D. G.

“Whatever you do – you should do all for the glory of God.” –1 Corinthians 10:31 It’s the middle of winter; it’s bitterly cold; it’s so tempting to hide away and just go through the motions. However, Lent begins on Wednesday. Lent is a great antidote for the temptation to go through the motions and do the bare minimum in our work, school, marriage, parenting, ministry, etc. The Church gives us Lent to break through the drudgery of life (see Jb 7:1). There can be no going through the motions at the foot of the cross. When we place ourselves...

THE SIN OF MAKING UP A RELIGION

“This was a sin on the part of the house of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the earth.” –1 Kings 13:34 One of the worst sins that can be committed is to make up our own religion. Jeroboam committed this sin, and we too are tempted to do this in many ways. How many people decide to reject certain teachings of the Lord and His Church? Isn’t that making up one’s own religion in part? How many Catholics ignore the Pope? Are they making a church without a pope, or are they making...