Category: Verse for the day

“You were dead.” –Ephesians 2:1 Mass Readings: October 17 First: Ephesians 2:1-10; Resp: Psalm 100:2-5; Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 We start life “dead in sin” (Eph 2:5), and we buy into death through our “sins and offenses” (Eph 2:1). In this living death (1 Jn 3:14), we are blinded, manipulated, and drafted into giving “allegiance to the present age and to the prince of the air, that spirit who is even now at work among the rebellious” (Eph 2:2). Satan keeps us in line and enslaved by seducing us to live “at the level of the flesh, following every whim and...

“…the necessity of praying always and not losing heart.” –Luke 18:1 Mass Readings: October 16 First: Exodus 17:8-13; Resp: Psalm 121:1-8; Second: 2 Timothy 3:14–4:2; Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 Jesus teaches us in today’s parable to pray in perseverance for our needs (Lk 18:1). Elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus reveals more about how to pray always with perseverance and power: Pray by listening to God (Lk 10:38-42). Pray in a love-relationship with “Abba” (Mt 6:9; Gal 4:6). Pray with faith. Jesus is always looking for faith (Lk 18:8). Pray without ever losing heart, that is, not growing weary and not going through...

“I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men – the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God.” –Luke 12:8 Mass Readings: October 15 First: Ephesians 1:15-23; Resp: Psalm 8:2-7; Gospel: Luke 12:8-12 Several billion people desperately need to be introduced to Jesus, the only Way, Truth, Life (Jn 14:6), Savior (Acts 4:12), and God. The most deprived people in the world are those who have not come to know, love, and worship Jesus. Until we give our lives to Jesus, we have not begun to fully live. Consequently, because life in Christ is most important, and...

“In [Christ] we were chosen.” –Ephesians 1:11 Mass Readings: October 14 First: Ephesians 1:11-14; Resp: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,12-13; Gospel: Luke 12:1-7 We Christians have been baptized into Jesus and, consequently, into His death and Resurrection (Rm 6:3-4). We have been baptized into Jesus and into His priesthood, prophetic ministry, and kingship (see 1 Pt 2:9). “In [Christ] we were chosen” (Eph 1:11; see also 1:13). In and with Him, we are heirs of God’s kingdom (Rm 8:17; see also Eph 1:14). Baptized into Christ, we inherit the grace to be holy, pure, and free. The ramifications of our Baptisms are so...