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July 26, 2024 – Gardening with Gusto

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

 

Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your Incarnation. You became flesh for love of us. You were not forced to leave the bliss and glory of heaven. You chose to leave in order to save us. I believe in you. I hope in you. I love you. You took the first step of love toward me. I want to respond in kind.

Petition: Grant me the grace to follow you with conviction and willpower.

1. Sheltering the Word in My Heart: Our Lord often speaks of the enemy of God, the devil, as a real being, who has real influence over our lives. When we hear the Word of God, good intentions grow within us. The Evil One attempts to “steal” these intentions away from our heart. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the devil and demons made a radical and irrevocable free choice to reject God and his reign (n. 392). The devil tries to uproot our good resolutions with the same goal in mind. We must make a firm commitment to allow God’s word to take root and grow in our lives.

2. Convictions over Emotions: The seed sown on rocky ground represents those who receive the word with joy at first, in other words, those easily governed by emotions and sentiments. When they feel joy, they respond to God positively. When they receive comforts from Christ, they are ready to follow him. But when their moods are bad or gloomy, they leave aside their previous resolutions and abandon the Lord for the wide and spacious road of ease and comforts. They are not seeking Christ but rather their own consolation. Above all they want warm, cozy feelings. Christ shows us the way of true loyalty and love by his crucifixion and death on the cross for love of his Father and souls.

3. Oxygen for the Soul: One of the saddest categories of people in the Parable of the Sower are those who receive the word but allow “worldly anxiety and the lure of riches” to “choke the word” so that it “bears no fruit” in their lives. Materialism is an all-pervasive temptation in our world today. The only way to conquer this assault on our faith is to make the firm resolution to make time for God. We must make the proactive decision to insert moments for him in our day. Prayer, the sacraments (Mass, confession), spiritual reading, and the Rosary are examples of ways to do this.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, in my mind you are my first priority. In reality, though, I allow other priorities to topple your rightful position in my life. I allow my feelings to govern my actions instead of my faith and convictions. Strengthen my resolve to make you the true King of my heart in my concrete choices and decisions.

Resolution: I will go over my daily and weekly schedule and, if necessary, make more quality time for the Lord.

July 26, 2024 – Gardening with Gusto Read More »

Legionaries of Christ Diaconate Ordination 2024

Called by Name to be Christ’s Alone

/ APP News Feed, Legionaries of Christ, Regnum Christi News

Br. John Kenny, LC will be ordained to the transitional deaconate by Cardinal Dinardo on August 17, 2024, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston Texas. He shares his vocation story below.

Legionaries of Christ Diaconate Ordination 2024Howdy y’all, my name is John Kenny! I was born and raised in the mighty metropolis of Houston, Texas. I come from a large Catholic family, two boys and five girls. I am the third in the line up. I grew up playing a lot of sports, but I especially loved swimming and soccer. Family was very important and I think where I got my sensitivity to spiritual things was from my mom and dad. I would observe how they prayed at Mass, and I got the feeling that it really meant something to them. Also, I loved how they combined faith with fun things. My dad would usually take us to baseball games right after Mass, and my mom always knew how to combine faith with her love for the outdoors in the frequent camping trips we took as kids.

I remember that when I was around 13 years old, I would go with my mom and younger sisters to downtown Houston. We would go to this chapel of the Holy Cross Fathers on Main Street every first Friday. My mom would promise us donuts from Krispy Kreme if we went to confession. So of course I went. After doing this several times, I began to really enjoy the experience of receiving God’s mercy. At around the same time, I had gone on a retreat with the Legionaries of Christ. There I had met a young seminarian who was incredible at sports and who also knew how to speak to us on our level. The idea of the priesthood began to germinate in my heart, because at the end of the retreat, I thought to myself, “If I ever become a priest, I want to be like this guy.” So one time I went to confession in this small chapel in downtown Houston, but this time changed the course of my life. I made my confession and was trying to listen to the priest’s advice. But at one point, I felt this interior movement, an intuition, a voice in my heart that said, “John I want you to be my priest.” Called by name and called to be Christ’s alone.

From there I began to try and see where this call was leading me. As I continued to go to weekend camping retreats with the Legionaries of Christ, their dynamic style and deep spiritual life began to pull on me like a strong river current. I visited one of their minor seminaries in New Hampshire and I immediately felt at home. This was my place. So I changed schools, and went up to New Hampshire to finish my high school and live in a place that would be conducive to discernment. After four years there, I saw that God was calling me to enter the novitiate. From there this vocation has taken me all over the world, from Mexico to Italy, from France to Lebanon. God never disappoints and he uses you for things you could never imagine.

After many years of preparation and formation, I realized that I am a weak and poor instrument, but nonetheless chosen by God to carry His message of mercy. What is my great aspiration not only as a future priest but also a religious? To be someone who listens and generously imparts God’s mercy in confession, just as I received it.

I ask for your prayers, and be assured of mine. God bless y’all.

Called by Name to be Christ’s Alone Read More »

July 25, 2024 – Called to Be Servants

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

 

 

Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, in spite of my many failures, I know you continue to call me. Your Spirit continues to guide me. I trust in you, love you, and praise you for all your gifts to me. Amen.

Petition: Lord Jesus, grant me a renewed sensitivity to the deepest needs of others.

1. Called to Serve: In an era of Catholicism in which catchphrases such as “called to serve” have been overused to the point of becoming clichés, we risk forgetting how central service is to the Christian life. The minutes of our lives are consumed in an incessant cascade of apparently important and urgent things to do. Doesn’t it happen, however, that in the midst of all this we actually miss any number of opportunities to serve? Called to serve, yes, but we miss the call! And our service gets sidelined. If service to my brothers and sisters is not an ordinary element of my daily life as a Christian, I can be sure that I have succumbed to self-deception or taken a critically wrong turn somewhere.

2. A Continuation of Christ: We are called to give ourselves unreservedly to others as a continuation of Christ. “A continuation of Christ”: now, wouldn’t that make a wonderful epitaph?! For truly, if our Christian service is not a prolongation, an extension of Jesus’ love, if we are not giving him to others, if those whom we serve are not discovering him in us, then our service is simply not service. It might be philanthropy, it might be empathy, but it falls short of genuine Christian service if those whom we serve do not discover Christ in us. Like John the Baptist, we must become less so that Jesus can become more in us, so that our brothers and sisters are not cheated out of encountering that Christ whom they secretly long to discover in each of us.

3. What Service Means: Here it will be helpful simply to examine ourselves on some of the essentials of Christian service. Is my daily life characterized by a concern for the genuine good of others and by a readiness to do all the good I can for my brothers and sisters? Do I actually engage in daily acts of service, whether big or small? Do I examine myself frequently on the sin of omission? Do I strive, in carrying out the ordinary service required by my state in life, to do so with extraordinary deliberateness and full, conscious self-giving?

Conversation with Christ: Father, you call me to serve, and I know that service also means suffering at times. If suffering is to be a part of your plan for me, give me the grace to collaborate with Christ your Son in the salvation of souls by offering that suffering generously to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Resolution: Out of love for Christ, present in the least of my brothers and sisters, I will examine myself on what genuine Christian service means to me in practice, and what place it usually has in my daily life.

July 25, 2024 – Called to Be Servants Read More »

July 24, 2024 – A Hundred or Sixty or Thirtyfold

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, my prayer will “work” only if I have humility in your presence. So, I am approaching you with meekness and humility of heart. I have an infinite need for you and your grace. Thinking about this helps me grow in humility. I trust in you and your grace. Thank you for the unfathomable gift of your love.

Petition: Lord, may I always respond to your grace in my heart with fervor and active love.

1. Tears of a Sower: Imagine Jesus preaching to the crowds, hoping for a positive response, but instead witnessing many people turning a deaf ear to his message of salvation. One day he is thinking about this as he watches a farmer sowing seed. He sees birds come immediately and take some away. He sees previously sown seed scorched by the sun. He sees some sprouts strangled by weeds. He then remembers the faces and perhaps even the names of people who heard his message, but who chose not to respond or whose response was short-lived. We are reminded of another Gospel passage: “As he drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying ‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes’” (Lk 19:41-42).

2. Rebellion or Rest: The admonition to heed the word of God is frequent in Scripture. In the Letter to the Hebrews the author warns us to “harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert.” The people of Israel responded in this unfortunate way after the exodus from Egypt. “They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest’” (cf. Heb 3:7-11). This helps us foster a healthy fear of the Lord, encouraging us to work hard to conquer all hardness of heart and remain close to Christ so as to enter into his rest.

3. Fruits of Virtue: “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” The fruit that Our Lord wishes us to produce are virtues inspired by faith, hope and love. If we are growing in virtue each day in imitation of Christ and for love of him, we can be sure we are heeding his voice and are pleasing in his eyes. The greatest of all virtues is charity, a practical and effective love for our neighbor. We can contemplate the lives of the saints to see how these fruits are played out in a way truly pleasing to Christ.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know how easy it is for me to allow mediocrity to slip into my life. The cares and worries of life often push you and your Kingdom to a secondary plane. Grant me the habit of carving out time for you in prayer each day and carving out space for you in my life and the lives of those under my care.

Resolution: I will renew my effort with whatever prayer commitment I have allowed to waver or falter the most.

July 24, 2024 – A Hundred or Sixty or Thirtyfold Read More »

July 23, 2024 – Scoring Goals in Life

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I begin my meditation aware of my need of your grace and your help. Without you, Lord, I can do nothing, but with you, Lord, I can do all things. I believe that you are truly present in the Eucharist. There, under the guise of bread, Lord, you remain to be with me. I trust in you, Lord, because you have given me a reason for living. I trust you because you are faithful to your promises. Lord, I love you because you have given me the treasure of my Catholic faith. You have given me this gift to enable me to follow the path to heaven and be with you forever.

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to know your will and to follow it in my life.

1. What Is the Goal of My Life? This is the fundamental question of our purpose in life. The Father made us so that we may come to know, love, and serve him in this world, so as to be happy with him forever in the next. “Of all visible creatures, only man is ‘able to know and love his creator’. He is ‘the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake’, and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God’s own life. It was for this end that he was created” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 356). To aid us, God gave his Son for us to follow and to learn from, so that we might fulfill our purpose in life. This is why we follow him; this is why we listen to him; so that we may fulfill our purpose.

2. I’m on a Mission: Our mission in life is to fulfill our purpose. Thus, the fulfillment of our mission is a fundamental concern for our conscience. The immediate norm for the right exercise of our conscience could put it like this: “Anything that helps me fulfill my mission is good for me; anything that comes between me and it is bad for me.” Or, using Christ’s words: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn 4:34); “I always do what is pleasing to him” (Jn 8:29). The reason is obvious: Action follows being, so what we are determines what we do. Similarly, the apostolic mission flows from our Christian essence. What we are and what we do are two sides of the same coin.

3. Part of God’s Family: As Christ says in another passage of the Gospel, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35). The family of Christ is eternal. He welcomes those who do his will because we were made to do his will. If we are faithful to our vocation, and we fulfill our purpose in life, then we meet the hopes and dreams the Lord has for us. He wants us to be holy. He made us for himself. Nothing would please him more than to be able to say to us at the end of time: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:34).

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to be part of your family. I want to do your will because I know that it will make me holy. Your will is sanctifying. I want to be sanctified. Grant me the grace to know your will, love it, and fulfill it.

Resolution: I will review my day before I go to bed to examine how I have fulfilled God’s will today.

July 23, 2024 – Scoring Goals in Life Read More »

Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress

The 10th National Eucharistic Congress: “God Wanted this for the United States.”

/ APP News Feed, Consecrated Women, LC Cheshire, Legionaries of Christ, Regnum Christi News, Whole Territory

An event bringing together over 60,000 Catholics from all over the United States and beyond to adore Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and commit to going out as missionaries can only be described as transformational. Regnum Christi members of all vocations were there to be a part of this pivotal moment in the Church.

Before the Eucharistic Congress began, RC Indianapolis offered a warm and prayerful welcome to pilgrims with a Mass and lunch for several hundred RC members of all vocations at the Our Lady of the Apostles Family Center that set the tone for the next five days. 

The Congress unfolded through five themes which gave structure to each day:

From the Four Corners

Watch Day 1’s Revival Session

On the first evening of the Congress, pilgrims arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium from the four official pilgrimage routes of the National Eucharistic Revival and all corners of the United States and the world. 

At the Regnum Christi booth, we encountered RC members and friends from Spain, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Brazil, all here to participate in this incredible moment in the Church.

The Congress opened with Adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, during which tired pilgrims full of hopeful anticipation were encouraged to bring themselves fully before Our Lord, who knows them, who sees them, who loves them.

“May we as a church grow in our unity so we may be more fruitful in our mission.”

These are the words of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, the first speaker to address the Congress in Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, July 17th. “When the Eucharist truly revives us, he opens us to an encounter with him in every moment of our life. It means meeting him in everything that happens in our life,” he emphasized.

Despite the long lines, with some pilgrims waiting multiple hours to check in to the Congress, day one also saw hundreds of people stop to meet Regnum Christi members of all vocations at Booth 1117, nailing dozens of prayer intentions to the Mission Cross at the center of the booth. At the end of the day, Fr. Jesus Salinas, LC, and Fr. Augustin de la Vega, LC, led a gathered group of lay members, Legionary priests, brothers, LC candidates, Consecrated Women, and our friends at Catholic World Mission in a prayer for the intentions entrusted to Our Lord on the cross that day.

“Just to be in a stadium filled with people cheering as loudly for the Blessed Sacrament as any sports fans do in a stadium like this is amazing. Tonight isn’t about learning or intellectually knowing our faith- it’s about experiencing the reality of Christ alive among us.” -Janet McLaughlin, lay member of Regnum Christi.

Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
The Greatest Love Story

Watch Day 2’s Revival Session

On the second day of the Congress, participants received a clear kerygmatic proclamation inviting them into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

The day began in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, with the Rosary led by Fr Rocky Hoffman, executive director of Relevant Radio, leading up to Mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. More than 10 Legionary priests concelebrated the Mass for the 50,000+ attendees who filled the stadium.

Throughout the day, hundreds of people visited the Regnum Christi booth. All were invited to pray the Angelus together at lunchtime. The assembled group who came together to pray filled the 20′ wide booth, spilling into the corridor before the booth. The Mission Cross was filled to overflowing once again with the intentions entrusted to Regnum Christi; visitors spoke with Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC, about the Legionary vocation, with the Sacred Heart Apostolic School team about what the school offers, with Consecrated Women Elizabeth Stromberg, Carrie O’Connor, Laura Matthews, and Katie Tuttle about the Consecrated vocation. Elizabeth shared a conversation as she assisted a visitor in nailing her prayer intentions to the cross. “As I was nailing prayer intentions to our cross, someone asked me if I was a carpenter’s daughter, and I said, ‘No, I’m a Carpenter’s wife!'”

One visitor to the booth who works in Catholic media as a photographer approached with tears in his eyes, explaining that he had to come to say hello to Regnum Christi because “Br. Anthony Freeman, LC, is why I work in Catholic media today.” When asked if he knew Br. Anthony, he replied, “Not in this life.” Although he had never met Br. Anthony, who passed away in 2018, the visitor who lives near Br. Anthony’s hometown in Texas, was deeply inspired by his writing and his zeal to get the Gospel message out into the world. He visited Br. Anthony’s grave to pray for him and to ask Br. Anthony to pray for him as well.

In the evening session, all were captivated by the testimonies of the parents of Michelle Dupong, a FOCUS missionary who passed away of cancer and has been recognized as a Servant of God, and the Eucharistic miracles shared by Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart, founder of the Roman Catholic religious order, the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth.

Fr. Mike Schmitz, the final speaker of the evening before a time of adoration in the stadium, encouraged all present to repentance as the path for regaining our first love of Our Lord. “Knowledge can make someone great, but only love can make a saint. I need more love. If I’ve lost my first love for the Lord, if I have lost that fire, what are the fire extinguishers in my life?”

“This Congress is the Church fully alive… almost another Eucharistic miracle, with Jesus so present in many ways. 50,000+ Catholics, beautiful liturgies, impactful speakers, music, and hundreds of booths… And RC is in the middle of it all. This is why we exist: to be with Jesus in his Church, to serve her with our charism!” -Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC

Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Into Gethsemane

Watch Day 3’s Revival Session

On Day 3, the Congress opened our eyes to the effects of sin and the healing that Our Lord wants to give us. On the individual level, the speakers helped participants understand the healing of the whole person, including physical healing, psychological wounds, and spiritual sin. On the corporate level, as a Church, we recognized the areas where we’ve failed and the repentance and healing needed to unify the Body of Christ.

The theme of day three at the National Eucharistic Congress was ‘Healing.’ After Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated Mass, many speakers focused on spiritual, mental, and emotional healing. Some even spoke of their miraculous physical healings. Fr. Vinh Pham, LC, invited to speak by the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, talked to a sold-out crowd in a packed room about “Mary, the Living Tabernacle: The Transforming and Freeing Power of ‘Fiat.'” He shared his family’s story of faith, courage, and suffering in leaving Vietnam to come to the United States as part of his explanation of living the FIAT.

By day three, the Regnum Christi booth had become known as ‘the booth where they take prayer intentions and nail them to the cross.’ We welcomed hundreds of people once again, humbled and honored to be entrusted with the desires of their hearts as they presented them to the Lord through the petitions they wrote down and shared. Some even came with envelopes stuffed full of prayer petitions to lay at the foot of the Mission Cross. We encountered two young religious sisters who had been in ECYD as young girls, several young men discerning the priesthood, and many families seeking to follow God’s plan for their lives.

In the evening, Paula Sautre of Atlanta shared her story of healing from an infection that left her paralyzed, an intention her children ran to Jesus with, and one he answered through the gifts of healing and technology. Sister Josephine Beckett, a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth who is a nationally certified and licensed counselor and host of the “Hope Stories” podcast, invited everyone to healing through repentance in hope and joy, and Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, led all in a prayer of healing during Adoration and A Eucharistic Procession inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

“I have so much hope for the Church, knowing the intentionality of the messages at this Congress, the investment in the experience of all the pilgrims, and the plan for this event to launch us from the foundation of a deep love of the Eucharistic Lord into a year of mission come directly from our bishops. The Church is alive and vibrant!” -Kerrie Rivard, lay member of Regnum Christi.

Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
This Is My Body

Watch Day 4’s Revival Session

Using the early Church as a model, this day built participants up as disciples through Jesus Christ to live out the Gospel in their love of both God and neighbor.

The highlight of Day 4 was the one-mile Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Indianapolis, leading to adoration before Our Lord, who was exposed in the Monstrance high above the city on the Indiana War Memorial.

The principal Mass at the opening of day 4 was a new experience for most people here at the Eucharistic Congress- it was celebrated in the beautiful Syro-Malabar rite by Bishop Joy Alappatt of the Syro-Malabar diocese in Chicago and Bishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic rite. In his homily, Bishop Gudziak spoke of his recent time in Ukraine, of the 120 people per day who are dying there because of the ongoing war, and of two priests he met who had been captured and tortured by Russian forces for 22 days. He called all present to prayer and to live our faith in this world bravely as Christians.

In the afternoon, we were part of a massive one-mile Eucharistic Procession that ended at the Indiana War Memorial, where Jesus in the Monstrance was adored by 60,000 people. Walking as a group, Regnum Christi held high the mission cross that had collected over 1,500 prayer intentions over the course of the Congress. The 11 Legionary candidates present, along with Fr. Vinh Pham, LC, and Fr. John van Dorpe, LC, led the group in prayer and songs while we walked.

The evening program opened with music by Matt Maher before an address by Tim Glembowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, who spoke of the challenges they faced in deciding to hold the Congress and the work involved over the last two years. “We were convicted that God wanted this moment for the United States,” he shared, “but we weren’t sure if the United States wanted this Congress.” The crowd of 60,000 present responded to this admission with rousing applause. Indeed, the Church in the United States did want this too.

Gloria Purvis, author, commentator, and host of the “Gloria Purvis Podcast,” spoke frankly and emphatically about the need for American Catholics to overcome divisions of different worship styles, different political stances, different opinions on the Holy Father, and the wounds caused by racism. Her pointed and passionate comments challenged all to love as Christ asks us to and to offer our prayers and sacrifices for the sins that have wounded and divided this country.

Jonathan Roumie, best known for portraying Jesus in “The Chosen,” spoke about his faith in the Eucharist as a Catholic. He gave a beautiful reading of Our Lord’s words in the Gospel through which he reveals himself as the Bread of Life.

In the final address of the night before Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament closed the evening, Bishop Robert Barron spoke of the vocation, rights, and responsibilities of the laity in our world today. Citing Dorothy Day as his inspiration, he challenged Catholics to move past the historically ‘lay responsibilities’ of living the Ten Commandments to embrace the Evangelical Counsels as Lumen Gentium encouraged lay people to. Long seen as the spirituality of those in Holy Orders and Consecrated Life, he emphatically spoke of them as lay responsibilities. By living the poverty of detachment, the Chastity of sexuality rightly ordered in service of love, and obedience to God instead of the promises of the world, the 70 million Catholics in the United States could change this country, he said, to thunderous applause. In urging the Church present to go out on mission he said, “Your Christianity is not for you. It’s not a self-help program to make you feel better about yourselves. Your Christianity is for the world. We are meant to be the bearer of Christ, the light of the world, to everyone. Along with the rights and privileges of the laity is the obligation of the laity- to go out into the world… Move into the secular world with Christ- live as body given and blood poured out!”

“I found myself desiring that everyone could see 60,000 people on their knees worshiping the Lord! So many young families are here. So much joy! Truly a Pentecostal moment for the Church! The streets are lined with locals awaiting the procession. I am certain all of heaven was smiling.” -Jeff and Donna Garrett, lay members of Regnum Christi

Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
Regnum Christi National Eucharistic Congress
To the Ends of the Earth

Watch the Day 5 Revival Session and Mass

Pope Francis said the Eucharist is “a summons to go forth, as missionaries, to bring the message of the Father’s tenderness, forgiveness and mercy to every man, woman and child.” Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Spirit has empowered the Church to go to the ends of the earth to share the good news. On this last day of the Congress, participants were commissioned to go out as missionary disciples as we enter the third year of the National Eucharistic Revival: the Year of Mission.

On the final day of the Congress, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect for the Section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization and the special Papal Delegate to the Congress who had recently ordained 20 new Legionary priests, celebrated Mass for the 60,000+ in attendance, including almost 2,000 priests and 137 bishops. The Indiana Symphony Orchestra provided the music for the Mass.

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle focused on Jesus’ mission as a gift from the Father. He challenged all present to see and appreciate their own lives, those around them, and the world through the lens of gift. “Do we still look at ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events, and creation within the horizon of gift?” 

Warning participants to avoid self-absorption and complaint, he exhorted, “We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship. That is selfishness.”  The Cardinal spoke of the mandate all the faithful have to share the love and compassion they have received from Jesus with the weary, the lost, and the divided.

As the Congress ends, we enter the Year of Missionary Sending, sent out to share all our Lord has done for us and all we have received at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.

“All of us here are like the apostles gathered with Mary in the Upper Room, receiving the Spirit and going forth to be joyful Eucharistic apostles of the Kingdom…the closing mass is just the beginning of revival! It has been a grace to live this historic moment with my whole RC family serving and loving in the heart of the Church” – Laura Matthews, Consecrated woman of Regnum Christi

All Regnum Christi at the National Eucharistic Congress photos and videos are available for viewing here in our flickr album.

Regnum Christi @ the National Eucharistic Congress

The 10th National Eucharistic Congress: “God Wanted this for the United States.” Read More »

July 22, 2024 – Two Hearts Beat as One

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

 

 

John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come before you wanting to grow in my knowledge of you and wanting to grow in love for you. I want to show my love by truly loving others as you have loved me. My falls are many, yet I trust in your grace never to stay down and always to get up. I trust that your mercy will change my heart. So, I stand before you, ready to listen to your words and ready to unite myself more perfectly to your most holy will.

Petition: Lord, grant me a love similar to Mary Magdalene’s passionate love for you.

1. The Lone Guard: How sad Mary Magdalene must have been as she sat and wept outside Our Lord’s tomb! Our Lord had healed her soul; he had cast seven demons from her heart. She had stood at the foot of Our Lord’s cross, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John. She had washed Our Lord’s feet with her tears; now her tears flow down her face. She’s alone. Or rather she experienced an existential loneliness in the face of the bitter events of Good Friday. But she wasn’t alone. We are never alone in our suffering. Do I suffer alone, or do I open my heart to Our Lord in all my trials?

2. “Mary!” How Mary Magdalene must have endeared herself to Our Lord. The other followers were locked up in their rooms. Yet here was this simple, humble woman, trying to accompany Our Lord in the only way she knew. We have much to learn from this beautiful soul. How she moved the heart of Jesus! She’s the first one he appears to after his Resurrection. What a gift. What a gift to have the Risen Lord say your name. Despite her anguish she wishes to honor her Lord who she is about to discover is God. In moments of trial and pain, do I remember to honor God with my thoughts, desires, intentions, and actions? Does he remain number one for me no matter what I’m going through?

3. The Ultimate Message: As Mary Magdalene touched Our Lord’s heart, he would now touch hers, and she would become the Apostle to the Apostles. She’s the first one to announce to the world that Our Lord has risen from the dead. Jesus is the Lord of life. What was moving through her heart as she hurried towards the Apostles? Let’s ask Christ for that gift—to have the same zeal as Mary Magdalene did as she went to proclaim that she had met the Risen Lord! Am I a witness to the saving message of Our Lord including, or especially, in the midst of great personal suffering?

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I want to endear myself to you just as Mary Magdalene did at your tomb. Then, fill me with the joy you instilled in her heart on that first Easter morning.

Resolution: Today I will see how I can help at my parish, in imitation of Mary Magdalene’s assistance to our Church 2,000 years ago.

July 22, 2024 – Two Hearts Beat as One Read More »

July 21, 2024 – Fellowship with Christ

/ Daily Meditations

 

 

 

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

 

Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I believe in you. I trust in you because as a man you experienced everything I experience except sin. You have pity on me in my weakness because you became weak for love of me. I believe in you. I trust you. I thank you for your everlasting love and benevolence.

Petition: Lord, help me to know you more intimately.

1. Father, Brother, Mentor: The Apostles joyfully reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. They are like children, and he is a true father and a brother toward them. He is their mentor par excellence. He listens, responds, encourages, and instructs them. They feel privileged to belong to him. Because of their love for Christ they continually renew their commitment to his cause. There is no doubt that he deserves this and much more. That is why they stick with him even when doing so means serving the large crowds amidst their own hunger and exhaustion. They wouldn’t leave him for the world.

2. Empowering the Apostles: Christ is a true leader for his Apostles. He attracts them and guides them. His leadership is highly positive. He conquers their hearts because he is a man possessed by a transcendent and eternal ideal, which radiates from him with extraordinary vigor. With his deep knowledge of the human person (cf. Jn 15:13), he is able to draw from each Apostle’s qualities the maximum benefit for what is true and good. He doesn’t use them as lifeless instruments or tools. He begins by promoting each one’s temporal and eternal good and then directs them towards fulfilling the ideal that unites them. He creates a healthy mystique of belonging to the circle of his disciples.

3. Fellowship with Him: The crowds find out where Jesus and his Apostles are going. From all the towns they hasten there on foot and arrive at that place before them. Imagine their excitement, their drive to seek out Jesus, and their rush to be with him. It is true that they are a fickle crowd. They have yet to know the Lord in all the breadth of his virtue and goodness. Nevertheless, the little they know of him resounds in the depths of their hearts. They sense in the Lord and within the community of his followers bonds of loyalty and fellowship and a spirit of authentic love. This is what their human hearts long for. Those who seek out Christ are never disappointed.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you were a father, a brother, and a guide for the Apostles. You were a master sculptor, molding them into your image of goodness, humility, and generosity. Do the same for me, Lord. Mold me. Sculpt me into your image. Make me one of yours.

Resolution: I will see myself as your apprentice today, Lord. I will try to listen to your voice in every thought and action. I will do this for love of you.

July 21, 2024 – Fellowship with Christ Read More »

Weekly Digest of the Regnum Christi Daily Meditations: July 21 – July 28, 2024

/ Weekly Meditations

THE WEEKLY DIGEST
OF REGNUM CHRISTI
DAILY MEDITATIONS

Week of July 21- July 28, 2024

 

Sunday, July 21, 2024 – Fellowship with Christ

Monday, July 22, 2024 – Two Hearts Beat as One

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 – Scoring Goals in Life

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 – A Hundred or Sixty or Thirtyfold

Thursday, July 25, 2024 – Called to Be Servants

Friday, July 26, 2024 – Gardening with Gusto

Saturday, July 27, 2024 – Rolling Up the Sleeves and Gathering the Sheaves

Sunday, July 28, 2024 – A Miracle That Kept on Giving

Sunday, July 21, 2024 - Fellowship with Christ

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I believe in you. I trust in you because as a man you experienced everything I experience except sin. You have pity on me in my weakness because you became weak for love of me. I believe in you. I trust you. I thank you for your everlasting love and benevolence.

Petition: Lord, help me to know you more intimately.

1. Father, Brother, Mentor: The Apostles joyfully reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. They are like children, and he is a true father and a brother toward them. He is their mentor par excellence. He listens, responds, encourages, and instructs them. They feel privileged to belong to him. Because of their love for Christ they continually renew their commitment to his cause. There is no doubt that he deserves this and much more. That is why they stick with him even when doing so means serving the large crowds amidst their own hunger and exhaustion. They wouldn’t leave him for the world.

2. Empowering the Apostles: Christ is a true leader for his Apostles. He attracts them and guides them. His leadership is highly positive. He conquers their hearts because he is a man possessed by a transcendent and eternal ideal, which radiates from him with extraordinary vigor. With his deep knowledge of the human person (cf. Jn 15:13), he is able to draw from each Apostle’s qualities the maximum benefit for what is true and good. He doesn’t use them as lifeless instruments or tools. He begins by promoting each one’s temporal and eternal good and then directs them towards fulfilling the ideal that unites them. He creates a healthy mystique of belonging to the circle of his disciples.

3. Fellowship with Him: The crowds find out where Jesus and his Apostles are going. From all the towns they hasten there on foot and arrive at that place before them. Imagine their excitement, their drive to seek out Jesus, and their rush to be with him. It is true that they are a fickle crowd. They have yet to know the Lord in all the breadth of his virtue and goodness. Nevertheless, the little they know of him resounds in the depths of their hearts. They sense in the Lord and within the community of his followers bonds of loyalty and fellowship and a spirit of authentic love. This is what their human hearts long for. Those who seek out Christ are never disappointed.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you were a father, a brother, and a guide for the Apostles. You were a master sculptor, molding them into your image of goodness, humility, and generosity. Do the same for me, Lord. Mold me. Sculpt me into your image. Make me one of yours.

Resolution: I will see myself as your apprentice today, Lord. I will try to listen to your voice in every thought and action. I will do this for love of you.

Monday, July 22, 2024 - Two Hearts Beat as One

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

John 20:1-2, 11-18

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I come before you wanting to grow in my knowledge of you and wanting to grow in love for you. I want to show my love by truly loving others as you have loved me. My falls are many, yet I trust in your grace never to stay down and always to get up. I trust that your mercy will change my heart. So, I stand before you, ready to listen to your words and ready to unite myself more perfectly to your most holy will.

Petition: Lord, grant me a love similar to Mary Magdalene’s passionate love for you.

1. The Lone Guard: How sad Mary Magdalene must have been as she sat and wept outside Our Lord’s tomb! Our Lord had healed her soul; he had cast seven demons from her heart. She had stood at the foot of Our Lord’s cross, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John. She had washed Our Lord’s feet with her tears; now her tears flow down her face. She’s alone. Or rather she experienced an existential loneliness in the face of the bitter events of Good Friday. But she wasn’t alone. We are never alone in our suffering. Do I suffer alone, or do I open my heart to Our Lord in all my trials?

2. “Mary!” How Mary Magdalene must have endeared herself to Our Lord. The other followers were locked up in their rooms. Yet here was this simple, humble woman, trying to accompany Our Lord in the only way she knew. We have much to learn from this beautiful soul. How she moved the heart of Jesus! She’s the first one he appears to after his Resurrection. What a gift. What a gift to have the Risen Lord say your name. Despite her anguish she wishes to honor her Lord who she is about to discover is God. In moments of trial and pain, do I remember to honor God with my thoughts, desires, intentions, and actions? Does he remain number one for me no matter what I’m going through?

3. The Ultimate Message: As Mary Magdalene touched Our Lord’s heart, he would now touch hers, and she would become the Apostle to the Apostles. She’s the first one to announce to the world that Our Lord has risen from the dead. Jesus is the Lord of life. What was moving through her heart as she hurried towards the Apostles? Let’s ask Christ for that gift—to have the same zeal as Mary Magdalene did as she went to proclaim that she had met the Risen Lord! Am I a witness to the saving message of Our Lord including, or especially, in the midst of great personal suffering?

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, I want to endear myself to you just as Mary Magdalene did at your tomb. Then, fill me with the joy you instilled in her heart on that first Easter morning.

Resolution: Today I will see how I can help at my parish, in imitation of Mary Magdalene’s assistance to our Church 2,000 years ago.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 - Scoring Goals in Life

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I begin my meditation aware of my need of your grace and your help. Without you, Lord, I can do nothing, but with you, Lord, I can do all things. I believe that you are truly present in the Eucharist. There, under the guise of bread, Lord, you remain to be with me. I trust in you, Lord, because you have given me a reason for living. I trust you because you are faithful to your promises. Lord, I love you because you have given me the treasure of my Catholic faith. You have given me this gift to enable me to follow the path to heaven and be with you forever.

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to know your will and to follow it in my life.

1. What Is the Goal of My Life? This is the fundamental question of our purpose in life. The Father made us so that we may come to know, love, and serve him in this world, so as to be happy with him forever in the next. “Of all visible creatures, only man is ‘able to know and love his creator’. He is ‘the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake’, and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God’s own life. It was for this end that he was created” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 356). To aid us, God gave his Son for us to follow and to learn from, so that we might fulfill our purpose in life. This is why we follow him; this is why we listen to him; so that we may fulfill our purpose.

2. I’m on a Mission: Our mission in life is to fulfill our purpose. Thus, the fulfillment of our mission is a fundamental concern for our conscience. The immediate norm for the right exercise of our conscience could put it like this: “Anything that helps me fulfill my mission is good for me; anything that comes between me and it is bad for me.” Or, using Christ’s words: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn 4:34); “I always do what is pleasing to him” (Jn 8:29). The reason is obvious: Action follows being, so what we are determines what we do. Similarly, the apostolic mission flows from our Christian essence. What we are and what we do are two sides of the same coin.

3. Part of God’s Family: As Christ says in another passage of the Gospel, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mk 3:35). The family of Christ is eternal. He welcomes those who do his will because we were made to do his will. If we are faithful to our vocation, and we fulfill our purpose in life, then we meet the hopes and dreams the Lord has for us. He wants us to be holy. He made us for himself. Nothing would please him more than to be able to say to us at the end of time: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt 25:34).

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I want to be part of your family. I want to do your will because I know that it will make me holy. Your will is sanctifying. I want to be sanctified. Grant me the grace to know your will, love it, and fulfill it.

Resolution: I will review my day before I go to bed to examine how I have fulfilled God’s will today.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - A Hundred or Sixty or Thirtyfold

Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 13:1-9

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, my prayer will “work” only if I have humility in your presence. So, I am approaching you with meekness and humility of heart. I have an infinite need for you and your grace. Thinking about this helps me grow in humility. I trust in you and your grace. Thank you for the unfathomable gift of your love.

Petition: Lord, may I always respond to your grace in my heart with fervor and active love.

1. Tears of a Sower: Imagine Jesus preaching to the crowds, hoping for a positive response, but instead witnessing many people turning a deaf ear to his message of salvation. One day he is thinking about this as he watches a farmer sowing seed. He sees birds come immediately and take some away. He sees previously sown seed scorched by the sun. He sees some sprouts strangled by weeds. He then remembers the faces and perhaps even the names of people who heard his message, but who chose not to respond or whose response was short-lived. We are reminded of another Gospel passage: “As he drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying ‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes’” (Lk 19:41-42).

2. Rebellion or Rest: The admonition to heed the word of God is frequent in Scripture. In the Letter to the Hebrews the author warns us to “harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert.” The people of Israel responded in this unfortunate way after the exodus from Egypt. “They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways. As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest’” (cf. Heb 3:7-11). This helps us foster a healthy fear of the Lord, encouraging us to work hard to conquer all hardness of heart and remain close to Christ so as to enter into his rest.

3. Fruits of Virtue: “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” The fruit that Our Lord wishes us to produce are virtues inspired by faith, hope and love. If we are growing in virtue each day in imitation of Christ and for love of him, we can be sure we are heeding his voice and are pleasing in his eyes. The greatest of all virtues is charity, a practical and effective love for our neighbor. We can contemplate the lives of the saints to see how these fruits are played out in a way truly pleasing to Christ.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know how easy it is for me to allow mediocrity to slip into my life. The cares and worries of life often push you and your Kingdom to a secondary plane. Grant me the habit of carving out time for you in prayer each day and carving out space for you in my life and the lives of those under my care.

Resolution: I will renew my effort with whatever prayer commitment I have allowed to waver or falter the most.

Thursday, July 25, 2024 - Called to Be Servants

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Matthew 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, in spite of my many failures, I know you continue to call me. Your Spirit continues to guide me. I trust in you, love you, and praise you for all your gifts to me. Amen.

Petition: Lord Jesus, grant me a renewed sensitivity to the deepest needs of others.

1. Called to Serve: In an era of Catholicism in which catchphrases such as “called to serve” have been overused to the point of becoming clichés, we risk forgetting how central service is to the Christian life. The minutes of our lives are consumed in an incessant cascade of apparently important and urgent things to do. Doesn’t it happen, however, that in the midst of all this we actually miss any number of opportunities to serve? Called to serve, yes, but we miss the call! And our service gets sidelined. If service to my brothers and sisters is not an ordinary element of my daily life as a Christian, I can be sure that I have succumbed to self-deception or taken a critically wrong turn somewhere.

2. A Continuation of Christ: We are called to give ourselves unreservedly to others as a continuation of Christ. “A continuation of Christ”: now, wouldn’t that make a wonderful epitaph?! For truly, if our Christian service is not a prolongation, an extension of Jesus’ love, if we are not giving him to others, if those whom we serve are not discovering him in us, then our service is simply not service. It might be philanthropy, it might be empathy, but it falls short of genuine Christian service if those whom we serve do not discover Christ in us. Like John the Baptist, we must become less so that Jesus can become more in us, so that our brothers and sisters are not cheated out of encountering that Christ whom they secretly long to discover in each of us.

3. What Service Means: Here it will be helpful simply to examine ourselves on some of the essentials of Christian service. Is my daily life characterized by a concern for the genuine good of others and by a readiness to do all the good I can for my brothers and sisters? Do I actually engage in daily acts of service, whether big or small? Do I examine myself frequently on the sin of omission? Do I strive, in carrying out the ordinary service required by my state in life, to do so with extraordinary deliberateness and full, conscious self-giving?

Conversation with Christ: Father, you call me to serve, and I know that service also means suffering at times. If suffering is to be a part of your plan for me, give me the grace to collaborate with Christ your Son in the salvation of souls by offering that suffering generously to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Resolution: Out of love for Christ, present in the least of my brothers and sisters, I will examine myself on what genuine Christian service means to me in practice, and what place it usually has in my daily life.

Friday, July 26, 2024 - Gardening with Gusto

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Matthew 13:18-23

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your Incarnation. You became flesh for love of us. You were not forced to leave the bliss and glory of heaven. You chose to leave in order to save us. I believe in you. I hope in you. I love you. You took the first step of love toward me. I want to respond in kind.

Petition: Grant me the grace to follow you with conviction and willpower.

1. Sheltering the Word in My Heart: Our Lord often speaks of the enemy of God, the devil, as a real being, who has real influence over our lives. When we hear the Word of God, good intentions grow within us. The Evil One attempts to “steal” these intentions away from our heart. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the devil and demons made a radical and irrevocable free choice to reject God and his reign (n. 392). The devil tries to uproot our good resolutions with the same goal in mind. We must make a firm commitment to allow God’s word to take root and grow in our lives.

2. Convictions over Emotions: The seed sown on rocky ground represents those who receive the word with joy at first, in other words, those easily governed by emotions and sentiments. When they feel joy, they respond to God positively. When they receive comforts from Christ, they are ready to follow him. But when their moods are bad or gloomy, they leave aside their previous resolutions and abandon the Lord for the wide and spacious road of ease and comforts. They are not seeking Christ but rather their own consolation. Above all they want warm, cozy feelings. Christ shows us the way of true loyalty and love by his crucifixion and death on the cross for love of his Father and souls.

3. Oxygen for the Soul: One of the saddest categories of people in the Parable of the Sower are those who receive the word but allow “worldly anxiety and the lure of riches” to “choke the word” so that it “bears no fruit” in their lives. Materialism is an all-pervasive temptation in our world today. The only way to conquer this assault on our faith is to make the firm resolution to make time for God. We must make the proactive decision to insert moments for him in our day. Prayer, the sacraments (Mass, confession), spiritual reading, and the Rosary are examples of ways to do this.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, in my mind you are my first priority. In reality, though, I allow other priorities to topple your rightful position in my life. I allow my feelings to govern my actions instead of my faith and convictions. Strengthen my resolve to make you the true King of my heart in my concrete choices and decisions.

Resolution: I will go over my daily and weekly schedule and, if necessary, make more quality time for the Lord.

Saturday, July 27, 2024 - Rolling Up the Sleeves and Gathering the Sheaves

Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your Church. I believe that it is the sacrament of salvation, and that you have chosen to lead me to heaven. Lord, I hope in you. I hope in you because you have gone to prepare a place for me in heaven. Lord, I love you because you loved me first. I love you for giving yourself up for me on the cross.

Petition: Forgive me, Lord, for offending you, and help me to make reparation.

1. Verdant Farm or Barren Wasteland? Lord, you have given me the gift of Baptism and of being your child. “Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1216). This gift you have given me is something that I do not deserve. I was born with original sin, and yet, out of your infinite goodness and mercy, you have chosen to nourish my barren field and offer me the Kingdom of heaven. Through the life-giving waters of the sacrament of Baptism, you have taken my field that used to be wasteland and desert and have made it flourish. You have sown wheat in my field so that it may yield abundant fruit.

2. A Tainted Field? Lord, even though you have grafted me into your family through Baptism, there are times when I forget the goal of my life, which is heaven. I am weak, and because of my weakness, at times I taint my field with weeds. “Certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death, and such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character, and so on, as well as an inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence, or metaphorically, ‘the tinder for sin’ (fomes peccati); since concupiscence ‘is left for us to wrestle with, it cannot harm those who do not consent but manfully resist it by the grace of Jesus Christ.’ Indeed, ‘an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1264).

3. God Never Gives Up On Me: Lord, even though I have let weeds grow in my field where there was once only wheat, you have given me time to let the good grain grow. You know that all is not lost. There is still hope, and there is still time. Even though I have offended you because of my sins, and even though I have not conquered myself and my tendency to sin, I still experience your love and your mercy. You have not given up on me, although it seems to me that I have often given up on myself. You have given me the gift of time for me to weed my field and to increase the good wheat that is within it, so that the harvest I bear may be fruitful and rich.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the gift of your mercy. Thank you for being patient with me, for loving me for who I am, and for encouraging me to continue to grow as I should.

Resolution: I will take some time to prepare to make a good confession.

July 28, 2024 - A Miracle That Kept on Giving

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.” Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you, the Holy Trinity, dwell in my soul. Thank you for the joy of your friendship and love. I hope in you; I hope that you will guide me and my loved ones home to heaven, where we can delight in your presence forever. I love you and long to be a better instrument of your love.

Petition: Lord, help me to achieve an unconditional trust in you.

1. A Test to Get Us to Grow in Trust: It was clear that Jesus’ disciples did not have the means to help these people out of their predicament—neither in ready available cash nor in locating a nearby market large enough to feed the overburdening crowd. Yet Scripture says, “He said this to test him.” Let this passage remind us that God can allow our problems to become so big and desperate as to show forth his power. God wants us to trust in him and to purify our intentions along our journey of faith. How great Our Lord is in solving the unsolvable and making possible the impossible. He cures the incurable, raises people from the dead, and, most importantly, converts the erring sinner. “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). Do I easily give up hope when I don’t see a human solution to a situation? “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:46).

2. Our Lord Wants Us to Play a Part in His Miracle: God has the power to create something out of nothing, but he asks for human collaboration, even if it is minimal. Here it is no different. The Apostles are utterly poor: they can bring to Our Lord only five loaves and two fish from a boy they find in the crowd. Jesus asks us to contribute because he wants to teach us to be generous, even when we think we have nothing to give. Actually, it is when we give from our want that we most please Our Lord (cf. Lk 21:1-4). Poverty is never an excuse for a lack of generosity in serving and working for Our Lord. This miracle proves to us that Our Lord can never be outdone in generosity.

3. Don’t Miss the Point: In this scene Our Lord slowly prepared his Apostles and disciples for his teaching on the Real Presence in the Eucharist. He had to purify their hearts and prune out attachment to the things of this world in order for them to accept the difficult teaching about his self-giving love found in the Eucharist. Even so, when he saw that the people were about to miss the point of his miracle, Our Lord “withdrew again to the mountain alone” (Jn 6:15). Sometimes Our Lord withdraws the comfort and consolation of his presence in our lives because we wrongly interpret their meaning and purpose. Do I properly discern the spirit in my heart when I pray? Am I happy only for things that give me comfort, or am I truly coming closer to Christ because I recognize who he is and return to him the same authentic love he gives me and wants from me?

Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for this meditation and the lessons I learned from it. Keep me generous so I may never lose my trust in you. When the situations of my life seem unsolvable, help me to trust that in your time, you will work your wonders in my life, bringing glory to your name.

Resolution: I will make a visit to the Eucharist or a spiritual communion each day this week, offering this sacrifice of time for the conversion of the hearts of those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, or do not love you, Lord, in the Eucharist.

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!