Thursday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in you, I hope in you, and I love you. Grant me a sacred reverence for the supernatural and a holy fear of the Lord. Lord, I humbly ask for the presence of mind to be in awe before you and to approach the tabernacle with great reverence.

Encountering Christ:

1. Worldly Power: Wordly power seduces the one who is powerful into believing that they can control all outcomes. Hearing about Jesus agitated Herod, most likely because he had a guilty conscience for having beheaded John. Perhaps he also worried about the possibility of another prophet more popular than John. And he certainly felt that all the commotion was getting out of hand. Herod sought out Jesus to assuage his concerns, but might he also have had a glimmer of authentic curiosity? When we seek Jesus in prayer, are we prompted by anxiety, or do we look for him with hearts motivated by healthy loving curiosity?

    

2. Quiet Power of the Supernatural: Herod’s power was characterized by rashness and self-aggrandizement. His killing of St. John the Baptist could not thwart the higher power of God. God’s power is infinitely beyond that of man’s. The power of the Creator is beauty, truth, and goodness. Our omnipotent God knew when John would die and allowed John to prepare the way for Jesus to begin his active ministry. We can always trust in the power and perfect timing of the Almighty, God our Father. “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens” (Eccl 3:1). Let us place all our concerns in God’s hands, knowing that “all things work for good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28).

    

3. Pure Intentions: Herod kept trying to see Jesus, but to no avail. For a powerful king, one would think he should have been able to see Jesus whenever he pleased. Perhaps Jesus eluded Herod because he knew Herod’s intentions were selfish. Our Lord wants to be present to us, to fill us with his grace, and to give us every blessing, but being the perfect gentleman, he enters only hearts that welcome him with pure intention. “Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry” (1 Cor 10:14).

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I believe in your almighty power. You have the course of events in your hands. Grant me optimism, docility, and peace in knowing that you guide history. And help me to keep from my heart any sinful attraction to power, honor, or wealth. I want my heart to be a refuge for you, Lord.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take some time for prayer and check my heart to see if there are idols there.

For Further Reflection: Our Lord told St. Faustina, “My daughter, let three virtues adorn you in a particular way: humility, purity of intention, and love” (Diary, 1779).

Renee Pomarico is Communications Director for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. She is from Philadelphia, has been consecrated to God since 2000, and is currently stationed in Rome.

Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I look to you as my Father and the source of my being. I know that your heart is heavy with sorrow over the sufferings of your creatures. I want to be with you and console you during this time of prayer. Help me to hear your heartbeats, and to feel compassion for those who suffer.

Encountering Christ:

1. Apostleship: Anyone who has encountered the love of God becomes an apostle because, as St. Paul says, we are new creations: “The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17). As the Lord’s apostles, we share in his power and authority. How many of us live our lives recognizing that, as followers of Christ, we are able to be the hands, feet, and mouthpiece of the Lord? “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (Jn 14:12).

    

2. Take Nothing: One of the conditions of being an apostle is reliance on the Lord. We are called to give Christ, not ourselves. This requires emptying ourselves of personal interest, of receiving something in return, of relying on our own talents. An apostle is an ambassador of the Lord, giving to others Christ’s riches. When we detach from false securities, trusting in God as our one security and knowing that he will provide everything, we are truly instruments of his power and authority.

    

3. “Whatever House You Enter, Stay There”: If we encounter someone on the journey who is open to the Lord, God may ask us to stay there, to linger, to deepen that relationship. There is wisdom in planting a seed deeply and cultivating the ground around it before moving on to plant another seed. As Scripture tells us, the seed that falls in dry ground will not bear much fruit, but the one that falls in fertile ground will bear much fruit. When we take the time to prepare the ground by patiently answering questions, providing quality resources, and testifying to Christ’s love in the little things of everyday life, we are sharing the healing power of Christ’s love with those to whom God sends us.

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I want to know your heart, to love what you love and to minister as you would. Grant me the grace of total security in you and reliance on you. Help me to be docile to your inspirations, reaching out to souls you place in my path and generously giving them all they need to encounter you.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take some time in quiet prayer to ask you where you are calling me to share your message in some tangible way with others.

For Further Reflection: Reflect on the meaning of tilling the soil; do a search for its meaning and compare it to spiritual tilling.

Renee Pomarico is Communications Director for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. She is from Philadelphia, has been consecrated to God since 2000, and is currently stationed in Rome.

Tuesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love you and I thank you for calling me to the spiritual family of the Church. I trust in you, and I believe that you are my good and provident Father. As I reflect on your words, I humbly ask for the grace to see all as my brothers and sisters in the faith and to love them as members of my own family.

Encountering Christ:

1. The Father: Jesus was attentive to God the Father’s will and fulfilled it perfectly. And Jesus told us that those “who hear the word of God and act on it” become his family members. We are as important to Jesus as his own mother, his flesh and blood. In fact, he loves us so much he willingly died to save us from our sins. How grateful are we to God for our status as adopted sons and daughters?

    

2. The Family of the Church: At a papal audience in Rome, a World Youth Day, or similar event, participants often experience the Church’s vibrancy and diversity. Being in the presence of hundreds of thousands of fellow believers gives the sensation of belonging to a huge family. It is peaceful, energizing, and strengthening. It helps us remember that when we are weak, we are supported spiritually by many others. When we are strong, we offer support to many others. “For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another” (Rom 12:4-5).

    

3. Family Inheritance: Family members share a common inheritance. As family members of the Church, we have been promised eternal life with God in heaven. The saints, our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, have this to say about heaven: “Today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death. I saw how all creatures give ceaseless praise and glory to God… This source of happiness is unchanging in its essence, but it is always new, gushing forth happiness for all creatures” (Sister Faustina). “There, good will shall be so ordered in us that we shall have no other desire than to remain there eternally” (St. Augustine). “My crown in heaven should shine with innocence and its flowers should be radiant as the sun. Sacrifices are the flowers Jesus and Mary chose” (St. Bernadette Soubirous). “Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” (St. Thomas More).

Conversing with Christ: Lord, thank you for calling me to the family of the Church. Increase my awareness of the spiritual bond I share with fellow believers, and may my actions reflect your love. Help me to prepare myself one day for eternity with you and the rest of my family.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will reach out to a member of my faith community in whichever way I feel you inviting me to do so.

Renee Pomarico is Communications Director for the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi. She is from Philadelphia, has been consecrated to God since 2000, and is currently stationed in Rome.