Setting an example.

Lectionary: 406
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Do you wonder what Herodias's daughter was thinking when she carried the head of John the Baptist to her mother? She obeyed her mother but was Herodias teaching her child the morally right path or leading her into sin? Herodias did not seem to have her daughter's best interest in mind,  but instead was trying to cover up her own guilt and embarrassment regarding her relationship with Herod.
One more thing: Our children learn far more from our example than from our words. Everything we do has to be consistent with the message we tell them. How we act when we drive, when we are at the supermarket, when we gather with our friends, and most especially, when we think they aren't listening.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be consistent and live a life that reflects my belief in you. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Ignatius, pray for me.

Outcast.

Lectionary: 405
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Peter Chrysologus

"I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother's sons." Perhaps you feel that way too at family gatherings. When you pray before a meal with your children, or insist on going to church on Sunday while on a family vacation. Even Jesus himself was rejected by his own people.
One more thing: Jesus knows what rejection feels like. He knows what hurt, embarrassment, or even shame as the psalmist tells us, you may endure because of him. Things seem to hurt worse when it comes from family. Remember that your family relationships are not as important as your relationship with Christ and the example you set for your children. So as you travel and visit family with the kids this summer, stay fast to your convictions, beliefs, and traditions, no matter what the relatives say.
Prayer: Lord, in your great love, answer me. Remind me that you are the most important person in my life and give me the strength to bear ridicule that may come my way from serving you. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Peter Chrysologus, pray for me.

Hands of the potter.

Lectionary: 404 and 607
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Martha

Martha was a woman I can relate to. I love when Jesus tells her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things." I find Jesus telling me the same thing often. But really, who isn't? There is the household to run (Martha knew about that), and the family to feed, carpool, homework, bills, etc. Martha carried the weight of it all on her shoulders (I'm pretty sure she was the oldest child!), and Jesus reminds her as he reminds us, that stuff isn't what is most important.
One more thing: Martha isn't shy about coming to Jesus with her anxiety and worries. She is terribly bold toward Christ when Lazarus dies, almost scolding him. She is a woman with real emotions and a real relationship with her Lord. Jesus wants us to come to him with everything just like Martha did. He will never have the chance to mold us into the person he knows we can be, if we don't come to him in relationship like Martha.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I too have many worries and anxieties that are part of being a mom. I give all these to you Jesus, and I ask that you help me to focus on my relationship with you and my children, always keeping in mind what is really important. In your precious name I pray, Amen. St. Martha, pray for me.

Buried treasure.

Lectionary: 403
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Leopold Mandic

Who finds a treasure and then buries it again? Surely you sneak it home and then start spending it right away, right? But Jesus says heaven is like a treasure you find, then bury, and then sell everything you have in order to buy the whole field. Why would anyone do that?
One more thing: Perhaps Jesus is telling us that heaven is unlike any treasure we have ever seen. A treasure so wonderful, that indeed we want to savor it and hold on to it, rather than flit it away with careless desires. Can you even begin to imagine what kind of wonderful place it must be? Am I willing to 'sell my possessions' and empty myself of everything that stands in the way between me and heaven?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, to be with you in heaven must be wonderful beyond my wildest imaginings. Help me to rid my life of anything that stands between me and an eternal life with you. In your precious name I pray, Amen. St. Leopold, pray for me.

Vacation notice.

Hello Friends,

I am traveling with my family over the weekend and will return to posting next week. Please continue to log on to the USCCB website for the daily readings.

May God bless you and your families!

Catholic Mama

Mistaken itdentity.

Lectionary: 398 and 603
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Mary Magdalene

Today's gospel features two cases of mistaken identity. Mary was so busy looking for Jesus, that she didn't recognize him when he was standing in front of her. And Mary is often mistaken for the sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50.
One more thing: Christians can get so caught up in 'looking for Jesus' that we ignore him all around us. Jesus is present in your child who's hungry, your teen who's sad or heartbroken, or your kid who just lost a baseball tournament and is cranky. Jesus resides under your roof every day. And as for Mary, she probably doesn't care that people mistakenly think she was of ill repute. She is busy serving her Lord just as she always has.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I can get so busy looking Christian that I forget to be Christian. Help me to recognize you in everyone around me and to serve them just as I would serve you. In your precious name I pray, Amen. St. Mary Magdalene, pray for me.

Fertile Myrtle.

Lectionary: 397
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Lawrence of Brindisi

"Whoever has ears ought to hear."
Are you fertile? No, not like that! I mean, are you fertile ground for God's word? What does it take to prepare a place in your heart for God's word to grow?
One more thing: Jeremiah gave God excuses, but God took all of his shortcomings and blessed him and made him able to fulfill God's mission. All he had to do was say 'yes'. I think for us to be fertile ground for God's word, we too only have to say 'yes'.  Even simply 'yes' to hearing God's word, as Jesus says. Open your heart during your reflection today and ask God to grow within you. The fruits of your willingness will be boundless!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to hear and truly listen to your word. Then let your word grow in me so that it becomes a part of my actions, showing your love to my family in all I do. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Lawrence, pray for me.

We're all related.

Lectionary: 396
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Apollinaris

"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Family...can't live with them, can't live without them! Jesus reminds us today that life is about relationship. We are all connected to one another and as such have the responsibility to be in relationship with each other. As much as we might like to, we can't isolate ourselves from our families and our community.
One more thing: My daughter had a friend over tonight for a sleep over. The friend started the evening out by saying how much she 'hates' her brother and sister. I explained to her that in our family, we choose to love one another and try to show that love to each other every day. Does that mean we have a perfect family? No. But it means we are committed to staying in relationship with one another. 
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the family that you have given me, both biological and social. Bless my family with your grace and help us all to love one another as you do. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Apollinaris, pray for me. 

Personal responsibility.

Lectionary: 389
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Sts. John Jones and John Wall

"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"

Hmmmm, seems like I just gave this finger wagging lecture to my kids tonight, er, only in not so many words.
One more thing: God is pretty big on the personal responsibility thing. No blame or back-talk here. He doesn't want lip service, he wants real action. Wouldn't we all love the same from our kids? Read this psalm together as a family today and talk about taking responsibility for your actions.
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for giving me the road map to follow to you. Please forgive me when I stray from it and help me to recognize the times I fall. I take full responsibility for my choices and renew my vow to honor you with my actions as well as my words. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Sts. John and John, pray for me. 

Here I am.

Lectionary: 388
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Francis Solano

"Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"
"Here I am," I said; "send me!"
Someone once told me I was the perfect mother for one of my children and that is why God gave him to me. He knew that the needs of this particular child would be best met by me. This woman had an adult son who just got out of drug rehab. She felt that she too was the best mother for her child and that's why God had given him to her, along with all of his challenges and needs. 
One more thing: Motherhood is clearly an answer to a call. Just as Isaiah said yes to God's call, every day moms say 'yes'. We say 'yes' as we cook, clean, counsel, drive, heal, referee, admonish, and above all, love. In the middle of the mayhem, remind yourself of the call, and he will give you the grace to answer 'yes' over and over again. 
Prayer: Dear God, I often feel as Isaiah did, unworthy of the task before me. Give me the grace to answer your call to motherhood with conviction, fortitude, and above all, love and mercy. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. St. Francis Solano, pray for me. 

Mercy, not sacrifice.

Lectionary: 393
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice."Jesus doesn't get hung up on the little stuff. The small rules don't seem to bother him. It's the two bigs ones he is a stickler about: Love God with your whole heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.
One more thing: Jesus is a great example of a compassionate parent. Do you find yourself getting legalistic, especially with your teens and pre-teens? Maybe it's better to be like Christ and identify a few major deal-breakers that the whole family must abide by. Beyond that, try not to sweat the small stuff as your teens assert their independence and find their own identity.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of  mercy. Please forgive me when I get legalistic with both myself and my children and miss the big picture of compassion. In your precious name I pray, Amen. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for me.

Vacation

Dear Friends,

I will be out of town for the weekend. Please refer to the united states conference of catholic bishops web page for the daily readings. I'll start meditations back up next week.

I wish you all a blessed and joyful weekend!

Catholic Mama

Sheep amongst wolves.

Lectionary: 387
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Veronica Guiliani

"Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me." When was the last time you felt real joy? I think moms get so busy with meeting everyone's needs the joy gets sucked right out of them! I know there are times when I don't feel joyful. It's at those times that remembering the source of true joy, my salvation through Jesus Christ, refreshes me.
One more thing: What are the wolves in your life that take the joy out of you? Errands, car pool, cooking and cleaning, diapers, curfew, unemployment, a move, or even a play-group of grousing moms. No matter what is going on in the world around you, one thing remains constant: Christ's love for you. He gave up his life for you and he awaits you with open arms in his heavenly kingdom. So, flash those pearly whites for Christ!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give me back the joy of salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me. Let my children see the joy of salvation shine through me. In your precious name I pray. Amen. St. Veronica Guiliani, pray for me.

Sending out the twelve.

Lectionary: 386
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Gregory Grassi and companions

God knows what it is like to be a parent. In the first reading today, he speaks of Israel as his child. He cares for it and gives it everything it needs, but still it turns away from him.
One more thing: Although God is disappointed and hurt by Israel, he does not display his anger and wrath. We as moms have the perfect model for parenting in our creator. He gives absolute love to his children, always! If only we could show the same love...especially to our teens. Parents ride teens pretty hard sometimes. If you are dealing with disappointment or your own sense of loss as your teen becomes his own person, re-read the first reading and imagine yourself giving them the love and open arms that God gives, no matter what they have done or how they behave.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your unending love for me! You call me back to you no matter what I have done. Help me to show the same love to my children, especially my teens. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. St. Gregory Grassi, pray for me.

Lost sheep.

Lectionary: 385
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and companions

"Seek always the face of the Lord." Unfortunately, the children of Isreal didn't always seek the Lord and instead worshiped pagan gods. Yet God calls them back through the prophets time and time again.
One more thing: Jesus holds out hope for the people of Israel to finally answer his call. He sends his apostles to specifically find the lost sheep of his flock with which he has a covenant. God desperately wants the Israelites to turn back to him. He feels the same way about us. If you have drifted from the Lord, he wants you back. Not only that, he is seeking you! This is your call to renew your relationship with God!
Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for your endless mercy despite my many faults. I want you to be an integral part of my life and my vocation as a mom. Lead me to you, Lord. Send your Holy Spirit to be with me as my guide. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz, pray for me.

The laborers.

Lectionary: 384
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Maria Goretti

"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few..." The gospel the last two days have shown Jesus healing the sick. I struggle with these gospels because my son is sick with a chronic disease and I pray for his healing every day. Still, he suffers. Today's saint was a mere child (12 years old) when she suffered and died. She lived and died with grace and a devout faith and became an example to all of us. Maybe it's not about how we are healed, but more about how we suffer.
One more thing: Our children can suffer with various ailments: learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, ADD, drug addiction, asthma, food allergies, and the list goes on and on. As parents, watching your child suffer and struggle is the hardest thing in the world. Take courage, as I believe that Jesus is calling us, as moms, to be the laborers in his vineyard. We are the ones who become His hands and feet as we tend to them, hold them, drive them to tutoring, encourage them, go to teacher meetings, read food labels, and try to alleviate their suffering as best we can.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that you heal my child of his affliction, just as you did the mute man in the gospel. Help me to minister to my child as you would, so that his healing can be a means to spread your gospel and love. In your name I pray. Amen. St. Maria Goretti, pray for me.

Doubting Thomas

Lectionary: 593
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle

"Peace be with you." That's Jesus' greeting and desire for all of us. His presence immediately brings peace to Thomas' doubts and questions.
One more thing: Thomas doesn't get scolded for questioning. Jesus doesn't ridicule him for his doubts. He simply presents himself to Thomas and immediately calms the storm inside him. Do you ever have fears and doubts? If you have a teenager living in your house you do! Simply opening yourself to claim Jesus as your "Lord and God" will bring you peace just as it did Thomas.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of all the little ways you show yourself to me each day. Let my recognition of your presence in my life bring me peace and comfort. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Thomas, pray for me.

The mouth of God.

Lectionary: 381
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Oliver Plunkett

Jesus called Matthew and he got up and followed him. He was a sinner but had complete obedience. Do you ever hear Jesus calling you?
One more thing: Jesus calls us all: thin and fat, short and tall, sinner and tax collector. Just because you aren't perfect doesn't mean he isn't calling you. Imperfect people can do perfect things if they just say yes to Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you for calling me to be the mother of my children, even with my shortcomings. Help me to follow you as Matthew did with full obedience. In your name I pray, Amen. St. Oliver Plunkett, pray for me.

Pick up your mat.

Lectionary: 380
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Blessed Junipero Serra

"Courage child, your sins are forgiven." Christ always forgives when we ask him and never scolds or shames. Each sinner is allowed to pick up his mat and walk away with dignity.
One more thing: Do you always treat your child with such dignity when they do something wrong? Tonight I was scolding and shaming my kids about the state of their rooms. They went to bed with their heads hung instead of feeling my love and encouragement. Christ always delivers an encouraging word when he forgives; I'm going to try harder to do the same.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your tireless mercy and willingness to forgive my sins. Help me to forgive as you do, with encouragement and support rather than scolding or shame. In your name I pray, Amen. Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for me.