Love.

Lectionary: 289
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Flavia Domitilla


Love. It's so simple, it has become trite. Jesus says it is all we need to do: love one another. He doesn't play any games, or pull any punches. There's no club level you have to get to in order to find the secrets of God. No, Jesus lays it all out for us. Love one another. 
One more thing: Loving our family, especially our rebellious teens or tiresome twos, can be a real challenge. While you don't have to like them, you do have to love them enough to be the mother God wants you to be. That might be unpopular. But approach your parenting like the apostles did when forming the early church. Go to the Holy Spirit; seek council from those who are wise and holy; and trust in the Lord to help you make the right decisions steeped in love. 
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for showing me how to love. Help me to always model your love to my children, even when they are not very likable. In your name I pray. Amen. St. Flavia, pray for me. 

Joy.

Lectionary: 288
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Dominic Savio


After a rough afternoon of running the roads taxing kids to various events, trying to squeeze in cooking and feeding them all and never getting anyone completely satisfied, and then dealing with the grouchies once we all got home, I admit it -  I lost my joy. My two year old picked out a book of bible songs for his bedtime story. Maybe he was trying to tell me something! 
One more thing: "Remain in my love." Sometimes its hard to remain in Christ's love and keep his commandments. This is especially true when the wheels are falling off around you. I know at times like these I have the urge to sit down and throw a tantrum just like everyone else! It's those times when I try to whisper a prayer, "Holy Spirit, help me."  Sometimes I just whisper it to myself over and over. Sometimes I shout it! Remaining in Christ's love is a choice, and with his help, you can choose to find the joy, even when you are up to your eyeballs in alligators!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for your infinite love for me! Help me to follow your commands so that I may remain in your love, and share in your joy. In your name I pray. St. Dominic, pray for me. Amen.

Pruning the vine.

Lectionary: 287
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Gothard

"By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” I was talking with a friend today about a little pruning going on in her life. Christ was calling her to do something and she wasn't quite sure how to fit this new ministry into her life. Christ tells us in the gospel today that the junk, whether physical or in our hearts, has to go! 

One more thing: What is in your life that is getting in the way of you being fruitful as a mom? Is it the TV, magazines that don't promote a good attitude about family, friends that aren't like-minded. Is it ideas from your family of origin or your neighborhood about how a mom should appear to be, rather than really be? Is it aimless wandering on the internet that takes time away from your kids. Is there anything that God needs to prune? 

Prayer: Father in heaven, I want to bear much fruit for you, especially in the upbringing of my children. Prune away anything in my life that is not of you. Jesus, I cling to you and pray this in your name. Amen. 

Keep talking.

Lectionary: 286
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Florian


The early church needed a lot of support. The new believers were easily swayed and when the community was faltering, the apostles sent some of their heavy hitters into the area to build them up. Think of your children as new believers. They too are just learning about the church and need lots of reinforcement. 
One more thing: Moms need reinforcement too. When you feel yourself getting a little lax, spend some time in adoration or daily mass. Jesus will bolster you up and give you the strength you need to forge ahead. Surround yourself with friends who are also friends with Christ. As the psalm says, "Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom."
Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to prioritize my time so that I am spending time with you each day. Give me friends who are friends with you, and help us to support one another in teaching our children about you. St. Florian, pray for me. Amen. 

Messengers.

Lectionary: 561
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Sts. Philip and James, Apostles


Jesus was the master of viral marketing by getting others to spread his message. There was no internet, social media, newscast, simply people like James and Philip telling others about him. That's still the way it works. When you teach your children about Christ, you are spreading his message. There's no telling who they in turn will spread the message to! 
One more thing: I sometimes use a questioning technique to get others to say something when it would have more impact coming from them than if I said it. I think that's what Philip was doing when he questioned Jesus. He spent so much time with Jesus, maybe he knew there were people nearby, like you and I, who needed to hear it explained one more time. It was the start of Philip's mission to spread the gospel. 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to help spread your message through all the earth. Help me to be ready to share my faith with those around me, most especially my children. In your name I pray. Sts. Philip and James, pray for me. Amen. 

Brotherly love.

Lectionary: 54
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Reading 2

Gospel

"As I have loved you, so you should love one another." How does Christ love us? The psalm says, "The LORD is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works."

One more thing:What would our families be like if we loved one another as Christ loves us all the time? Okay, I know we are human, and most of us have little people still learning about how to love and treat others, but wouldn't that be amazing? Like the glimpse of heaven from the second reading. If we remind our families that we are all on a journey to heaven, and the way to get there is to love one another like Christ loves us, then just maybe our families can be a little slice of heaven here on earth. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you for loving me and showing me how to love others. Give me your compassion and mercy so that I may be an example of your love to my family. In your name I pray, Amen. 

Repitition

Lectionary: 284
Reading 1
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
St. Joseph the worker


I wonder if Christ were walking the earth today how he would present his message. Would he use a power point presentation? Do you think that would have made it more clear to the apostles? Christ keeps telling them over and over who he is, and they still don't get it. 
One more thing: I'm sure Christ felt like we do as parents sometimes. He's talking and it seems no one is really listening. Instead of getting inpatient, he becomes compassionate. He explains it to Phillip yet again, more clearly and with love. That's a good thing for me to model as a mom. The times when I feel like I'm banging my head against a rock are the very times my love needs to kick into overdrive. 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the way to the Father. Be with me as I teach and form my children. Give my your compassion and patience so that I may show them the same love that you show me. In your name I pray. St. Joseph the worker, pray for me. Amen.