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Christmas Reflection Day 19 - The Prince of Peace

12/19/2014

Day 19 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: The Prince of Peace

Scripture: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Who will Jesus be? We are lastly told in this scripture that the coming Messiah will be The Prince of Peace.

Reflection: The Messiah doesn't come in armor, in a show of force and majestic glory. He comes to us as a child. Right under the world's nose it's Savior comes, quietly, in a stable in Bethlehem. He brings a message of Peace to the world. Violence, war and hatred are not the answer. Love is the answer. Humility is the answer. Gentleness is the answer. These things are considered weak by the world, but they are of the nature of God Himself. The message of Peace is timeless. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), and He calls us to be people of peace.

Questions: Where is the unrest in my life? What am I anxious about? Can I surrender it to The Prince of Peace? Do I yet see Love as more powerful than hate? Am I willing to increase my prayer time, even just a few minutes, to get to know The Prince of Peace better?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray today for the peace you died to give me. I pray for peace in my heart, in my soul, in my mind, in my body, in my family, and in the lives of everyone near and dear to me, and in the whole world. I ask for the peace you promised us Jesus, a peace the world can't give. An unshakeable peace in the storms of life. Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, set me free from fear and give me your calming spirit. Help me to be a person of peace inside and out.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 18 - Everlasting Father

12/18/2014

Day 18 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Everlasting Father.

Scripture: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Who will the Messiah be? We are told He will be an Everlasting Father.

Reflection: "To us a Son is given." The Mystery of The Trinity is revealed to us. One inseparable God in three Divine Persons. Within the person of Jesus Christ we experience God The Father, the One who sent Him. Jesus is sent into the world to save the world from sin and eternal death, and so we see within Him an eternal Father who wants us back ... who wants to restore us to wholeness. We see a Good Father, a Loving Father, a Merciful Father, an Everlasting Father.

When God The Father, our Creator made us we rejected Him and because of that sin entered the world and the human heart. But here He comes to us again in Jesus, calling us back, and with the authority to now cleanse us from our sin through the Blood of His Son on the Cross. He then pours out His own Spirit upon us in Baptism, giving us a share in His Divine Life once again. We see in this that God is a tender and compassionate Father, who continues to call us to Trust Him. He has no ulterior motive. He just wants to Love us, and wants us to share in His Divine Love - forever!

Questions: Do I think of God as a good and tender Father? What does the word "Father" mean to me? Is it possible that I compare God to other fathers? Am I willing to see things differently, from God's perspective? What areas of my heart needs a Father's Love?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, you are truly my Father, my Creator, my God. I love you and I want to know you better, in a real and meaningful way. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, whom you sent into the world for my sake, I can have an actual relationship with you. In my heart and in my spirit, in all that I do, be with me. Pour out your Love upon me, and heal all areas of my heart that need a gentle Father's touch. Help me to open my heart to you God The Father, in a new way. In Jesus' name.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 17 - Mighty God

12/17/2014

Day 17 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Mighty God.

Scripture: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

We continue to reflect on this scripture from Isaiah Chapter 9 when the Messiah to come will be called "Mighty God."

Reflection: Jesus comes to us as a small, helpless infant in a humble stable, but make no mistake, He is the King of Heaven and Earth and He is all powerful. What makes Christ powerful is His Love. It's a Love the world has never seen. It's total Love. It's complete. It lacks nothing. It is not conditional. It is all embracing. It is a Love that heals, that restores, that delivers. A Love that sets us free. And this is why Jesus came. To bring the power of His Love to life. Jesus reveals a Mighty God, powerful in goodness, gentleness and humility .. things that the world would never recognize as power. The Christ Child is Love incarnate, and there is nothing more powerful on earth.

Questions: What do I think of when I think of God's Power? Do I think of strength or battles or judgment? Do I consider God's Love to be the most powerful presence on earth? What area of my life needs the power of God right now?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are a wonderful and Mighty God, and I desire to know the power of your Love in my life. Please take my life, just the way it is, and open my heart to receive your unconditional Love even in this very moment. The world teaches me that I have to earn love, that I'm not good unless I do something good, that others are better than me. But you reveal a different kind of Love. You reveal The Truth. You show us a Love that is everything for everyone. Your Love can work wonders, and I ask you to work wonders in my life and in the lives of my family and friends. In Jesus' Mighty name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 16 - Wonderful Counselor

12/16/2014

Day 16 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Wonderful Counselor.

Scripture: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Reflection: Who will Jesus be? We will spend the next few days reflecting on each descriptive title of Jesus in the above scripture from Isaiah. We are first told the Messiah will be called "Wonderful Counselor."

We need the counsel of Christ in our lives. In His wisdom He can guide us to make right decisions. We can trust that Jesus knows what is best. Through Him, in a very practical way, we can follow a very spiritual path. And God, in His infinite wisdom, can direct the course of our lives better than we can.  Let's truly entrust ourselves to our Wonderful Counselor and surrender our lives to Jesus, who knows best how to use us in the Divine plan.

Questions: Where do I get my advice from? From myself? From others? From God? Can I pray today for the humility to believe that God knows better than I do?

Prayer: Dear Lord,  Please counsel me in the way I should go. Please guide my steps. Please, somehow, show me the way. Life can be so confusing and pain can sometimes blind us to the fact that you have a perfect and holy plan for our lives, that you have something good, something wonderful in store. Help me to trust you within me, but also to pray before I make decisions. Open my eyes Lord, to see more clearly the path you have chosen for me. Help me to see only the next step, trusting you will be there and you will be with me for the next step too, and the next, and the next. You will always be with me. Take my plans Lord, take my limited wisdom and help me to trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 15 - God's Protection

12/15/2014

Day 15 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: God's Protection

Scripture: "When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him" (Luke 2:39-40).

Reflection: God finishes what He starts. God completes His plans. Joseph and Mary had to travel quite a bit before they were able to go back to Nazareth. Jesus was already a young child when they did. Their journeys were difficult, but God was in charge, guiding them and protecting them on their way. This mission of Christ's birth was complete and a new one was starting. Sometimes it might feel like we are on a journey that will never end, as if we will never see our destination. Mary and Joseph are perfect examples of how to surrender our path to God, making His path our path, and our path His path, no matter what the results. We are called to do God's Will. And we can take comfort in knowing that God will be with us through it all. He never abandons us. We all want to feel safe and protected as we walk through life. In Christ, we have this assurance. He is with us always.

Questions: Do I feel God is with me? Does it feel like God doesn't care, like He has abandoned me in my prayer life? What is my mission? Do I fully allow God to lead?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray today for the grace to be guided and protected by you. Please lead me in the direction of your Will, of your plans. Inspire me with your ideas. Finish what you have started in me, but help me to have faith that perseveres, whether I see the results in my lifetime or not. Help me only to do what you want and allow me to find my happiness in doing your Will. Lift any and all discouragement from my life and give me the peace you promised to your followers. Your Peace. A Peace beyond understanding, that only you can give. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 14 - The Star of Bethlehem

12/14/2014

Day 14 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: The
Star of Bethlehem.

Scripture: “But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).

Reflection: We find God in the least likely places. The Messiah chooses to be born in Bethlehem. This is not where one might expect to find a King, but it’s where The King of kings is born. The shepherds and the three Kings were able to find Jesus because they followed the star above this small city. God pointed them in the right direction, and He will point us in the right direction too. By The Light of Christ, The Light of The World, everything becomes clearer.

Questions: What am I following? Does the path I travel lead to Jesus? Do I have confidence that God will guide me on my own journey towards Him? Am I willing to open my eyes wider, and see Christ even in the most unlikely places? In the most unlikely people?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Help me to take the
steps I need to take in order to follow you. Make my path straight and light the way for me. I’m trying to find you too. May your Light guide me in all that I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 13 - Saint Joseph

12/13/2014

Day 13 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Saint Joseph

Scripture: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:16)

Reflection: What was this experience like for Joseph? Could you imagine being the one responsible for raising God? Mary and Joseph were chosen by The Father to parent Jesus. Joseph must have had very strong faith. In quiet obedience, Joseph carried out God’s plan. He shows us that faith doesn’t have to be loud, it has to be real. There is strength in calmness. There isn’t very much about Joseph in the Bible, but His presence with Mary by the manger speaks volumes. We are called to follow His example.

Questions: Do I just talk about my faith, or do I live it? Am I willing to quietly
get things done for God without taking the credit? Do I try to impress people? Am I a good example to others?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for choosing Joseph and Mary. Help us to follow their example of quiet and faithful obedience to you. They trusted in your plan of salvation. Please help me to trust you too. Help me to fulfill your plan for my life, accepting my role, whether I get recognized for it or not. Help me to do your Will simply and quietly. May others see you in me by my actions, which always speak louder than words. Help me to be more like Joseph and Mary as I grow in my spiritual life this Christmas Season, and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 12 - The Holy Spirit

12/12/2014

Day 12 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: The Holy Spirit.

Scripture: "And the angel said to her in reply, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of The Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, The Son of God'" (Luke 1:35).

Reflection: We see the action of The Holy Spirit throughout the infancy narrative. He is the one at work here. God The Holy Spirit is bringing Christ to us. He is implementing the plan. He is making things happen. Jesus is conceived by the power of The Holy Spirit. The angel tells Zechariah that John the Baptist "will be filled with The Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" (Luke 1:15). When Mary reached Elizabeth the infant in her womb leaped for joy and "filled with The Holy Spirit, she cried out in a loud voice and said Most blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:42). The angel Gabriel reassures Joseph telling him not to be afraid because "it is through The Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived" (Matt 1:20) The Holy Spirit later guides the shepherds and the three Kings to encounter Jesus. The Holy Spirit is also active in our own lives. The Holy Spirit can come upon us, and guide us, and help us to grow in holiness.

Questions: Do I allow The Spirit of God to guide me? Am I open to the actions of The Holy Spirit in my own life? Do I trust Him?

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to let your Spirit into my life. Help me to stop trying to lead you in the direction I want to go. Help me to instead allow you to lead me where you want me to go. Help me not to be afraid of where you will take me. Help me to trust your plan and be at peace, because The Spirit of Christ will be with me wherever I go. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 11 - Praising God

12/11/2014

Day 11 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season:
Praising God

Scripture: “My soul proclaims the greatness of The Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my savior” (Luke 1:46-47).

Reflection: Praise is prayer. It’s a very powerful form of prayer when we give God glory and thanksgiving, above all else. When we pray we grow in relationship with God and also ask Him to assist us in our practical needs, but it’s important to first acknowledge His authority over us. He’s God. We’re not. Even when Jesus taught us to say The Our Father, the greatest prayer of all, He first began with praise – “hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Praise and Thanksgiving will open up new doors for us. Let’s pray for the grace to be more grateful for the many blessings God gives us and to glorify His name by our actions and in our prayers.

Questions: Can I make a new commitment to praising God in prayer? Do I give God His due credit for the many graces and blessings I receive? What can I do to show my gratitude for God’s Goodness?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know my prayers. You understand all of my intentions. I thank you for hearing every prayer of mine and for taking care of all of my needs. Even when I fail to recognize you in my life, I know by faith that you are there. Help me to be even more thankful for your presence in my life. Help me to thank you continually and to praise your name. Even including one simple “Praise you Jesus” in my prayer life can help me to honor you. Above all, help me to give you the greatest glory by being an example of your Love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

Christmas Reflection Day 10 - A Strong Faith

12/10/2014

Day 10 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: “A
Strong Faith”

Scripture: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45).

Reflection:  This scripture can help us reflect on the subject of long-term faith. We have faith when we feel hopeful and motivated, but what about when things take longer than we thought, or something turns out differently than we expected? Do we have the patience of a faith that lasts?  Mary believed what the angel said and I’m sure her faith was strong when “the angel departed from her.” But she also had faith when she and Joseph had to make a long and treacherous journey to Bethlehem. Mary knew that when God calls us to do something, He will see us through it. God keeps His Word.

Questions:   How long does my faith last? Do I keep my word? Have I given up on God? Am I willing to ask God to give me a mission, a new purpose for my life? Do I trust God to carry out His plan in me, or do I try to carry it alone?

Prayer:   Dear Lord, you know my faith isn’t as strong as I would like it to
be. Sometimes life really doesn’t make sense and I begin to doubt.  Help me to look at the solution more than the problem. You are the answer. I want to have a true and stronger faith. Not one that is fleeting and changing depending on my circumstances, but one that holds everything together. One that lasts. Real faith is in it for the long haul and produces results. Help me to look to you as my strength and my shield on my journey here on earth, and grant me the grace to follow you, to do your Will, and to live with you forever in Heaven.  Please grant me the gift of faith, at all times. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.