Feast Day

Jesus is real. His grace is real. He’s not sitting up there somewhere, watching to see if you can figure it all out on your own. He’s chosen to descend, to be your brother, to walk with you and face your deepest fears and failures with you. Resist the temptation to be a practical atheist. Don't just believe in God - live as if you believe. Sometime over the next few weeks, go to Confession and open your heart to Him. Let Jesus make a difference and be part of your daily reality.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 42:1–4, 6–7 | Acts 10:34–38 | Lk 3:15–16, 21–22 

We can make our home like the Father’s house if we make prayer the center in our home and family life. This week, formulate a plan to set aside some time nightly for prayer together, offering thanks and praises to God, asking for the strength to overcome whichever crisis comes your way and affects your family. Then put this praying plan into action, and discover the peace and grace that follows from uniting as a family unit in God.
 
Readings at this Mass: Sir 3:2–6, 12–14 | Col 3:12–21 | Lk 2:41–52

Jesus is more than just an ordinary person or a religious leader. He is God, our creator, the reason we exist. The laws of physics and science depend on him. Our ultimate happiness resides in him. Our ability to go to heaven is only through him. He is the King of the Universe, our Lord, our Messiah - and He loves you. The king of all things loves you.
 
Readings at this Mass: Dn 7:13–14  |  Rv 1:5–8  |  Jn 18:33b–37 

God gives us the virtues of contemplation, obedience, humility, and love to create harmony within our families. Consider how you are living out these virtues in your own family. In what ways could you improve and grow to create a more loving environment for your family?

"You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased." This is the truest, most fundamental thing about us. Claim that identity, let God in, and watch how your life begins to change.

It can be difficult to recognize the people around you as being children of God when they live or believe differently than you. When you find yourself caught in difficult conversations or feeling irked, offer the following prayer: "Lord, expand my heart." The more we live our faith, the more He does expand our hearts to accept that we are God's beloved children, with all of our brokenness, and so are the people around us.