Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

Implicit in today’s Gospel, we are given this phrase: “Seek and Find.” When you think of this phrase, what comes to mind? The people who gathered listening to Jesus’ preaching were demanding (to seek and find) a sign. To this, Jesus describes the current generation as “evil,” and talks about Jonah, the sign to the Ninevites, and the Son of Man, the sign of the current generation.

“At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here” (Luke 11:32). In this season of Lent and after reading the Gospel, I come to find this phrase about seeking and finding not only the Son of Man, but also the Son of Man seeking and finding in what He does in our lives. Lent is the season in which we are called to repent, grow in our relationship with God, and have a deeper understanding of God.

The real heart of Catholic spirituality is growing in our personal relationship with Jesus; through the three points of Lent (prayer, fasting, and almsgiving), we are able to grow in that relationship. Prayer: Hear & Listen to Jesus. Fasting: Sacrifice of self. Almsgiving: Giving to God.

Throughout this Lenten season, I have a mission for you: Go to confession, and “Seek and Find” the Lord in your life as you grow in the relationship you have with Him! May God bless you as you journey through your life with Him.

Ponder:

Do I LISTEN to Jesus’ Word, SEE Jesus’ presence in my life and those around me, and FEEL Jesus’ unconditional love for me through His Body & Blood?

Pray:

Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen. St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!

Copyright 2016 Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker is a sixteen year old sophomore at Bishop Feehan High School and the Online Assistant at St. John the Evangelist Parish, both in Attleboro, MA. Kevin is discerning the call to the priesthood, and is the founder of the blog, Our Catholic Faith.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 17, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 6, 7-15

I have an M.O., a behavior pattern, which drives me to protect myself. It shows its ugly head in assorted scenarios, but it materializes in a special way when I am overly worried or anxious or stressed about something. Protecting myself in these situations translates into becoming obsessed with assessing all possibilities in front of me, anticipating every possible scenario.

Like a lawyer preparing for trial, I think and overthink—even conducting complete and detailed conversations with myself where I outline not only what could happen, but also how I will respond, or what I will say.

A few years ago I shockingly realized that my physical therapist, my acupuncture doctor, and my spiritual director were actually all telling me the same thing: Open up your chest. Breathe as deep as you can. Let yourself be vulnerable, open, and genuine!

In truth, it takes a lot of discipline—and a deliberate choice—to stop the madness in my head in order to live open to the present moment, not worrying or fearful about the future.

I think this is what Jesus is talking about when He reminds us that ours is a loving Father whom we can trust, in whom we can rest, a Father with whom we can feel safe. This doesn’t mean we won’t experience hardship or hurt. It does mean we can be certain that God’s will for us is always grounded in love—and in His desire that one day we will join Him in Eternal Life.

With confidence, then, I can declare “your will be done,” certain that my Father will provide me my “daily bread.” I choose to trust in a God who wants to be present in whatever does happen. And when I do, I am shown first-hand the great and marvelous things that God has in mind for those who love Him.

Ponder:

My Lord, what are you trying to show me? What part of myself am I holding back? What specific area in my life can I offer up to my Father today?

Pray:

Heavenly Father, with confidence and assurance, I place my family in your hands. May your will be done in my life and in my heart.

Copyright 2016 Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda

María has published broadly in the U.S., including the New York Times, St. Anthony Messenger, Our Sunday Visitor and other national and regional publications. She is a mom of four awesome adult children and six phenomenal grands. She’s published six books, and contributed to numerous more. Her latest book is The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run: Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma. Maria blogs about finding God in daily life at DaybyDaywithMaria.blogspot.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 16, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 25, 31-46

As a mom, it’s easy for me to hear today’s Gospel and think “I’m totally nailing this! I give drink, visit the grounded (that’s like being imprisoned, right?), comfort the sick and I’ve clothed plenty of naked bums. I got this!” Part of being a Mom is doing most of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy on a daily basis. I can coast through Mass, mentally patting myself on the back for a job well done and just sure of not going to that place of everlasting punishment.

Our Lord has a sense of humor: enter in my son with autism. As any one with a child on the spectrum knows, it’s a whole new ballgame. Providing drink to the thirsty turns into water at just the right temperature in THAT cup, to a child who has no problem wandering out of the house randomly, and those bums of his that need to be clothed will absolutely NOT be clothed in denim. Sweats only.

Suddenly, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy became drastically harder. And even more important. As Our Lord says – when we do these humble tasks to the “least of these brothers” we do them to Him. In those times when I thought I had the right cup for the water and I don’t, or when salsa is put on the chips as opposed to cheese, and when I’m holding my son (who almost weighs half as much as I do) as he convulses through another meltdown; I hear His voice whisper in my soul – you do this to Me.

I can’t say I understand my son or his struggles, but I can serve him – truly, one of Our Lords ‘least brothers’. In serving him, I see the face of God.

Ponder:

Has the Lord ever taken you out of your comfort zone to show you where you need to grow? How has He shaken you out of complacency and into some place new and different, but beautiful?

Pray:

O Lord, who through Your infinite grace and mercy has given me the ability to fulfill the works of mercy to the children You have entrusted to me, grant me the grace to remember that in serving them, I am serving you at the same time. Amen.

Copyright 2016 Kim W.

I am a Catholic convert (Class of 2006), a Benedictine Oblate, and a homeschooling mother of four kids. I love the Faith, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, books, and monkeys. When I grow up, I want to be a saint.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 15, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 4, 1-13 – First Sunday of Lent

As we start Lent, we are being called to enter into the wilderness with Jesus. The Church gives us 40 days to join Jesus in the dessert, to avoid temptation as He did, to deny ourselves comforts as He did.

However, the Lord didn’t send Jesus out alone and He doesn’t send us alone – we have the Holy Spirit! “Jesus, full of the Spirit and led by the Spirit.” Surely it will be impossible to deny the devil on our own – who could resist such luring except with help from the Holy Spirit?

Ponder:

Am I full of the Holy Spirit? Do I listen to the Spirit’s gentle ways?

Pray:

Come Holy Spirit! Be with me and guide me this Lent, so I may not miss a moment of your gentle wisdom and loving tugging at my heart.

Copyright 2016 Amanda Menghini

I am married to a wonderful Catholic man and am a work-at-home mother to 5 beautiful children, aged 8 and under.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 14, 2016 – 1st Sunday of Lent appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

I grew up in a neighborhood that consisted of row homes; today they call them town houses. There was a playground that was within walking distance of all the homes. When it was time for the kids to come home, parents would scream “Dennis! Time to come home!” (Or Kevin, Scott, etc.) If we were having a lot of fun we would ignore the first call and sometimes the second but if we were going someplace special or if the call was for a dinner that was our favorite we responded immediately.

As a kid we thanked our parents for taking us to that special place or that delicious meal but not so much for the normal less-tasty meal or the boring trip to the store. Maybe we even ignored our parents as we headed off to have fun with our friends.

Jesus calls us each day to follow Him. Many times we act like the kids who are having too much fun to respond to the first call. If life is going good we may even forget about Him. It is when our lives get oppressive and we desperately need His help that we immediately come to Him.

Ponder:

As adults, have we learned to be attentive to Jesus’ daily call for us to come to Him?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, please give me the grace to hear you calling my name, so that I may better follow you in all the times of my life.

Copyright 2016 Dennis P. McGeehan

Dennis is blessed to be the husband of Susann, the father of eight children on Earth and one who returned to God before birth. He is a homeschooling dad, a martial artist, author, freelance writer and speaker. His latest book is The Diaries of Joseph and Mary. He blogs at warriorsworlddad.com.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 13, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.

Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Yes it is Lent, but that doesn’t mean you have to be sad.

Lent is known as a time for sacrifice. We fast and pray and give alms. As a Friday, we make special sacrifices today in memory of Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ passion and death on the cross.

The question is, however, why do we fast? Why do we give something up for Lent? More importantly, why do YOU give something up for Lent?

In the reading today, the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees see Jesus’ disciples feasting when they should be fasting. “Should be” is a key element of their perspective. You see, during Lent, we often take on a militant practice of giving something up or not eating meat on Fridays. We beat ourselves up for making mistakes and giving in to our urge not to maintain our Lenten commitments. This made us sad and guilty. We “should be” better at giving something up.

We might want to ask Jesus a similar question that his critics ask in this Scripture passage: Why do your disciples fast?

His answer is something that we all to often forget. Fasting and feasting are meaningless if they are not done in reference to our relationship with Christ. The disciples feast because the bridegroom is there. They will fast when he is gone. Neither is done because of some sense of duty or hard work. They do it because of Christ.

That is how we should view our Lenten fast. We must not lose sight of the reason for the season, Jesus Christ.

Ponder:

What did you decide to fast from during this season of Lent? How can you make sure that you never forget Jesus and his love for you every time you choose to abstain?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, out of your great love for us you suffered and died on the cross so that we could receive your infinite grace. May we have the strength this Lent to love you back unconditionally, and may our sacrifices always be done in your name.

Copyright 2016 Jared Dees

Jared Dees is the creator of the popular website The Religion Teacher, which provides practical resources and effective teaching strategies to religious educators. He is the digital marketing manager at Ave Maria Press and the author of 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator and To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach. He lives in South Bend, Indiana, with his wife and three children.

The post Daily Gospel Reflection for February 12, 2016 appeared first on CatholicMom.com – Celebrating Catholic Motherhood.