When you pray, say: Father

October 11, 2017 6:00 am

“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” (LK 11: 2-4) 

This is the most wonderful way we can call God, Who is not only our Creator but also the “Father.” This is how Our Lord would like to be called: not by His power, but by His relationship with us. We are for Him firstly His children. 

“You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father!” (Gospel Acclamation) 

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way…

October 10, 2017 6:00 am

“‘Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.’ When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.” (JON 3: 9-10)

Without Jonah and his mission, there was no rescue for the Ninevites. This mission was extremely difficult for Jonah; he did everything possible to reject this mission, but finally he accepted his role “according to the Lord’s bidding.”   We are witnesses for God, Who is Love, Life and Way. Because we are “who hear the word of God and observe it,” we must remember that our lives are for a bigger purpose—to help people grow and make good decisions based on truth. 

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The one who treated him with mercy

October 9, 2017 6:00 am

“‘Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’ He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (LK 10: 36-37) 

This parable signifies the restoration of mankind : destroyed by Satan and unable to be restored to a new life with the Old Covenant; only Jesus, the Good Samaritan, can rescue us from sin and death and bring us to the inn of the Church for refreshment and healing through the sacraments (St. Augustine). Whenever we feel “half dead”: tired, without joy and with no vision for the future or with no desire to pray daily and no hunger for being in relationship with God, it could be a sign that it is time for confession. 

“I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

October 8, 2017 6:00 am

“Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (PHIL 4: 6-7) 

As God’s children, unconditionally loved, we have the privilege to talk to Our Lord directly; we can meet Him in our hearts, seeing Him totally focused on us and what we need to grow: “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving” we can make our “requests known to God.” Whatever we will bring to Him or whatever is important to us, He will take care of it and then, “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We are loved. 

“I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

October 7, 2017 6:00 am

Ten times the more to seek him

“Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you  will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.” (BAR 4: 27-29)

We are so loved by God because we are His children, so when we sin and when our “hearts have been disposed to stray from God,” He suffers with us. He always waits for us to “bring us back enduring joy.” We can express our joy “ten times the more” in our hearts and prayers. 

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

PS.
Dear Friends,

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. In my country, in Poland, we plan to say Rosary on our borders to pray for peace for the world.

The Great Prayer is scheduled for 07.10.2017,
On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (set up after the great battle of Lepanto, where the Christian fleet overcame many times the Muslim fleet, saving Europe from Islamization).
On the 1st Saturday of the Month (when the Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary requested at Fatima is celebrated as a rescue for the world)
In the 140th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady in Gietrzwald (the only recognized Polish Marian apparitions, Our Lady asked for penance and the daily Rosary).
on the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions of Fatima (great, ever-present revelations in which the Virgin Mary transmits a spiritual program to the whole world);
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Poland by independence (Freedom is given to us, only in God and only with Mary we are truly free, independent).
In Poland it will be 2 PM. If U can, please join us.

Whoever listens to you listens to me

October 6, 2017 6:00 am

“Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me.  And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (LK 10: 16) 

What a tremendous authority Our Lord gave to the Apostles: “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” And He connected Himself with them for good and for bad: “whoever rejects you rejects me.” When we are sent with a mission, either as a priest or as a parent, we are close to Our Lord’s heart; we are His beloved children, who share with others the most important message from Jesus: we are loved forever. 

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest

October 5, 2017 6:00 am

“Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.’” (LK 10: 1-2) 

It should be our daily request: “ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” We know that “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” We know this especially, when we try to find priests ready to serve couples with our Programs. But Our Lord reminds us today: “ask the master of the harvest,” so we can pray and ask. 

“The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

But they would not welcome him

October 3, 2017 6:00 am

“On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.” (LK 9: 52-53)

Also today so many “would not welcome” Our Lord–different reasons maybe, but the same rejection. We can recompense Him by accepting His words everyday and welcoming Him to our homes and daily activities. 

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father

October 2, 2017 6:00 am

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” (MT 18: 10)

This is one of my favorite feasts: the memorial of the Guardian Angels. They are always with us, protect us 24/7, lead us to Heaven and “always look upon the face of our heavenly Father.” Through them, we are always connected with God; through them, Our Lord sends us all we need to grow. 

“Bless the LORD, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves

October 1, 2017 6:00 am

“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” (PHIL 2: 3-4) 

In our relationships there is always a temptation to look from the wrong perspective: “out of selfishness.” In that case we can find in our inner dialog a lot of mistaken patterns of interpretation: he or she is not as expected or below my standards. Everything will change when we “humbly regard others as more important than ourselves.” We stop looking out not only for our own interest “but also for those of others.” This is the only way we can be happy in relationships. 

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)