In other years: Saint John Paul II (1920-2005)
Readings of the day: RB 18:1-6Mass: Isaiah 45:1,4-6; Resp. Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Luke 22:15-21
I tend to sit up straighter when I read, “Thus says the Lord.” Today, like all days, the words of the Lord are powerful—yet what God says to Cyrus, king of Persia, are awe-inspiring:
I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me!
The God who called Cyrus, giving him the title, “anointed;”the Go

Readings of the day: RB 17Mass: Romans 4:13,16-18; Resp. Psalm 105; Luke 12:8-12
HOLY SPIRITMarianne Misetich, SNJM
Holy Spirit, fill me with your love. Holy Spirit, take my heart and keep it close to the Father, close to the Son, Holy Spirit make us one in love.Holy Spirit, fill me with your peace. Holy Spirit, take my heart and keep it close to the Father, close to the Son, Holy Spirit, make us one in peace.Holy Spirit, fill me with your joy. Holy Spirit, take my heart and keep it

Readings of the day: RB 16Mass: Romans 4:1-8; Resp. Psalm 32; Luke 12:1-7
I don’t know how many times our Lord said, “Do not be afraid,” but I like to think he said it at least 365 times, once for each day of the year. It seems Jesus knew we needed to hear those words over, and over again. In today’s passage from Saint Luke, Jesus tells us two times! Even so, we spend a considerable amount of time being afraid, and worrying about this and that. Then we are given unhelpful advice from too many

Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions
Readings of the day: RB 15Mass: Romans 3:21-30; Resp. Psalm 130; Luke 11:47-54
When Jesus left, the scribes and the Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Readings of the day: RB 14Mass: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b; Resp. Psalm 145; Luke 10:1-9
Demas succumbed to the trappings of the world; Crescens preferred Galatia; Titus, Dalmatia. Alexander the coppersmith was nothing but trouble. Paul, although deserted by his companions, reminds us of something very important: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” People are fickle; Jesus isn’t. The Lord will never abandon us.