Category: PRAYERS

THIS BUSINESS OF GIFT-GIVING (Matthew 2:1-12):  04 January 2009 (Epiphany of Our Lord)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

Today, the Feast of Your Epiphany, we remember the visit of the magi–those astrologers (how many they were, we don’t know) who read the stars and were among the first to lay their eyes on you.  They were not exactly kings, but they were certainly wise men since they detected Herod’s schemes and followed the angel’s message to go home some other way.  They are, of course, today credited for the the tradition of gift-giving that has in many ways defined the season of Christmas.  And so today, perhaps it’s good to think about this business of gift-giving.

HOW DO YOU SAY “YES”? (Luke 1:26-38):  21 December 2008 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Mary,

How do you say “Yes”?  Teach me, my Mother.  Praying yet again over the Annunciation story, I can’t help but wonder again if you were able to say “Yes” because you were just generous or because you didn’t completely understand what you were getting into.  I suspect that it was both. 

REMEMBERING THE  JOHN THE BAPTISTS IN MY LIFE  (John 1:6-8, 19-28):  14 December 2008 (Third Sunday of Advent)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

Today I recall the John the Baptist’s in my life, people whom you sent to me to show me the way to you.  They have been many–too many to name here:  family members, religion teachers, college professors, retreat masters, Jesuits and other religious…   Today I’d like to mention three.

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

Hope you don’t mind, Lord, but your cousin isn’t exactly my favorite Christmas character.  Don’t get me wrong:  I think John the Baptist was pretty heroic, but I’m not sure if it’s right to read about him during Advent, as we did today in the Gospel, since we should be preparing for Christmas, shouldn’t we?

I DON’T GET IT, LORD (Mark 13:33-37):  30 November 2008 (First Sunday of Advent)

NOTE:  Starting this new liturgical season, I will be posting my PRAYERS based on the readings.  Hope you can share yours too.

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord,

For the past three days, I was glued to CNN and BBC to follow the events in Mumbai.  Whenever I could, I checked the networks and the Internet for updates on the coordinated and simultaneous terrorist attacks on nine different sites, which included two five-star hotels, one popular café, and a Jewish community center.  The crisis left about 180 dead and over 300 wounded.  But it has also left some pretty disturbing questions.