May it be done unto me according to your word. –Luke 1:38

A class of first graders was performing a Nativity play. As Joseph and Mary knocked at the door of the inn and asked for a room, the innkeeper responded: " Sorry, there is no room at the inn."  But at that moment, that didn't sound right to him, so he changed the script: "Hang on. Don't go away. You can have my room." Mary is our model of saying "yes".  Mary, filled with grace, was always open to God  Just like the "innkeeper"in the story above, she was asked to provide room for Jesus. Her yes changed everything.  In the same way, God - and our world - waits on our yeses.

O God who waits, you wait for our yeses in order to come into the rooms of our lives.  Like Mary, our model of saying "yes", I recommit my life to you. "You can have my room", help me to enlarge it, to make it more and more welcoming to all in your family.

Sr. Janet Schaeffler, O.P.

We do not know how we ought to pray. — Romans 8:26

St. Paul’s advice on prayer in this passage clears away the clutter of method, mellows our striving to do it right and takes away the stress.  We can’t really pray as we ought. So what are we to do?  Let the Holy Spirit in us pray in our place. I have often prayed quietly with the sense that the heart of God was beating within me. I simply listened. Waited.  Reverenced the beating of this love greater than any other. Where I could not pray, God himself had come to take up residence within me and to pray. The Spirit kept watch over me, replacing my weakness with the strength of his love.  The Spirit’s intercession for me matched the desires that sprang from God’s own heart and so were immediately answered, though they remained a secret from me. Too often perhaps we get in our own way when we pray.  Maybe we need to stop trying so hard and allow God to pray within us according to the desires of his heart.

Sr. Kathryn J. Hermes, F.S.P.

For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

Walking away is difficult, but it happens every day.  Wives muster up courage to leave abusive husbands. People put toxic friendships behind them. Employees leave companies that reward or accept unethical behavior.  If counseling or dialogue or whistle-blowing doesn't improve the situation, we may be left with no choice except to go. It's different with God.  Just as Paul counseled the Gentiles that God hadn't rejected the Israelites despite their unbelief,so he doesn't reject us no matter how many times we offend him. With God, there is always a choice.  If we are humble and contrite and try harder the next time, his call and his gifts are forever available.

Lord, I am full of gratitude for the gifts you continue to offer despite my frailties'.

Melanie Rigney

For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. — Isaiah 45:4

When a group of professionals posed the question "What does love mean?" to young children, one of the most profound responses they received came from a four-year-old boy. "When someone loves you," he observed, "the way they say your name is different.  You know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Hopefully, we've all had the experience of being beloved and hearing our name uttered with tenderness over and over by someone significant to us. The psalmist challenges us to imagine a God who goes so much further, even though "you knew me not". We may forget to acknowledge God's presence and concern,  but God is continually, unfailingly pouring out loving care for our wholeness and well-being.  Hearing our name called with such absolute and unconditional love invites us into profound gratitude every moment of our lives.

Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.

Woe to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them. Luke 11:46

One of the treasures of Scripture is that there is a place in it for all of life.  It isn't just filled with faith and praise; it is interwoven with doubt and desperation.  It echoes experiences of real joy, but also the reality of being totally fed up.  Disgusted enough to respond with a fist raised to the sky calling down woe upon the oppressor.

While that particular expression may be foreign in Western culture, the feeling certainly isn't foreign to any of us. We know the sense of outrage against those who seem totally concerned with the trivia of the law but devoid of responses of real mercy.  What I am working on in my life is trying to let my "woe to you" moments not end in a sense of self-righteous judgment, but to be a source of renewed energy for being more merciful myself.

God, help us to grow in mercy ourselves as we cry out against the burdening of others.

Patricia Livingston

On the mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines … he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces. — Isaiah 25:6,8

This passage is one of the greatest sources of courage for me in all of Scripture. The repeated detailed description of the feast — in case we don't get it that this is not some abstract event — gave me a kind of glorious concrete hope.  I love the tenderness of the Lord God wiping away the tears from all the faces.

Three years ago on this date, I held this reading in my hand beside my dying sister. She was the one who gave the feasts in our family: rich, juicy food and choice wine. I read aloud for us both: "He will destroy death forever."

God of love, help us to trust in this stunning promise of life you offer us with such tenderness.

Patricia Livingston

Jesus met the women on their way and greeted them. Matthew 28:9

What a surprise Mary Magdalene experienced that morning. An almost unimaginable, profound surprise. A life-changing one. But now the question Jesus asked confronts me. I have heard the alleluia again and again, for many years now. Like you, I know the resurrection narratives well. But still, I can get swept up in the world's sense of itself and let my life be defined not by the empty tomb, but by so many other distractions and illusions that frustrate me and bind me to earth.


"Why are you weeping? "Whom are you looking for? Risen Lord, it is you alone I seek.

Amy Welborn

Mary … anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair. John 12:3

Many years ago, I remember passing a florist shop and thinking: "Wouldn't it be great to give some flowers to Our Lady?  I'll bet she'd like that."  So I did.  I bought the flowers and laid them in front of her statue in our cathedral.  When I did, I felt the most wonderful consolation and knew that it made her very happy.

In John's gospel, Lazarus' sister, Mary, took some very expensive oil and anointed the feet of Jesus. There were those who criticized her, but Jesus did not. He was touched by the love in her heart, symbolized by her aromatic gift, and he welcomed it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you were to express your love for God in some way today? You could give an extravagant gift. But the best gift would be your love.

Msgr. Stephen Rosetti

What we shall be has not yet been revealed. 1 John 3:2

The afterlife holds immense mystery for us.  While faith assures us there is life beyond  this one, sometimes nature as much as Scripture strengthens my belief in the radical power of God to transform us beyond death.

Last spring I studied the amazing metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a monarch butterfly.  Who could believe that a simple worm could change that dramatically?  I was still caught up in this marvelous reality when my dear friend Carola died of a heart attack.  I thought immediately of the caterpillar's radical transformation and that a similar sort of change must be taking place for Carola.  We simply cannot comprehend how life after death is for our departed ones.  I only know that I felt comfort in visualizing Carola's spiritual metamorphosis into a shining, free spirit, at peace in the communion of saints.

Dear God, deepen my faith in what will be revealed after my death.

Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted it in the garden. Luke 13:18-19

Even though I was raised in the city, my father taught me the wonders of farming. Along with instructing me how to plant and harvest vegetables, he showed me that gardening is perhaps an ultimate act of faith, as we trust that something small and unseen can grow into something beautiful and delicious. Is there anything better than tomatoes fresh off the vine?

And just as a garden grows, so grows the kingdom of God in believers. Our call as disciples is not to drag unwilling people screaming into the kingdom. Rather, God asks us to plant seeds of love and the good news of Christ and those around us, gently drawing them into the warmth and light of the presence of Jesus.

Jesus, allow me to be both seed and sower to those who need you.

Steve Givens

Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. Psalm 113.2

There is a 19th century Christian hymn called How Can I Keep From Singing?  The sentiment of the song is beautiful - no matter how difficult life may seem, if God is watching over us and sustaining our lives, how can we not sing out in joyful song? This may be what the writer of this ancient song (psalm) was feeling.

I personally find this very challenging.  It is so much easier to praise God when things are going well from my perspective. But what would happen if we were to thank God at the end of each day, regardless of the burdens, pain or costs we experienced? It is possible we may find our perspective slowly shift to see that our life itself, regardless of this or that event, is worth thanking God for each day. We may also find that our appreciation for seemingly small blessings increases and can sustain us during difficult trials.

Thank you, Merciful God, for the many wonderful gifts you bring to my live.

David Nantais

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16

When our children are young, we school them in saying "thank you" for any courtesy, gift or praise given them. What we're really teaching them is awareness, the ability to recognize and name what they've received as grace. And so it goes for us for the rest of our lives. Before we can say thank you, we have to live in awareness of what comes to us as gifts large and small: the start of a new day, a brilliant sunset, a word of affirmation, a job offer, the successful end of a course of treatment, a hug from a child, a relationship on the mend.

Every one of the ten lepers had been healed, but only one recognized and named God's healing presence in his life. Only one realized, returned and gave thanks.

Loving God, lead me into awareness of your gracious gifts to me today.

Sr. Chris Koelhoffer, I.H.M.

Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Matthew 23-9

When my husband died two years ago, my greatest worry was the impact on his sons at the time. He was a good father, and he was their … father.  How could I help them grow into wholeness and happiness with that gap looming so large?

Only time will tell, but what is true of course is that those of us with still living parents must learn a similar lesson: Our earthly parents are limited and flawed. They can't fill the role that only our heavenly Father can. To expect them to do so is idolatrous and will ultimately result in disappointment.

I think that's closer to what Jesus means in this reading. Our earthly parents and teachers take us a certain distance. Only God can take us the rest of the way. It's his perfect love we're yearning for, his embrace we seek.

Heavenly Father, I rest in your love.

Amy Welborn

My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. Psalm 130:6

When sleep can't come, the night can seem endless. If you've accompanied and stood vigil with a loved one who's in pain, if you've kept watch waiting for a young driver to return home safely, if you've waited for an early morning phone call to assure you of a traveler's safe arrival, you know how longed for and how welcome daybreak is. Somehow, everything seems better in the light of day.

The psalmist tells us that these experiences reflect the deep hunger we have for God. Whether it's our own profound desire for the divine or the collective ache of our world for meaning and purpose, the yearning for God draws each of us.

Loving God, may the desire of my heart draw me closer to you this day.

Sr. Chris Koelhoffer, I.H.M.

For just as from the heavens the rain and snow came down … So shall my word be … Isaiah 55:10-11

Water is a very apt image for God's word.  Why?  Water is essential for life.  It is graceful and ungraspable.  It also cleanses and rejuvenates. In fact, when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, he described his teachings as "living water".  We can easily take the blessing of water for granted,especially if we have an adequate supply. Let us rekindle our reverence for water today by being mindful of every drop of water we use today - to drink, cook, wash or pour onto our plants.  Then we can try to be more saving of the water we use. We can also educate ourselves on the water shortage in our world.  And finally, we can take time to just be with water - whether and ocean, a lake, a pond, a stream, a fountain or even a single glassful - and give thanks to God for this great gift.

Gracious God, I thank you for the water of your Word and the water of planet Earth.

Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

He who fashioned the heart of each, He who knows all their works. Psalm 33:15

I've recently come to recognize and appreciate the graciousness of God in my life. When I lost my mother's presence and companionship to death, God graciously sent a brand new friend my way.  When a person I admired recently moved away, God graciously put back into my life someone whose work brought them home again. When I lost my childhood home, God reminded me of my real home which
is in God.

Not only in loss do I find God's graciousness. When a butterfly flits past, when the sun's rays slink through the clouds, when a friend unexpectedly emails me, when I need a pick-me-up and someone offers to drive me to a park so I can be by the water, I experience God's graciousness.

It is this same graciousness I find mirrored in others throughout my day. Today's psalm speaks of fashioning the hearts of each.

Thank you for fashioning such gracious hearts and please, God, let mine be one of them this day.

Sr. Charleen Hug, S.N.D.

He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village — Mark 8:23

Surely the blind man must have felt some apprehension when Jesus led him away from his familiar surroundings to be healed. I know there are few things I dislike more than feeling lost and unsure of where I am headed. When I recently encountered a bewildering detour on the way to visit a friend who had moved, I had to take a deep breath and pray not to panic. I eventually arrived safely, but the trip was not without some moments of confusion and distress.

At times our spiritual journey will deviate from the path we expected to follow. Maybe we have prayed for healing and things appear to be worse, or perhaps the rituals and prayer forms we have relied on lost their appeal. We feel lost and aren't sure which way to turn, yet like the blind man we feel that we must walk into the unknown trusting that we will not be abandoned.

Faithful Guide, give me the grace to follow where you lead me.

Terri Mifek

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:40

Does Jesus really understand your joys and your sorrows?  When you lift up your burdens to him and ask for help, does he understand what you are feeling? It might have been hard to say "yes" if Jesus had not fully shared in our human nature. But Jesus went through the stages of growth as we do, and he knew the joys and sorrows that are a part of every human life.

I think God always knew all about us, because we are part of his creation. But when God's son took on our human nature, it became easier for us to believe that God understood who we are and what we feel.

Thank you, Jesus, for the great mercy you have shown by fully becoming one of us.

Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.

Hear this! A sower went out to sow. Mark 4:3

I was raised on a 300-acre farm and have early memories of sowing the seeds of our crops - corn, oats, wheat, barley and hay.  I especially recall Dad sowing alfalfa seed.  When the ground was plowed and smoothed, he would walk through the fields carrying the seed and cranking our handheld sower.  I would
help by clearing rocks from the field.

I often wonder what images Jesus had in mind when he spoke of sowing seed. He said the seed is like the word of God and we are the soil.  Frivolous distractions and excessive worldly cares are the thorns and the weeds that choke the seed.  Jesus assures us if we are open and ready to receive his word it will produce rich and lasting spiritual fruit in our lives.

Lord, we stand ready to receive your words of life.

Fr. James McKarns

They all ate and were satisfied. Mark 6:42

We're in the week of rude awakenings.  Our lives are getting back to normal after Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and New Year's.  Many of us spent too much money trying to fill emotional and physical holes with family and friends.  Now we've found the holes are still there, along with new ones in our bank accounts. No matter how noble or selfless our intentions, excess in this world doesn't satisfy long-term.

The disciples despaired at the cost of feeding the crowd, saying they'd need 200 days of wages.  And yet, they learned that with Christ, five loaves and two fish were more than sufficient.  As we work on resolutions to spend, eat and drink less, may we also resolve to trust more in the master's love, which feeds and satisfies like nothing else.

Lord, I praise your name.  True satisfaction begins and ends with you.

Melanie Rigney