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STAY CONNECTED TO GOD THROUGH PRAYER

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  Thursday of the 1st week of Lent  Esther 4:17 Psalm 137(138):1-3,7-8 Matthew 7:7-12 “Ask and it will be given; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.” But often, it doesn’t seem to add up. We beg God and get no answer, or see others’ prayers answered while ours aren’t. We blame ourselves or God, questioning our faith or how to please a God who gives sparingly. Jesus promises that God will give good things to those who ask, meaning what we receive may be what we need, not necessarily what we want. God knows the difference and always answers prayers. Jesus wants us to be honest with him, asking for what we desire, even though God knows our hearts. Verbalizing our needs helps us trust God to filter out what’s unnecessary and give us what we truly need. To stay connected with God, we must continually ask, seek, and knock—sharing our lives and listening for God’s responses. Life includes sadness and loss, but God will provide what we need to face it with grace...
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DO NOT LOOK FOR SIGNS RATHER RETURN TO THE LORD

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  Wednesday of the 1st week of Lent  Jonah 3:1-10 Psalm 50(51):3-4,12-13,18-19 Luke 11:29-32 Jonah was a reluctant and paradoxical prophet. Instead of obeying God’s call to preach to the people of Nineveh, he flees in the opposite direction and even asks for death multiple times, showing that fear is not his main struggle. After being thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish, Jonah is given a second chance. Though he appears unwilling and uninspiring, his warning leads the Ninevites—even their king—to sincerely repent and turn from evil. This story parallels Jonah’s emergence from the fish with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that God is a God of life who brings hope and renewal. If the Ninevites responded in faith, then people today have even greater reason to repent and believe. God’s grace has no limits. He equips those He calls, and no one is useless in His eyes. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38). We too are urged to repent, cooperat...
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The Lord’s pattern of prayer

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  Tuesday of the 1st week of Lent  Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 33(34):4-7,16-19 Matthew 6:7-15 While individuals may employ different words and languages in prayer, it is understood that God perceives the heart and listens attentively. When one prays according to the teachings of Jesus, His Word is received as rain from heaven: 'Our Father in heaven, give us this day our daily bread; let Your will be done; may Your Kingdom come; forgive those who trespass against us; deliver us from evil.' This passage from today’s Gospel emphasizes that the way we forgive others influences our salvation. Human nature presents challenges to forgiveness, and without the assistance of Jesus, it is impossible to forgive on one’s own accord (John 15:5). Therefore, we must continuously pray for the grace to forgive, even seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). Be perfect just like your Heavenly Father    is perfect. 
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  Monday of the 1st week of Lent  Leviticus 19:1-2,​11-18 Psalm 18(19):8-10,15 Matthew 25:31-46 In today’s Gospel, Jesus discusses His second coming and the final judgment, illustrating human entities as sheep and goats, which reflect the traditional classifications of wheat and chaff or the wise and the foolish. It is essential to cultivate a sincere relationship with Jesus, emphasizing allegiance to Him much like a dog obeys its master, even amid temptations. We should reaffirm our faith through acts of love and assistance towards others and adhere to Jesus' teachings until the end to prevent misinterpretation of the Gospel. Works of mercy and charity will ultimately reveal our true worth at judgment. Humanity faces significant challenges, and ignoring God's words will not alter this reality. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
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  First Sunday of Lent (Year A)   Gen 2.7-9, 3.1-7;  Ps 50;  Rom 5.12-19;  Mt 4.1-11   FIGHT TEMPTATION BY OBEYING GOD’S WORD  During Lent, we prepare for Easter by reflecting on sin and temptation. Jesus fasted for forty days before beginning His ministry, following the example of prophets such as Moses and Elijah. In the desert, He was tempted by the devil but trusted in God and rejected temptation, showing us how to fight sin through prayer and grace. Original sin, rooted in Adam, affects us all, but Christ's obedience offers salvation. Despite temptations, Christ's trust in God and His sacrifices overcome evil. Following His example and God's grace will help us resist temptation and attain eternal life.
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REMAIN RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT

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  Saturday after Ash Wednesday  Isaiah 58:9-14 Psalm 85(86):1-6 Luke 5:27-32 God explicitly instructs us to demonstrate love and compassion for others, particularly the less fortunate, not through ritualistic acts but through genuine affection. Jesus reminds us that His purpose is to serve those who acknowledge their need for salvation , rather than the self-righteous.  Our righteousness should extend beyond superficial appearances and be rooted in obedience to God’s will and authentic love. Emphasis should be placed on internal integrity rather than outward displays of piety, trusting that divine reward comes from God solely.  My prayer is to listen to and follow God's straightforward message—responsibly caring for what He has entrusted to us. Amen.
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IS YOUR HUNGER FOR GOD?

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  Friday after Ash Wednesday  Isaiah 58:1-9 Psalm 50(51):3-6,18-19 Matthew 9:14-15 Fasting has historically been regarded as both a physical and spiritual discipline of self-control. More recently, it has gained recognition as a secular approach to dieting. For members of the Catholic faith, fasting is a collective penitential practice of biblical origin, traditionally involving partial or complete abstention from food or beverages. Contemporary interpretations of fasting encompass a variety of practices, including moderation in social media use, control of thoughts and speech, adjustments in sleep patterns, and dietary restrictions. Basically , fasting remains a core element of the Lenten season, alongside prayer and almsgiving. Jesus employs the metaphor of the wedding guests and the bridegroom, encouraging believers to transcend self-centered pursuits and deepen their relationship with Him, fostering love and participation in His mission of sacrificial service. The prophet ...
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