“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal.” + Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Season of Christmas

Monday, January 1 | Solemnity of Holy Mary, Mother of God 

Holy Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 

Prayer: O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Mary was “full of grace” not only for being chosen to be God’s mother but in her total openness to be filled with that love of God. We too are constantly “graced” and we too can be full of grace, not because we were baptized into the Catholic community, but by our own total, active identification with the way of Jesus by our opening up to the call of God as it unfolds in the unique circumstances of our own lives. We do this through total and unconditional service of those around us. It is a formidable challenge at times, but it also brings countless joys. To be a true Christian – a true disciple and follower of Christ is demanding but not insurmountable; it is not for the hypocrite or faint of heart. To be a true Christian is to first go beyond mere lip service calling Jesus “Lord, Lord” but not living according to Christ’s way – it is for those who truly believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior and Redeemer; those who see Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd who allow them to be lovingly led by Christ; those who want to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Prove to Christ, to the world, and to yourself that you are Christian.

Tuesday, January 2 | Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen

Holy Gospel: John 1:19-28 

Prayer: O God, who was pleased to give light to your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops, Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn your truth and practice it faithfully in charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: John was the greatest of the prophets, yet he lived as a humble and faithful servant of God. He pointed others to Jesus, Messiah and Savior of the world. The Catholic Church, from the earliest of times, has given John many titles which signify his mission: Witness of the Lord, Trumpet of Heaven, Herald of Christ, Voice of the Word, Precursor of Truth, Friend of the Bridegroom, Crown of the Prophets, Forerunner of the Redeemer, Preparer of Salvation, Light of the Martyrs, and Servant of the Word. By your life, by your faith, do you point others to Christ by your witness and example as John the Baptist did?

Wednesday, January 3 | The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Holy Gospel: John 1:29-34 

Prayer: O God, who founded the salvation of the human race on the Incarnation of your Word, give your peoples the mercy they implore, so that all may know there is no other name to be invoked but the Name of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Saint Alphonsus Liguori once wrote: “God hath given Him a Name which is above all names. And He commands that this name should be adored by the Angels, by men, and by devils: That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. If, then, all creatures are to adore this great name, still more ought we sinners to adore it, since it was in our behalf that this name of Jesus; which signifies Savior, was given to Him; and for this end also He came down from Heaven, namely, to save sinners: ‘For us men and for our salvation He came down from Heaven, and was made Man.’ We ought to adore Him, and at the same time to thank God Who has given Him this name for our good; it is this name that consoles us, defends us, and makes us burn with love.”

Thursday, January 4 | Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton 

Holy Gospel: John 1:35-42 

Prayer: O God, who crowned with the gift of true faith Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s burning zeal to find you, grant by her intercession and example that we may always seek you with diligent love and find you in daily service with sincere faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: When two of John’s disciples began to seek out Jesus, Jesus took the initiative to invite them into his company. He did not wait for them to get his attention. Instead, he met them halfway. He asked them one of the most fundamental questions of life: “What are you looking for?” In other words, what were they looking for in Jesus, and what were they aiming to get out of life? Jesus asks each of us this very same question: “What’s the goal of your life? What are you aiming for and trying to get out of life?” So, what is your response? Think about it, pray about it, then take up Jesus’ invitation.

Friday, January 5 | Saint John Neumann

Holy Gospel: John 1:43-51 

Prayer: O God, who called the Bishop Saint John Neumann, renowned for his charity and pastoral service, to shepherd your people in America, grant by his intercession that, as we foster the Christian education of youth and are strengthened by the witness of brotherly love, we may constantly increase the family of your Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Nathanial was very skeptical. He didn’t like Nazareth (noted by his cynical quip) and didn’t want to have anything to do with people who came from such a place. How could the Messiah come from a town at the crossroads with gentiles and people of other religions? Perhaps we are like Nathanial at times. We reject others out of rivalry or prejudice, or we keep them at a distance because we find fault with something about them – the schools they went to, the street they live on or neighborhood they grew up in, the kind of car they drive, or on a more global scale, their manner of speech, the way they dress, their customs, or whatever we dislike about them and “their kind.” Rather than argue with his friend, Philip took the wiser strategy of inviting Nathaniel to “come and see” for himself who this Jesus claimed to be. Clever arguments rarely win people to the gospel, but a genuine encounter with the person of Jesus Christ can transform one’s life forever. Remember the words of Saint Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

Saturday, January 6 | Saint André Bessette

Holy Gospel: Luke 3:23-38 

Prayer: Lord our God, friend of the lowly, who gave your servant, Saint André Bessette, a great devotion to Saint Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted, help us through his intercession to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Contemplation: Genealogies are very important. They give us our roots, and help us to understand our heritage – where and whom we come from. Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17) traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, the father of the chosen people. Luke’s genealogy in today’s Gospel traces Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam, father of the human race. In doing so, Luke stresses the real humanity of Jesus. Jesus came not just to save the chosen people but all humankind as well. Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. He is the hope not only for the people of the Old Covenant but for all nations as well. He is the Savior of the world. In him we receive adaption as sons and daughters of the living God.

Scripture passages (NAB translation) courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; prayers are from The Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing, 2011; information about saints, solemnities, feasts and memorials courtesy of the Catholic Culture web site. frlumpe:2024