1.1 Tues The Most Holy Mother of God (Concordius)
Num 6,22-27; Psalm 67; Gal 4,4-7; Luke 2,16-21

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered over them. Luke 2,19

Mary thought about what the shepherds had said; the "glory of the Lord" that had shone round them and the great news brought by the angel, that "today has been born to you … the Messiah", and "the heavenly host singing praise to God". She pondered these deeds and words and treasured them in her heart and remembered the Scriptures and the words of the Archangel Gabriel in Nazareth. And the Father bestowed peace upon her.

2.1 Wed OT (Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen)
1 John 2,22-28; Psalm 98; John 1,19-28

Keep hold of what you heard at the beginning. 1 John 2,24

St John the Apostle exhorted the Christians to hold on to the teachings they had received regarding faith in Jesus Christ and his Father and to listen to the Holy Spirit who would always help them. May we listen to him and not be mislead by those who would teach differently.

3.1 Thurs OT (Geneviève)
1 John 2,29-3,6; Psalm 98; John 1,29-34

There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1,29

John the Baptist says this of Jesus as he sees him coming towards him. What is this sin that he has come to take away from the world? It is all that separates us from God the Father, making us see him as an enemy. Sending his son to the world, to mankind, the Father eliminates this distance. I receive you and I love you, Lord Jesus!

4.1 Fri OT (Elizabeth Ann Seton)
1 John 3,7-10; Psalm 98; John 1,35-42

"Come and see" John 1,39

Andrew and John who wanted to meet Jesus, heard him say "come and see". Finding time to be with Jesus, to live with him and for him, we will be able to meet him! We will know what wealth is, we will talk of him with joy, we will speak about what happened to us, we will lead others to him.

5.1 Sat OT (Simeon the Stylite)
1 John 3,11-21; Psalm 100; John 1,43-51

Anyone who does not love, is still in the realm of death. 1 John 3,14

These are strong words. They teach us to lead our lives and educate our children not in selfishness, but for love, to be of service to God and our brothers. Jesus, you who came to us not to be served, but to serve, give us your love from which comes life in abundance!

6.1 Sun Epiphany (Balthasar, Caspar and Melchior)
Isa 60,1-6; Psalm 72; Eph 3,2-3, 5-6: Matt 2,1-12

They offered gifts to him: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matt 2,11

Honour, power and glory be given to you, Jesus, who are sent by God to restore peace, truth and dignity to men and women. We wish to praise, follow and obey you, humble servant of the Father!

7.1 Mon OT (Raymond of Penafort)
1 John 3,22-4,6; Psalm 2; Matt 4,12-17, 23-25

The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light. Matt 4,16

Jesus is the only light that can lead us to the Father, help us to meet him and to understand the true meaning of our lives. The many lights shining and cheering our paths are a sign of this. Thank you, Jesus for the light you have placed within me! If it were not for you, Jesus, who knows where I would be: in the land of death's dark shadow!

8.1 Tues OT (Severinus of Noricum)
1 John 4,7-10; Psalm 71; Mark 6,34-44

Give them something to eat, yourselves! Mark 6, 37

What can we give those who suffer and are afraid, who are searching for meaning in their lives and community in order not to be alone? We have little or nothing; but we can offer you, Jesus, to those who are weak and have no direction. We can offer you, the bread of life!

9.1 Wed OT (Adrian of Canterbury)
1 John 4,11-18; Psalm 72; Mark 6,45-52

He went up the hill to pray. Mark 6,46

Jesus left the crowds and went up the hill to pray. It is in listening to the Father that he sees what to do.
And so it is for all his disciples. It is for me just as it is for the many people who come to our retreat to contemplate in silence the mystery of Jesus' incarnation and to share joy and consolation with our brothers.

10.1 Thurs OT (Marcian)
1 John 4,19-5,4; Psalm 72; Luke 4,14-22

He taught in their synagogues. Luke 4,15

You, Lord Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, taught in the synagogues. Today your Church continues to speak your words in the holy liturgy: we can listen to you there and find light and strength for our lives.

11.1 Fri OT (Theodosius the Cenobiarch)
1 John 5,5-13; Psalm 148; Luke 5,12-16

God has given us eternal life and this life is found in his son. 1 John 5,11

What is eternal life? It is what we most desire: fullness, joy, harmony, peace, communion, faith, love! We will know when we receive Jesus with love and let ourselves be guided by him!

12.1 Sat OT (Arcadius)
1 John 5,14-21; Psalm 150; John 3,22-30

He must grow greater; I must grow less! John 3,30

This is John the Baptist's life plan. He is to leave room for Jesus. Everyone was to forget him in order to follow Jesus! I am very happy when someone leaves me in order to go and pray!

13.1 Sun OT The Baptism on the River Jordan (Hilary of Poitiers)
Isa 42,1-4,4-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10,34-38; Matt 3,13-17

I have put my spirit on him! Isa 42,1

That Spirit was to give Jesus the power to heal the blind, the lame, the paralysed,…. That Spirit was to concede power to the "beloved son" over the devil, man and God's enemy, during the forty days in the desert.. That Spirit was to give the Son of man the strength to love during his passion and death! That Spirit he was to send upon his Church so that it would be spread throughout the world.

14.1 Mon 1st OT (Sava)
1 Sam 1,1-8; Psalm 116; Mark 1,14-20

He saw Simon and his brother Andrew at work casting with casting nets in the lake. Mark 1,16

Jesus looked upon everyone and everything with love, just as the Father does. He brings to completion God's projects of peace for everyone. Some are called to collaborate. Look upon me too, Lord Jesus!

15.1 Tues 1st OT (Paul the Hermit)
1 Sam 1,9-20; 1 Sam 2,1,4-8; Mark 1,21-28

The unclean spirit…with a loud cry left him. Mark 1,26

A man possessed by an unclean spirit is not able to overcome the spirit of evil. Only Jesus is able to free men by his Presence. This is why it is so important to continue to ask: "Jesus, have pity on us; deliver us from evil!"

16.1 Wed 1st OT (Marcellus I)
1 Sam 3,1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40; Mark 1,29-39

He drove out many demons. Mark 1,34

I would like to thank Jesus he has cast out "demons" from me too…. He cast out the shame I felt in proposing to say grace at mealtimes; he cast out whatever stopped me taking time during the day to pray and meditate the Word of God and whatever made me think that committing myself to living in purity was child's play…

17.1 Thurs 1st OT (Anthony Abbot)
1 Sam 4,1-11; Psalm 44; Mark 1,40-45

He stayed outside in remote places. Mark 1, 45

After having healed a leper, Jesus has to stay away from the town because the law forbade contact with lepers. Jesus accepted this for he knew that love requires sacrifice. The people, however, continued to follow him for his goodness and wisdom.

18.1 Fri 1st OT (Margaret of Hungary) Start of Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
1 Sam 8,4-7, 10-22; Psalm 89; Mark 2,1-12

Never before have we seen anything like this! Mark 2,12

At the healing of the paralysed man, the crowds exclaimed: "never before have we seen anything like this!" Jesus had proved that he had the power to free us from sin. Today the octave for prayer for the unity of Christians begins. Heal us, Jesus, from the paralysis of division and discord and grant us your Spirit of dialogue, of friendship, of love without limits.

19.1 Sat 1st OT (Marius and Martha) Octave of Prayer for Unity
1 Sam 9,1-4,10,17-19; 10,1; Psalm 21; Mark 2,13-17

The Lord anoints you prince over his people Israel. 1 Sam 10,1

We know that Saul the anointed king of the people of Israel, is not faithful to his mission. The Lord gives many of us responsibilities. In his goodness, he frees us from priding ourselves on being superior to our brothers and sisters, but rather he gives us the grace of serving them and accompanying them to communion with him.

20.1 Sun 2nd OT Year A (Sebastian)
Isa 49,3.5-6; Psalm 39; 1 Cor 1,1-3; John 1,29-34

There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1,29

John the Baptist knew Jesus not from hearsay, but by revelation! He calls him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Whoever receives you is healed from the rebellion and the solitude from which all the world suffers! Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, have pity on us all.

21.1 Mon 2nd OT (Agnes) Octave of Prayer for Unity
1 Sam 15,16-23; Psalm 49; Mark 2,18-22

To obey is better than sacrifice! 1 Sam 15,22

Jesus our only master, always obeyed the Father with love. We often do not obey the Word of God or our priests because of our ego which wishes to do it's own will. To be humble in the love of Jesus is pleasing to the Father. Let us pray that all Christians may receive the spirit of humility and obedience.

22.1 Tues 2nd OT (Vincent of Saragossa) Octave of Prayer for Unity
1 Sam 16,1-13; Psalm 89; Mark 2,23-28

The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath! Mark 2,28

How to live the Lord's day in a manner which is pleasing to him? Let us listen to the Son, for God has given it to him! Whoever receives Jesus lives the grace of the "Sabbath" every day and every hour of his life!

23.1 Wed 2nd OT (Ildefonsus) Octave of Prayer for Unity
1 Sam 17,32-33,37,40-51; Psalm 144; Mark 3,1-6

He said to the man, "stretch out your arm!" Mark 3,5

Before Jesus there were suspicious, envious people who wished to see him dead. He knew their hearts, but he is beholden only to the Father and wishing to please him, he helps those who suffer and gives them new thoughts. The sick man obeys and is healed while the others remain hostile. Jesus, our light and salvation, thank you!

24.1 Thurs 2nd OT (Francis de Sales) Octave of Prayer for Unity
1 Sam 18,6-9;19,1-7; Psalm 56; Mark 3,7-12

The unclean spirits too would fall at his feet and cry aloud, "you are the Son of God!" Mark 3,11

There are many teachers who say that Jesus is the Son of God. Only those through whom the Holy Spirit speaks are able to reveal the mystery of this affirmation.

25.1 Fri The Conversion of St Paul End of the Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
Acts 22,3-16; Acts 9,1-22; Mark 16,15-18

Those who believe it and receive baptism will be saved. Mark 16,16

St Paul, whose conversion we celebrate today, believed the Lord's words on his way to Damascus. Shortly afterwards he was baptised, was saved and became an instrument of salvation for many others.

26.1 Sat 2nd OT (Timothy and Titus)
2 Sam 1,1-4,11-12, 19,23-27; Psalm80; Mark 3,20-21

A crowd collected around him. Mark 3,20

Jesus wants to enter in us and make his home within us. Do not fear; he will make of us a place to manifest his peace and will benefit all whom we meet on our path!

27.1 Sun 3rd OT Year A (Angela Merici)
Isa 8,23-9,2; Psalm 27; 1 Cor 1,10-13,17; Matt 4,12-23

The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light. Matt 4,16

Jesus began his mission in Galilee in the territory of Capernaum after overcoming the temptation in the desert. Today too, with your divine power, Jesus, you are able to deliver those who are immersed, imprisoned in their many worries and tensions, so they may live in your light, in your spirit, in your life.

29.1 Mon 3rd TO (Thomas Aquinas)
2 Sam 5,1-7,10;Psalm 89; Mark 3,22-30

The Lord God of Hosts was with him. 2 Sam 5,10

David, God's chosen King of his people, lived with love for Him; for this reason he was blessed. And everyone who, through faith in Jesus Christ, receives the love of God, lives in his presence and grows in goodness to the benefit of all!

30.1 Tues 3rd OT (Martina)
2 Sam 7,4-17; Psalm 89; Mark 4,1-20

If you have ears to hear, then hear! Mark 4,9

Jesus says this after having told the people a parable. Whoever approaches him with love, receives the grace to understand his teachings, which are not difficult for those who hold them in their thoughts! Oh Holy Spirit, give me the humility to receive Jesus in my heart!

31.1 Wed 3rd OT (John Bosco)
2 Sam 7,18-19,24-29; Psalm 132; Mark 4,21-25

Lord God, you are God and your promises will come true! 2 Sam 7,28

These words spoken by King David in prayer can be said to Jesus Christ. Basing our lives on him, we will find true peace and joy. Thank you, Lord Jesus, trusting in you, we will not be disappointed!

BACK UP