1/1 Thursday The Most Holy Mother of God
Numbers 6,22-27; Psalm 67; Gal 4,4-7; Luke 2,16-21
May the Lord bless you. Numbers 6,24
We begin the new year with the blessings of the Lord Jesus. His words are a great blessing when they penetrate our ears and hearts. The example of the Most Holy Mary, blessed among all beings and who accepted the Word in humility, will help us.

2/1 Friday
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Dwell in him as he taught you to do. 1 John 2,27
The Holy Spirit received at baptism, confirmation and in the other sacraments will always help us to persevere in our faith in Jesus and in the Father and we will not be deceived by other ways of
life.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your faithful help!

3/1 Saturday
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We are children of God. 1 John 3,2
We can say in particular that we are children of God from the moment we accept Jesus in our lives. Thank you, Jesus, for being one with us when we love and obey the Father and when we accept others as our brothers and sister.
Praise to the name of Jesus!

4/1 2nd Sunday after Christmas
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The true light was coming into the world. John 1,9
Someone was speaking with violence; their words closed my heart and mouth. I spoke of Jesus and his light shone in the darkness! Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to the world: you are our light and our life!

5/1 Monday
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How is it you know me? John 1,48
Jesus saw Nathaniel and recognised his sincere and humble searching for the Son of God, the Messiah. Sometimes I too, feel when someone approaches me that I am near a brother or a sister. Then I discover that they love Jesus!
When Jesus is in our hearts it is easy and beautiful to recognise and know each other as brothers and sisters!

6/1 Tuesday the Epiphany of the Lord
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We have come to pay him homage. Matt 2,2
It is God's gift and a great miracle when someone recognises in Jesus Christ the Lord, the Son of God made man and offers his life to him. I believe, Jesus, that you are everyone's saviour and that you restore the sinner to communion with God. I, too, wish to pay you homage, today and always!
Every time I must make a decision in my life, I will turn to you and pay you homage!

7/1 Wednesday
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Whoever knows God listens to us. I John 4,6
In his first letter, John the evangelist wishes to teach us not to heed everything that crosses our minds or everything that we hear, but to hear and be moved by the words and teachings of those who have known Jesus and do his will. Those who have accepted you, Jesus, are lights for our lives.

8/1 Thursday
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When he saw the large crowd, his heart went out to them. Mark 6,34
Jesus was sent by the Father to show his love. Seeing men in need, he does not flee, but stops to help them. Thank you, Jesus, that even today, through those that you love, you are able to help many in need of advice and comfort.

9/1 Friday
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He went up the hill to pray. Mark 6,46
Jesus often withdrew to pray! He wanted to know the Father's plans so that his kingdom might come. This time he is to go to the disciples, walking on the water in a storm.
Thank you, Jesus, that you give me time to be with you. Thank you for the courage you instil in me to continue being your disciple.

10/1 Saturday
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The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Luke 4,18
During Christmas time the Church suggests that we meditate the greatness of the Saviour who came to earth for us. He fulfils God's plan prepared by means of the prophets. He manifests in Nazareth and he will fulfil the plan with the Spirit that the Father sends upon him!

11/1 Sunday The Baptism of the Lord Year B
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You are my beloved son. Mark 1,11
The Father himself reveals that Jesus is his Son who brings his love to the world. He is the beloved son for he interprets the Father's love most truly. Jesus, we receive you with joy as the son of the Father. Manifest to us his desires and with you we will fulfil them!

12/1 Monday 1st OT
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Repent and believe the gospel! Mark 1,15
These words instinctively make us think of repentance and austerity. The conversion to which we are called is to believe in some good news, it is to believe in the love of God for us and to throw ourselves into his arms, to trust his words and be guided by him; to follow him and to collaborate with him. One converts, therefore, to joy, peace and fullness of life!

13/1 Tuesday 1st OT
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He began to teach! Mark 1,21
Jesus participates in the liturgy in the synagogue on the Sabbath. How wonderful it must have been to listen to the teachings of Jesus! Every time we listen to your word, Jesus, you renew and warm our hearts. Thank you!

14/1 Wednesday 1st OT
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Everybody is looking for you! Mark 1,37
Everybody was looking for Jesus because they wanted a miracle from him. He would prefer to be surrounded by people who wish to follow him and help him announce the Kingdom of God!

15/1 Thursday 1st OT
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They would not discern my ways! Hebrews 3,10
The people of Israel wandered in the desert for forty years because they had little faith. We do not wish to make the same mistake. Help me, Father, to accept, today, my situation without grumbling and to trust in your knowing me and accompanying me.

16/1 Friday 1st OT
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My son, your sins are forgiven! Mark 2,5
Why does Jesus first say to the man who was paralysed: "son, your sins are forgiven", instead of healing him from the disease that kept him physically immobile and a useless weight for society? Sins are the first cause of problems for everybody, both healthy and ill.

17/1 Saturday 1st OT
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I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners! Mark 2,17
Today, Lord Jesus, come and call me, a sinner. Thank you that, to "eat" with me, to offer me true, deep communion, you paid a dear price: you came from heaven, from your Father, to the earth; you take upon yourself the criticism of those who considered themselves in the right; you offered yourself on the cross to wash away my sin: I thank you and receive you into my heart, I love you, Jesus!

18/1 Sunday 2nd OT
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We have found the Messiah! John 1,41
For some, the meeting with Jesus is the fruit of years of spiritual effort and prayer, while for others the Lord himself appears in their lives. Thank you, Jesus, for those who helped us find you. Thank you for those who we have been able to help. Thank you for the faithful who within the Church, in diversity of rites and traditions, do their best to spread the word and love of Jesus and to reunite around him his scattered children.

19/1 Monday 2nd OT The Octave of prayer for the Unity of Christians
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New wine goes into fresh skins! Mark 2,22
Jesus came to bring us the joy of his life of communion with the Father. He pours this into us as one pours wine into new skins, renewing our lives. Praying during this octave for the unity of all Christians, we work together so that all believers may enjoy communion with the Father.

20/1 Tuesday 2nd OT. Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
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The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath! Mark 2,28
In following Jesus, we receive from him life as children of God. He helps us to live the word of God with the Holy Spirit, with love and not a oppressed slaves. With you, Jesus, our hope in unity with all those who trust in you is strengthened.

21/1 Wednesday 2nd OT . The Octave of Payer for the Unity of Christians
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Stretch out your arm! Mark 3,5
Obeying Jesus' command, the man with the paralysed arm, perhaps in shame, to all present, his infirmity and was healed! "Stretch out your arm!" Perhaps wishing to heal some infirmity of mine, Jesus is inviting me to open up in trust to his ministry?

22/1 Thursday 2nd OT. The Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
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Jesus went away to the lakeside. Mark 3,7
Jesus went away to the lakeside and many went with him after seeing what he did. We, too, believing in what he is able to do, look for him in prayer, and in particular, this week, we ask God for unity among Christians!

23/1 Friday 2nd OT. The Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
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Know the Lord! Hebrews 8,11
These words from the letter to the Hebrews is good news for all Christians. The Holy Spirit, received during Baptism, helps us to know the Lord Jesus, to live for him with love, to be united for his and the Father's glory.

24/1 Saturday 2nd OT
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Jesus entered a house. Mark 3,20
Father, send your Holy Spirit to all Christians that they may receive Jesus with love in their hearts, just as did St Francis of Sales, and thus reunite your people! We ask you for the sake of Jesus, your beloved. Holy Mary and all God's saints, pray for us!

25/1 Sunday 3rd OT End of the Octave of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
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The Kingdom of God is upon us! Mark 1,15
To talk of the kingdom of God at the time of Jesus meant to reawaken a dream that human empires had been suffocating for centuries. The kingdom of God is a kingdom where God is King of justice and of peace. The kingdom of God is upon us! Jesus continues to announce this fact to us. If the kingdom of God is near, it means that the king is also near! Jesus is that king. Let us continue to pray that the signs of brotherhood will multiply in the different Churches and that further steps to unity might be taken.

26/1 Monday 3rd OT
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How can Satan drive out Satan? Mark 3,23
Just as it is not true that Jesus cast out demons through the power of Satan (for this latter does not act against his own interests), neither is it possible to "do good" with methods that are opens or secretly linked to the devil. Sometimes things may seem good, but we sooner or later pay with great suffering. Heal me, O Jesus, with your Holy Spirit!

27/1 Tuesday 3rd OT
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Here I am! I have come to do your will! Hebrews 10,9
The Son of God speaks to the Father in the silence of eternity as he accepts to come into the world as man. The same words Mary replies to the angel when she accepts to bear the Son of God. And I too, say these words and off the Lord Jesus the possibility to act through my life.

28/1 Wednesday 3rd OT
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The sower sows the Word! Mark 4,14
Jesus, for the sake of your passion and resurrection, open our hearts that we might receive your word. Transform them into good soil, that your word might grow and ripen and give life to us and our brothers and sisters!

29/1 Thursday 3rd OT
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Take note of what you hear! Mark 4,24
One hears many things every day, but the words of Jesus are to be preferred. They illuminate everything. Kept in our hearts they generate holiness within us!

30/1 Friday 3rd OT
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You need endurance to do God's will! Hebrews 10,36
Jesus with his life and all the saints illustrate this word. They searched for and embraced the will of the Father, loving it to the end of their lives. O Holy Spirit, help us!

31/1 Saturday 3rd OT
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Why are you such cowards? Mark 4,40
When we are in great difficulty, fear can take hold of us, but if we immediately think and believe that Jesus is with us and cares for us, then we can trust in him and overcome our fear: Thank you, Lord Jesus for your love and your presence with us!

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