2010 1/1 Friday The Most Holy Mother of God
Numbers 6,22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4,4-7; Luke 2,16-21

May the Lord make his face shine on you Numbers 6,25

In God's thoughts, man takes priority and for this reason he has surrounded us with his blessings. The light of his face shining upon us is his most precious gift and he says this throughout the Bible from the first to the last page. So that we do not think that these are just words, he gave us Mary, so that Jesus, the light that illumines everyone, could come and live amongst us.

2010 2/1 Saturday Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen
I John 2,22-28; Psalm 98; John 1,19-28

Among you stands one whom you do not know John 1,26

To know Jesus is the greatest gift we can receive from God. John the Baptist, who called himself the "friend of the bridegroom", recognised him. Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen who loved him enjoyed his presence and through the example of their lives are able to help us know him better.

2010 3/1 Sunday The Second Sunday after Christmas The Most Holy Name of Jesus and St Geneviève
Sirach 24,1-4,8-12; Psalm 147; Eph 1,3-6,15-18; John 1,1-18

The Light shines in the darkness John 1,5

St John presents Jesus as the Son of God. He is the only true light that illuminates the darkness of our ignorance of God and "the Polar Star" in the inevitable darkness of our search for him. Thank you, Jesus, that we can pronounce your Name in which we find hope for a new life, a heavenly life!

2010 4/1 Monday Elizabeth Seton
I John 3,7-10; Psalm 97; John 1,35-42

What are you looking for? John 1,38

Two of John's disciples were following Jesus and when he saw them he asked: "What are you looking for?" As if to say are you looking for something for yourselves or are you looking for me to follow me? It is easy to look for him out of self interest and not to give ourselves to him!

2010 5/1 Tuesday Simeon the Sylite
I John 3,11-21; Psalm 100; John 1,43-51

Come and See John 1,46

Meeting with Jesus, waiting for him in our hearts, whether consciously or unconsciously, brings us to announce him. How can we be credible? We will be if he is alive in us and amongst us, if we become as one heart in him! Come, Holy Spirit!

2010 6/1 Wednesday Epiphany, The Three Wise Men
Isa 60,1-6; Psalm 71; Eph 3,2-3a,5-6; Matthew 2,1-12

We observed the rising of his star Matthew 2,2

How wonderful, Jesus, when we are able, like the three wise men, to see the signs of your presence! We will know where to go, we will learn to listen and we will become so alert that we will recognise when the enemy deceives us wherever he may be. When we find you, our whole life changes. With you in our hearts, we become a sign of your presence of love amongst men and women and as the star, we will indicate your presence to them.

2010 7/1 Thursday Raymond of Penafort
I John 3,22-4,6; Psalm 3; Matthew 4,12-17,23-25

The Kingdom of Heaven is upon you Matthew 4,17

Jesus continues to remind us that the Love of God is near, that it saves, and heals the soul and the body and gives us life eternal through conversion to the faith. Come, Holy Spirit, make my heart like your Son's, able to recognise the love of the Father!

2010 8/1 Friday Severinus of Noricum
I John 4,7-10; Psalm 71; Mark 6,34-44

Let us love one another I John 4,7

Any vicar of the Holy Church might say this to his congregation, any mother or father to their family, any teacher to their students, anyone responsible to their community to their brothers or sisters….And so a little of the essence of God, who is love, is manifested to the world. Come, Holy Spirit!

2010 9/1 Saturday Agatha Yi and Teresa Kim
I John 4,11-18; Psalm 72; Mark 6,45-52

God is love I John 4,16

How often must we cry for help, how often must we feel shock in our hearts! God does not answer, he does not justify what happens nor undermines our pain. God is "the Reply". God offers himself as the only light and support in suffering. Love is all we need to live. Thank you, good Father!

2010 10/1 Sunday The Baptism of the Lord Year C
Isa 40,1-5,9-11; Psalm 104; Titus 2,11-14,3,4-7; Luke 3,15-16,21-22

Jesus had been baptised and was praying Luke 3,21

During this liturgical year we will read the gospel of St Luke. The Evangelist in describing the Lord's baptism emphasizes, when Jesus came out of the Jordan and was praying, that the Holy Spirit came upon him and the Father called him "my Son". Prayer is indeed a source of the Holy Spirit and helps us to know the Father!

2010 11/1 Monday 1st OT
I Sam 1,1-8; Psalm 115; Mark 1,14-20

Come follow me Mark 1,17

Jesus, how and where to follow you…? You want us to follow you and love you as the Son of the Father! You want us to live our call with all our hearts while walking to you, a path of daily suffering which leads us back to the Father.

2010 12/1 Tuesday 1st OT St Veronica
I Sam 1,9-20; I Sam 2,1,4-8; Mark 1,21-28

I know who you are Mark 1,24

It is not enough to know in your mind who Jesus is in order to please him; we must trust him and love him as his saints did. In this way we will be able to help those who are near to us and those whom we meet.

2010 13/1 Wednesday 1st OT Hilary of Poitiers
I Sam 3,1-10,19-20; Psalm 40; Mark 1,29-39

Here I am, you called me! I Sam 3,8

I too, had the grace to hear the voice of God and his invitation to follow him. It was not as simple as for Samuel. I needed years to discern that voice that at the same time as many others, called to me in my heart. I also needed the help of someone who was already living with God and knew his voice.
Thank you, Jesus, for that call. Thank you for the calls I hear every day and to which you help me respond with joy: "I am here!"

2010 14/1 Thursday 1st OT Sava
I Sam 4,1-11; Psalm 44; Mark 1,40-45

Courage, act like men! I Sam 4,9

With these words the Philistines encouraged each other to fight against Israel. The hearts of the Israelites had strayed from God and without their protector and defender they were defeated. The presence of the Ark of God did nothing to help. Good Father, draw our hearts to you so that we may overcome all our enemies!

2010 15/1 Friday 1st OT Paul the Hermit
I Sam 8,4-7,10-22; Psalm 89; Mark 2,1-12

My son, your sins are forgiven! Mark 2,5

A man who was paralysed was brought to Jesus with faith that he would be healed. Jesus first loved him as would a father, bestowing on him inner healing, that is the forgiveness of his sins; then he also healed his body. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

2010 16/1 Saturday 1st OT Marcellus I
I Sam 9,1-4. 10,17-19; Psalm 21; Mark 2,13-17

Once more he went out to the lakeside! Mark 2,13

Today, Jesus, I want to go out with you: I will carry you in my heart and let myself be carried by you. You know when I tire and you will bless me. Make me an instrument of your love for all you may place on my path in your providence today.

2010 17/1 Sunday 2nd OT Antony Abbot
Isa 62,1-5; Psalm 96; I Cor 12,4-11; John 2,1-12

His disciples believed in him! John 2,11

The disciples who were invited to the wedding at Cana with Jesus were amazed that the good wine was served last. They had already heard that Jesus had changed the water in the stone jars used for purification into wine. Because of this sign they understood that Jesus had the authority typical of the prophets and much, much more.
From that moment they did everything he told them.

2010 18/1 Monday 2nd OT Margaret of Hungary
The beginning of the Octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
I Sam 15,16-23; Psalm 50; Mark 2,18-22

No-one puts new wine into old wineskins! Mark 2,22

If I wish to follow Jesus, it is necessary to recognise him as the only Master, the Lord who knows me better than I know myself and who loves me. Then I will be ready to receive the Holy Spirit that he sends and ready to be united to those who believe in him.

2010 19/1 Tuesday 2nd OT Marius and Martha
Octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
I Sam 16,1-13; Psalm 89; Mark 2,23-28

The Lord sees into the heart! I Sam 16,7

The Lord gives grace to the humble: "he saw the humility of his servant". As collaborators for his kingdom he chooses people with hearts that love to serve as he does and are willing to be one with all those he has called. Oh Holy Spirit, guide and support all Christians!

2010 20/1 Wednesday 2nd OT Sebastian
Octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
I Sam 17,32-33,37,40-51; Psalm 144; Mark 3,1-6

Come and stand here! Mark 3,3

It must have been embarrassing for that man to be the centre of attention in his condition of a handicapped person! He probably heard in Jesus' invitation a particular tone of voice, the tone of someone who respected him as he was. For those who are willing to "be humble" in order to obey his word, Jesus can do miracles… Let us ask the Lord to grant the various Christian confessions the grace to recognise with humility their attachments to traditions and mentalities and not to consider them more important that Jesus' will.

2010 21/1 Thursday 2nd OT Agnes
Octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
I Sam 18,6-9.19,1-7; Psalm 56; Mark 3,12

I will speak to my father about you! I Sam 19,3

Saul had decided to kill David, but Jonathan who loved David spoke in favour of him to his father. And in this way David was brought back to be in attendance on the king as before. We have a wonderful father, better than Saul. Let us ask him with faith and confidence for the unity of Christians. He will listen to us.

2010 22/1 Friday 2nd OT Vincent of Saragossa
Octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
I Sam 24,3-21; Psalm 57; Mark 3,13

Then he went up into the hill country and summoned the men he wanted. Mark 3,13

I can trust you in all serenity, Lord Jesus, when you call me to you and give me a task: you are in perfect union with the Father in all your decisions, your will is his will, your love is his love. How beautiful is the Spirit that unifies you, Father and Son: may it also unify all believers!

2010 23/1 Saturday 2nd OT Ildefonsus
Octave for prayer for the unity of Christians
II Sam 1,1-4.11-12.17.19.23-27; Psalm 80; Mark 3,20-21

He entered a house and once more a crowd collected around them. Mark 3,20

Jesus, the perfect man, is God, full of wisdom and love; gifts which we all need. Even today he is alive and present in the world! Tomorrow is Sunday: we will gather around him to receive his gift and to say thank you!

2010 24/1 Sunday 3rd OT Year C Conversion of St Paul
Octave for prayer for the unity of Christians
Nehemiah 8,2-4.5-6.8-10; Psalm 18; I Cor 12,12-31; Luke 1,1-4.4,14-21

All eyes were fixed on him! Luke 4,20

The inhabitants of Nazareth were amazed that words of such grace should come from his lips and at the light of his face after forty days in the desert! Thank you, Jesus, for the beauty which attracts us to you. Thank you for wishing your Church to fix her eyes on you in order to overcome divisions and to commit ourselves seriously to proclaiming the Good News.

2010 25/1 Monday Conversion of St Paul
Conclusion of the octave of prayer for the unity of Christians
Acts 22,3-16; Psalm 117; Mark 16,15-18

Believers will drive out demons in my name! Mark 16,17

"The devil hates you" said a well known exorcist. For this reason the Risen Christ gave his Church "the authority" to free man from his enemy who wishes to prevent us from approaching his word and experimenting the fullness of his love. Let us ask the Lord to support our brothers and sisters chosen for this task and to listen to their prayer. "Deliver us from evil", snatch us from his grasp, Jesus; transform our hearts with the light of your presence so that we may become instruments of unity in your Church, just like St Paul.

2010 26/1 Tuesday 3rd OT Timothy and Titus
II Sam 6,12-15; 17-19; Psalm 24; Mark 3,31-35

David danced with abandon before the Lord! II Sam 6,14

O Holy Spirit, open our hearts so that we might recognise Jesus amongst us when we are gathered together in his name and that we may testify to him with faith and joy!

2010 27/1 Wednesday 3rd OT Angela Merici
II Sam 7,4-17; Psalm 89; Mark 4,1-20

He taught by parables and said: "Listen!" Mark 4,2-3

By teaching in parables Jesus was able to reach everyone. In these stories of everyday life both the humble and the great can learn something. If we keep God's word we will bear fruit! For this reason we listen to and collaborate with those who bring us the Word of God.

2010 28/1 Thursday 3rd OT St Thomas Aquinas
II Sam 7,18-19.24-29; Psalm 132; Mark 4,21-15

For those who have will be given more. Mark 4,25

Whoever has faith in Jesus and lives according to his word, will receive more life, new faith and a new capacity to love; his heart will expand as the hearts of the saints. Holy Spirit, I trust in your help!

2010 29/1 Friday 3rd OT Sabinian and Gildas
II Sam 11,1-4.5-10.13-17; Psalm 51; Mark 4,26-34

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Mark 4,31

The seed of the kingdom of God placed in the hearts of all who receive the gift of holy baptism, if cared for with love, develops in a wonderful manner: just think of the lives of the saints! And this can be attained by all Christians!

2010 30/1 Saturday 3rd OT St Martina
II Sam 12,1-7.10-17; Psalm 51; Mark 4,35-41

He was in the stern asleep on a cushion! Mark 4,38

Jesus was asleep in the boat, tired out by the teaching of the previous days. But as soon as the disciples called him, he awoke and order the wind and the waves to be still! He is the Lord of heaven and of earth and of all situations that instil fear in us. If we learn to call him and to live in communion with him he will give us his peace, always!

2010 31/1 Sunday 4th OT St John Bosco
Jer 1,4-5.17-19; Psalm 71; I Cor 12,31-13,13; Luke 4,21-30

There was general approval. Luke 4,22

For a moment the inhabitants of Nazareth were astonished at Jesus' words, but as so often, instead of trying to get to know him better, they would not believe in him. Following human logic they chased him away. Lord Jesus, make us humble before the mysterious presence of God in you! Only you can make yourself known in order to save us!

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