Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again. And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?
Luke 9:22-25 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your only Son took much in the way of suffering and rejection. He knew what was coming and spoke it. He tells us that if he can suffer and be rejected by others so can we endure the trials others put us through. We are to deny our sufferings as nothing and carry those crosses with grace. Denying our hurts and placing them at your feet dear Father we are rejoicing for the sake of your love. But many today dear Father follow the ways of the world as a way of looking to save their life without realizing the deeper they follow the world the farther they get from you. Instead of finding life they lose it, for Jesus is the life, the living water.

Ash Wednesday

Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it's nice to know that I will always be a child in your eyes, where I can go to my secret and hidden room to spend loving moments with you. Jesus taught us to pray to you this way. It's a way I have always prayed to you so no one would know those moments I've silently slipped into the secret room of my heart. I wonder if others also go to their secret room and pray while the days activities take control of their lives. It is refreshing to spend silent moments talking with you and giving you my concerns of the moment, but one thing I never concerned myself was being repaid for the time I spend with you dear Father. Nor should I seek it when I spend time with others and do your Will. I do things out of love for you and love for my neighbor. I am nothing but you are everything to me and as I said at the beginning, I will always be a child in your eyes, I will always find you in the very hidden depths of my heart.

Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr

And when Jesus had passed again in the ship over the strait, a great multitude assembled together unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea. And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeing him, falleth down at his feet. And he besought him much, saying: My daughter is at the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and may live. And he went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.

And a woman who was under an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things from many physicians; and had spent all that she had, and was nothing the better, but rather worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment. For she said: If I shall touch but his garment, I shall be whole. And forthwith the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil. And immediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that had proceeded from him, turning to the multitude, said: Who hath touched my garments? And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou who hath touched me? And he looked about to see her who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said to her: Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thy disease.

While he was yet speaking, some come from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying: Thy daughter is dead: why dost thou trouble the master any further? But Jesus having heard the word that was spoken, saith to the ruler of the synagogue: Fear not, only believe. And he admitted not any man to follow him, but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he seeth a tumult, and people weeping and wailing much. And going in, he saith to them: Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But he having put them all out, taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And taking the damsel by the hand, he saith to her: Talitha cumi, which is, being interpreted: Damsel (I say to thee) arise. And immediately the damsel rose up, and walked: and she was twelve years old: and they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Mark 5:21-43 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it is always amazing to read and reflect upon the miracles that happened through Jesus. One is of distance, the other of a simple touch to him and then the raising of the dead child. We don't see or hear of these things happening in our day unless you grant them. It is after all through your Holy Will that miracles happen. But to be healed just by touching the garment of your Son, what faith a person has to be healed in this way. The same when we pray for another from a distance. And we who are so very small in our faith seek huge miracles to verify your existence. It is after all through you that miracles and healing happen not through us. We are just a conduit, an extension of your arm and hand when you work through us. All honor and Glory always goes to you. You worked through Jesus to show us your mercy and love and it is through Jesus that we will come ever closer to you. Amen