19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak on him.
Monday, March 31, 2025
1 Kings 19: 11-21
19 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak on him.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Jesus holds the universe together
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
lust vs. love
Saturday, March 15, 2025
psalm 25:1
Monday, March 10, 2025
"...may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and, ... by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls."
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
hope
Friday, February 21, 2025
Holy God, we praise Thy Name
Thursday, February 6, 2025
1 Samuel 30
Friday, January 31, 2025
2 Corinthians 5
6 So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we are clearly apparent to God, and I hope we are also apparent to your consciousness.
16 Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Romans 8: 18-28
20 for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that creation itself would be set from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
23 and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
26 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
27 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.
28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Monday, January 13, 2025
wisdom of God
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Hope in suffering
https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-reasons-for-hope-in-suffering/
Saturday, December 28, 2024
God knows all
Friday, December 27, 2024
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
birth of Jesus
8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
14 *“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The Visit of the Shepherds
16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
grace
"God gives grace to those who hunger for His word that they may understand His will and have the strength to live according to it. Do you hunger for God's word?"
MEDITATION
"Do you know the love that conquers every fear, sin, and selfish desire? God renews His love for us each and every day. His love has the power to free us from every form of evil – selfishness, greed, anger, hatred, jealously and envy.
“What’s the distinctive feature of Jesus' life and the life of those transformed by His redeeming love?
“IT'S GRACE – treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated – with loving-kindness and mercy. Jesus is God's Grace incarnate. His love is unconditional and is wholly directed towards our good. God is good to all, the just and the unjust. His love embraces saint and sinner alike.
“That's why Jesus willingly went to the cross for our sake, to free us from the power of sin, ignorance, and prejudice. God's Grace sets us free from everything that would keep us from Him and His love.
“How can we possibly love as God loves and overcome evil with good?
“With God all things are possible. He gives Grace in abundance through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who converts our hearts and minds and teaches us how to live according to God’s truth and love.
“God assures us of His Grace and help to follow in His ways."
PRAYER
"Heaven Father, You are merciful, gracious and kind. May we never doubt Your love nor hesitate to seek You with confidence in order to obtain the gifts, graces, and daily provision we need to live as Your beloved sons and daughters and disciples of Jesus Christ our Savior."
Monday, December 16, 2024
Advent Reflection for December 15 – Sunday of the Third Week of Advent Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18
Readings: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18
John’s message also underlines the radical nature of the salvation that Christ brings. When the people ask if he is the Messiah, John humbly acknowledges that he is not, but points to the one who is coming after him. He speaks of the Messiah’s powerful presence, describing how Jesus will “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. This prophetic image invites us to reflect on the transformative power of Christ who equips us with the grace to live as faithful disciples.
In the context of Advent, this passage invites us to ask ourselves: How are we preparing the way for Christ in our lives? Are we ready to open our hearts to the transformation He offers, or are we holding on to patterns of sin, selfishness, and complacency?
Sean Ferguson is a Development Officer with the Stewardship Department for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He and his wife Liz have been married for 3 years and live in Independence, KY. They met through campus ministry at the University of Dayton.
Thursday, December 12, 2024
hope
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Advent Reflection for December 10– Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent Readings: Isaiah 40: 1 – 11; PS 96: 1 – 2, 2 and 10ac, 11 – 12, 13; Matthew 18: 12 – 14
Invitation to Prayer: “Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.”
Reflection: I have always been awed by the book of Isaiah, written centuries before the birth of Christ. As a teen, I recognized the connection between Isaiah and the Gospels, but I was left speechless when I realized how extensive the time lapse was between Isaiah’s prophecies and the birth of Jesus. In today’s readings, we encounter reference to the Good Shepherd in the text of both Isaiah and Matthew, once again emphasizing the fulfillment of the Word in Jesus Christ.
Isaiah proclaims, “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Being a shepherd in ancient times was a noble and humble profession. A “good shepherd” took the time to tend to the sheep rather than watching them from afar. There was a sense of relationship with the flock, and the wellbeing of every lamb was paramount. A “good shepherd” would never forsake a single sheep. This sense of intimacy and care parallels the role that Christ plays in our lives.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is there with us through our celebrations, challenges, and wounds. When we turn to Him, he tends to us with loving compassion. When we run from Him (as Matthew states), “will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” Christ is constantly reaching out to each and every one of us, and it is through our own free will that we choose to receive his sanctifying grace.
As humans with limited capacity for love, we often forsake one another and sometimes ourselves. Perhaps we simply lose patience with a family member, or maybe we write someone off as a lost cause, but in Christ, there are no lost causes. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out every lost sheep. During this Advent season, as we take time to quiet ourselves and connect with Christ, let us take pause to strive for the perfect love of the Good Shepherd- an unconditional love that does not forsake God’s creation.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, who tenderly cares for each of us, never forsaking a single soul. We are in awe of Your boundless love, which reaches out to us in all our joys and struggles. Help us to recognize Your presence in our lives, and to open our hearts to receive Your grace. As we journey through this Advent season, teach us to love as You love—unconditionally and without end. May we seek out the lost and show the compassion You offer to all. Thank You for always tending to us with care and mercy. Amen.
Closing: Who in my life have I forsaken? Have I ever forsaken myself? What can I do this Advent Season to open my heart to the abundant love of Christ?
Noelle Collis-DeVito is the English Curriculum Research Assistant for the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton. She just completed her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry with a Certificate in Disability and Ministry and is excited to put her skills to use in her work creating curriculum for adult faith formation and adaptive resources for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She serves on the Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and is on the Board for the Respect Life Fund for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She also serves as the advisor for Flyers for Life at the University of Dayton.