Thursday May 1 St. Joseph the Worker (Gen 1: 26-2: 3; Col 3: 14-15, 17, 23-24; Mt 13: 54-58) Paul tells us today, "Whatever you do, do from the heart..." That must surely have been the approach St. Joseph lived by and modeled for Jesus. Let us do the same!

Friday May 2 St. Athanasius (Acts 18: 9-18; Jn 16: 20-23) Is your heart in anguish? Listen to Jesus: “I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” Live in that promise!!

Saturday May 3 St Philip and James (I Cor 15: 1-8; Jn 14: 6-14) What Jesus said of himself we can say of ourselves: “The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.” Awesome and real! Alleluia!

Sunday May 4 The Ascension of the Lord (Acts 1: 1-11; Eph 1: 17-23; Mt 28: 16-20) As Jesus leaves, he promises, “I will be with you always!” We are left to continue his mission but never really left! So, we have to do much more than just stand and watch him seem to disappear!

Monday May 6 (Acts 19: 1-8; Jn 16: 29-33) Jesus is very much of a realist! He knows we won’t always get it right but he promises peace even in the bad times.

Tuesday May 7 (Acts 20:17-27; Jn 17: 1-11) Can we say with Jesus, “I revealed your name to those you gave me…”? Reflect on who that might be: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors? And ask yourself how you reveal the name of Jesus in your everyday activities.

Wednesday May 7 (Acts 20: 28-38; Jn 17: 11-19) As God sent Jesus into the world now he sends us! We would do well to listen to Paul’s admonition, “ Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Spirit has appointed you guardians.” And keep in mind in this process, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Thursday May 8 (Acts 22: 30; 23: 6-11; Jn 17: 20-26) Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s gift to Jesus? That’s what Jesus calls us! Not only that but he promises to stand by us and give us courage. What more could we possibly want?!

Friday May 9 (Acts 25: 13-21; Jn 21: 15-19) Jesus asks YOU, “Do you love me?” Listen to what he asks of you. Your response is the proof of the pudding as the saying goes.

Saturday May 10 Damian of Moloka’i (Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31; Jn 21: 20-25) This is the great MYOB (Mind your own business) gospel story. It is enough that we figure out what the Lord is doing with us much less others.

Sunday May 11 Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-11; I Cor 12: 3-7, 12-13; Jn 20: 19-23) To each of us Jesus says, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” And so we sing, “Come, Holy Spirit,” that we might be open to this great gift. It is only with the Spirit that we can continue the mission of Jesus and accomplish what he asks of us.

This feast concludes the Easter Season

Monday May 12 (Jas 1: 1-11; Mk 8: 11-13) Jesus seems to be telling us that we’ve got all the signs we need. No excuses for not believing! Those signs do not preclude trials. James tells us to consider it all a joy. A hard saying? Then you clearly need to ask for wisdom.

Tuesday May 13 (Jas 1: 12-18; Mk 8: 14-21) Do we have eyes that cannot see or ears that cannot hear? Do we still not understand? James warns us that such is the work of the evil one. May we not be deceived!

Wednesday May 14 St. Matthias (Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26; Jn 15: 9-17) “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” Jesus says that to YOU. Keep hearing his voice as you live this day!

Thursday May 15 St Isidore (Jas 2: 1-9; Mk 8: 27-33) Do you know who Jesus is in your life? A question to ponder today.

Friday May 16 (Jas 2: 14-24, 26; Mk 8: 34- 9;1) What is it that you are striving for? Really working hard to get it or to accomplish it? How does that fit into Jesus warning in today’s Gospel? James asks the same question, “What good is it…?” Try pondering that today.

Saturday May 17 (Jas 3: 1-10; Mk 9: 2-13) “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” These words sum up all we’ve been asked to ponder these past few days. May we listen, ponder and proclaim!

Sunday May 18 The Trinity (Ex 34; 4-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13: 11-13; Jn 3: 16-18) “God so loved the world” that he revealed himself to us! He is Father, Son, Spirit, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. Paul indicates just what this revelation should mean in our lives. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the companionship of the Holy Spirit is with us!

Monday May 19 (Jas 3: 13-18; Mk 9: 14-29) No “ifs” allowed! Rather a “what” is appropriate: It’s only through prayer. The wise will understand this. Do you?

Tuesday May 20 (Jas 4: 1-10; Mk 9: 30-37) Who do you think is the greatest among your friends and family? The answer will tell you a lot about your understanding of the Gospel message. “Humble yourself before the Lord and be exalted,” James tells us.

Wednesday May 21 (Jas 4: 13-17; Mk 9: 38-40) God works through all kinds of folks and circumstances. Be glad not leery. Nor does arrogance befit a disciple of Jesus.

Thursday May 22 (Jas 5: 1-6; Mk 9: 41-50) What does it mean to “keep salt in yourself”? The smallest gesture will not go un-rewarded nor will harm done to the littlest go unpunished. Welcome being salted with the fire of the Spirit!

Friday May 23 (Jas 5: 9-12; Mk 10: 1-12) Honesty is key to living the Gospel life. So, mean what you say and say what you mean, and be faithful to your promises.

Saturday May 24 (Jas 5: 13-20; Mk 10: 13-16) The importance of prayer in dealing with the current sex scandals in our church is hard to miss as you read what James has to offer today. Let us pray today for those who have suffered abuse and for all abusers.

Sunday May 25 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Dt 8: 2, 3 14-16; I Cor 10: 16-17; Jn 6: 51-58) “I am the living bread…” As we adore Jesus in the Eucharist on this feast day let us hold fast to the belief that WE are the body of Christ! Jack Shea says it well: “You cannot eat the Host if you cannot swallow your neighbor!”

Monday May 26 St. Philip Neri (I Pt 1: 3-9; Mk 10: 17-27) So. who CAN make it into the Kingdom? Everyone if they allow God’s power to work in them! Peter invites us to rejoice at this amazing revelation. And the Saint we honor today offers this bit of wisdom: “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than one that is cast down.”

Tuesday May 27 Augustine of Canterbury (I Pt 1: 10-16; Mk 10: 28-31) The promise of receiving more that we give is not aimed just at the next life but even NOW says Jesus. Do we recognize the gifts that are ours as we live as Jesus asks us to?

Wednesday May 28 (I Pt 1; 18-25; Mk 10: 32-45) Don’t get so caught up in your desire to live for Jesus that you make unreal promises! “All flesh is like grace…” That ought to put a little realism into our prayer.

Thursday May 29 (1 Pt 2: 2-5, 9-12; Mk 10: 46-52) “What do you want me to do for you?” Answer that question with great sincerity. St. Peter reminds us that we “have tasted that the Lord is good.” Trust that memory as you answer Jesus!

Friday May 30 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dt 7: 6-11; I Jn 4: 7-16; Mt 11: 25-30) “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” As the revival song has it, “What a friend we have in Jesus!” We are invited into his heart not because we are so holy but because we are burdened and tired and needy! Moses said it this way: “You are a people sacred to God…” Again not based on how good or holy. And John tells us all we need to do to believe all this is to realize the presence of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

Saturday May 31 Visitation of Mary (Zep 3: 14-18; Rom 12: 9-16; Lk 1: 39-56) Let us, with Elizabeth, pray joyfully, “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” And then spend this day in the presence of these two amazing women!

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