The spiritual life is a lot like our physical life. We are either striving to move forward, or are regressing - there is no staying the same. Just as our muscles atrophy without work, our spiritual muscle weakens if it’s not exercised. It’s why we say that we “practice our faith.”

In the August 5th reading, we hear Saint Paul invite the Ephesians to a renewal of themselves, much like we do when we begin an exercise program. Just as we have to get off the couch and commit to a new pattern of life when we work out, we commit to a new spiritual pattern of life as imitators of Jesus.

“Brothers and Sisters – I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned in Christ,…, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life; corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.”

Let’s pray  - Father of Grace and Mercy. You love us right where we are. But you also love us too much to leave us there. Thank you for the open invitation to renewal – to get off the spiritual couch, to leave our past failings behind, and be renewed in you. Help us strengthen our spiritual muscle as we practice our faith in you.

Pray for 2 - Practice the Faith

The abuse crisis ripping through the Church should shake each of us to our very core. That some would not only use their position of trust within the Church to victimize others, but also cover up the abuse, should be unconscionable.

Positions of power and prestige will always draw some that look to exploit them. It is a stark reminder that we are all fatally flawed and in need of ongoing renewal in our savior, Jesus Christ.

But it is in the perfect, purifying love of Jesus that we find our faith. And in faith, our prayer should be that every single injustice is brought to light, so the victims can begin the process of healing, and that those that perpetuated it are brought to justice. We need to root out rot within the Church.

Listen to Jesus address his disciples in the Gospel of Luke:

There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.  Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Let’s Pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. Our hearts are broken for all who have suffered. Shower the light of your love into their hearts, that they might know of our heartfelt sorrow as they begin to heal. And cleanse the Church of all that keeps it from being the beacon of hope and love you instituted it to be. Amen

Pray for Two - Fatally Flawed

I have to do something. After the initial grief and anger felt upon hearing of the coverup within the abuse crisis, I knew this was our call to action. The lay people of the Church can no longer sit back. 

Each of us, as members of the one body of Christ - the Church – have a particular role. Each of us has specific gifts and talents that we are supposed to be using for the good of the whole, and God is prompting you now to use them. Whether that’s intercessory prayer, counseling victims, serving on an lay oversight board, writing letter to the editor -  you are called to do something. 

Listen to Saint Paul explain this critical role in his first letter to the Corinthians: 

“…so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.”

Father of Grace and Mercy – The abuse crisis is a stark wake up call to the laity within the Church. Help us to prayerfully discern the role you are calling us to, and fill us with the grace to act on it. Lord, haunt us until we do – for the victims, for all of the good and faithful clergy, and for the unstaining of the good news of the Gospel. Amen.

Pray For 2 offers a two minute prayer reflection on the daily readings of the Church. Listen to them anytime at Godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app

Pray for Two - Something to Do

Imagine being torn in half. If we believe scripture, that is precisely what happens during divorce. Because a man and woman are brought together in the sacrament of marriage and become one flesh, the act of divorce tears that one flesh in half. Divorce is not a separation. It is a mortal wound to what God has united together. And it’s why we grieve a divorce like we do a death – because it is a death.

Listen to Jesus in October 7th’s gospel from Mark, with special attention to the one flesh of marriage. 

“The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, 

"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"  They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment.  But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." 

Let’s pray - Father of Grace and Mercy – please give us a new reverence for marriage. Help us to honor that it is you that unites a man and a woman together, and respect the one flesh the sacrament creates. Amen

Pray For 2 offers a two minute prayer reflection on the daily readings of the Church. Listen to them anytime at Godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app

The Damage of Divorce

Have you heard the story of the man living in a house facing an imminent flood? An authority drives by to recommend the homeowners evacuate. The man responds, “I have faith that God will save me,” and ignores the ride.

The floodwaters begin to rise, forcing the man to the second floor of the home, and authorities send out a rescue boat. The man again declines, exclaiming, “I have faith that God will save me!”

The waters continue to rise, forcing the man to his roof. A helicopter flies by and beckons him to hop in. The man again responds, “I have faith that God will save me!”

The waters soon overcome the house, and tragically, the man drowns. He is taken to the judgment seat, where he is incredulous. “I am a man of great faith in God – why didn’t He save of me?!” The judge responds, “Well we sent a car, and a boat, and a helicopter…”

The moral of this tongue in cheek story is that God works through various means, including other people. Jesus draws us together into the body of Christ, as a community, the Church. We are designed to bear one other’s burdens, and to lift one another in times of trial.

Some disparage the Church as, “a crutch,” but like the man in the story, we ignore these gifts God to our peril.

Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. You call us to faith in you. Help us recognize the many ways you answer that faith, including through the community around us. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen to them anytime at godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Pray for Two - Faith in the Storm

Have you ever thought of Mary Poppins as a Catholic Theologian?

Saint John revealed that, “God is love” and Jesus Christ called himself, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” so our call to share the truth in love is full of divine implications.

Jesus routinely conveyed the loving mercy of His Father. He was also fearless in sharing hard truths. A deeper dive reveals an intriguing underlying pattern.

In many of his encounters, including the woman caught in adultery, Jesus initiated non-judgmentally. He pointedly challenged her accusers that the one without sin could cast the first stone against her, and they all left. It was only after engaging her as a beloved child of God, saying He did not condemn her, that He finished with truth – “go and sin no more.”

Jesus shares the truth in charity, but leads with love.

Where does Mary Poppins factor into this? She famously sang, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” The sugar is the sweetness of love. That helps us to swallow the medicine of what can be bitter truth. Don’t you find it easier to accept hard truth when you first trust the person sharing has your best interest at heart?

Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. You sent your son into the world to reveal your divine truth, and shine the light of your merciful love into our hearts. Help us heed you call us to share the truth in charity, while also modeling the example of Jesus as we lead with love. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen to them anytime at godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Pray for Two - Lead with Love

One of the arguments proponents use is that Jesus doesn’t say anything against gay marriage. Homosexuality is discussed both prior to Jesus in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, and after in New Testament letters of Saint Paul, among many other sins.

What does Jesus say about marriage?

“Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one’. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Marriage, designed by God, is the perfection of the bond between one man and one woman, until death, for benefit of the individuals and the natural procreation and raising of children. The perfection of the bond between those with same sex attraction is Christian friendship.

That said, we as the Church need to recognize that those with same sex attraction are beloved brothers and sisters, created in the image and likeness of God. We are to treat them as Christ in our midst - that is loved and welcomed.

We all have our sins we struggle with in life. Our challenging task is accompanying and loving one another without judging, while simultaneously holding another to account to truth as we grow in faith.

Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. You created marriage. Help us to recognize the wisdom in your creation, while seeing and loving our brothers and sisters with same sex attraction as you do. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen to them anytime at Godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Pray for Two - Gay Marriage

John the Baptist calls out the Pharisees and Sadducees for not bearing good fruit,

foreshadowing Jesus’s talk on the vine and branches. Both use trees and plants as

analogies for our works of faith. Both share the same dire warning for those that don’t

bear good fruit.

John The Baptist said,

“Bear fruit that befits repentance… Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Jesus said,

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.”

When I hear someone say they need to find themselves or their purpose in life, I want to

jump on a couch like Tom Cruise and say, “Your purpose is to discern and cultivate the

gifts and talents God has uniquely gifted you, and give those to others in loving service!

Go bear good fruit!”

You were made to be a gift. This is where you will find deep, sustained joy, even amidst

evil and suffering.

Let’s Pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. You designed us to be gifts of self, each with a unique set of gifts and talents. Help inspire us to bear good fruit in you – our faith working in love. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at Godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Pray for Two - Bear Good Fruit

Mary’s fiat, her “yes,” where she accepts the message that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit with the child of God, Jesus Christ, is memorialized in the Gospel of Saint Luke.

Today, I’d like to propose that Joseph also had a fiat, when he honorably accepted the Mary’s pregnancy.

Listen to the account in Matthew,

“The birth of Jesus Christ took place this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman′u-el” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”

Let’s pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. You challenged Mary and Joseph with the miraculous pregnancy of Jesus. Help us to recognize both of their fiats, as they provide models for the “yes” you call us each to in following you in faith.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at Godislove.blog, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Joseph's Honorable Fiat

Why did Jesus enter into the world?

The simple answer was to say, “I love you.” Jesus loves you right where you are, but he also loves you too much to leave you there. This great light appeared in the darkness to shower grace into our sinful nature, but only if we are willing to accept that grace.

Listen to the prophet Isaiah, talking about this coming Savior nearly 700 years before his birth on Christmas.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Mid′ian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.

Let’s pray – Jesus our Savior. You came to say, “I love you.” Help us to welcome the light of that love into our hearts. Help us to thrive in your grace as we continue to strive toward a life of holiness. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Pray for Two - I Love You

BLESS THE LORD O MY SOUL - PSALM 103 -  1/23/2020 (290)
 
I was recently given Psalm 103 as a penance after confession as a way to dwell in the God’s rich mercy.
 
Today, let’s pray this psalm of gratitude:
 
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works vindication
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor requite us according to our iniquities.
 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
 As a father pities his children,
    so the Lord pities those who fear him.
 For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.
 As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
   and its place knows it no more….
Bless the Lord, O my soul! Amen.
 
This is Mike Kelly.  You can find Pray For 2 at Prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Bless the Lord O My Soul

Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest. 

I’ll bet I have that song in your head now. 

If you try to find this specific passage in Scripture, you’ll go on a wild goose chase. It’s actually a combination of several verses, with most of it is captured in an Old Testament reading from Deuteronomy. 

“Then Moses summoned Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers…It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.”” 

In the wake of the Coronovirus pandemic, and frankly anytime we’re prone to worry, it’s essential to remind ourselves of the reason for our faith. God holds us in His love regardless of what happens, and won’t fail or forsake us. 

And the Divine Physician tells us no less than 365 times in the Bible to, “Be not afraid,” and “Fear not.” It’s almost like we need to be reminded of it each and every day of the year. 

Let’s Pray. Father of Grace and Mercy. Help us be strong and of good courage. Grant us the grace each day to not be afraid. Let us rest in the hope that you go before us always, and that by following you, you will give us rest. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily scripture readings of the Church. You can find them anytime at Prayfor2.com, Soundcloud, YouTube or the Redeemer Radio app.

Be Not Afraid

Much is made of the betrayal of Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Today, let’s listen to John’s gospel account of the Last Supper, where Jesus calls out someone else who will deny Him.

“When Jesus had spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke…

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified…Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

Simon Peter said, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward.” Peter said, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.”

If we’re honest with ourselves, we recognize we all betray and deny Jesus, just like Judas and Peter. And yet he’s always willing to welcome us back with open arms, if we simply admit our mistakes and resolve not to repeat them.

Let’s Pray – Jesus our Redeemer. We often feel hamstrung by our sin, betraying you and the way you created us to thrive in this life. Help us to be conscious of our faults, that they would spur us to reconcile with you and your love. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Betrayal and Redemption

It was Wednesday, March 11, 2020. 

My daughter and her boyfriend are huge Butler basketball fans, and we planned a Spring Break adventure to New York City for the Big East Tournament. 

Butler was to play Providence Thursday afternoon. We left around 5, hoping to drive halfway to DuBois, Pennsylvania, and the rest of the way Thursday morning.

News of the Coronavirus was building, and the idea of “social distancing” had just entered our conversation. 

While the outbreak was declared a global pandemic that morning, there were only 1000 confirmed cases in the US - 216 in New York - so we ventured off trusting that God’s Providence, and the news from Twitter, would guide us.

At 6 o’clock, the Big 10 Tournament announced they wouldn’t allow spectators in Indianapolis, then the ACC did the same for Greensboro, North Carolina, but no word from the Big East. 

Next, the NBA announced it was suspending its season. Then the president announced a travel ban from Europe. Finally, Tom Hanks and his wife were announced as testing positive. The floodgates had opened. 

We arrived at the hotel around 11, and over Domino’s pizza, I asked them to discuss what they wanted to do in the morning. It didn’t take long – we all felt like God was guiding us to head back home. Little did we know how radically life was about to change.


Let’s Pray – God our loving Father. Your word is a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path. Thank you for your loving Providence as we continue to weather the storm of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Amen.

This is Mike (and Maggie) Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Providence (and Butler)

Father of Grace and Mercy.

For a long time, I had no idea where I had come up with this introduction to prayer. It was something that just felt comfortable, and helped me start the process of praying, much like the leg kick of a baseball player helps trigger their swing.  

I even had a friend come up and thank me – his Dad has asked him to pray with him, and he had no idea of how to start. All he could think of was, “Father of Grace and Mercy,” and the rest came rolling out.

Like all good things across the 2000 year history of the Church, there are very few original ideas left, and this was no exception. A quick Google search found the phrase in Psalm 145,

“The LORD is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 The LORD is good to all,
    and his compassion is over all that he has made.”

It’s also found in the Psalm 86, the book of Jonah, and the book of Joel:

“Yet even now,” says the LORD,
    “return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
    and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the LORD, your God,
    for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
    and repents of evil.”


Let’s Pray – Father of Grace and Mercy. Help us to honor every good gift of grace and the relentless love in your boundless mercy. Amen

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily scripture readings of the Church. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Father of Grace and Mercy

When Jesus Christ came into the world as messiah and savior, He very easily could have divinely snapped His fingers and appeared. But he chose instead to be born of a woman, the virgin Mary. And Mary plays a significant role in the Church, both as His biological mother, and our spiritual mother. 

The Hail Mary is an ancient prayer that honors her role in salvation history, and is rooted in the Gospel of Saint Luke. 

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you”

 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”

Let’s Pray. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, encouraging you to make these two minute reflections part of your daily prayer habit. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, on Soundcloud, YouTube, or the Redeemer Radio app.

Hail Mary In Scripture

I often think about what the Apostles felt like in the weeks after Jesus’s resurrection. Waking up each morning with nervous excitement, having such incredible news to share, wondering where to begin.

The Acts of the Apostles is the first book after the Gospels, documenting the good works of twelve ordinary men in those first months. Let’s listen to one encounter:

Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let all the house of Israel know that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
When they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said …, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to /you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
How did the Apostles begin? And how would they tell us to begin? 
Do the next good thing. Do the next true thing. Do the next beautiful thing. Do the next sacrificial thing. Do the next faithful thing. Do the next hopeful thing. Do the next loving thing. 
Let’s Pray. 
Father of Grace and Mercy. You sent twelve ordinary men with nothing more than their encounters with you, and they changed the world. Help us to do the next good thing you place on our hearts as we share your sustaining love, joy and peace. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Pray For 2. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.

Do The Next Good Thing

How do you ask forgiveness when you’ve really done something wrong? 

Consider the prayer of Psalm 51, where King David asks for forgiveness after his affair with Bathsheba.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
    according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
Against you have I sinned,
    and done that which is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
    and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, you desire truth in the inward being;
    therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Fill me with joy and gladness;
    let the bones which you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and put a new and right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
    God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth shall show forth your praise.”

Amen

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily readings of the Church. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, on Soundcloud, YouTube, or the Redeemer Radio app.

Have Mercy On Me O God

One of the many reasons I became Catholic out of all the Christian churches was that it aligned with how the earliest church believed and prayed. 

The mass was documented in 155 AD by Saint Justin Martyr in, “The First Apology.”

“On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read.... When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray.
On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen”. The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.
The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.”

Let’s Pray. Father of Grace and Mercy. You gave us the Church to guide us in truth, and the mass as a communal celebration of our faith. May the mass enliven us in hope as we are sent forth to share your truth in love. 

Amen

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

The Mass In The Early Church

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is a linchpin in salvation history, and the very first anecdote after the Gospels in the book of Acts. 
“I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. 
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth.” 
And when he had said this…he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven…behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Let’s pray.
Jesus our Redeemer. You came into the world as love in the flesh. And you rose into heaven, redeeming us as love divine. May we see your ascension as trailblazing our path to our eternal home.
Amen.
This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com or the Redeemer Radio app.

Prayfo2.com

The Ascension of Jesus Into Heaven

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, or Come, Holy Spirit, is a prayerful hymn attributed to 13th century writer Stephen Langston, Archbishop of Canterbury. Also called the Golden Sequence, the hymn was added to the Roman Missal in the 16th century, and is sung at masses around the feast of Pentecost. 

Let’s pray it today, inviting the gift of the Holy Spirit to flow through us, rekindling the fire of God’s love in our hearts.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!

Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;

Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;

Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,

And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,

Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;

Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;

Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore

In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;

Give them joys that never end. 
Amen. Alleluia.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, encouraging you to make these two minute reflections part of your daily prayer habit. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, on Soundcloud, YouTube,  the Redeemer Radio app.

Come Holy Spirit Prayer

The Holy Spirit is probably the least appreciated person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the perfect love between the Father and Son, sent into the world to enliven our hearts. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at our baptism, are strengthened at our confirmation, and are living temples of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus’s resurrection on Easter, as recounted in the book of Acts:
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they said,
“We hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.”
Let’s Pray. Come Holy Spirit, come. Fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be renewed. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily readings of the Church. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, on Soundcloud, YouTube, or the Redeemer Radio app.

Penetecost

One of the mysteries of Christianity is that God chose to reveal Himself as a Trinity - one God in three persons. It can be confusing - the Islamic religion even mistakenly believes Christianity advocates three Gods, when in fact we believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons, but as one God.

Why do you suppose God did this? It is because in His very nature, God is love. And love necessarily involves more than one person – a lover requires a beloved. God the Father perfectly loves Jesus the Son as a total act of self gift, and Jesus reciprocates that perfect love to the Father. And the Holy Spirit is that perfect love between the Father and Son, sent out into the world to enliven our souls to share God’s love with others.

Saint Paul captured this in his second letter to the Corinthians:

“Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Let’s Pray.

Oh most Holy Trinity. You revealed yourself to be one God in three persons to demonstrate your perfect love as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Help enliven our hearts to share that perfect love as a self gift to others.

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily readings of the Church.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com or the Redeemer Radio app.

The Trinity - One God In Three Persons

God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus also left us an enduring gift – his very body under the appearances of bread and wine. Jesus instituted the Eucharist in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Saint John.

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

Let’s Pray.

Jesus our Redeemer. Thank you for the life giving strength you give us in the Eucharist – your body, blood, soul and divinity. May it continue to be manna in our earthly desert, and strength for our journey. Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com or the Redeemer Radio app.

Prayfor2.com

Corpus Christi - The Body of Christ

The Bible says to, “fear not,” but also says “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” So which is it?
In its proper context, “fear of the Lord” is a sense of awe and wonder about a God that not only created all, but is love itself. And he’s a God that knows and cares for you intimately.

According to scripture, God knew you before you were born, counts every hair on your head, and holds you in the palm of his hand. And in love, you were created to reflect His love into the world.
Let’s listen to Jesus imploring us to “fear not,” in the Gospel of Matthew.

“So have no fear; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 

Let’s Pray.

God our loving Father. You created all, including us. Help us to fear not, and grant us the eyes to see you with awe and wonder – for the magnificence of your boundless creation, and for your intimate love of us.

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily readings of the Church.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

Fear of The Lord or Fear Not?

It’s important to remind ourselves that Jesus wasn’t a meek and mild pacifist. As the Way, the Truth and the Life, His word was likened to a sword, challenging us to admit our shortfalls and work to change. And humility and change don’t come easily for any of us. 

Listen to this instruction from the Gospel of Saint Matthew.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. …He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 
In the book of Hebrews, we again hear of the sword of truth.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him.”

Let’s Pray.

Jesus our Messiah. You brought the fullness of truth to humanity. May we receive the sword of truth with humility, working in grace to make the changes necessary to live a life more fully in you.

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily scripture readings of the Church.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

The Sword of Truth

Jesus Christ, God made man, was a great story teller. There are over 30 unique parables documented across the four Gospels. The science of story telling has shown that stories are more relatable than a lecture. Jesus, being the Divine Psychologist, understood this, and used it often during the three years he was with his disciples.

Today, let’s listen to the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew.

”That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.  And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Let’s Pray.

Jesus our Savior. You sow many seeds of grace in our lives, including through your parables. May our hearts be rich soil for the truth of your love to spring forth and bear good fruit.

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily scripture readings of the Church.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

Parable of the Sower

Mary Undoer of Knots is prayer devotion based on a second century quote from Saint Irenaeus. He said, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by the obedience of Mary; what the virgin Eve bound by her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosened by her faith.” 

Pope Francis has a special devotion to an image of Mary Undoer of Knots, where she is holding a white ribbon, knotted on one side and completely smooth and untangled on the other. 

Today, let’s pray a prayer he wrote in her honor:

“Holy Mary, full of God's presence during the days of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father's will,
and the Devil was never capable to tie you around with his confusion.

Once with your son you interceded for our difficulties, and, full of kindness and patience you gave us example of how to untie the knots of our life. And by remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order, and make more clear, the ties that link us to the Lord.

Holy Mother, Mother of God, and our Mother, to you, who untie with motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands our intentions, and to free the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks.

Through your grace, your intercession, and your example, deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. 

Amen

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com or the Redeemer Radio app.

Mary Undoer of Knots

The Christian story is without parallel. 

Jesus Christ entered the world to redeem mankind from its sin and model a perfect way of life. But we aren’t to simply imitate him – we are to become Him. 

We are called put off the old self, and put on a new life in Christ, as Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…not things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you….

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Let’s Pray.

Jesus our model and Redeemer. Help us to cast of the old self, and put on the new life in Christ. 

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2.  Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

New Life In Christ

Who is my neighbor?

A lawyer posed this question to Jesus after being told to, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 

Jesus’s response, from the Gospel of Luke, is the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who stripped and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 

But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 

Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”  He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Let’s Pray.

Jesus our Light. You call to see you in every person. Help us to love you with our whole heart, soul,  mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself.

Amen.

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or the Redeemer Radio app.

The Good Samaritan

Some of Jesus’s encounters can seem a bit harsh. Take his interaction with the Canaanite woman from the Gospel of Matthew.

“Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”  But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”  She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”  Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”

What should we take from this? I’d suggest it’s that God doesn’t always answer our prayer immediately. It was her third plea that was heard. We’re called to not only ask boldly, but to also persist in prayer. The answer may be, “yes,” it may be, “no,” but most often, it’s, “not yet.” 

Let’s pray. Father of Grace and Mercy. Grant us the faith of the Canaanite woman, helping us to persist in patience in our prayer, trusting you hold what is best for our life. Amen. 

This is Mike Kelly with Prayfor2, two minute prayer reflections on the daily readings of the Church. Listen anytime at Prayfor2.com, or on the Redeemer Radio app.  Matthew 15:21-28

Faith of the Canaanite Woman

2 minute prayer reflections on the daily scripture readings of the Church.

Sharing the truth in love, with head and heart, faith and reason.

Prayfor2

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