Intro to the day: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” –St. John the Baptist (John 3:30)

Today is Friday, the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. We are praying for the faculty, staff, and families of St. Joseph's Catholic School in Lucinda, PA

In the Gospel, we hear an account of St. John the Baptist’s martyrdom. 

Daily Psalm: Psalm 51

Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

Saint of the Day: Beheading of Saint John the Baptist - from a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable on the death of John the Baptist

There is no doubt that blessed John suffered imprisonment and chains as a witness to our Redeemer, whose forerunner he was, and gave his life for him. His persecutor had demanded not that he should deny Christ, but only that he should keep silent about the truth. Nevertheless, he died for Christ. Does Christ not say: "I am the truth"? Therefore, because John shed his blood for the truth, he surely died for Christ. Through his birth, preaching and baptizing, he bore witness to the coming birth, preaching and baptism of Christ, and by his own suffering he showed that Christ also would suffer. Such was the quality and strength of the man who accepted the end of this present life by shedding his blood after the long imprisonment. He preached the freedom of heavenly peace, yet was thrown into irons by ungodly men. He was locked away in the darkness of prison, though he came bearing witness to the Light of life and deserved to be called a bright and shining lamp by that Light itself, which is Christ. To endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John; rather is was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward. Since death was ever at hand, such men considered it a blessing to embrace it and thus gain the reward of eternal life by acknowledging Christ's name. Hence the apostle Paul rightly says: "You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake." He tells us why it is Christ's gift that his chosen ones should suffer for him: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us." 

Reflection: St. John the Baptist was willing to give up his life to defend the sanctity of marriage. Most people forget this really important part of his story. They know that he was in jail, they know he was beheaded, but what was it for? Defending marriage. Isn’t amazing that Jesus first miracle is at the Wedding Feast of Cana, and that the first martyr, other than the Holy Innocents, gave his life to defend marriage. What are we being told here? In the beginning, God instituted marriage between man and woman. In the beginning the foundation of our lives with God rested on this. Marriage is the building block of any culture. In order for us to truly inspire the children in our care, we need to spend more time talking about marriage the way it was intended by God. God designed marriage to help us know His love for us. He designed it to let us know that He does not want us to be alone, that He trusts us in creation, and that He loves us so much that He wants to be united to us. In Heaven, we are perfectly united to Christ. It is the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Instead of avoiding what can be a difficult topic as our culture shifts, we should lean more and more into the nature of what God is doing and how holy marriages help provide a reflection of the Trinitarian love of God. 

Let’s take time in our prayers today to pray for holy marriages. If in these prayers you feel compelled to reach out to a couple in need, do so. If in these prayers you feel compelled to thank a couple you know for their witness, do so.

Marian prayer for the day:  O Mother of my God, and my Lady Mary - St. Alphonsus de Liguori

To add intentions, get more resources and support, or if you would like to make a donation to support this podcast, visit us at missiondrivencatholic.com.

“Now is not the time to muse or fret over the happenings of life but rather to be conformed entirely to the will of God, striving to prepare [...] for that happy death which of all the things of life is our principal concern." –Saint Junípero Serra

Today is Thursday of the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time and Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. We are praying for the faculty, staff, and families of Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, OH

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51

Saint of the Day: Saint Junípero Serra 

Saint Junípero Serra was born in Spain in 1713. He worked in the fields as a child and became interested in the Franciscans, as he loved learning from them at the local friary. He particularly enjoyed learning Gregorian chant. At age 16 he entered the novitiate and continued his studies, eventually being ordained to the priesthood seven years later. Fr. Serra was an academically excellent teacher, but even more so shone his love for his students and care for their spiritual life. However, despite the prestigious teaching prospects in Spain for him, Fr. Serra desired missionary work, and in 1749 arrived in the New World. After traveling on foot to Mexico City to stay with Franciscans there, he learned the native languages and customs of the people whom he would serve. Fr. Serra worked beside and befriended many native peoples and founded numerous missions where he taught and converted many through his courageous love and unfailing faith. He also defended them against the many abuses from the Spanish military.

Reflection: Blessed the servant who is faithful. The Gospel today talks about the end times. Each of us will have our own. The Lord is right here, and we do not know the day or the hour. But the blessing comes from faithfulness. Imagine, if after all that you did in this life, after all of your work, your toil, your sacrifices, you finished the race and went to see Our Lord, and His words were simply, “Well done, my faithful servant, enter into My kingdom.” This is what we need to strive for. We were created by God, Who is love itself, to be in perfect union with Him in eternity. There is nothing more important than this. We easily can justify that our work, our scores, our salary, our accomplishments are most important. In schools, we communicate this with our students, placing precedence on test scores, aptitude, skill attainment, starting positions on whatever sports team, 1st chair in the orchestra. These are good. We are there to help students discover their talents and uncover the good they can do, but eternity, sanctity, union with God is the ultimate goal of our work. Not just in our schools. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of marriage, of family life, of ministry with whomever the Lord entrusts into your care each and every day. We need to spend more time storing up these treasures in our hearts. Not to the detriment of all else, but to allow all things to be directed to union with God.

Marian prayer for the day: The Depths of the Love of Your Heart – St. Therese

Virgin full of grace, I know that at Nazareth you lived modestly, without requesting anything more.

Neither ecstasies, nor miracles, nor other extraordinary deeds enhanced your life, O Queen of the elect.

The number of the lowly, “the little ones,” is very great on earth.

They can raise their eyes to you without any fear.

You are the incomparable Mother who walks with them along the common way to guide them to heaven.

Beloved Mother, in this harsh exile, I want to live always with you and follow you every day.

I am enraptured by the contemplation of you and I discover the depths of the love of your heart.

All my fears vanish under your motherly gaze, which teaches me to weep and to rejoice!

Amen.

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To add intentions, get more resources and support, or if you would like to make a donation to support this podcast, visit us at missiondrivencatholic.com.

Intro to the day: “Nothing is far from God.” –Saint Monica

Today is Wednesday of the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time and Memorial of St. Monica. We are praying for the faculty, staff, and families of Bishop Mussio Elementary in Steubenville, OH.

In the Gospel, Jesus continues to admonish the Pharisees for their hypocrisies. 

Opening: God come to our assistance, Lord make haste to help us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Daily Psalm: Psalm 36

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32

Saint of the Day: Blessed Dominic Barberi

Blessed Dominic Barberi was born in 179 to a poor Italian farming family. Although he received no regular education, he was taught to read by an elderly Capuchin priest who lived nearby. Dominic befriended some Passionists who were in exile due to Napoleonic suppression and felt called to join them in 1814. He was later ordained to the priesthood and taught theology and philosophy to students of the congregation, lecturing for ten years. In 1830, he began missionary work in Belgium and then England. While in England, he faced harsh anti-catholic sentiment from protestant ministers and residents. Young people would throw rocks at him, but he responded simply by kissing the stones and putting them in his pocket. Fr. Barberi was known for his sense of humor, as well as his strength and persevering love, which led many to conversion. On one occasion, a protestant minister shouted at him from the streets, denying transubstantiation, to which Dominic replied: "Jesus Christ said over the consecrated elements, 'This is my body.'" You say, "No. It is not his body!" Who then am I to believe? I prefer to believe Jesus Christ." Fr. Dominic also played a key role in converting John Henry Newman, whom he personally received into the Church only four years before his death in 1849.

Reflection: Maybe this is a bit of a tangent, but I do think it is connected to the Gospel today. Jesus is talking about the external and internal still. He calls the Pharisees and Scribes whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but rotting on the inside. There is a real danger that continues to get worse and worse in our lives and in the lives of many young people. There was a time we called it, keeping up with the Joneses. The filtered world that we once just saw through commercials, advertisements, and magazines has come knocking on each one of our doorsteps through Social Media. The perfect pose, the filter that makes us look different, the videos where all of the kids are smiling and happy, and perfect sets expectations that are not real. They appear beautiful and perfect on the outside, and this is how our young people are weighing their dignity, their value, their worth. As a result, we have increasing numbers of depression, anxiety, and even despair. What is the response? We have to train ourselves to look within, to the places that the Lord draws out what is truly beautiful in us. We need to take time to ask if we are advancing in virtue. We need to draw children’s attention to those things within them that express their true value. We have to celebrate their dignity in order to change the narrative. We need to show in some way, through a smile, a kind word, our presence, that they are beautifully and wonderfully made.

Today, let us take a few moments in silence to ask ourselves what lies we have sold ourselves. Do we feel we are not beautiful enough, funny enough, good enough? Remember, these are lies. Let’s ask the Lord in this silence to help us see ourselves as He sees us, with tremendous pride in the dignity and beauty that exists within us. Then, if we can, let’s find the person who needs to hear the same and reach out to them.

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To add intentions, get more resources and support, or if you would like to make a donation to support this podcast, visit us at missiondrivencatholic.com.

Intro to the day: “Always remember to love your neighbor; always prefer the one who tries your patience, who tests your virtue, because with her you can always merit: suffering is Love; the Law is Love.” –Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified

Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time. We are praying for the faculty, staff, and families of Catholic schools of Fiat Classical Academy in Aurora, IN.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us not to keep up exterior appearances while neglecting our spiritual well-being.

Daily Psalm: Psalm 24

Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26

Saint of the Day: Melchizedek the Patriarch

Melchizedek the Patriarch is a Biblical figure whose background is shrouded in mystery, but is an important “type”, or prefigurement, of Christ. Melchizedek was King of Salem, which means “peace”; his name means “King of righteousness” and appears in Genesis 14:18–20, which says:

Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High. He blessed Abram with these words: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

This offering of bread and wine is mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer I and has the unique role of being the only non-Levitical priest of the Old Testament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: 

“Everything that the priesthood of the Old Covenant prefigured finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the "one mediator between God and men." The Christian tradition considers Melchizedek, "priest of God Most High," as a prefiguration of the priesthood of Christ, the unique "high priest after the order of Melchizedek"; "holy, blameless, unstained," "by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified," that is, by the unique sacrifice of the cross.” (CCC 1544) 

Reflection: Jesus continues in the Gospel today to seemingly go after the Scribes and Pharisees. He does all things in love, so why this harsh treatment? Well, the Scribes and Pharisees know the letter of the law. They interpret it for the people. It is not enough, however, to know about the laws of God. What the Lord wants is for us to know Him and be known by Him. This is really easily translatable in the classroom. We can get caught up, each and every day, building knowledge through skill acquisition and facts. We learn a lot of stuff. In our schools, though, this learning needs to lead to Wisdom, to uncovering the truth of ourselves and the truth of the God, Who loves us into existence. This is particularly important in our Theology and Religion classes. The purpose of catechetical instruction is to lead to a deeper relationship with God. Sure, we need to know Him to love Him and love Him to serve Him. But the end is service. Service of God in others. The students in our Catholic schools, the children in our homes and in our care,  should know all about the Lord and His love for them. More importantly, they should be provided each and every opportunity to fall in love with Him, and be reminded that the laws, the rules, the knowledge is all meant to fill us from the inside, inspiring us to serve others.

Let’s reflect today just a little on the times that we check off the boxes of our devotions, like in the Gospel, just giving to give. Let’s ask the Lord to help us be more aware of the times we can show patience, justice, mercy in ways that will help others around us see the faith coming out from inside our hearts.

Intentions for the community:

We continue to pray for all of our partner schools, dioceses, and for our generous benefactors, asking for God’s guidance through the intercession of Our Lady and Queen as we pray.

To add intentions, get more resources and support, or if you would like to make a donation to support this podcast, visit us at missiondrivencatholic.com.

Become a Monthly Donor: missiondrivencatholic.com/donate

Introduction: As Scripture says, "Those who instruct many in justice will shine as stars for all eternity." They will attain this more easily if they make a covenant of perpetual obedience and strive to cling to Christ and please him alone, because, in his words, "What you did to one of the least of my brethren, you did to me."’ –Saint Joseph Calasanz

Today is Monday of the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time. We are praying for the faculty, staff, and families of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns against hypocrisy.

Opening: God come to our assistance, Lord make haste to help us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Daily Psalm: Psalm 5:20-10, 12-13

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22

Saint of the Day: Blessed María del Tránsito de Jesús Sacramentado

Reflection: Well, another school year has begun. Some of you have already been in your classrooms for a few weeks, and a few have another week before the students come into the spaces that you are creating for them. While a really challenging Gospel today, it sets the exact right tone, in a way, for the school year if we can step back and take just a moment to reflect. In our Catholic schools, the teacher has the immense responsibility to be a witness. We know this in witnessing to the material we are teaching, the bands we may be conducting, the teams we may be coaching. We must be aware of our witness here. If we expect them to be prepared and we are not, then we are a noisy gong. If we expect them not to gossip, we must be the same. These are all very important. Add on to this the witness of living a life well for Christ. It is not enough for our students to hear us tell them that ra elationship with Christ is important. We have to hold ourselves accountable to living a life fully for Christ. It is through our witness that our students will know whether or not we truly believe that He is the most important person in our lives.

Today, let’s take some time and ask ourselves how we can this year better witness to the love Christ has for us in our classrooms, our offices, on our sports fields. By asking, we are both opening the door to be better witnesses, but more than that, allowing the Lord to tell us how He wants to love us more deeply.

Intentions for the community:

We continue to pray for all of our partner schools, dioceses, and for our generous benefactors, asking for God’s guidance through the intercession of Our Lady and Queen as we pray.

Marian prayer for the day: Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Tagline: Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God. All will be well.

To add intentions, get more resources and support, or if you would like to make a donation to support this podcast, visit us at missiondrivencatholic.com.

______________________________

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Become a Monthly Donor: www.missiondrivencatholic.com/donate

Introduction: Saint Joan of Arc

Gospel: John 16:20-23

Saint of the Day: Saint Joan of Arc

Marian prayer for the day: Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Introduction: Saint Ursula

Gospel:Luke 24:46-53

Saint of the Day: Saint Ursula Ledochowska

Marian prayer for the day: Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Introduction: Blessed Antoni Julian Nowowiejski

Gospel: John 16:12-15

Saint of the Day: Blessed Ladislaus Demski

Marian prayer for the day: Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Introduction: Saint Julius 

Gospel: John 16:5-11

Saint of the Day: Saint Barbara Kim

Marian prayer for the day: Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Introduction: St. Philip Neri 

Gospel: John 15:26—16:4a

Saint of the Day: Saint Philip Neri

Marian prayer for the day: Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 

For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 

Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music for Credit: Bring me the Sky by ScottBuckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/bring-me-the-sky/

Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach - Ave Maria

Simbah Chamber Collegium

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Capriccio C10769⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

'Simplicity' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Hymn To The Dawn by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckleyMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/