“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings …” pointing to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. This is the history of humanity’s fall from grace and God’s response to make those people a light unto the world.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us through the wilderness of our lives, let us live as light unto the Earth by Your light radiating through us. As we light candles in our homes and trim them with lights, let us be mindful that salvation and reconciliation come through your Son, the living light Jesus Christ. Amen.
You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it”. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say “You take care of it”. I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
The Feast of the Holy Family – A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Luke 2:41-52
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’
‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me; “You take care of it”, then closes it’s eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the our Father: “Hallowed be thy Name”, that is, be glorified in my need. “Thy kingdom come”, that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”, that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: “Thy will be done”, which is the same as saying: “You take care of it”, I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds …”symbolizing the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which proclaim the good news of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give thanks for the good news! We are blessed to have heard it in our lives and are called to share the news with others. Help us share the news with just one today, Lord. Bless those whose lives are dedicated to the proclamation of the news…the ministers, priests, missionaries, teachers, evangelists and saints of the Church. During these holy days, and everyday, help us to foster Your kingdom on Earth! Amen.
¡Cuántas cosas realizo cuando el alma, tanto en sus necesidades espirituales como en aquellas materiales, se vuelve a mí, me mira y diciéndome: “Jesús, ocúpate Tú de ello”, cierra los ojos y reposa. Obtenéis pocas gracias cuando os atormentáis por producirlas, sin embargo tenéis muchísimas cuando la oración es un encomendarse plenamente a mí. En el dolor, vosotros oráis para que yo obre, pero para que obre como creéis que debo obrar… No os dirigís a mí, sino que queréis que yo me adapte a vuestras ideas; no sois enfermos que piden al médico que les cure, sino que le sugerís la cura. No obréis así, sino orad como os he enseñado en el Padrenuestro: Santificado sea tu nombre, es decir, sed glorificado en esta necesidad mía. Venga a nosotros tu reino, o sea, todo contribuya a tu reinado en nosotros y en el mundo. Hágase tu voluntad así en la tierra, como en el cielo, es decir, dispón Tú, en esta necesidad, como mejor te parezca en lo tocante a nuestra vida temporal y eterna. Si me decís de verdad: “hágase tu voluntad”, que es lo mismo que decir: “Jesús, ocúpate Tú de ello”, yo intervendré con toda mi omnipotencia y venceré las mayores dificultades.
O Jesús, yo me entrego a Ti, ¡ocúpate de todo! (Repítelo 10 veces)
Madre, soy tuyo ahora y siempre.
A través de ti y contigo siempre quiero pertenecer completamente a Jesús.
Amén
Para la versión completa en audio de 9 días de la Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios visite aquí
Esta Novena fue compuesta por el Padre Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) un sacerdote de Nápoles, Italia, para ayudar a quienes la rezan a entender que el Señor quiere que confiemos en Él sin importar cuál sea nuestro problema. Solo podemos elevarnos a este nivel de confianza a través de la gracia de Dios y la ayuda del Espíritu Santo. Debemos dejar de lado nuestros problemas, dejar de preocuparnos y tratar de resolverlos nosotros mismos. Debemos creer, confiar y permitir que nuestro Señor nos rescate de nosotros mismos y suplir nuestros deseos, necesidades y resolver nuestros problemas como solo Él puede. “Jesús, cuídalo tú”, deben ser las primeras palabras que nos vienen a la mente y brotan de nuestros labios.
The Feast of the Holy Innocents- A Christmas Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.
Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”
Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…
From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 2:13-18
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What word made this passage come alive for you?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you listened?
What did you sense the Lord saying to you?
Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:
After the wise men had left, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, because Herod intends to search for the child and do away with him.’ So Joseph got up and, taking the child and his mother with him, left that night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod was dead. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:
I called my son out of Egypt.
Herod was furious when he realised that he had been outwitted by the wise men, and in Bethlehem and its surrounding district he had all the male children killed who were two years old or under, reckoning by the date he had been careful to ask the wise men. It was then that the words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled:
A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loudly lamenting: it was Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they were no more.
What did your heart feel as you prayed?
What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
Dr. Peter Kreeft – Probes on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor
Kris McGregor discusses with Dr. Peter Kreeft about his book Probes: Deep Sea Diving into St. John’s Gospel. Inviting readers to actively engage with scripture as a dialogue with God, it blends study and prayer in a manner akin to Lectio Divina. Dr. Kreeft describes it as a deep-sea dive into the Gospel of John, requiring readers to immerse themselves, ask questions, and ponder deeply, trusting God to guide their understanding. Designed for both personal reflection and communal study, it interprets scripture as a living, transformative encounter with God rather than a passive academic exercise.
The Gospel of John is a profound exploration of Christ’s divinity and humanity, particularly in passages like John 17, which offers a glimpse into the life of the Trinity. Scripture “reads” us as much as we read it, creating a dynamic relationship with the living
Suitable for all Christians and even inquirers, Probes bridges study and devotion, encouraging readers to see scripture as a window to encounter God’s truth and love.
How Do I Engage With Scripture? Reflect on whether you approach the Bible as a living dialogue with God or merely as a study tool.
Am I Open to God’s Questions? Consider if you allow scripture to “read” and challenge your heart as much as you seek to understand its meaning.
Do I Ponder or Rush Through Prayer? Ask yourself if your spiritual practices include time for deep pondering and slow reflection, as Mary modeled in the Gospel.
Is My Faith Both Personal and Communal? Evaluate how your engagement with scripture fosters personal transformation and enriches group faith experiences.
How Does the Gospel Reveal Christ to Me? Reflect on how the Gospel of John helps you encounter the person of Christ, especially through passages like John 17.
Do I Trust God’s Guidance in My Search? Consider whether you trust God to lead you through the depths of scripture, even when answers aren’t immediately clear.
How Do I Share Scripture with Others? Contemplate how you can introduce others to a more profound engagement with the Word of God through shared study and prayer.
Do I Connect Scripture and Sacraments? Reflect on how your encounter with the Word deepens your appreciation of Christ’s presence in the sacraments.
From the book description
“This is no ordinary book. It is a set of probing questions (1,450 in fact) designed to help individuals or groups, especially groups, to dive deeply into Saint John’s Gospel. No answers are provided, but the questions are phrased in such a way as to set a person in a reliable direction for finding the answers.
The questions correspond to the verses of the Gospel and require active and personal interaction. Some of the questions are easy, some difficult, and they are marked accordingly. Some questions include background information or hints that help the reader along. Some were written with a fair bit of humor. Any person or group using these questions to explore John will find themselves entertained as well as informed and inspired.”
About the Author
Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most respected and prolific Christian authors of our time. His books cover a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include Doors in the Walls of the World, The Greatest Philosopher Who Ever Lived, How to Be Holy, Because God Is Real, You Can Understand the Bible, and Summa of the Summa.
“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Three French Hens …” symbolic of the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize the three theological values of faith, hope, and charity or sacrificial love and foretells of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, we give thanks for family and the sacrificial love that is the glue that holds families together. We give thanks regardless of the situation and know You will bless us in our rejoicing. Jesus, we give thanks for Your exquisite, exemplary life and the model that it provides for our family and all others. We pray we can share faith, hope, and love this holiday season. Holy Spirit, we thank You for your presence in our life at all times. Amen.
¿Entregarse a mí no significa ni inquietarse, ni estar amargado, ni perder la esperanza, ni tampoco significa ofrecerme una oración pidiéndome que le siga y transformarle la preocupación en oración. Está en contra de esta entrega, profundamente en contra, la preocupación, el estar nervioso y pensar en las consecuencias de todo. Es como la confusión que sienten los críos cuando les piden a su madre atender a sus necesidades, y luego intentan ocuparse de esas necesidades por sí mismos con el fin de que sus intentos se entrometan en el camino de su madre. Rendir significa cerrar plácidamente los ojos del alma, rechazar los pensamientos de tribulación y ponerse en mi cuidado, para que sólo yo actúe, diciendo “Ocúpate tu”.
O Jesús, yo me entrego a Ti, ¡ocúpate de todo! (Repítelo 10 veces)
Madre, soy tuyo ahora y siempre.
A través de ti y contigo siempre quiero pertenecer completamente a Jesús.
Amén
Para la versión completa en audio de 9 días de la Novena del Abandono a la Voluntad de Dios visite aquí
Esta Novena fue compuesta por el Padre Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970) un sacerdote de Nápoles, Italia, para ayudar a quienes la rezan a entender que el Señor quiere que confiemos en Él sin importar cuál sea nuestro problema. Solo podemos elevarnos a este nivel de confianza a través de la gracia de Dios y la ayuda del Espíritu Santo. Debemos dejar de lado nuestros problemas, dejar de preocuparnos y tratar de resolverlos nosotros mismos. Debemos creer, confiar y permitir que nuestro Señor nos rescate de nosotros mismos y suplir nuestros deseos, necesidades y resolver nuestros problemas como solo Él puede. “Jesús, cuídalo tú”, deben ser las primeras palabras que nos vienen a la mente y brotan de nuestros labios.
“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five Golden Rings …” pointing to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. This is the history of humanity’s fall from grace and God’s response to make those people a light unto the world.
“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds …”symbolizing the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which proclaim the good news of God’s reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ.
“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Three French Hens …” symbolic of the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize the three theological values of faith, hope, and charity or sacrificial love and foretells of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.