Ezekiel 18:21-22

But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
Ezekiel 18:21-22

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong, in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11

2 Corinthians 8:9

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."
2 Corinthians 8:9

Psalm 103:8,11,12

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love... 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.
Psalm 103:8,11,12

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

1 Chronicles 16:10-11

"Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His presence continually!"
1 Chronicles 16:10-11

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
1 Corinthians 2:12

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,"
1 Corinthians 2:9

Life

Life is a gift from God, from conception to natural death. Dear Jesus, may those who repent and turn away from sin receive your Divine Mercy. May they turn away from the path of destruction and enter the path of life. Grant them the grace and peace to reconcile and live according to your will. Lord Jesus, please heal our nation and our world. Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray for us

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

Philippians 4:11-13

I know how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13

Philippians 4:6-7

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Psalm 59:16-17

For thou hast been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to thee, for thou, O God, art my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17

Psalm 51:1-2

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2

Psalm 40:1-4

I waited patiently for the Lord;
He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the lord.

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who fall astray after false gods!
Psalm 40:1-4

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to
your protection, implored your help, or sought your
intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this
confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, our
Mother; to you do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and
sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise
not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer
us. Amen.

Matthew 7:24-25

"Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me , all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

1 Peter 5:5-7

And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble."
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:5-7

The Epiphany of Jesus

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany of Jesus.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
Matthew 2:1-12

1 Timothy 6:12

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
1 Timothy 6:12

John 13: 34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

The Holy Ghost

"The more the Holy Ghost finds Mary, His dear and inseparable spouse, in any soul, the more active and mighty He becomes in producing Jesus Christ in that soul, and that soul in Jesus Christ." St. Louis De Montfort (1673-1716)

Forgiveness

In the "Apostle's Creed" we believe in the "forgiveness of sins", in the "Our Father" we pray "forgive us our trespasses" and in the "Hail Mary" we say "pray for us sinners".

We all make mistakes, but as we meditate today especially on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we look to the image of Jesus nailed to the cross with His arms open wide to love us.