Thursday of the First Week of Advent “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 Reflect, today, upon that important question in your own life. “Am I fulfilling the will of the Father in Heaven?” What will I wish I had done, here and now, as I stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Whatever comes to mind, spend time with that and strive to deepen your resolve to whatever God reveals to you. Do not hesitate. Do not wait. Prepare now so that the day of Judgment will also be a day of exceeding joy and glory! catholic-daily-reflections.com

Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle Today, we honor one of the Apostles: Saint Andrew. Andrew and his brother Peter were fishermen who would soon take on a new form of fishing. They would soon become “fishers of men,” as Jesus said. But prior to being sent on this mission by our Lord, they had to become His followers. And this happened as our Lord was first the fisher of these men. Reflect, today, upon Jesus speaking these words to you. First, ponder the question of whether you have said “Yes” to Him with all the powers of your soul. Second, reflect upon those whom our Lord wants you to invite on the journey. To whom is Jesus sending you to invite? Who, in your life, is open to His call? Who does Jesus want to draw to Himself through you? Imitate these Apostles as they said “Yes” to our Lord, even though they did not immediately understand all that this would entail. Say “Yes” today and be ready and willing to do whatever comes next on this glorious journey of faith. My dear Lord, I do say “Yes” to You this day. I hear You calling me, and I choose to respond with the utmost generosity and abandonment to Your holy and perfect will. Give me the courage and wisdom I need to hold nothing back from You and Your divine calling in my life. Jesus, I trust in You. catholic-daily-reflections.com

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:8–9 Reflect, today, upon the perfection of the authority of Christ. Do you believe that He can exercise His perfection of power in your life? Do you believe that His authority is what is needed to order your life, your family, our Church and even our world? Prayerfully submit yourself to the authority of Christ this day and allow yourself to become amazed as you witness all that He is able to do. All-powerful Father, I entrust to You my life and every situation in my life that needs Your power and control. Please bring order and harmony to my life and to the lives of those around me. May all Your children learn to more fully entrust themselves to You as their loving God. Jesus, I trust in You. catholic-daily-reflections.com

First Sunday of Advent. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122

First Sunday of Advent Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37–39 Reflect, today, upon how ready you are for the final coming of Christ at the end of time. Are you ready if Christ were to come today? If not, understand that a lack of preparedness for the final coming also means a lack of preparedness to celebrate His first coming at Christmas long ago, as well as His daily comings by grace. Prepare today. Do not wait. If you do, God will daily transform you in ways that are glorious beyond comprehension. My ever-present Lord, You come to us, day and night, calling to us, leading us and offering to enter our lives. Please help me to always be attentive to You and to always open my heart fully to Your daily coming by grace. Jesus, I trust in You. catholic-daily-reflections.com

More thanksgiving mass highlights

Thanksgiving Mass highlights

Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this season of giving thanks. Thank you for all the graces and blessings. Our food and shelter, our health, the loves we have for one another, our family and friends. In Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! Mahalo to your generosity once again in helping us deliver 100 thanksgiving meals to families served by Family Support Hawaii, Catholic Charities, and Lei 'Ohana Kupuna. We couldn't do it alone without you. Enjoy the photos below courtesy of Family Support Hawaii.

Each year, the faithful gather together as a community to give thanks to God on this national holiday. This is perhaps the most religious expression which can be shared by all in a country composed of many different religions. For us as Catholics, the fullest expression of thanksgiving is manifest in the Eucharist, which is celebrated daily in many of our parishes. On Thanksgiving day, we recognize that the Eucharist is the holy banquet that brings families together to recognize God's blessings.

Yesterday, St. Michael's community outreach distributed 100 turkey or ham meals to families being served by Family Support Hawaii, Catholic Charities, and Lei 'Ohana Kupuna Project. MAHALO for all the support through our parishioners' monetary donations. We asked for 80 meals, and you brought joy to 100 families throughout west Hawaii with a Thanksgiving meal. God bless you all.

Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Reflect, today, upon the invitation Jesus gives to us to live in perseverance. Oftentimes, when perseverance is needed the most, we do not feel like persevering. We may, instead, feel like lashing out, fighting back and being angry. But when difficult opportunities present themselves to us, we are able to live this Gospel in a way we could have never lived it if all things in our lives were easy and comfortable. Sometimes the greatest gift we can be given is that which is most difficult, because it fosters this virtue of perseverance. If you find yourself in such a situation today, turn your eyes to hope and see any persecution as a call to greater virtue. Lord, I offer You my crosses, hurts and persecution. I offer to You every way that I have been mistreated. For those small injustices, I beg for mercy. And when the hatred of others causes me much distress, I pray that I will be able to persevere in Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You. catholic-daily-reflections.com