Freedom is such an amazing word, but one that is so often misused and misunderstood. We like to look at freedom as the ability to do anything, and while that is somewhat true, we then are enslaved to the consequences of our choices. The only freedom that continues to create more freedom is love. True authentic love is the only choice that keeps us continually free. We cannot love without the freedom not to love, therefore, for love to be authentic and true, it requires and creates true freedom.

This is easier said than done though. I have yet to meet someone who loves perfectly all the time. Often times we choose to indulge in ourselves rather than love. When St. Paul talks about the flesh, he is not says that our physical bodies are bad and only our spirit is good. Rather he is talking about things such as lust, pride, drunkenness, laziness, etc. Paul is talking about sin and selfishness. When seek to fulfill desires that are not pure love (even if they are called "love"), then we are not using our freedom as God intended and are therefore hurting ourselves in one way or another. Love wills the good of the beloved, for the sake of the beloved. We call a lot of things love these days that simply aren't love: lust, jealousy, infatuation, attraction, respect, passion. And while love can have some elements of those at times, ultimately love isn't a feeling. Love is a choice. Love chooses what is best for the other person, not necessarily for me.

Freedom is a great gift, but also a great responsibility. We are not perfect, and that is okay. However, we do get a new chance to use our freedom to love or not in every moment. Everyday let's try to make one more moment a choice of true authentic love. Let's not waste this gift of freedom on sin anymore, but rather let's choose love.

What are some ways you have used your freedom to love?

What are some ways you have used your freedom to sin?

​How can you use your freedom to love more today?

"Thank You Jesus."

"Come Holy Spirit."

​"I Love You Lord."

At the end of the day today, reflect on the times you chose anything other that love. In that reflection, find ways you could have chosen love instead, and try to implement that slowly in your life.

Lately, I’ve been watching lots of action and adventure movies, particularly Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Marvel movies. And every time, without fail, I’m always convinced that all hope is lost, the world is destroyed, and we are all going to die. Overdramatic, I know, but I fall for it every time - hook, line, and sinker. But of course, in the end, someone always finds the missing piece to save to the universe just in the knick of time.

We read at the beginning of the story in today's reading that King Herod was harming members of the Church and even had James killed, which was said to be pleasing to the Jews, so then King Herod goes on to arrest Peter, intending to have him killed as well, in a few days time, to continue to win favor with the Jews. But then things do not quite go according to plan.

In this miraculous encounter with the angel of the Lord, who breaks Peter out of prison, we see the Lord setting in motion an incredible plan. I imagine leading up to this moment, the members of the Church were feeling pretty lost and scared once Peter was arrested. He was the leader of the Church, and he was about to be killed. Yet we read that they did not give up hope and continued to pray fervently for Peter in this time of need.

Similarly, in those moments of life where we see no wait out, the Lord is setting in motion an escape plan with an ending better than any superhero movie. We might seem to be waiting forever for our great rescue moment, but the Lord always shows up precisely at the right time. Peter’s life had a greater purpose. The Lord was saving Peter for even greater work, as we continue to read throughout the Acts of the Apostles.

Each of our lives is meant to be an offering to God until the moment He calls us home. St. Paul touches on this idea in his words to St. Timothy: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.” Your life has a greater purpose too, even if you don’t quite know what it is yet, and the Lord is going to do everything He can to help you get home safely to heaven.

​The story of our great rescue has already happened through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. You don’t have to wait for a hero to swoop in at the last minute. The Lord is already with you, waiting for you to reach out for his help, so he can continue to rescue you from sin and lead you to life with Him. He has sent your guardian angel to guide you and watch over you. God is continuing to write your great story, and the work He wants to do in your life is not done yet.

What are the areas of your life where things are currently difficult and you're being called to trust more deeply in God?

How have you seen God work in your life to bring you through situations you were facing?

In the story of your life, what chapter is God writing right now? What has God been doing recently, and how can you continue to let him do that work in and through you?

"You are Savior."

"Your plans are good."

"You are working in my life right now."

If you are a movie person, watch a good (wholesome and appropriate) move that tells a great story today. If you're more into books, spend some time with a good book. Whatever it is, spend some time with a great story and let it remind you that the story God is writing in your life is greater than anything ​you can read or watch.

​About three weeks ago I had the joy of marrying my beautiful wife, Becca. The day was absolutely incredible and filled with joy. We were surrounded by our family and friends, and people traveled from all over North America to celebrate with us. The Wedding Mass was beautifully celebrated, and the dance was one of the most exciting dances I can remember! The joy of people from every stage of our lives coming together was unforgettable. As we prepared to leave the wedding dance at the end of the night, two long lines formed on either side of us and my wife and I. With all of our loved ones making a tunnel through the dance floor we danced like we had never danced before towards the parking lot, and everybody clapped and cheered us on until we got to the exit. Anybody who has seen the old 70s TV show “Soul Train” knows exactly what I’m talking about. It was one of the most joyful moments of my entire life.

I was at a youth retreat once, and the speaker spoke about the sacrament of reconciliation in a way that made it sound exactly like the dance line described above. He said, “You might feel all alone as you wait in line for reconciliation, but I want you to imagine all the saints and angels lined up left and right of the confession line, cheering you on as you come to receive forgiveness.” 

It’s easy to feel alone, dejected, and ashamed when we know we have sinned. When you are in need of confession, the last thing we think about is how much joy it brings the Father to be reconciled with us. In fact, for many of us we might even make the mistake of thinking that the Father is judging us harshly, condemning us, or that we’re not good enough to be loved by Him. These are all lies and we can’t listen to them!

In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep and goes after the 1 that has strayed. But the shepherd is not angry or scornful, but rather he is joyful and celebrates finding the sheep! “Upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'”

How do you feel when you know you’ve sinned and you need reconciliation? Are you embarrassed and stuck in a vicious cycle of self-condemnation, isolation, and shame? Or on the other hand, do you picture the Father with outstretched arms longing to have you close to him once again, with all the saints and angels encouraging you and cheering you on?

Be not afraid! Jesus wants us to know the celebration that occurs in heaven each and every time we return to the Father with our whole hearts. There is nothing to be afraid of. You don’t need to delay the celebration for one more day; in this very moment in your heart you can place yourself in God’s presence and ask him to be with you this day and to give you his grace. What are you waiting for?

Are you delaying in being reconciled to the Lord for any reason?

What do you do to intentionally celebrate reconciliation between you and the Lord and for others?

​Are you afraid of what might happen when you return to the Lord?

"I'm sorry Lord."

"Lord have mercy."

"I love you Lord"

When was the last time you went to confession? Now's the perfect time! If it's been a while the make time this week, then celebrate with the party in Heaven!

​As a carpenter, Jesus certainly knew a thing or two about proper foundations. Let's take a second look at the parable from today's Gospel. Think about the "house" as your life:

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” (Matthew 7:24-27).

In life, there will be times when we feel like disaster has struck. The figurative rain is falling, the winds are buffeting, and the floods have arrived.

How can we prepare for life's disasters? I think a good way is to take some time today to look at our personal foundation. In Scripture and through the Church, God teaches us how to live a life with a strong foundation. Are we following God's Word and building our lives around it? 

Following God's Word will not prevent hardships and difficulty. Rather, God instructs us in Scripture so we can have strength in our trials from both a practical and spiritual perspective. 

God does not want our lives to fall in ruin. Jesus said he came so we can "have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Obeying his word is the fastest and surest way to achieve those results.

It's also important to remember that God is merciful and continuously seeking us (see today's Psalm). Even when we fall away and our weak foundation is failing, we can reach out to Him and find the mercy and love of our heavenly Father. 

What are the foundations of your life? How can you make your life more solidly rooted in God, His Word and His Church?

How do you react to hardship? Will you fall back on the sturdy rock of Christ or do you build your life on sand?

How strong is your spiritual life? In what aspects of your life do you need to ask for God's help in order to grow spiritually?

"You are a firm foundation."

"I will build my life upon your word and mercy."

"I love you, Lord."

Today, really think and pray about what you life is founded on. Is your identity based on how God sees you and what He tells us through Scripture, or is it founded on how other people see you? After a good look at what your life is centered on, ask God for His mercy and help so that you may have a life that is unshaken by hardship or struggles. 

Today's Prayer was prepared by Liam Brady, an accountant in Chicago.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.