​​For me, the Book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse of Saint John, has always been a bit of a mystery when it comes to Scripture reading. Just like the book of Genesis and the account of Creation, this other bookend of Scripture is just as alluring. First, we see the river of life-giving water and the trees of life flanking it, which hearkens back to Eden. This is the New Creation that is ushered in by the Resurrection of Christ. Bearing fruit twelve times, the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles called by the Lord, are symbolized by the life and nourishment given through them to the people of God. This is the place of serenity and perfection that was meant for mankind. When our first parents fell, we all incurred their debt to be repaid for that sin, but God in His infinite mercy paid back that debt on the Cross in our place. This is why it is so good and just for us to worship Him in thanksgiving for such an act. We do this every time we pray.


John writes of how His Name will be on the foreheads of the servants of God, and this is how we begin prayer. We were anointed and cleansed at Baptism with oil and water on our foreheads and we begin prayer with touching our hands to our foreheads in His Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This reading is the culmination of not only the liturgical year, but God willing, also the culmination of our own lives. Our Almighty God always had us in mind when making His covenants with His people. He thought of US in His public ministry, in His Passion, in His Death, in His Resurrection, and now through His Church.


​As we pray, let us recall this fact: God is always thinking of us. As we sign ourselves from our foreheads, let us focus our thoughts on Him who is always thinking of us, and let Him guide us to that perfect end to be with Him forever!

How can you remember to keep God at the forefront of your mind today?

How have you been thankful for the gift of life God has given you and the hope of heaven? How can you be more aware of that today and more thankful?

We can never fully thank God for what He has done for us, but how can we show that more today? How can your prayer and worship better express your thanks today?

"Thank you Jesus!"

"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

"I am yours, Lord."

In this time of Thanksgiving, take some time to remember all the God has done for you and has in store for you. Find a new way to be mindful of these things and thank Him. This can be through journaling, 5 minute prayers of thanksgiving, or any way that you find fitting to thank God. Try and make this a new daily habit.

During this time of year the Church seems to be out of sync with the rest of culture.

Just at the time of year when Macy's is playing Christmas music, streets are decorated with wreaths, and Starbucks has holiday cups...just at that time of year when people seem to be a little bit kinder to one another...that time of year when Peace and Joy and Hope seem to be the hallmarks of the holidays...just at that time of year, the Church has all these daily readings about the Final Days. Like, the final. Final Days. 

It's not because the Church doesn't get it. It's not because the Church likes to be some nay-saying, judgy, Church lady. It's because the Church - in her 2,000 years of Wisdom - knows that there's a time for peace and love and joy and hope and Starbucks. That'll be reflected in our daily readings in a few weeks. But, for right now, She reminds us that Jesus really will come again.

There really will be a judgment. We really will have to make an accounting. Did I do good or did I let good go undone? Did I look out for others or did I look out for me?

When it's all said and done, am I ready to stand before the Face of Jesus?

In the midst of this holiday season, having just had Thanksgiving and now preparing for Christmas, what are the main things you are focused on right now? What is taking up most of your energy?

When you hear these readings and are reminded of the final days, what sort of images does that bring up? What are you reminded of when you think of God in this way? 

When it's all said and done, do you feel like you'll be ready to stand before the Face of Jesus? What can you do today and during the next few days to live in a way that prepares you for that moment?

"The Kingdom of God is near."

"I long to see Your Face."

"Help me choose You today."

Today's reading reminds us that the Kingdom of God is near - take some time today to do something that would allow you to truly be ready if the Second Coming, the real end, were to be coming. We have no idea when that will happen, but do something today to help make sure your mind and heart are ready if He does come sooner than we might think.

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We all know the meaning of thanksgiving, but have we ever really thought about it? It's easy to see why our Church chose this Gospel passage to read for Thanksgiving day. 

These persons with leprosy were outcasts in society. If you had leprosy back then, you were seen as unclean and no one in the town would want to associate with you. So, when these people saw Jesus they immediately knew He wouldn't treat them like everyone else. They must have heard all of the rumors about Him, and decided to test their faith to see if they were true or not.

And true they were.

However, only one person realized he was clean. One man out of ten people. It's important not to gloss over the fact he was a Samaritan. This man understood the pain of separation. He knew to the depths of his being what it meant to be a social outcast. A Samaritan AND sick with leprosy? It affected him deeply that Jesus healed him from his sickness.

The words of Christ remind us how important it is to give thanks every day. It is the cornerstone of our salvation. Jesus says "go, your faith has saved you" to the man who thanked him for his healing. God bestows so many blessings on us every single day, but we have to open our eyes of faith to see them. If we are not grateful to God for our many blessings, then they are lost on us. Why would we want that? Shouldn't we want to praise the Lord for all of the good things He has done for us? Jesus didn't have to heal them, but He did anyway. Gratitude is crucial to our relationship with Him. 

Take some extra time today to especially remember the Holy Spirit's work in your life and be truly grateful! 

What are some gifts and blessings in your life that you have forgotten to thank God for?

Are there any people in your life who you have forgotten to thank and express gratitude towards? 

Is there anything keeping you from living a life of gratitude?

​In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Thank you, Lord."

"All that I am and all that I have is yours." 

"Open my eyes, Lord."

​In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with Lord bear fruit in you today?

Take time today to thank the Lord for the many blessings He has bestowed on you. Also, think of someone in your own life that you have not properly thanked or expressed your gratitude for. Take a moment today to let them know how grateful you are and how much you love them.

STOP. Before you read any further, watch this video. 

There are many things I admire most about St. Maximilian Kolbe, but something that has always struck me is his willingness to exchange his life for that of a condemned man. I think it is that part of me that longs to be remembered in history books for doing a great deed of heroism while on Earth. And I think “if I can just do that one thing, I will be forever remembered.” But here is the reality: Maximilian Kolbe didn’t just do ONE heroic act. He did hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of smaller heroic acts all throughout his life that trained him for the day that God would ask of him to do that ONE great act. 

Jesus’ Gospel message isn’t exactly one of hope for us; He tells us that we will be handed over, hated by all because of His name. He seems to crush us before building us up. And telling us not to prepare our defense isn’t exactly encouraging either. But this is precisely where He desires us to be: Powerless. Powerless in the face of those who believe they have power so that when the power of God is manifested, it is clear who truly is in control. You and I are called to be, as the first reading says, “those who had won the victory over the beast.” 

The victory is won by giving testimony. The Greek word used originally is martyrium. We translate it to mean martyr but in fact it can also mean “to give testimony” which is exactly what martyrdom does. In our own lives, this has to be done each and every day. We have to be willing to sacrifice something daily so that as we grow in the Spirit of God, we become more comfortable giving up larger things. What do these little sacrifices entail? Ordinary things: not taking the last piece of cake, letting someone go ahead of me in grocery line when I have thirty things and they have one, calling my folks from college once a week to let them know I am still alive, etc. These are little sacrifices that we can make which in the end prepare us for giving up control of our lives so that God can manifest His life in us. They aren’t things to be bragged about, but little secrets between you and God so that if the time comes where He brings you in front of rulers or in the case of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the prison guard, you are detached from this world and can freely exchange your life for another. Perhaps not with many words but with a life well lived and a true martyrium.

In what small ways am I called to sacrifice for others? 

Do I live my life as a testimony? Are others drawn to God by how I live?

Do I want to be remembered more than I want to bring others to Jesus?

"Many small acts."

"I choose martyrium."

​"To give testimony." 

Today, look for the small sacrifices you can make. Don't hog the mirror in the bathroom. Do the dishes without being asked. Take someone's plate for them. Use every moment to live your life as a testimony.