Reflection Starter from J. R. R. Tolkien

"It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish." - J. R. R. Tolkien (whose birthday is today, 3 January)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: "Christmas Canon"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra presenting "Christmas Canon":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of each person You have placed in our lives.

Julie Machado on God Using Us More Than We Think

". . . I've written before about how small details that others had no idea would impact me so much did, in fact, touch me profoundly. A mint someone gave me in high school and capri pants a youth group leader wore were tiny details they definitely could not add to their 'holy resumé' and weren't even conscious 'ministry tactics'. Yet these small signs revealed a few their beautiful souls, their focus and drive for the Lord's work. God weaved these details into the big tapestry of His love for me in my life.

"So also God uses us, things we wear, things we say, things we do, more than we think. . . .

"Are you unsure if something that touched you, stayed in your memory, evoked a special feeling was from God? It probably was. God uses all people, all circumstances, all instruments to speak to us, to pursue us and to weave His love story in our lives."

In a recent commentary, writer Julie Machado reflected on the many ways in which God uses each of us each day.

To access her complete post, please visit:

Catholic Stand: God Uses You More Than You Think (11 DEC 18)

Reflection Starter from Alfred Lord Tennyson

"I am a part of all that I have met." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

On Things Members of Gen Z May Not Understand

"Listen up, Gen Z.

"For whatever reason, people tend to confuse you with millennials. Now, we all know that's ridiculous.

"Sure, the term 'millennial' does happen to cover a pretty wide swath of people (generally, it refers to people born between 1981 and 1996), but millennials are not the ones eating Tide pods, dabbing, or flipping water bottles. That's Generation Z.

"There are many things the people of Gen Z don't understand which are second nature to millennials."

In a recent commentary, writer Abi Travis offered a look at a number of items with which persons in the Gen Z group may not be aware (including pay phones, videotapes, fancy cars with wood paneling and blue fabric interior, and newspaper movie listings).

To access Ms. Travis' complete post, please visit:

22 Words: Things Millennials May Have to Explain to Anyone Born After 1996

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for January

The Holy Father's prayer intention for January is:

(Young People and the Example of Mary): "That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world."

"Mary, Did You Know?"

As we continue our Christmas celebration, I offer this version of Mark Lowry, Guy Penrod, and David Phelps presenting "Mary, Did You Know?":

Editor's note: This song was written by Mark. Apparently he wrote the words in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write the program for a living Christmas tree choir presentation. The way I understand it, while he was working on the project, Mark reflected on what it would have been like to have been Jesus' mother. (The music was written by Buddy Greene many years later.)

Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Today the Church celebrates the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The assigned readings are Numbers 6:22-27, Galatians 4:4-7, and Luke 2:16-21. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 67 (Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 67 – May God bless us in his mercy

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflections related to these readings and this feast day:

Msgr. Charles Pope: The Rich Tapestry Faith On New Years Day (31 DEC 18)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2019)

The Deacon's Bench: Resolutions: Homily for January 1, 2019, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (31 DEC 18)

Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: Mary, the Mother of God?

The Sacred Page: Mary, Mother of God (31 DEC 18) 

Spirituality of the Readings: Calm (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God)

In Exile: The Mother Tongue (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Mary Mother of God (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God)

The Word Engaged: First the Savor, Then the Sending (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Chrysostom (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings You have waiting for us as we live this new year.

Sherry Antonetti on Ways to Begin the New Year with a New Spirit

"Every year, we pick a theme which we hope will be a reminder throughout the year in our prayer lives. Some have proven themselves memorable, like 'March on, God will provide.' Honestly, it happened. We'd outgrown our house, we would discover we'd be expecting our eighth. The state took our home and gave us a place big enough to house our whole family even when it expanded to ten. Another year, we picked 'Be not afraid,' and yes, we spent the year growing in courage, as we learned our ninth would have Down syndrome and need open heart surgery. When we've remembered our themes, they've stuck and resonated and helped cultivate our faith lives. . . .

"I’d love to say I'm consistent in my prayer habits or New Year's traditions, but I'm not. However, I've found both disciplines when applied, fruitful both in the physical and spiritual realm of growth. What I have learned, is adopt something new, whether a prayer discipline or a patron saint and expect things to happen. It can be anything, but if you're feeling brain drained by the holidays, here are a few I've sampled over the years and a few I know friends adopted which would bear good spiritual fruit."

In a recent commentary, writer Sherry Antonetti reflected on some ways to enter into the new year with a new spirit (including reading/reflecting on the readings of the day; joining a prayer group, volunteer service, or a bible study; and visiting a local adoration chapel).

To access Ms. Antonetti's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Sherry Antonetti: 5 Ways to Begin the New Year with a New Spirit (1 JAN 19)

Reflection Starter from the Book of Numbers

"The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!" - Numbers 6:24-26