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Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the splendor of your glory may shine forth upon us and that, by the bright rays of the Holy Spirit, the light of your light may confirm the hearts of those born again by your grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:1-3

With boldness let us approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace as a timely help, alleluia. Heb 4:16

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Follow in Obedience: If God's ways are higher than mine, then I bow before Him in submission. The result of that attitude is true humility. Submission to the Father's will is the mark of genuine humility. And all of us could use a huge dose of that. How unusual to find a humble spirit in our day, especially among the competent, the highly intelligent, the successful. A message from Job 40:1–5.

Today, we celebrate ‘Our Lady, Help of Christians’. We call on her help when we pray the ‘Hail Mary’ and affirm ‘The Lord is with thee’ (Luke 1:28). At some basic level, Mary helps us to realize that this is true of our own lives too. Mary invites us to attend to her son’s presence with us. Like her we can ‘treasure’ our experience of Jesus (Luke 2:51). Let’s ask for the grace that one day we will be able to give thanks with her, declaring ‘the Mighty One has done great things for me’ (Luke 1:46-56).

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3 The Message). When you’re put in an impossible situation, your talent, logic, and education won’t solve your problem. Only God can. That’s why you pray and ask God for his supernatural help. God told Jeremiah, who lived at the same time as Daniel, “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3 The Message).

Jesus wants to share his power with us, and he does so through the Sacraments, beginning with Baptism. With his power he also gives us a share in his mission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Friendship with Jesus is also a commitment to teach others to share in the joy of knowing and loving him. Our relationship with Jesus broadens our horizons because we share in his life and in the life of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. The mission to make disciples of all nations might seem daunting, but God himself is on our side: “Behold, I am with you always.” So, our trust in the Lord widens the narrow horizon of our own self-seeking. We need to commit our ways to the Lord so that we can be loyal instruments of his mercy and love. We are called to fulfill his command to spread his message far and wide.

The apostle Paul once told Timothy that the problem with many people was they knew a lot of information—but they didn’t know what was most important. In fact, Jesus told the religious leaders, “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me!” (John 5:39 The Message)

Paul says that God’s message is available for all to receive and experience. He says that those who don’t see it are lost in the darkness of this world. Yet God’s light is able to cast out darkness and shine in our hearts. He compares those with the knowledge of God to clay pots to show that God alone has supreme power. 2 Corinthians 4:1-15

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:13

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. But other Jews were jealous. Acts 17:2-5a

You may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation. Luke 2:29–30

They decided to go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. Acts 15:1-6

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper who will be with you forever. That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you” John 14:16-17

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26

Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7