We all need help to live day to day in this fallen world.

Keeping that in mind the Pauline Family devotes the first Thursday of each month to our Guardian Angel to “light and guard, rule and guide us”.

When we think about the times we might have gone astray only to be stopped from that error by a “little voice” or a “feeling” we realize that our Guardian Angel is helping us stay on the right path.

Our Father wants us to spend eternity with Him and freely gives us  the support we need to achieve our goal, but we must accept the gift.

The first Thursday is dedicated to the guardian angel: to know him; to be delivered from the wiles of the devil in spiritual and material dangers; to follow our angel in his concern and effort to lead us to heaven.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side to light and guard to rule and guide.  Amen.

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We don’t hear much about St Joseph and there is very little written in Scripture about him. When trying to understand a man who would devote his life to the care and raising of a child that was not his own I can only say that he Is a man of great faith.

When the angel visited him and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife he did not hesitate.

When he was visited again by the angel and told to take the Child and flee to Egypt he did not question.

How much better a life I could have if I reacted with faith to the challenges of my life as he did.

The Pauline family dedicates the first Wednesday of the month to St Joseph for these intentions: protection for the universal Church; assistance for each one of us and a good death for all those dying during the month; divine Providence in all our needs.

St Joseph, pray for us.

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We should always be prepared to meet our Lord. That means following the precepts of the Church, attending reconciliation regularly and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at every opportunity.

But what if death comes “like a thief in the night”? What if we’re walking across the street and are hit by a car or have a heart attack while watching TV? Would we be prepared?

I had that thought brought home to me tonight. While eating dinner I choked on, of all things a jalapeño pepper.

 I could still breathe but the pepper felt like it was caught in my right lung, burning so badly I can’t describe it.

I was finally able to cough it out and I sat for a few minutes regaining my composure.

The thought occurred to me that during my “incident” I didn’t one time think of God or ask for His help, why? I have always imagined that if I was in an accident I would just naturally say “My Jesus, mercy” so that my last thought on earth would be a prayer asking for His assistance as I die. But I didn’t.

I obviously can’t take for granted that Jesus name will be on my lips at that critical moment and so I’d better be prepared by making sure I follow the precepts of the Church, attending reconciliation regularly and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at every opportunity.

What about you?

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In today’s Gospel (Lk 4:16-30) we are reminded what happened when Jesus tried to teach in His own town.

He said ““Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”

We know that’s a fact. At times when we try to share the faith with others they glare at us as if we came from an alien planet.

They can’t believe that we actually know what, or Who, we’re talking about.

In Exodus 3:12- 4:18 of the Old Testament we are told when Moses was called he protested that he didn’t know how to speak or what to say.

God then appointed Aaron to accompany him.  Aaron being an eloquent speaker  was able to help Moses with the task God set before him.

Jesus gives us the knowledge and strength to complete His work .

We must be willing to take the first step no matter how difficult it may seem.

And like a child who is given assistance while learning to walk God will provide grace sufficient to cojmplete our appointed tasks. 

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