January 2021

HCAP for February 1, 2021

MONDAY (February 1, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“And the LORD said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’” (Deuteronomy 18:17–20)

Meditation
God’s prophets spoke His words. False prophets were noted for teaching people to follow other gods, speaking what God had not commanded, and predicting things which did not come true. How are we lured by false prophets today? What other gods are we tempted to follow? Who alone has the Truth?

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Heavenly Father, bless Arden with faith in you and fervent love toward all those who cross his path this day. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 2, 2021

TUESDAY (February 2, 2021)
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:1–3)

Meditation
Knowledge is a fine thing, but it is not something that tends to connect people. Love builds up. Love is relationship talk. Most of us learned early on that God is love. And while it seems so simple, it is a profound reality. God is love. Nothing can change that love. Not our wayward wanderings, not our self-righteousness, not our pride, or selfishness. God does not change. His love for us is beyond comprehension. His love knows no boundaries. His love never runs dry. God deluges us with His love because that it who He is.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Jeff this week. Give him your grace and teach him to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.

Prayer for The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord
Almighty and ever-living God, as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 3, 2021

WEDNESDAY (February 3, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Corinthians 8:4–6)

Meditation
Jesus, the Creator of the world, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Contrary to popular belief, there is only one way to the Father, and that is through Jesus. There are many ideas, religions and philosophies out there, as there has been for centuries, but there is only one Truth, and that is Jesus. Through Jesus, with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we see the Father and come to Him.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Be with MaryAnne this day, O Lord, and show her your great love throughout all the days of her life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 4, 2021

THURSDAY (February 4, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” (1 Corinthians 8:7–13)

Meditation
Christians have great freedom in Christ. However, this does not mean we can do whatever we want, especially if our actions might affect someone who is still struggling with a particular sin or way of thinking. The greatest commandment is to love one another.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Show your grace to Bob this day, as he goes about the callings you have given to him. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 5, 2021

FRIDAY (February 5, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”” (Mark 1:21–25)

Meditation
Jesus has already encountered Satan in the wilderness, right after his baptism. And, now, as He begins his public ministry, the demonic appears again. What is interesting here is that the demons know who Jesus is and announce His presence as the Holy One of God. To be in the presence of holiness is intolerable to Satan.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Show your grace to Neveah this day, as she goes about the callings you have given to her. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 6, 2021

SATURDAY (February 6, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
““The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Reading
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.” (Mark 1:25–28)

Meditation
Jesus’ ministry is one of teaching, preaching and healing. It is fitting that St. Mark records his initial public ministry as teaching and casting out a demon. For the unclean spirits cannot stand in the presence of holiness, and this certainly gets everyone’s attention. Jesus speaks with authority, for He is holiness. He is the new temple. He is the Kingdom of God to which even the demons bow and submit.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
O Lord, in Holy Baptism you put your Name upon Susanna. Bless her now with the forgiveness of sins and a firm trust in you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 8, 2021

MONDAY (February 8, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Reading
“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:25–26)

Meditation
God is beyond compare. He, the Holy One is perfect and set apart. God, the Creator, placed each star in the sky and knows its place and name. There is no happenstance or randomness with God. He also knows our name, and our place, for He knew us before we were knit together in our mother’s womb. What comfort do these words give you?

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Heavenly Father, bless Katie with faith in you and fervent love toward all those who cross her path this day. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 7, 2021

SUNDAY (February 7, 2021)
The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Reading
“Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.” (Isaiah 40:21–24)

Meditation
God’s rule is divine, eternal, set forth before the foundations of the earth were laid. His authority is over all His creation, including His people. God’s greatness is beyond our comprehension, and yet He reveals Himself through His creation, and through the voices of the prophets, and ultimately through the flesh and blood of His only Son, Jesus.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Let your grace be upon Molly, O Lord, and teach her to hope in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week
O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for February 9, 2021

TUESDAY (February 9, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Reading
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:27–31)

Meditation
God is not fickle. While we faint, grow weary, become distracted and confused, while wandering in our own wilderness of choice, God is unchangeable. He is everlasting. God does not faint or grow tired of us, trying as we might be – to Him. His love sustains us. His strength uplifts us. His mercy comforts us. He is with us for the long haul.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Al this week. Give him your grace and teach him to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
O Lord, keep Your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

HCAP for January 30, 2021

SATURDAY (January 30, 2021)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” (Psalms 62:7)

Reading
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.” (Psalm 62:8–12)

Meditation
The things of this world—possessions, status, wealth—are fleeting and meaningless. They give no lasting comfort or security. But God is steadfast. He is our refuge. In Him alone we place our trust. God does not play favorites. His steadfast love is for all. He is the one to whom we can go, pouring out our hearts filled with anxieties, sorrows, desires and even gratitude. He is our refuge and sanctuary.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
O Lord, in Holy Baptism you put your Name upon Regina. Bless her now with the forgiveness of sins and a firm trust in you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer