DAY 12

The Foundation Of Our Family
By Olga Montoya Valencia

First, let me say how much I have enjoyed everyone's reflections.  For me they have been heartwarming and very inspiring.  The first thing that resonates strong in me is "faith."  It was instilled in us by God and nourished and strengthened by our grandfather.  All of our lives have been deeply rooted in his faith.  I have always been amazed at the story of his life.  When I think of everything that he endured as a child and young man, I know that God chose him to be a disciple of His word and a cornerstone of our faith. 

I love the Lord with all my heart and soul and have had instances in my life when I knew without a doubt God was speaking to me.  An example would be the time when my sister became pregnant at the age of 36.  She was not in a happy relationship and this affected her to the point that she was depressed.  My mom and I were extremely worried about her and we prayed vigilantly. 

One night,  I was sound asleep and at three o'clock in the morning I was awakened by a voice that said, "The child will bring great joy."  I felt a great wave of comfort come over me and cried because I knew everything was going to be alright.  It was then that I knew God had spoken to me.  I called my mom at that hour and we both cried on the phone.  And so it came to pass that my nephew Ryan was born and he has brought us all great joy.  Just as important is the peace and joy that transpired in my sister.

There have been many times before and since this time that I have felt God's presence and experienced his grace.  Our family is so blessed that God loves us so much.  I'm so thankful to God and my Lord Jesus Christ. 

To all of you I send you my love,

Olga


My Prayer

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7

Readings
Friday January 1 2016

NUMBERS 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses: 
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: 
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
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!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, 
and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. May God bless us in his mercy.

GAL 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, 
to ransom those under the law, 
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons, 
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son, 
and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Alleluia HEB 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel LK 2:16-21


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.