Every year, the Holy Father asks for our prayers for a specific intention each month. You are invited to answer the Holy Father's request and to join with many people worldwide in praying for these monthly intentions. During this month of January, Pope Leo's prayer intention is "For prayer with the Word of God."  He states... "Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church." (USCCB).

Is the word of God nourishment for your lives?  In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet says "When I found Your words, I devoured them; Your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16).  Are we devouring the Word of God?  Are we hungry for the scriptures in our lives?  When was the last time you went to a Bible study?  When was the last time you sat with the Word of God?  It is good to ask ourselves these questions from time to time.  Often we hunger for so many things in life that aren't of God.  What do you spend most of your time devouring?

This Sunday we celebrate Word of God Sunday, a special day that encourages us to deeper engagement with the Bible, which fosters a stronger relationship with Jesus.  Pope Francis founded it back in 2019 with the hope that it would encourage all of God's people to pray with the scripture using methods like Lectio Divina.  Pope Francis also hoped that we would study His Word and share the fruits of that study with others.  This month, let's take Pope Leo's prayer intention to heart and pray with the Word of God.  If we do this, the Word of God will nourish us as we are sent forth to build up the Body of Christ in the world.

Pray with His Word,
Fr. Jeremy

PS I am excited for Catholic Schools week to begin.  Make sure to take a moment and pray a Hail Mary that the Lord may continue to bless and build up our Catholic school community.  Thanks!