Mark:4:1-25 & Grace Before Meals Webblast

Gregory Mussmacher, I humbly pray that you continue to protect me from evil and those who work for knowing and unkowingly for the satan!!




Daily Reading & Meditation
Wednesday (1/28): "Those who hear the word and accept it, bear fruit a hundredfold"
Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil; 6 and when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." 9 And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 10 And when he was alone, those who were about him with the twelve asked him concerning the parables. 11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; 12 so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven." 13 And he said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown; when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word which is sown in them. 16 And these in like manner are the ones sown upon rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; 17 and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

Meditation: What does the parable about seeds and roots say to us about the kingdom of God? Any farmer will attest to the importance of good soil for supplying nutrients for growth. And how does a plant get the necessary food and water it needs except by its roots? The scriptures frequently use the image of fruit-bearing plants or trees to convey the principle of spiritual life and death. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8; see also Psalm 1:3)

Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to what he or she doesn't want to hear. Then there is the shallow hearer. He or she fails to think things out or think them through; they lack depth. They may initially respond with an emotional reaction; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else. Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word. Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. Do you hunger for God's word?

"Lord Jesus, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it".

Psalm 89:4-5, 27-29

4 `I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations.'" [Selah]
5 Let the heavens praise thy wonders, O LORD, thy faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
27 And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My steadfast love I will keep for him for ever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29 I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of the heavens.

Daily Reading & Meditation
Thursday (1/29): "The measure you give will be the measure you get"
Scripture: Mark 4:21-25

21 And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." 24 And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Meditation: What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom? Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.

Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek this truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?

"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed."

Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14

1 Remember, O LORD, in David's favor, all the hardships he endured;
2 how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 "I will not enter my house or get into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."
11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies which I shall teach them, their sons also for ever shall sit upon your throne."
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation:
14 "This is my resting place for ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.



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(c) 2009 Don Schwager





Street Talking

Last week’s March for Life was an incredible postlude to the Presidential Inauguration. The March for Life continued the tradition of the Civil Rights marches. I just wish the rest of the country would see that rights should be afforded to all people starting at conception in their mother’s womb.




For me, the March for Life is always bittersweet. It’s an incredible time to join with thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of people who joyfully and prayerfully are witness to the sanctity of human life. Quite frankly, the people make it lots of fun.




Sadly, the reason so many have congregated in front of the Supreme Court every year, for the past 36 years, is because the American government, especially the current President, ferociously promotes the legality of abortion to the point of making it seem morally acceptable.

On the day after the March for Life, President Obama kept his shameful promise and lifted an abortion ban in order to use American tax payer money to pay for abortions in other countries. Couldn’t taxpayer money be used for something less divisive? Our money could be put to good use by supporting families or feeding the poor.




Is this debate a political or moral concern? And how does this current President’s horrible decision affect our Grace Before Meals family? I feel it’s an important responsibility to inform our family of some of the dangerous anti-life agenda of our current president.

The incredible number of people who march every year should tell the president that his decision to support infanticide and abortion hurts our Grace Before Meals family very much. Unfortunately the media outlets are consistently silent about this annual gathering. Politicians don’t even show up for work on the day of the march because they know pro-lifers will visit them at their Senate offices. It seems the only way to communicate with this administration is to use “street talk.” We must let our feet do the talking. That’s why we hit the streets with signs, songs, and prayers each year. This picture was taken in the Verizon Center, where 26,000 people packed the place for the Mass prior to the March for Life.



During the march, I conducted recorded interviews and provided some commentary for a new group called LifeHQ.org. Please visit and register with them to get more information on how we can walk the talk every day of the year.

Throughout the day, many people stopped me to voice their appreciation for Grace Before Meals. Some recognized me from my regular Friday appearances on the Sirius and XM radio show “Catholics Next Door.” Several others stopped to thank us for the good work we’re doing to support families. Everyone I met was in agreement about our need to transform culture. The best way to support family life is to uphold the dignity of human life, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Some of the camera crew and producers were astounded to see so many people come out for this annual event. Even though they are media savvy, they admitted they never heard anything in the news about this popular, positive event. And, when they do hear about the March for Life, the news portrays participants as extremists. That’s hardly the case. This is one of the most peaceful, joyful, and prayerful protests in this country. In fact, each march begins with prayer the night before.



If we don’t tell the message in a beautiful and convincing way, the media will either tell it for us with all their bias, or they will choose to ignore the story for fear that it doesn’t fit with their imbalanced agenda. We can’t restrict the pro-life message to prayerful thoughts. It requires action. We need to take this message out on the streets, just like the Civil Rights Movement.



I’m not suggesting we patrol the streets in bully-like fashion. I’m suggesting that we walk the talk. If we really care about families, then we need to make sure we care enough to take a day to commemorate where families begin: in the womb. Be sure and come to March for Life 2010.

Last Tuesday, President Obama’s Inauguration drew almost record-breaking crowds of people. World Youth Day in the Philippines a few years ago trumps that number by more than double. There are more pro-lifers than pro-abortionists (they are incorrectly called pro-choice). If they all came to America for our March for Life, we would show the world that we’re walking the talk. We need to make sure our Grace Before Meals family learns language the press and politicians understand. If the March for Life continues to grow to record numbers (and believe me we were at least 100,000 strong this year), I know our public servants will listen to our “street talk.”



Street Food

Street talk requires street smarts, and street smarts can lead to great street food. If you want great local flavors take a trip to New York City. While on the March for Life, I briefly ran into Mike Campo, one of the producers with Grassroots Films.



It made me think of some of the great foods I have whenever I’m in New York.



I don’t go to big expensive places. Instead, I usually sample the local flavors of Chinatown or Little Italy in their small neighborhood restaurants.



When I was in Hawaii this past December, I stopped by a booth selling traditional Korean barbecue called Galbi Pork Ribs. This isn’t your ordinary street food! Click here for the recipe



Prayer for Life & Our Public Servants

Make your prayer heard from the rooftops and on the streets. Write your local politicians and tell them to throw out the proposed FOCA law. It’s a horrible law that literally kills babies who survived an abortion. We need our senators to create laws that protect life – not destroy it. This law states that even though the baby is delivered (out of their mother’s womb) and fully alive, hospitals and abortion clinics are allowed to commit infanticide. Your prayers and support are needed. Let your politicians know what’s in your heart. Don’t be afraid to let your “street talk” be heard!

Let us Pray: Father in Heaven, help our public leaders understand the first right we have as humans is the right to life. Change the hearts and minds of our elected leaders, as well as all those who vote for pro-abortion candidates – either with or without fully understanding all of the moral implications of their laws. May our prayers be taken to the streets so that we can truly bless our world with families who welcome from the womb to the arms of loving parents. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.



Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.
Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.Sphere: Related Content

Mary of Bethany

Gregory Mussmacher, Lord bless me this day and bless my family, friends and the people who wish to do me harm. Please forgive those who unkowingly spread lies and punish those who do it with the knowledge of what they do!!


Mary of Bethany

by Jeanne Kun

Reflecting on the Word
She was a simple first-century woman from a negligible village in a country overshadowed by the Roman Empire, yet the memory of Mary of Bethany has endured through two millennia. Her fame is widespread, even though relatively little is known about her life. The evangelists tell nothing of her birth, family background, or social standing. However, the descriptions they so vividly paint of her encounters with Jesus give us a truer picture of her than we would gain from an entry in Who’s Who? In each of the gospel stories about Mary of Bethany, we see her in the same place – at the Lord’s feet.

The Good Portion. Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus (John 11:5). Their home was a haven where he found rest and refreshment in its loving atmosphere. During the last days of his life when Jesus taught daily in the Temple, he withdrew at night to Bethany (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11) – most probably to the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Hospitality is regarded very highly in the culture of the Middle East, so it’s natural that Martha wanted to serve Jesus well. She loved Jesus deeply, and expressed this love concretely by preparing him a fine meal. However, Martha was an anxious, busy hostess, so occupied with cooking that she couldn’t take the time to sit down with her guest. Jesus appreciated Martha’s loving care, but urged her to relax and enjoy his company.

When Martha indignantly asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” (Luke 10:40), she showed a self-concern that robbed her of the ability to appreciate the precious gift of the moment – fellowship with Jesus. In her complaint we find the same Greek verb, melei, that the disciples used in their accusation of Jesus during the storm at sea: “Do you not care if we perish?” (Mark 4:38). Jesus responded the same way to both upheavals: He calmed the troubled hearts and storms that swept around him. Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Martha – ”You are anxious and troubled about many things” – was meant to help her recognize how senseless and unnecessary her anxieties were. Only one thing is needed (Luke 10:41-42).

Unlike Martha, Mary was wholly present to Jesus, wholly there for him. She stayed near to him, not wasting any of the brief moments he spent in their house. She simply sat still at Jesus’ feet and listened to his conversation. She didn’t want to miss a single word he spoke. She had indeed chosen the “good portion” (Luke 10:42). Mother Basilea Schlink, founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, described Mary well:

In Bethany Jesus found open hearts that loved him and eagerly awaited him at all times. Mary laid all else aside; it was of secondary importance to her. When Jesus came, she hastened to him and devoted herself fully to him. She was completely captivated by Jesus. She had eyes and ears for him alone, for him whom her soul loved. To love Jesus, to hear words of eternal life from his lips meant everything to her. (The Holy Places Today)
Mary’s vision was focused on Jesus as she sat at his feet. There, so close to him, she became sensitive to what was on his heart.
We may feel sorry for Martha, left to fix the dinner alone, and resent Mary’s “portion.” But rather than seeing the two postures as mutually exclusive, might we not find in Martha and Mary complementary aspects of the call given to all followers of Christ? Balancing action and contemplation in a creative tension in our own lives, we dynamically express our love for Jesus through both.

The Anointing. Matthew and Mark place the anointing at a dinner held in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, and the woman is unnamed (Matthew 26:6-7; Mark 14:3). John identifies her as Mary, and makes note of Martha’s and Lazarus’ presence at the meal – perhaps a celebration of Lazarus’ resurrection. The fourth evangelist does not specifically say that the dinner was held in their house, but since he tells us that Martha was serving (again), we can make that assumption (John 12:1-2).

In Jesus’ day, it was customary to honor guests by offering them scented water and washing their feet. Mary carried out this service with special refinement, lavishly anointing Jesus with fragrant nard. Unconcerned about what the other guests might think of her, she cared only for her master and uninhibitedly expressed her love for him.

The ointment Mary used to anoint Jesus was the aromatic essence of spikenard. The hairy stem of this small plant gives off a rich, sweet-smelling fragrance. Oil pressed from spikenard was used to make perfume, so it became an important trade item in the ancient world, transported on camelback from the Himalayan Mountains, where it grew, to merchants in the Mediterranean world. Thus, essence of spikenard was quite expensive – Mary’s perfume was worth three hundred denarii. With a laborer’s pay being a denarius a day at that time, it cost the equivalent of almost a year’s wages. Mary’s offering was indeed a generous one!

Mark adds the detail that the perfume was held in an alabaster jar (Mark 14:3). Alabaster, a fine, white or translucent variety of gypsum or calcite, is used for carving ornamental objects such as vases and flasks. Mary broke the neck of her exquisite vessel to allow the last drop of perfume to flow out. The flask was to serve no one else and no other purpose – Jesus was worthy of everything.

Mary’s deed shows us some beautiful truths: Love never calculates, but wants to give the utmost. Though prudence might caution that this gesture was an extravagant waste, love obeys the promptings of the heart. A gift is truly a gift when it is accompanied by sacrifice.

All the evangelists noted that the apostles were indignant at Mary’s extravagance. While their thought that the poor could have been better served by this money was well-intended (Matthew 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5; John 12:4-5), their complaint against Mary shows that they missed the point of her symbolic action. Jesus himself interpreted Mary’s “beautiful” deed to them, explaining that the anointing was a preparation for his burial (Matthew 26:10, 12; Mark 14:6, 8). At Jesus’ birth the Magi had presented the gift of myrrh (Matthew 2:11) commonly used when wrapping a body in the burial shroud, which foreshadowed Jesus’ death. Now Jesus attached the same significance to Mary’s deed of anointing him with pure nard.

Mary’s gesture was spontaneous, probably done on the spur of the moment, yet it grew out of a long-practiced attentiveness to Jesus. The apostles had not understood when Jesus spoke directly to them about his impending passion (Luke 18:31-34). But perhaps Mary, with her fine sensitivity, sensed that he was troubled by the trials through which he was soon to pass and thus sought to comfort him with this loving favor.

Little did Mary imagine as she knelt at the feet of Jesus, anointing them and wiping them with her hair, that her action would become famous and her name known for generations to come. Her sole thought was to show the Lord how much she loved him. Treasuring her love, Jesus honored Mary and promised that “wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13; Mark 14:9). In the spreading of the story of Mary’s beautiful deed throughout the whole world – prefigured by the spreading of the sweet fragrance of the perfume throughout the house (John 12:3) – Jesus’ prophecy has indeed been richly fulfilled:

Wherever in the world you may go, everyone respectfully listens to the story of her good service. . . . And yet hers was not an extraordinary deed, nor was she a distinguished person, nor was there a large audience, nor was the place one where she could easily be seen. She made no entrance onto a theater stage to perform her service but did her good deed in a private house. Nevertheless . . . today she is more illustrious than any king or queen; no passage of years has buried in oblivion this service she performed. (St. John Chrysostom, Adversus Iudaeos, V, 2)
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The Scene

Luke 10:38-42
10:38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”


Mary annoints Jesus' feet

The Scene

Mark 14:3-9
14:3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the jar and poured it over his head. 4 But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment thus wasted? 5 For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” And they reproached her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
The Scene

Mark 14:3-9
14:3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the jar and poured it over his head. 4 But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment thus wasted? 5 For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” And they reproached her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
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Daily Reading & Meditation
Tuesday (1/27): "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother"
Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

31 And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Meditation: Who do you love and cherish the most? God did not intend for us to be alone, but to be with others. He gives us many opportunities for developing relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Why did Jesus, on this occasion, seem to ignore his own relatives when they pressed to see him? His love and respect for his mother and his relatives was unquestionable. Jesus never lost an opportunity to teach his disciples a spiritual lesson and truth about the kingdom of God. On this occasion when many gathered to hear Jesus he pointed to another higher reality of relationships, namely our relationship with God and with those who belong to God.

What is the essence of being a Christian? It is certainly more than doctrine, precepts, and commandments. It is first and foremost a relationship – a relationship of trust, affection, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, mercy, helpfulness, encouragement, support, strength, protection, and so many other qualities that bind people together in mutual love and unity. God offers us the greatest of relationships – union of heart, mind, and spirit with himself, the very author and source of love (1 John 4:8,16). God's love never fails, never forgets, never compromises, never lies, never lets us down nor disappoints us. His love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional, and unstopable. Nothing can deter him from ever leaving us, ignoring us, or treating us unkindly. He will love us no matter what. It is his nature to love. That is why he created us – to be united with him and to share in his love and unity of persons (1 John 3:1). God is a trinity of persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and a community of love. That is why Jesus challenged his followers and even his own earthly relatives to recognize that God is the true source of all relationships. God wants all of our relationships to be rooted in his love.

Jesus is God's love incarnate – God's love made visible in human flesh (1 John 4:9-10). That is why Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep and the shepherd who seeks out the sheep who have strayed and lost their way. God is like the father who yearns for his prodigal son to return home and then throws a great party for his son when he has a change of heart and comes back (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus offered up his life on the cross for our sake, so that we could be forgiven and restored to unity and friendship with God. It is through Jesus that we become the adopted children of God – his own sons and daughters. That is why Jesus told his disciples that they would have many new friends and family relationships in his kingdom. Whoever does the will of God is a friend of God and a member of his family – his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ.

An early Christian martyr once said that "a Christian's only relatives are the saints" – namely those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ and who live as his disciples enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all of our relationships and requires a new order of loyalty to God first and to his kingdom of righteousness and peace. Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to love freely and generously as he loves.

"Heavenly Father, you are the source of all true friendship and love. In all my relationships, may your love be my constant guide for choosing what is good and for rejecting what is contrary to your will."

Psalm 24:7-10

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! [Selah]



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Mark 3:22-30, "The Time Has Come" MLK Day, & Who Speaks For God?

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Mark 3:13-19

Gregory Mussmacher, Jesus thank You for this day, and help me be the person You intended me to be. Please keep me safe from harm and all evil and take away my anxieties!

Daily Reading & Meditation

Friday (1/23): "Jesus appointed twelve to be with him"

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19

13 And he went up on the mountain, and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. 4 And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons: 16 Simon whom he surnamed Peter; 17 James the son of Zeb'edee and John the brother of James, whom he surnamed Bo-aner'ges, that is, sons of thunder; 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home.

Meditation: What is God's call on your life? When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men for the task of preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick in the power of that kingdom. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."

Psalm 85:8-14

8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.



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Inaugurating a New Movement for Life & Mark 3:7-12

Gregory Mussmacher, Jesus You are perfect in everyway and Your universal plan is also perfect in everyway, please help me to see what Your plan for me is and guide me to do whatever that may be!!

Daily Reading & Meditation

Thursday (1/22): "All who had diseases pressed upon Jesus to touch him"

Scripture: Mark 3:7-12

7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idume'a and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon a great multitude, hearing all that he did, came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they should crush him; 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

Meditation: Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself unreservedly to God? Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out. Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard all the things he did. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Even demons trembled in the presence of Jesus and acknowledged his true identity: You are the Son of God. When you hear God's word and consider all that Jesus did, how do you respond? With doubt or with expectant faith? With skepticism or with confident expectation? Ask the Lord the increase your faith in his saving power and grace.

"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Set me free from all that hinders me from drawing closer to you."

Psalm 56:2-3, 9-14

2 My enemies trample upon me all day long, for many fight against me proudly.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee.
9 Then my enemies will be turned back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust without a fear. What can man do to me?
12 My vows to thee I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, yea, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.



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(c) 2009 Don Schwager



Inaugurating a New Movement for Life

Some of the major moments of this week are strangely tied together. These events should be unified if America truly hopes to stay united. How providential that our Catholic Faith celebrates a week of Christian unity.


Picture of some of my classmates at our 10 year reunion. Despite our many differences, we are still one in faith.

As Americans celebrate the historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama – a real testament to the greatness of the Civil Rights Movement and the inclusive spirit of our democracy – another group of Americans will celebrate the 36th annual March for Life, the movement for true understanding of our responsibility to protect our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These historic moments are intimately related, requiring our country and our world to pray as one human family.


Young people at the WYD '08 in Sydney, coming together as a family.

Since I write these weekly messages a few days before they are published, I can’t predict what will happen at any of these events. I only pray that all goes smoothly. I also beg the good Lord that the true spirit that makes America the United States will bring people together to inaugurate a new movement; not just a new presidency, but a renewed movement to see the dignity and sanctity of human life. And, what is that true spirit? It is, of course, the Holy Spirit, our Lord and giver of life.


This is the view of the main altar. See the Holy Spirit above?

By now, you know my position on our nation’s laws and how I will always side with upholding and maintaining the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. Why? Without a firm position on what makes life sacred, society can be easily influenced to believe just about anything that may harm and degrade humanity. The tyranny of relativism is dangerous, and it has affected our politicians who claim to be believers. Looking at our lawmakers, it’s easy to see how their relativistic and utilitarian mentality makes them believe that life is only worth protecting and saving if it’s useful. That’s why children, especially unborn children, are threatened by a culture that may not see their potential in a mother’s womb.

I thank God that President Obama’s mother saw the potential of her child. Despite the challenges that the young Obama must have faced growing up (especially as a biracial child) he had an extremely supportive mother and grandparents. His success is the fruit of a loving family. Without families coming together to promote the dignity of every human life, our dreams for hope or change remain political rhetoric.

In this week packed with so many fruits of the Holy Spirit, we cannot forget to be thankful for all the ways that God has blessed our world. Even though I completely disagree with the current President’s promise to give more leeway for abortions, I still thank God the nation stayed together (and surprisingly peaceful) after such contentious elections. I now pray that President Obama can see Thursday’s gathering of Americans significant and worth listening to, as the pro-life movement is such a young movement.



The recent death of Fr. Richard Neuhaus reminds me of how powerfully he allowed the Civil Rights Movement to change his life. He realized that human rights are not limited to social or racial activism. In order to be truly socially just and to afford equal rights to all, we must pay close attention to human life. Fr. Neuhaus said it best: the pro-life movement is the natural extension of the Civil Rights Movement. Interestingly enough, Dr. King’s dream is not yet realized, even with an African American president, until we see the dignity of every human life. If you don’t believe me, just listen to what Dr. King’s niece, Alveda King, has to say about it. She now works with Priest for Life to show how the pro-life movement is not a political group, but a group of true Americans.



Our Grace Before Meals family recognizes that our American family must see the connection between Tuesday’s Inauguration, Thursday’s March for Life, and this week’s prayer for Christian unity.



The only way we can have true hope is if we change this culture of death into a culture that is truly pro-life.

Can our country come together as truly united states that protect the dignity of life from conception to natural death? Yes, we can.



An Unlikely Combination – Beef Stew-styled Crab Soup

Somehow strange combinations seem to work. If the Inauguration crowd joined the March for Life, that would be a strange combination. But, it would really work because they share the dignity of life as their base.


Me hanging out with young people at youth rallies. Despite our major differences of culture, music, and dress, we have one thing in common:
Our love for God!

The same is true for a very simple recipe. Obviously fresh ingredients are always better than canned, but I think I came up with a real winner. This strange combination works because of the soup’s great broth base. It’s crab soup made out of canned beef stew.

This warm soup would definitely be a crowd pleaser for all those who gather in freezing temperatures this week to celebrate and march for change.

Click here for the stuffed chicken recipe



Inaugurating Life in the Spirit of Unity

This prayer comes from the opening prayer for Christian unity that we pray at Mass.

Almighty and eternal God, You keep together those You have united. Look kindly on all who follow Jesus, Your Son. We are all consecrated to You by our common baptism; make us one in the fullness of faith and keep us one in the fellowship of love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit; one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Ask Fr. Leo for fatherly advice.
Any submissions may be used in future Grace Before Meals publications.Sphere: Related Content

Mark 2:23-28 & Mark 3:1-6

Gregory Mussmacher, thank You for this day and I pray that I walk the path that you have layed before me courageously!!


Daily Reading & Meditation

Wednesday (1/21): "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm?"

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here." 4 And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Hero'di-ans against him, how to destroy him.

Meditation: What is God's intention for the commandment, keep holy the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)? The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Luke records that Jesus knew their thoughts. They were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God. Jesus shows their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life.

Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day, to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation he accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection. Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us. Such "rest" however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Do you honor the Lord in the way you celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day and in the way you treat you neighbor?

"Lord Jesus, in your victory over sin and death on the cross and in your resurrection you give us the assurance of sharing in the eternal rest of heaven. Transform my heart with your love that I may freely serve my neighbor for his good and find joy and refreshment in the celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day."

Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10

1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;
2 my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under him.
9 I will sing a new song to thee, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to thee,
10 who givest victory to kings, who rescuest David thy servant.



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(c) 2009 Don Schwager
Daily Reading & Meditation

Tuesday (1/20): "The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath"

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, when Abi'athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; 28 so the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath."


Meditation: What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom.

When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahim'elech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord’s Day?

"Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor."

Psalm 111:1-2,4-5,9-10

1 Prasie the LORD. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!



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(c) 2009 Don SchwagerSphere: Related Content

My Wonderful Family

Gregory Mussmacher, Dear Jesus thank You for my wonderful family,Andrea, Matthew, Marissa, and Madelynn and continue to bless them and protect them!!!



























































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