Fr. Kubicki 2 Minute Prayer Reflections

Father recommends people read the book of Esther, a story about a queen who saved her people by interceded to the king on their behalf. Father Kubicki reads a prayer from Queen Esther. As we enter more into Lent let us remember to keep prayer at the center.

Father Kubicki shares the story of Jonah and the whale. Jonah did not want to preach to the Ninevites because they were his enemies. Are there people in our life who we do not want to share God with because they have hurt us, and we see them as enemies?

Frederick Buechner is an author who as written many books around religion including some dictionaries, which serve as reflections on theology and biblical figures. Father Kubicki Shares some words from Frederick Buechner about Lent.

Today some parts of the world celebrate the feast of Saint Gabriel Possenti born in Assisi in 1838. Saint Gabriel is one of the patron saints of young people. It took him a long time to answer his vocation which shows us it is never too late to become holy.

Today in the Gospel we hear about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Jesus, who is God, was still tempted in his human nature. Father Kubicki explains what temptation is and offers some advice on how to deal with temptation in our lives.

On this first Saturday in Lent Father Kubicki reminds us that we are not only supposed to give up things, but we are also supposed to receive things. Let us use fasting to shape our hearts to be more like Mary’s who was able to receive God to the fullest.

Today is the first Friday of Lent, where we practice abstinence. Abstinence is the practice of not eating meat on this day to practice discipline with our bodies and show that we take seriously our repentance. Let us embrace spiritual food as we let go of physical food today.

Today is the feast of saint Polycarp a disciple of the Apostle John and spiritual father of Saint Irenaeus. Saint Polycarp was led away to be burned at the stake at the age of 86 because of his faith in Jesus. Let us also be witnesses to others of Jesus.  

Today we celebrate Ash Wednesday and receive ashes on our foreheads as both a sign of repentance and a reminder of death. This Lent we should take stalk of our lives and make sure that we let go of the things that get us off track from following Jesus.

Today is the feast of Saint Peter Damian, an orphan born about a thousand years ago who eventually became a Cardinal in the Church. Father reads some words from Saint Damian about how we can make sense of suffering in our lives.

Today, on President’s Day, Father Kubicki shares some words from George Washington, the first president of the United States. We must keep in mind the Christian foundation which must be intact for our country to stand.

Father Kubicki shares reflections on today’s readings where Jesus tells us to be perfect just as God is perfect. We are called to be perfect in our love and forgiveness. It is only through the grace of God that we can grow in perfection.

Father Kubicki reflects on some words from Pope Francis regarding today’s Gospel readings about the transfiguration. We must be people who listen to Jesus just as God says for us to do during today’s readings. Read the Gospel and listen to how Jesus is speaking to you.

Today is the feast of the founders of the order known as the servants of Mary or the Servites. Father Kubicki discusses the age-old sin of materialism, and how this order helped to combat it by living lives of poverty and self-denial.

Father reflects on today’s Gospel where Jesus asks His disciples “Who do you say that I am?” Father Kubicki invites us to answer this question for ourselves. In order to answer this question, we must be open in our prayer to God and his plan.  

Today is the feast of Saint Claude la Colombière, the spiritual director of Saint Margaret Mary, of whom Jesus revealed His sacred heart to. Father shares some words from Saint Claude la Colombière, about the Sacred Heart and Mary’s immaculate heart.

While the world is celebrating Valentine’s Day today, the Church honors saints Cyril and Methodius, two brothers who lived in 9th century and are patron saints of Europe. These brothers translated the Mass prayers into Slovak for the people in Europe.

Father Kubicki talks about words, “am I my brother’s keeper?” from the first reading in Mass today. We must fight the temptation to feel anger or jealousy towards others which can lead to treating them as less than human. We should see everyone as children of God.

The readings today challenge us to not be angry with others or look lustfully at people. Father Kubicki explains that even though this seems very strict, there is no room in the kingdom of heaven for people who treat others as objects.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This feast helps us remember that we have a loving mother in heaven. Father reads some words from Pope Benedict about Mary and how she smiles to us and through us so we can be springs of living water.

Today is the feast of Saint Scholastica, a name which means the learned one. She had a twin brother, Saint Benedict, who founded the Benedictine monasteries. Saint Scholastica founded the first group of Benedictine sisters.

Today Father Kubicki shares a story of a some of the first missionaries to arrive in the Americas. They wanted to share the word of God with the natives and even though they ended up giving their lives for that mission they stand as models for us to keep the faith in the United States today.

Today is the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a sister who was sold into slavery as a child and endured many hardships through her live. Today has been declared by the bishops to be the annual day of prayer for survivors and victims of human Trafficking.

Today is the anniversary of the death of the servant of God, Frank Parater, a seminarian who passed away at the age or 23 from rheumatic fever. Frank was an Eagle Scout who loved his troop and offered his life up for the conversions of non-Catholics in Virginia.

Today is the feast of the first martyrs of the Church in Japan. An eyewitness gave an account of their martyrdom, recounting the words they spoke and bravery they showed in the face of being hung on crosses and pierced with lances.