WEDNESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life. JN 8:12

ACTS 12:24-13:5 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The Gospel has power to recreate the world and all that is in it beginning with us, making us children of God and heirs with You to the Kingdom. 

We see from the Acts of the Apostle that with the aid of the Holy Spirit and with our will conformed to Yours the Kingdom of God descends among His children, those who believe in Him and believe that He sent You into the world not to condemn it but to redeem it.

The Apostles chose from among the first believers men on fire with the love of God and the Holy Spirit and zealous for souls. The early Church did nothing without prayer, and fasting, and listening to the Holy Spirit, and being led by Him,  this is why they were able to do all the things that You did, but even greater things, just as You assured them they would. People from all walks of life joined the number of believers and the Church began to grow and flourish. She chose, anointed, appointed, and sent Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul as prophets and teachers. 

If we desire to work in Your vineyard we must first discern God's will by much prayer and fasting. We must be attentive and submissive to the Holy Spirit, trusting You to make provision for all our needs just as the early Church did. We too are entrusted with the same mission as the first disciples to go out into the world and set it ablaze with the fire of divine love. 

PSALM 66(67):2-3,5-6,8 ©

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.

Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

TUESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me. JN 10:27

ACTS 11:19-26 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Often we are discouraged when faced with difficulties, when things don't turn out the way we had hoped and planned but when we trust You we can be certain that You can and will bring good out of the most unfavorable circumstances of our lives. Persecution of the early Church forced the disciples to flee Jerusalem but they carried the Good News with them and they preached it wherever they went first to the Jews and then boldly even to Gentiles.

What seemed like a tragedy and defeat was in fact a victory for in fleeing the persecution it was possible to carry out the mission You entrusted to Your followers to the ends of the earth. When we do as You command, when we obey Your Word, when we do You will in all things, even though it may seem that nothing has changed, the truth is that everything changes when we submit humbly to the will and plan of God.

No one can stop what God has ordained not men, not the world, and not the devil. Let this encourage us Lord. When facing discrimination, and persecution, when people make false accusations against Your people and Your Church let us not lose heart for through it all the Holy Spirit is at work to fulfill the will of God and the plan of God. 

PSALM 86(87) ©

On the holy mountain is his city
cherished by the Lord.
The Lord prefers the gates of Zion
to all Jacob’s dwellings.
Of you are told glorious things,
O city of God!

‘Babylon and Egypt I will count
among those who know me;
Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia,
these will be her children
and Zion shall be called “Mother”
for all shall be her children.’

It is he, the Lord Most High,
who gives each his place.
In his register of peoples he writes:
‘These are her children,’
and while they dance they will sing:
‘In you all find their home.’

O praise the Lord, all you nations!

JOHN 10:22-30 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

There are many O Lord like the Jews who gathered around You while You were walking in the Portico of Solomon who even after having heard You preach and teach and witnessed many miracles still demanded: ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ To this day many who have heard the Gospel and have heard of amazing testimonies of those who witness to the power of Your Name and Your Word, refuse to believe, if they did they would have to change their lives, follow You, and become disciples. But they are too attached to the things of the world, the desires of the flesh, and are readily deceived by the lies of the Enemy.

All that the Father has to say to the world He has said through Your incarnation, life, passion, death, resurrection, and glorious resurrection into Heaven. There is nothing more to say. It is now up to us to decide whether or not we will take God at His Word and believe. Thank You, Lord, for Your assurance that no one can steal what is Yours. Having been baptized into Your Body, and sealed in the Holy Spirit. One with You we are also one with the Father and no one can snatch what belongs to You. We rest in peace in Your love.

‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’