1Maccabees 6:8-11, Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Daily Inspiration:    

1Maccabees 6:8-11

8 When he received this news, he was terrified and deeply upset. He fell sick and became greatly depressed because things had not turned out the way he had plan­ned. 9 So he remained overcome by this terrible anguish for many days. He felt that he was dying, 10 so he called his friends and said to them, “Sleep has fled from my eyes and I am greatly crushed by my anxieties. 11 And I keep on asking why such grief has come upon me – I who was generous and well-loved when in power – and now I am so discouraged.

Beloved, how true this is of us too sometimes, something happens in our life and things do not go the way we had planned or foreseen and we are immediately downcast and upset.  Often times our despondency is in greater proportion to the trivial thing that caused the upset or disturbance.  If it is a matter of greater difficulty, then we get into a terrible state and the whole world and everyone in it becomes a bitter place.  We even imagine we will never get over it, worse still, we keep harping on it to all who are around us and we worry the thing to death.  We can think, or speak of nothing else but the person or situation.  I have felt this way in the past.  If I stop to question and ponder the reason for the calamity that has befallen me, closer examination will almost always reveal sin that created the barrier between grace and I.  As quickly as we realize our sin we should hasten to confess and repent and we will almost always find that whatever disturbed our peace will melt like dew in the summer sun.

 Daily Mass Readings:  Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Jeremiah 7:23-24 & 27-28,

23 One thing I did command them: Listen to my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you. 24 But they did not listen and paid no attention; they followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from me.

27 You may say all these things to them but they will not listen; you will call them but they will not answer. 28 This is a nation that did not obey the Lord and refused to be disciplined; truth has perished and is no longer heard from their lips.

How clear it is from Your Word that the way to being happy is to be obedient to You and Your Word.  It seems  so simple, one would imagine, that in the world we live in which believes it is smarter than any generation in any age, we ought to be a great deal happier and fulfilled and yet it clearly not so.  Sin abounds in every area of our life in public and in private.  Christian nations have now become places of idolatry.  The body has become the god at which worship is offered.  Feverish possession of people and things have created a frenzy and peace seems to have been lost to the world.  You have been so merciful.  Calamities have struck but have not annihilated as we deserve and these ought to have served to bring us to our senses..  But we seem to have drifted even further away from the Way the Truth and the Life.  Apart from You there is no life either here or in eternity. The Church speaks clearly, loudly and insistently but no one seems to be listening.

This Lent, grant us wisdom and understanding in order that we may return to You in sorrow and repentance.  Acknowledging You as the only God, bring us home to peace and happiness with You. 

Luke 11:14-23,

Beloved, how often our genuinely good actions are misconstrued and given an evil twist.  Evil is made out to be good.  Abortion for example is pitted against a woman's right to choose and thus a defenseless life is sacrificed on the altar of self.  

How very frustrating it must have been for You to have the Pharisees deliberately attribute what was clearly the power of God to evil.  They knew that if they called the signs and miracles by its true name, it would challenge them to acknowledge that You were indeed the Son of God and the longed for Messiah.

We too keep close and frequent company with sin and we give it every name but the right one.  The whole world goes along with the lie of calling good evil an devil good.  But You will not be mocked forever and the day of our personal reckoning with You will surely arrive when we will have to stand before Truth and there will be no mask to hide behind.  The last verse in an eye opener.  "Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me, scatters."  Let us be counted among those that gather with You not scatter with Satan.


Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

1 O Lord God, vengeance is yours; O God who avenges, show yourself!

2 Judge of the world, repay the proud with what they deserve.

6 They murder the widow and the lonely, they massacre the helpless;

7 “The Lord does not see,” they say, “the God of Jacob does not care.”

8 Remember this, you stupid people, when will you understand, you fools!

9 He who made the ear, will he not hear? He who formed the eye, will he not see?

We ought to read and tremble.

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MY NEXT BLOG ENTRY WILL BE ON 10APRIL.  GOD BLESS.

Acts 8:32-35, Deuteronomy:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19, Psalm 147:12-16, 19-20

Daily Inspiration:  Acts 8:32-35

32 This was the passage of Scripture he was reading:

He was led like a sheep to be slaughtered; like a lamb that is dumb before the shearer, he did not open his mouth. 33 He was humbled and deprived of his rights. Who can speak of his descendants? For he was uprooted from the earth.

34 The official asked Philip, “Tell me, please, does the prophet speak of himself or of someone else?”

35 Then Philip began to tell him the Good News of Jesus, using this text of Scripture as his starting point.

Beloved, when we feel betrayed and are hurt to the very core of our being believing that  there can be no suffering or humiliation like our own, it would do us well to reflect on these verses.  There is nothing that You  have not endured in Your own life on earth - You experienced every human experience and so You understand perfectly when we go through trials, suffering, difficulties and temptation.  Even if we have made a train wreck of our lives, we can come to You for healing and understanding, forgiveness and peace.  At any stage in our journey we can use You as our reference point to bring meaning into our life.  You are the great example and we would all do well to imitate You as well as we can always.

Daily Mass Readings: Deuteronomy:1, 5-9, Matthew 5:17-19, Psalm 147:12-16, 19-20

Deuteronomy:7 & 9

My Beloved, so many lives today are destroyed or are heading for destruction because they have no clue about who You are and the relationship we must have with You in order to live meaningful lives.  Parents have betrayed their children by not handing down the faith in all its purity, simplicity and grandeur to their children and thus they have grown up ignorant and Godless.  These then have not been able to hand down the faith to their own offspring and this goes on and on.  This results in the lack of a moral compass by which to live and steer their broken lives. The sins of the parents are visited in this way and yet You are blamed for all that is wrong with the world.  

The Catholic Church is the Seat of Wisdom where God resides.  We encounter You personally at every Mass.  Here we are actually given a glimpse of the Great Wedding Banquet in Heaven with You as the Bridegroom.  We the Church,  Your Bride, approach the table and You offer Yourself to us in entirety - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  In consuming You were are consumed by You and this spousal union is complete.  You remain in us only for a short while Beloved, until the next Holy Communion.  In Heaven though this union will never end.  Have mercy on Your world Lord and Your people and bring us and our children back to You and to true happiness, fulfillment and joy in and through You.

Matthew 5:17-19

Beloved, You could not have spoken more clearly or bluntly.  We have the treasure and truth of Your Word in Scripture as our daily food and yet so many have never sought the wisdom and strength that comes from its unchanging teaching.  Parents have failed their children in not introducing them to the fount of wisdom because they themselves have been ignorant of this treasure.  The cycle goes on and on resulting, in children who cling on to people or things which cannot give them what they are seeking.  They go from one relationship to another, on new gadget to another and they get more and more disillusioned.  Only You can satisfy.  Once You have been given primacy in our life everything falls perfectly into place.  

Help me Lord to help others.  Grant me the opportunities my Beloved to bring those I love home to You, so that one day together with You we can feast forever at the eternal Banquet of Love.

John 19:10-11, Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35, Psalm 25:4-9

Daily Mass Readings:

Daniel 3:25, 34-43, Matthew 18:21-35, Psalm 25:4-9

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John 19:10-11

"Do you not know that I have power to release you just as I have power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus replied, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is more guilty.”

Beloved, it would do good if all leaders and people in power understood that it is God Himself who has ordained that they have power in order to administer justice fairly to both rich and poor alike.  Despots often forget this fact and begin to believe they are gods to their own downfall and utter ruin.  In the end, all have to face the only righteous and just Judge and give an account for their actions.  They will be held responsible for every innocent life that was ruined through false accusations and condemned by corrupt judges.

Daniel 3:34-43

34 Do not abandon us forever, do not reject your covenant for your Name’s sake.

35 Do not withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac, your servant, of Israel, your holy one, 36 to whom you promised to multiply their race as the stars of heaven and the sand on the shore of the sea.

37 Lord, see, we have become the least among the nations in all the world, and we are humiliated because of our sins.

38 At this time, we no longer have a king, or prophet, or leader. We cannot offer you holocausts, sacrifices, offerings, or incense. We have no place to present to you the first-fruits of our crops, and so obtain your favor.

39 But at least when we present ourselves with a contrite soul and humbled spirit may we then be acceptable to you, 40 more than by offerings of rams and calves as holocausts, and of thousands of fat lambs.

May this sacrifice of ours today obtain for us your favor for we know that those who trust in you shall never be disappointed.

41 And now, we serve you with our whole heart, we fear you and we seek your face. 42 Do not leave us in our humiliation, but treat us according to your kindness and your great mercy. 43 Free us in keeping with your wonders, and give us the glory of your Name, Lord.

Lord God, my Beloved, I wish to make this beautiful prayer of Daniel my own..  The many leaders of the world today have abdicated all moral authority and have played in the hands of the corrupt rich and powerful who no longer wish to call sin by its right name.  It seems the world has been abandoned to the forces of evil and darkness that now holds the world in bondage.  All that was once held as true, good, right beautiful and sacred has been buffeted about and sullied by the evil of relativism.  There is no longer the recognition of 'Absolute Truth.'  The unshakable, unchanging, unvarnished, untarnished Truth.  And so I plead with You the prayer of Daniel to have pity on us for the sake of the remnant who are faithful and who love You and look to You as a child to its Father.   Do not abandon Your creatures or Your creation for the sake of Your Holy Name. Amen.

Matthew 18:21-35

Beloved, if You were to judge us as we deserve, all would be condemned.  All of us are sinners and have broken the law of love against You and against our neighbor not once but over and over again.  I shudder when I think of the sins of my past.  If you had called me to judgment while I was still keeping close company with sin, I would have been lost eternally.  But You have  been extremely generous and kind and merciful.  You drew me to Yourself gently, patiently, lovingly, with infinite goodness and mercy.  You did not give up on me.  How do I repay You?  How do I deal with those who are still struggling as I did once?  I have forgotten my own weaknesses and now I hold up a hardhearted scale to measure the faults and mistakes of all and sundry. I mete out harsh and cruel punishment in the courtroom of my mind, where You who are all seeing and all knowing, look on at my hypocrisy in utter amazement.  

Forgive me my Lord and may I always remember that if it were not for Your mercy I would have been only fit to be cast into the outer darkness eternally.  I beg You to give me a heart like Your own.  Amen.

Deuteronomy 20:3, 2 Kings 5:1-15, Luke 4:24-30, Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4

Daily Mass Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15, Luke 4:24-30, Psalm 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4

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Deuteronomy 20:3

"Do not be let your heart be discouraged, or afraid, or troubled, and do not tremble before them, for the Lord Your God is with you to fight in your favor against your enemies and save you."

My Beloved, I am truly grateful for these beautiful words of consolation. They renew my hope, faith, trust, courage, strength, and confidence in You.  With You at my side, I know that I just need to stay beside You as trustfully as a child with His Father.  Thank You.

2 Kings 5:1-15

Beloved, when we sin, all You require of us is the humility to approach the confessional and tell the priest our sins, confident that You will speak the words of forgiveness, absolving us of all our transgressions.  All it takes is humility to kneel and say, "Forgive me Father for I have sinned."  Only then can we hear those beautiful words that You speak to us through the mouth of the priest, "I absolve you, go in peace."

Luke 4:24-30

Beloved, the truth always makes us uncomfortable and not only does it cause discomfort but it arouses strong and negative feelings of anger and hatred.  To face the truth means to admit our failures and sins and to change our lives.  We love our sins too much to give them up.  We are prepared to barter our immortal souls for momentary, sinful pleasures at the cost of our physical and spiritual health.  This Lent, give us the courage to say, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned." 

Psalm 42:2, 3

2 As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

3 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I go and see the face of God?

Proverbs 19:21, Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-41, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Daily Mass Readings: Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-41, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

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Proverbs 19:21

 Plans abound in the human heart, but only the Lord's purpose will be realized.

Exodus 17:6

 "You will strike the rock and water will flow from it and the people will drink."

You are the Rock that was struck and from Your side Beloved gushed forth streams of Living Water and our thirst is forever quenched in You.

John 4:10, 14, 21, 23-24, 26, 34, 42

Verse 10  " If you only knew the Gift of God! If you knew who it is that asks you for a drink, you yourself would have asked me and I would have give you living water."

Verse 14 "Those who drink of the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again; for the water that I shall give will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.|"

Verse 21 "The hour is coming."

Verse 23 "The hour is coming."

Verse 24 "God is spirit and truth and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Verse 26 Jesus said, "I who am talking to you, I AM HE."

Verse 34” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the One who sent me and to carry out his work."

Verse 42  and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you told us; for we have heard for ourselves and we know that this is the Savior of the world.”

Beloved, Jews despise Samaritans and the Samaritans returned the favor in equal measure.  With You however, no one is beyond the realm of Your mercy and compassion as we see in this beautiful encounter between You and the Samaritan woman at the well.  She is nameless as she represents all sinners.  When she woke up that morning little did she dream that her whole life would be turned upside down after her meeting with You.

You revealed many truths to this woman and later to the people of that town.  You told her that from You alone we could receive eternal life.  You revealed to her that the hour of our salvation was approaching swiftly and surely when Truth would be revealed and right worship, pleasing to God would be offered to Him through You, His Son, in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  You revealed that You are the Messiah the One sent to save all men.  To do the will of Your Father meant food and drink to You.  May it be so for us too who pledge to follow You.  

All of us first believe through what we are taught but it becomes effective when each of us has our own personal encounter and conversion experience with You - it is then that our lives are forever transformed,

Psalm 27:13, Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

Daily Mass Readings:  Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

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Psalm 27:13

 I hope, I am sure, that I will see the goodness of the Lord in he land of the living.  Trust in the Lord, be strong and courageous - yes, put your hope in the Lord.

Micah 7:19

Beloved, there is no God like You O God.  You are the God of infinite and tender pity, mercy and compassion.  This is because You love us and You never forget that we are created by You.  You know that we are weak and prone to sin because of the disobedience of our first parents and You make available to Your sheep, every grace, blessing and gift to enable us remain faithful.  Should we fall, You are ready to take us back home through the Sacrament of Mercy & Reconciliation.   Verse 19 is so expressive of Your forgiving love.   19 Once again you will show us your loving kindness and trample on our wrongs, casting all our sins into the depths of the sea.

        

Luke 15:2

2 But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, mut­tering. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So Jesus told them this parable:

Beloved, it is only those who know and admit that they are tax collectors and sinners can approach You, confident of finding a place at Your table.  Those who refuse to admit there is such a thing as sin or scoff at its reality are treading dangerous ground for without repentance and contrition there can be no forgiveness.

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

1 Samuel 30:6, Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10,Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 40;7-11

Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10,Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 40:7-11

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1 Samuel 30:

David found strength in the Lord his God.

Beloved, I wish this could also be said of me always.  M--- found strength in the Lord her God.  For You are my strength and You are my Lord and my God.  With You on my side I am invincible.

Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10

Father God, thank You for the most wonderful sign of Your awesome power and love.  You sent Your Son as a Man, born of a Virgin and the plan of Satan for our destruction was foiled forever.  Beloved, You are truly God with us.

Luke 1:26-38

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Annunciation - the day when Mama said, "Yes" to the plan of God.  It was a day of awesome, silent expectation when heaven and earth and even the underworld looked at Mama and waited with bated breath for the word of consent that would emanate from her lips, only then could the 'Word of Consent' became incarnate in her womb. 

Mama being Mama, 'the Seat of Wisdom,' asked the intelligent question, "How can this be be since I am a virgin?"  She had taken a pledge of virginity along with her spouse Joseph so how could she conceive?  The then Angel Gabriel then conveyed, the Good News of our salvation.  We must remember that every word that the Messenger spoke was the exact message that he received from God.  He did not add or remove one single word.  It was God who hailed His daughter as, "Full of grace God is with You."

And then, the most awesome mystery was uttered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the Holy Child to be born shall be called Son of God."  WOW!!!!  He goes on to tell her about her cousin Elizabeth who had conceived in her old age.  Another beautiful line, 'WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE."

And Mama said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." and she became the Mother of our Savior.

May it be so for me too my Beloved.  May the Holy Spirit come upon me.  May the power of the Most High overshadow me and may I conceive You my Beloved in my heart and there, in secret, as I grow and mature in You, may I bring You forth to everyone I encounter.  You have said, "Ask and you shall receive."  This is what I ask of You today my Lord.

Psalm 40:9-11

1Kings 17:5, Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm, 1:1-4,6

Daily Mass Readings:  Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm, 1:1-4,6

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1Kings 17:5

 Elijah obeyed the Word of the Lord.

Obedience to Your Word is the key to happiness and eternal joy in this life and eternal joy in the world to come.  Teach me loving, joyful and prompt obedience to Your Holy Word.

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Beloved, once again in these verses You remind me how foolish it is to trust man who can not keep his own self alive and must depend on You.  Grant that I place all my hope and trust in You then nothing shall disturb my peace.  No matter what troubles I may face, I will stand firm in You and Your Word and I will continue to bear good fruit.  Beloved, You rose from the dead in the glorious Resurrection and yet only few believe.  Faith if a gift and with this gift comes the responsibility to live as children of the Most High God.

Luke 16:19-31

If I do not see having been blessed with sight then I am truly wretched and deserve to be damned.  Faith must make me alive to the people around me.  It must arouse my deepest sympathy for those alone and in need and it must prompt a response to act.  If not, I may as well be dead.  I cannot live in isolation and cut myself off from those around me.  We live in communion with God and with each other. It is here we receive our strength.  In Christ and in the Church we are invincible and we become sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth if we attune our ears to His gentle prompting.

Psalm, 1:1-4,6

1 Blessed is the one

who does not go where the wicked gather,

or stand in the way of sinners,

or sit where the scoffers sit!

2 Instead, he finds delight in the law of the Lord

and meditates day and night

on his commandments.

3 He is like a tree beside a brook

producing its fruit in due season,

its leaves never withering.

Everything he does is a success.

4 But it is different with the wick­ed.

They are like chaff

driven away by the wind.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous

but cuts off the way of the wick­ed.

Isaiah 2:22, Jeremiah 18:18-20, matthew 20:17-28, Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16

Daily Mass Readings:  Jeremiah 18:18-20, Matthew 20:17-28, Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16

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Isaiah 2:22

Rely not on man who has but a breath in his nostrils.  What is his worth"

My Beloved, if man has any worth it is only in relationship with You.  In You, through You and grafted into You, we have infinite worth for we claim the merits You have won for us. Apart from You we are useless and all the good we do are mere filthy rags.  We rely on You for every breath we draw.  At any given moment, we can only draw one breath in and out before we can draw the next one that You breathe into our nostrils.  May I always rely on You alone, for all things are possible in and through You. Apart from You I am only fit to be thrown into the fire to be burned.

Jeremiah 18:20

How often in the world we find that evil is repaid for good.  There are few grateful hearts.  When the people whom you have lent a hand to climb up and become more successful than you, they do not wish to acknowledge the help you once gave them lest they will be expected to return the favor or because they do not want to feel beholden to you.  They prefer to ignore you or even worse, they plot your downfall. Such is the world.  A truly grateful heart is one that is also humble.

Matthew 20:17-28

Beloved, if we follow You we can be certain that You will take us to the Father but we have to walk the way of the Cross - there is no other way, no shortcuts, no detours, no easy way.  You gave Yourself over in total surrender to the plan of God even though You were fully aware what that would involve.  The very chief priests and Pharisees who were supposed to uphold and honor the truth, plotted Your destruction because they wanted to safeguard an earthly kingdom where they ruled as despots.

You knew what awaited You -a most brutal passion at the hands of the Roman soldiers and the blood thirsty mob who, instigated by the chief priests, would bay for Your life.  But You also knew the end of the story, You would be raised to life on the third day.

Sometimes as parents, we come before You humbly kneeling before You and make petitions for our children that are not in line with God's will.  Whatever sacrifices they make, these cannot be used as a bargaining chip with You.  What we give up in surrender we do because we love and for no other reason.  When we lobby for important positions, we can be sure to stir up the envy and suspicion of others because each one is eyeing the important places and each thinks they alone are fit to occupy them.  That's the way of the world.  To jostle, nudge, push, trample, and kill in order to take the first place.  

In the Kingdom of God there are very different principles in place.  The first are last and the last are first.  The Humble are exalted and the proud are despised.  The poor in spirit are raised and the rich find it difficult to detach themselves from their possessions and so fall by the wayside.  The Master must make himself a servant and must serve those less fortunate.  Our whole life must reflect You as we strive to imitate You always.

Psalm 31:6, 14-15

6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

14 I hear whispering among the crowd, rumors that frighten me from every side – their conspiracies, their schemes, their plot to take my life.

15 But I put my trust in you, O Lord, I said: “You are my God;”

Ezekiel 39:25-30, Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12, Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21 & 23

Daily Mass Readings:   Isaiah 1:10, 16-20, Matthew 23:1-12, Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21 & 23

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Ezekiel 39:25-30

25 That is why thus says Yahweh: Now, moved by my compassion for Israel, I am going to bring back the captives of Jacob and I will give glory to my holy name. 26 They will forget their shame and the treachery they com­mitted towards me, when they live safely in their own land with no one to disturb them. 27 When I gather them from among the nations and take them from the land of their enemies, I will show my holiness through them to many nations. 28 They will know that I am Yahweh their God when, after their exile among the nations, I bring them together in their own land and leave no one behind. 29 Never again shall I hide my face from them be­cause I shall pour out my Spirit on Israel – word of Yahweh.”

My Beloved, it is Your compassion that saves me and those I love.  We have made ourselves captive of sin and we have exiled ourselves far from home.  But You promise to bring us back.  You promise to forget our shame and our iniquity and You will let us dwell in safety with You.  No one will approach to disturb us let alone harm us. You will reveal Your holiness through us.  We, on our part, will never forget Your goodness to us.  You promise to leave no one behind and You will never again hide Your Face from us but You promise to infuse us with Your own most Holy Spirit.  Thank You.

These are my promises to You which I will fulfill in My time.

Daniel 9:4-10, Luke 6:36-38, Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 & 13

Daily Mass Readings:  Daniel 9:4-10, Luke 6:36-38, Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 & 13

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Daniel 9:4-10, 

Beloved, as the world stands before You sinful and ashamed, have pity and in Your great mercy and compassion, mindful of Your agony and passion, forgive us.  Turn Your merciful eyes upon us and move our hearts to repentance and contrition in order that You may forgive us and we may return to You once again.

Luke 6:36-38

My Beloved, if I am to be a true daughter of the Father, then I must reflect His nature in my own.  Like Him, I must be merciful, I must not judge others, I must refrain from condemning others and I must forgive just as I have been forgiven.  If I strive to be like Him, then I will receive a full measure of His rich and bountiful grace.

 Psalm 79: 11

By the strength of Your arm deliver those doomed to die.

This is what wounds me Lord and I am afraid for those who have deliberately walked away to embrace false creeds.   Hear my prayers for these unfortunate ones who refuse to acknowledge that is it You alone through whom the world is saved.

Psalm 105:4, Genesis 12:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:8b-10, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

Daily Mass Readings:  Genesis 12:1-4, 2 Timothy 1:8b-10, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-10, 20, 22

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 Psalm 105:4

 Look to the Lord and be strong; seek His Face always.

My Beloved, sometimes my heart grows faint and weary within me and a brooding sadness and disquiet fills my soul.  I call Your Name and I try to obtain comfort from the truth that You are near, that You love me and nothing can trouble me.  Thank You for reminding me that all I must do is to look to You alone, for You are my strength. I will seek Your Face imprinted on my heart within me, in the Blessed Sacrament before me and in the Holy Eucharist in communion with me.  Thank You.

Genesis 12:1-4

My Beloved when change comes into my life I can become greatly disturbed, yet if I accept the challenge of change it will lead to growth.  The unfamiliar can be frightening.  Help me to always recall that You love me and as Your plan for my life unfolds, help me to keep my gaze firmly on You and my hand safe in Your own.

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Beloved, I need never depend on my own strength.  in responding to Your call. You will equip and strengthen me and I will be able to stand firm in You if I am rooted in Your Word and as long and as often as I partake of the Sacraments; which are the channels of grace to my soul.  Keep my gaze fixed on You always and I need fear nothing.

Matthew 17:1-9

My Beloved, may I always be a part of Your inner circle so I can be close to You always.  As a Catholic, I have been privileged to touch You and taste You in the Eucharist and You are sweeter than honey in the honeycomb.  Thank You for the Sacrament of Reconciliation where I am forgiven and restored once again to my close relationship with You and the Church.  It is here that we are always reminded of who You are - the Beloved Son of the Eternal Father - to listen to You is the joy of our life.  We need never be afraid for You come to us, touch us, reassure us and say, "Stand up, do not be afraid."  Whether high on the mountain or down in the valley, You are with us and as long as You are there, we need fear nothing.

Psalm 33:4,  18, 20, 22

 4 For upright is the Lord’s word

and worthy of trust is his work.

18 But the Lord’s eyes are upon those who fear him,

upon those who trust in his loving-kindness

20 In hope we wait for the Lord,

for he is our help and our shield.

22 O Lord, let your love rest upon us,

even as our hope rests in you.

Amen!

John 20:24, 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

Daily Mass Readings:  2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

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John 20:24

"Until I have seen in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe."

My Beloved God, I do not need to see, I believe.  You have said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."  Count me among these my God.  I stand on Your Word and the witness of Your Apostles - this is enough for me my Lord and my God!

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16

Beloved, today the Church honors St. Joseph - protector, father, worker, husband who was faithful, humble and obedient.  Heavenly Father, You chose him and he was truly blessed. Thank You for the example he leaves behind for us to follow.

Romans 4:13, 16

13 If God promised Abraham, or rather his descendants, that the world would belong to him, this was not because of his obeying the Law, but because he was just and a friend of God through faith. 

16 For that reason, faith is the way and all is given by grace; and the promises of Abraham are fulfilled for all his descendants, not only for his children according to the Law, but also for all the others who have believed.

Faith is the way and all is given by grace.  Beloved, God is the giver of everything.  We do not merit anything, all is generously given to us by our Father God.

 

Matthew 1:16

16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and from her came Jesus who is called the Christ ­– the Messiah.

Mary was chosen by God to be the Mother of His Son, the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, Savior and Redeemer.  He picked Joseph to watch over and protect the fairest of all His creatures, His daughter and the flower of His creatures and His only Son, Jesus.  Of all the men born in Israel at the time, the Lord God chose St. Joseph.  I too choose you dear St. Joseph as the protector of our home, guardian of our children and example to both my husband and me.

The Word of God says that you dear St. Joseph were a just man.  You were also a good husband, father, provider, teacher, worker, leader, care-giver and guide.  You understood the privilege and the responsibility given to you and with your ear constantly attentive to the voice of God, you fulfilled all He wanted of you quietly, silently, humbly, promptly, obediently and willingly.  Please accept our family as yours and do for us what you did at Nazareth.  Thank you.

Pray for us always and come to us to console us at the hour of our death.

Wisdom 9:5, Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26, Psalm 1-8

Daily Mass Reading:  Ezekiel 18:21-28, Matthew 5:20-26, Psalm 1-8

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Wisdom 9:5

Come eat and drink of the bread and wine I have prepared

"M--- mine, come my betrothed and dine on the food I provide.  Eat My Body and drink My Blood and you will live forever.  The Bread I provide is food indeed and the wine is My saving Blood poured out for you and for the salvation of the world.  So many have turned their backs on Me, so many mock Me, so many give me only a cold indifference, so many more have forgotten Me.  So many who once knew Me want nothing more to do with Me anymore.  I thirst, I yearn, I suffer for these to come back to Me.  My love is an everlasting love.  If You love Me, do all you can to bring some of them with you to dine at My table and partake of the banquet that I provide at every Eucharist and some day we shall all be united in the heavenly banquet.  I am the Bridegroom and the Church is My Bride and the Wedding Feast will never end."

"My Beloved, tell me what I must do. Supply the grace to enable me do it and then command me to accomplish it.  I am Your little nothing.  Without You working in and through me I am helpless Lord.  Help me!

Ezekiel 18:21-28
Beloved, unless we partake daily of the Eucharist how will we have the strength to resist sin?  You have made provision for us my God to eat Your very Flesh and drink Your Blood in order that You can pour divine grace and strength to answer Your call to holiness and perfection. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Matthew 5:20-26

"When you pray for the conversion of those you love, pray with confidence and hope.  I want their return to the Father's house even more than you do. I died for them.  I poured my life as a sacrifice pleasing to My Father and purchased their salvation.  You are called to pray sincerely, tirelessly, with fasting and penance, with loving concern - but always pray with hope knowing that in the end every sincere prayer you pray is answered.  They will be saved through the prayers of those who have loved them enough not to allow them to fall by the way side and be trampled upon and destroyed.  Do not be discouraged but pray joyfully, knowing your prayer is answered."

Psalm  130: 1-2

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,

2 O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears pay attention

to the voice of my supplication.

"This is how you must pray.  From the very depths of your heart let your cry come to Me and I will hear your vice and pay attention to your supplication.  With sighs and groaning too deep for words.  I will hear and I will answer."

Esther 15:2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14 Esther 5:3, Esther 12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12, Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8

Daily Mass Readings:  Esther 12, 14-16, 23-25, Matthew 7:7-12, 

Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8

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Esther 15:2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14 

Esther 5:3

2 Radiant in appearance after invoking the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her,  5 Although her heart was frozen with fear, she looked radiant in her perfect beauty, her face depicting love and joy.

8 Then God changed the king’s anger to gentleness. Alarmed, he sprang from his throne, took Esther in his arms until she had recovered and comforted her with soothing words. 9 “What is it, Esther?” he said. “I am your brother. Take heart.  11 Come, speak to me.” 12 He rais­ed the golden scepter, touched her neck with it, then embraced her saying, “Speak to me.”

14 For you are admirable, my Lord, and your appearance is awesome although you are full of  kindness.” 

5   3 The king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? Tell me what you wish. Even if it is half of my kingdom, I will give it to you.”

 My Beloved Lord, it is good that I only see You hidden behind the little white Bread I receive each day in the Eucharist. It is good that I know You as the God Man of the Gospels - loving, compassionate, whose heart is moved with pity for us Your sheep, so desperately in need of the Good Shepherd.  If I saw You as You really are  in all Your radiance, Your awesome dignity, the glory of Your infinite majesty seated in power and might on the judgment seat at the right hand of the Father, like Esther my heart would fail me and I would tremble and fall in a dead faint.  But I can approach You accompanied by the twin maids of obedience and humility and full of love, small though it is, I can come to You and You will speak to me tenderly saying, "What is it M---- mine, I am Your Brother, take heart."  You will touch me gently, Your Holy Spirit will flow out from You to encompass me as I kneel before You in the Blessed Sacrament or as I approach to receive You in the Holy Eucharist, and You my awesome God and Lord, full of kindness will say to me, "What is it? Tell  Me what You wish.  Even if it were my Kingdom it is yours for you are co-heir with Me.

WOW!!!!!!!

 Matthew 7:7-12, 

Beloved, praying is a simple as this.  All I need to do is approach God as my loving Dad and make my needs both spiritual and temporal known to Him.  For myself,for those I love, as well as all my relatives, friends, acquaintances, the Church and the world.  My Dad knows what I need and will gladly give me all I ask according to His will.  But there are some things I must always remember when I prayer.  First, I must forgive as I expect to be forgiven myself, I must ask pardon of those whom I have injured and make reparation for the wrong I have done.  Next, I must ask for what is pleasing to Him and what is good and not harmful for me.  I must remember that He will give me all in accordance with His bountiful love and even more than I have asked for, because He can never be outdone in generosity.  I must come to Him with a grateful, thankful, sincere, open, childlike disposition and my Dad will supply all my needs.

Thank You my Beloved for revealing this to me.  

Verse 12 is one I must always strive to remember, "12 So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there you have the Law and the Prophets."

Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8

1 I thank you, O Lord, with all my heart,

for you have heard the word of my lips.

I sing your praise in the presence of the gods.

2 I bow down towards your holy temple

and give thanks to your name,

for your love and faithfulness,

for your word which exceeds everything.

3 You answered me when I called;

you restored my soul and made me strong.

7 If I walk in the midst of trouble,

you give me life.

With outstretched arm,

you save me from the wrath of my foes,

with your right hand you deliver me.

8 How the Lord cares for me!

Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever.

Forsake not the work of your hands.

I prayer the verses of this psalm with the psalmist and with the Church.  Thank You.

Isaiah 63:16, Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32, Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

Daily Mass Readings :   Jonah 3:1-10, Luke 11:29-32, Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

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Isaiah 63:16,

-----You are our Father, from the beginning, You are our Redeemer, this is Your Name.
Beloved, how blessed we are to be able to call God our Father.  From all eternity He knew us, knew we would fall and the price that would be required of Him to save us.  His love and compassion for us won the day.  He planned from all eternity to demonstrate that love by sending You into the world to be the price that would save us.  Through Your life, bitter passion and agony and Your most glorious Resurrection, we have been saved.  You are now seated in glory at the right hand of the Father and have sent us Your Holy Spirit who is our Counselor.  How can we not but come to You now and eternally through grace?  Thank You.

Luke 11:29-32

 
The people did not recognize the time of Your visitation when You walked among them, unlike the people of Nineveh who repented and were saved.  We are the same my Beloved.  Despite all You have done for us and the Sacraments You make available to us,  we still turn our backs to You and refuse what You offer us so lavishly - grace, salvation and the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit through the use of which His fruits are made manifest.

1 Samuel 30:6, Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15, Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19

Daily Mass Readings:   Isaiah 55:10-11, Matthew 6:7-15, Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19

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1 Samuel 30:6

David found strength in the LORD his God. 

Beloved, just as David found strength in You so do I find my strength in You.  Stay with me Lord.

Isaiah 55:10-11

Beloved, just as the rain comes down from heaven and waters the earth making it yield its harvest, so pour out Your Holy Spirit on me.  Pour out Your Spirit in abundance over every area of my life and render it fruitful for Your glory.  You are the Eternal Word of the Father and this Word accomplishes all things perfectly in accordance with the Father's will and plan.  May the words You speak to me each day in the Liturgy bring me life and strengthen me in order that I may joyfully life out each day in complete accordance with Your will.

Matthew 6:7-15

"Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask Him."  

How very comforting this verse is.  So often I struggle even to verbalize what I want.  I hardly know how to say it and yet there is a hunger and a longing for what often seems nameless.  How wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what I want and desires to give it to me in the abundance of His love and according to His will.  He will not give me what may be harmful or damaging to me even if I should ask it because He is all good, all wise and all knowing.  

You are of the Father and You know exactly how we should frame our needs so that they will touch a responsive chord in His heart.  

Almighty God, may I never lose sight of You and who You are.  May I pronounce Your most Holy Name with reverence always.  May I work for the coming of Your Kingdom first in my own heart and life.  Give me Jesus and Your Holy Spirit that is all I need or want - having Them I possess all things.  

Beloved Jesus, may I seek to do the will of the Father always in imitation of You.  To do the Father's will was food and drink to You may it be so for me too.

This is my prayer to the Holy Spirit.  Give me all the grace I need for today.  Bread sufficient for today to satisfy my spiritual hunger and to give me the supernatural energy I need to be pleasing to You every moment of this day.  Please provide for my material needs as well and those of my family.  Do not test me beyond my ability to endure or I will surely fall a prey to my silliness and foolishness, for there are many times I lack wisdom and act against prudence.  Keep me safe in the Heart of my Beloved Lord so evil will not dare approach to tempt me, who could fall so easily without the grace You make available to me.  Help me forgive from the heart as You have forgiven me.

Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19

5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

from all my fears he delivered me.

6 They who look to him are radiant with joy,

their faces never clouded with shame.

7 When the poor cry out, the Lord hears

and saves them from distress.

16 The eyes of the Lord are fixed on the righteous;

his ears are inclined to their cries.

18 The Lord hears the cry of the righteous

and rescues them from all their troubles.

19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves the distraught.

Thank You for the sweet comfort these verses provide.