Ezekiel 37:26-27, Zephaniah 3:14-18, (or Romans 12:9-16), Luke 1:39-56, Isaiah 12:2-6

Daily Meditation: Ezekiel 37:26-27

Ezekiel 37:26-27

26 I shall establish a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I shall settle them and they will increase and I shall put my sanctuary in their midst forever. 27 I shall make my home at their side; I shall be their God and they will be my people.

Thank You my Beloved for the everlasting Covenant of Love that You assure me that You have made with us.  Thank You for Your reassuring promise that You will forever dwell in our midst.  You will make a sanctuary with us and You shall claim us for Yourself as Your people as You my Lord shall be our God.  I need nothing else.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Zephaniah 3:14 -18, (or Romans 12:9-16), 

                                 Luke 1:39-56, Isaiah 12:2-6

Zephaniah 3:14-17

14 Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, 17 for the Lord your God is within you, the Lord, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.

Fairest of daughters, beloved Mother of the Son and immaculate spouse of the most Holy Spirit, Mother of God and Mother of His Church, today we celebrate the feast of the Visitation when you carried in your womb the Divine Babe, the Word of God made flesh, and made a holy pilgrimage to the house of your cousin Elizabeth.  There you served her for three months.  Come to our home too Mama, bring Jesus with you and bless our home always.  Make our home your own where Jesus reigns as our King and you as our Queen.

Luke 1:39-56

Mama dearest, thank you for your fiat that gave us so wonderful and generous a Redeemer.  You bring Jesus with you always, just as you did at the visitation and the wedding at Cana.  Where you are Jesus is and where Jesus is you are.  With Jesus is also the Father and the Holy Spirit so in your company, Mama we are in good company.

Your Magnificat is an all encompassing hymn praising the glory of God and contains, praise, humility, acknowledgment of God's graciousness and prophecy.  You give all honor and gory to God who is the Principal Actor in the work salvation.  All who believe will experience His greatness and goodness.  But the proud, the haughty and the one who refuses to believe will be routed.  A humble, trustful heart God will never spurn but He will acknowledge and help.  God comes to His people through Mary and He extends His hand to us, mindful of every promise that He has made.  Stay with us Mama, not just for a while but always.

Isaiah 12:2-3

2 He is the God of my salvation;

in him I trust and am not afraid,

The Lord is my strength: him I will praise,

the one who saved me.”

3 You will draw water with joy

from the very fountain of salvation.

Jeremiah 33:3, Acts 16:11-15, John 15:26-----16:4, Psalm: 149:1-6, 9

Daily Meditation: Jeremiah 33:3

Jeremiah 33:3

3 “Call me and I shall answer. I will reveal to you great and mysterious things you have not known.”
Your Word says if we ask for Wisdom she will be granted to us.  Today, this is my prayer to the Father to grant me this gift of wisdom in order that I may know, love and serve You better.  I ask this gift of Wisdom of Father in Your Name, Jesus, through the most Holy Spirit.  Amen

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 16:11-15, John 15:26----16:4, Psalm: 149:1-6, 9

Acts 16:11-15

My Beloved, women have always had a presence and a place when it came to offering service to You and they have always been open and sensitive to grace.  Here is a woman, Lydia, who received the Gospel message with faith and You blessed her abundantly by giving her a loving heart and a generous spirit to open her home in welcome to Your anointed.

Grant my Beloved that it may be so with me as well - may all I have be used for Your glory.

John 15:26-----16:4

My Beloved, thank You for sending us the Spirit of Truth from the Father. He opens our mind to understand the mysteries of God and makes our work for the Kingdom, fruitful.  Beloved, Just as You prepared the Apostles by telling them all that would happen to You, so You prepare us by telling us what to expect as Your disciples and followers.  There is a particular group who believe that by killing those who will have no part of their evil beliefs, they are serving their god.  This is because they have no knowledge of the Father nor of You and they most certainly do not have the Spirit of God; rather, they are possessed by another spirit, one that is evil and demonic.  Thank You Beloved for warning us so that we are not taken off guard.

Psalm: 149:6

6 Let the praise of God be on their lips,
and in their hands two-edged swords.


Beloved, open my mouth so that my lips will be filled with Your praise and may Your Word be the two-edged sword in my hands, to destroy and vanquish the enemy.

Wisdom 9:17, Acts 8:5-, 14-17, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20

Daily Meditation: Wisdom 9:17

Wisdom 9:17

17 Who has ever known your will un­less you first gave him Wisdom and sent down your holy spirit to him?

Daily Mass Readings: Acts 8:5-, 14-17, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20

Romans 14:13, 17 & 15:17, Acts 15:22-31, John 15:12-17, Psalm 57:8-10, 12

Daily Meditation:  Romans 14:13, 17 & 15:17

Romans 14:13, 17 & 15:17

13 Therefore, let us not continue criticizing one another; let us try, rather, never to put in the way of our brother anything that would make him stumble or fall.17 The kingdom of God is not a matter of food or drink; it is justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

17 This service of God is for me a cause of pride in Christ Jesus.

My Beloved, I wish to thank the Holy Spirit for inspiring Paul to put so beautifully in words what a true Christian is called to be.  If only every Christian took to heart all that Your Word tells  us then truly the Kingdom Of God would be visible on earth.

All of us are great in dishing out criticism nothing escapes the sharp edge of our tongue; yet how willing are we not to be the cause of our brother and sisters stumbling because of our high expectations.  We must hold ourselves to a much higher standard than anyone else and we must always be willing to make excuses for our brothers and sisters - leaving the judgment always to God alone who sees and knows as we do not. 

In Rom 14:17 we read that the kingdom of God is not a matter of food or drink; it is justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

My Beloved, to look at the world today one would imagine that all that matters is succeeding, having the latest in everything and indulging every taste, fashion and passion yet here is a sober reminder to those who seek to follow You wholeheartedly.  The Kingdom of God is justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. As we prepare for Pentecost we plead with the Father in Your Holy Name for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit for without Him it is impossible to please God.

Romans 15:17 says, "This service of God is for me a cause of pride in Christ Jesus."  If only this was the motto of every baptized Christian. Wow.  We would all live very satisfying lives indeed.  Rooted deep in the Holy Spirit, we would live to serve in love, in perfect imitation of You.  Help me Lord and help all Christians to understand that to love is to serve.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 15:22-31,  John 15:12-17, Psalm 57:8-10, 12

Acts 15:22-31

My Beloved, how often I can see the Readings of the day tie in so beautiful with the Scripture verse I am inspired to read during my quiet time with You.  How can I not know that You are speaking through the Holy Spirit when all that I read falls so harmoniously into place.

Here we see the Church as always in her role as Mother trying not to put unnecessary burdens on her children thus destroying their peace of mind.  So many Christian denominations preach a gospel of prosperity and good health which condemns those who suffer from sickness or who are poor as being displeasing to God for unfathomable reasons..  These are wolves in sheep's clothing.  We can always trust the Church to teach and preach the Truth because She is always submissive to the movement and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

 John 15:12-17

You continue Your discourse on Love and service.  The two are intrinsically woven together.  You cannot have one without the other, "Love one another as I have loved you." This is the only true measure of love - to love as You have loved - which means loving without counting the cost and a willingness to lay down one's life if need be for the other.  We may never be called to literally give up our life, but there is a constant dying to self every day for the good of the other and for the glory of God.

Here is another thing to remember, You choose us my Lord and it not the other way around.  This ought to keep us humble since we know that we are such poor specimens.  It is as You said that all glory will rebound to God for it is clear there is a greater power at work through such poor instruments.  Thank You for verse 16 which tells us that the Father will equip and give us all we need if only we ask in Your Name.  Thank You.

Psalm 57:8-10, 12

8 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.

9 Awake, my soul, awake, O harp and lyre! I will wake the dawn.

10 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praise to you among the nations.

12 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your Glory be over all the earth!

Exodus 33:17 & Exodus 34:2, Acts 15:7-21, John 15:9-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 10

Daily Meditation:  Exodus 33:17 & Exodus 34:2

Exodus 33:17 & Exodus 34:2

17 God then said to Moses, “What you have said I will do, for I look kindly on you and I have known you by name.”

2 Be ready in the morning and come up to Mount Sinai and wait for me on the top of the mountain.

My Lord and my God, I have asked You in the sweet and might Name of Jesus to grant me a full measure of Your Holy Spirit.  Abba Father, Jesus Your only beloved Son has told us that anything we ask in His Name, You will be pleased to grant. He said, what father would hand his child a stone when he asked for an egg or a scorpion when he asked for a fish.  Bad as we are we know how to give good things to our children how much then would You give the Holy Spirit to those who asked in His Name.

Daddy God, I knock, I seek, I ask, in the sweet and mighty Name of Jesus, the Name above every other name, to pour upon me Your Holy Spirit in order that He may draw me ever closer into the depths of the divine.  There to be be lost and forgotten by Love.  To be hidden there, to be taught by Love how to lie, move, think and act in love always.  To burn with zeal for the mission of making the Beloved known on earth.  I believe and I trust because I know You are faithful.  Thank You Abba.

Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 15:7-21, John 15:9-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 10

Acts 15:7-21

My Beloved from the very early days we can see that Peter and the Apostles understood that Peter had primacy among them.  When Peter speaks the case is closed.  He makes a passionate plea on behalf of the gentiles and speaks of the generosity of God who wants all people to be saved.  Verse 10 10 So why do you want to put God to the test? Why do you lay on the disciples a burden that neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? 
In the world today, people are constantly putting You to the test and questioning everything that the Church teaches in matters of faith and morals.  It is always wise and prudent to be guided by the Church for she knows best the heart of Christ who is her Bridegroom.  You my Lord are ever loving, merciful, tender, generous and kind and You will not lay on Your children burdensome loads too heavy to carry.  All You ask is that we believe that the Father sent You to draw all people through You to Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the Good News, that all men are saved through grace obtained for us through You, the Beloved.

John 15:9-11

Once again Beloved You remind us that the great love You have for us is the same love that the Father has for You.  We choose whether we want to  be drawn into the family of God or to resist and turn away.  All we are called to do is to obey the commandment of Love.  Love of God and love of neighbor.  To know joy as You know it in all circumstances, day in and day out, all the years we are alive is possible if we keep this commandment of love faithfully.  Beloved, help me to love.

Psalm 96:10

THE LORD REIGN!!!!!!!!

Ezekiel 17:22-23, Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8, Psalm 122:1-5

Daily Meditation:  Ezekiel 17:22-23

Ezekiel 17:22-23

 22 Thus says Yahweh: “At the top of the cedar I will take one of its uppermost branches, a tender twig and plant it. 23 On a lofty, massive mountain, on a high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar. Birds of all kinds will nest in it and find shelter in its branches.

My Beloved, Your Father willed that You leave heaven to descend to earth for a while.  You are the 'tender twig' plucked from the heart of God and planted on God's holy mountain.  Your Church now resplendent, shines a mighty beacon of light so that people of every race, color, language and nation may find their way to her and rest on her bosom and be nourished.  My Beloved, You are the 'mighty  cedar' and in You we nest and are fed and nourished.  Evey one can come to You and find in You Beloved, perfect rest.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8, Psalm 122:1-5

Acts 15:1-6

Beloved, here is a clear example in the early Church of how error and heresy can be taught by well intentioned people who refuse give up the old and the familiar, even if it runs counter to the truth.  Six short verses but one can feel the tension in it among the faithful.  Paul and Barnabas are right, they have understood that the law of Moses is now superseded by the salvation obtained not through circumcision, but through Your Passion, Death and Resurrection. They accepted with humility the decision that they should go the apostles and elders to settle the matter - unlike Martin Luther whose pride and self righteousness caused such a deep rift, it tore Your Body asunder. 

A council was called, the Church continues to call councils of the hierarchy to ensure that the Good News is preached without error.  Obedience and humility bring with them wonderful fruit.  As they journeyed to Jerusalem they preached all the way and many were converted enroute.  Finally they arrived and both Paul and Barnabas with the help of the Holy Spirit convinced the council that they were right.  All one needs to be saved is to repent, believe in the Good News and be baptized into Your Body.

May I always stand up with courage and passion for the truth just like Paul and Barnabas.

John 15:1-8

Salvation is a very serious business.  If we cease to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, the Father will cut us off from the Vine.  Those who do bear fruit He will prune through suffering and self-denial in order that we can bear greater fruit.,  It is the Father who does the cutting and the pruning.  We are the Body of Christ and we are called to glorify the Father in Him.  This is only possible if we have the life of the Holy Spirit in us.  Apart from Jesus, we will rot and die.  Only as a member of his Church, can we remain vibrant and full of the life that pours from Him to us.  The sap that runs in us is the Holy Spirit.  He keep us united to the Beloved for He is the Spirit of Truth and Love who leads us into all Truth that resides in its fullness only in the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Verse 7  "If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you."  Let us approach You boldly and make our needs known to You for You  have promised that the Father will give us everything we need in order that our joy may be complete.  Our purpose in life is fulfilled when God is glorified.

Psalm 122:1-4

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

2 And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem, just like a city,

where everything falls into place!

4 There the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord, the assembly of Israel,

to give thanks to the Lord’s name.

Isaiah 25:4, 8-9, Acts 14:19-28, John 14:27-31, Psalm 145:10-13, 21

Daily Meditation:  Isaiah 25:4, 8-9

Isaiah 25:4, 8-9

4 For you have been a refuge to the poor, a haven to the needy in time of distress, a harbor in the storm, a shade from the heat.

8 and death will be no more. The Lord will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world:

for the Lord has spoken.

9 On that day you will say: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

You have been my refuge and harbor my Beloved.  I have always run to You and You have comforted me.  I hid in You until the storm passed by and You held me safe in the hollow of Your hand.  

Someday my Beloved, just as You have promised, death will be no more.  The specter of death now haunts us.  I have lost loved ones who have been taken from my sight.  But not for long my Beloved.  A time will come when You will wipe away every tear.  There will be no more humiliation at the hands of evil and godless people and nations.  Someday all will follow the Prince of Peace and Your reign will be everlasting for You  have purchased our freedom at the cost of Your life and we rejoice and glory in  being sons and daughters of the Most High God.
spectre of death now haunts us

Daily Mass Reading:  Acts 14:19-28, John 14:27-31, Psalm 145:10-13, 21

Acts 14:19-28

Beloved, the members of Your Church do not work in isolation and apart from each other.  All Your Apostles, disciples and followers work in communion with each other.  Where there is  unity and a bond of love  there is less chance of spreading error and confusion.  One is free to preach the Gospel according to ones special gifts but always with the  heart and mind of Christ and His Church, conveying the same Gospel message.  The manner of conveying the  Good News may be unique to the individual and may be tailored to suit the needs of those being catechized but the essence of the Gospel, and the articles of our faith remain the same.

The Church today is not so very different from the the Church of the early Apostles for she teaches the same truth only with greater depth and understanding; for she has pondered on Your Word lovingly, zealously and faithfully for over 2000 years and She has been illumined with the light, wisdom and grace that comes from the Holy Spirit.  The Church gathers her shepherds every now and again to refresh them.  Peter the visible Chief Shepherd encourages, reaffirms and acknowledges or even admonishes and reproaches in case of error - thus constantly guiding leading the Church into the fullness of truth.

As the Bark of St. Peter sails through the turbulent waters of the present times, You will steady her and guide her safely to shore.

John 14:27-31

Time and time again, You tell the Apostles and disciples not to be troubled or afraid but despite Your constant assurances of love, they still did not quite get it, was this a source of frustration sometimes Lord?

Yet am I any different?  Despite all I know of You, all that I have experienced personally, despite the power with which You still inspire and guide Your Church and its members, despite the grace received through the sacraments and the power and the gifts received from Your Holy Spirit, I still worry.  I am still troubled, I am still anxious and fearful. I belong to You and You belong to the Father, just as the Church belongs to You and You belong to the Father and the prince of this world is vanquished.

A true disciple lives in perfect imitation of the Master.  Grant that this may be so for me as an individual and for your Church as a whole.  Amen.

Psalm 145:21

21 Let my mouth speak in praise of the Lord, let every creature bless his holy name, for ever and ever.

Psalm 119:67, 71, 76-77, Acts 14:5-18, John 14:21-26, Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16

Daily Meditation:  Psalm 119:67, 71, 76-77

Psalm 119:67, 71, 76-77

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

71 It is good for me to have been afflicted, for I have deeply learned your statutes.

76 Comfort me then with your unfailing love, as you promised your servant.

77 Let your mercy come to give me life, for your law is my delight.

My Beloved, how true these verses are of my own life.  Yes, there was a time before sorrow afflicted me when I kept straying away from You.  I wandered in the way of sin often, until You struck me with a great sorrow that will be remain with me as long as I live.  It was at this time, when I was inconsolable, that You stooped over me and raised me up.  It was in the darkest hours of my life when Your Word gave me new hope.  As my faith grew strong so did my love for You.  Since then Beloved, You have become my light, my hope, my strength, my song, my deliverer, my joy, my peace and my heart's delight.  

I called on the Lord in times of trouble

And with the swiftness of an eagle He stooped to answer me.

Danger and distress lurked around me and I was terrified.

In my fear I called on the Lord.

More tenderly than a mother He comforted me.

I will sing to my Beloved always.

His praise will be ever in my heart and on my lips.

The love of the Lord overwhelms me,

Like a mighty river it rushes over me and I drown in joy.

My Lord delights in my love.

He calls me by my name

He whispers it softly in my ear

As gentle as the evening breeze, He soothes and calms me

He chases away my fears.

He calls me sister, bride, heart's delight.

I respond, my Beloved,

My Lord and my God.
 

Daily Mass Readings: Acts 14:5-18, John 14:21-26, Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16

Acts 14:5-18

Again we see Beloved how You draw good from evil.  Nothing can be so impossibly, horribly wrong, that You cannot draw tremendous good from it. You are God and with You all things are possible.  The Good News was preached wherever the Apostles went.  Their persecution meant that they had to flee to new places for safety and there the people were given the opportunity to hear about You and be saved.

Where faith is present, there is nothing God cannot do as we see in verses 9-10.

Verses 17-18 reminds us that You constantly shower good on us, Your mercy remains with us and You fill us with Your Holy Spirit who gives us all we need to live holy and joyful lives.

John 14:21-26

Beloved, the more familiar we are with Your Word the greater will its ability be to comfort us as we recall it and draw strength from its power.

We can keep Your commands only if we know them.  To know Your Word is to know You, to know You is to know the Father who sent You.  If we love You, You promise us that we will be loved by the Father for this is what He wants from us.  To acknowledge that You are His Son, that He sent You to save us and that it was love alone that prompted Him to do so.

Our love and obedience will evoke a powerful response from both the Father and You and we will belong to You eternally.  You will give us the greatest of all gifts in the Holy Spirit as a Guide, Counselor, Paraclete, Helper who will lead us deeper into the Truth and into the very depths of the life of the Triune God.

Psalm 115:1-3 

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to your name be the glory,

for the sake of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why should the pagans say,

“Where is their God?”

3 There in heaven is our God;

whatever he wishes, he does.

Isaiah 25:8-10, Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:4-9, John 14:1-12, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

Daily Meditation: Isaiah 25:8-10

Isaiah 25:8-10

8 and death will be no more. The Lord Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the world:

for the Lord has spoken.

9 On that day you will say: This is our God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 10 For on this mountain the hand of God rests.

My Beloved, I long for the day when death will be no more.  You have already made it possible to rise from spiritual death through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Your people continue to suffer, both Jews and Christians alike and You will wipe away our tears.  Someday Your brother Jews and our elder brothers in the faith, will embrace You as their Messiah and Savior too and they will know the fullness of joy in knowing You.

Right now evil seems to be gaining strength and the world has gone blind to the truth and the innocent suffer.  Those who follow You faithfully are being ridiculed and threatened but You always have the last word and You have spoken.  You are our God and we are Your people.  We will watch, wait , pray  and remain faithful despite the trials and tribulations that accompany those who are steadfast.  You will save us as You have done so often in the past and we will rejoice in Your power and saving help.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:4-9, John 14:1-12, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

 Acts 6:1-7

Beloved, even today there continues to be quarrel and division within the Church by those who do not want to put Your word first or to understand Your teachings in its orthodox sense.  They want a wishy washy faith where the lines of morality are blurred.  There are certain truths that simply cannot be watered down.  Once the Successor of Peter allows even a crack to appear in the teaching of unchangeable truths, then like the other churches, we too will be split wide open and the rot and evil of Satan will spread like a miasma and cloud Your Church in stench and she would soon fall.

Thankfully that will never happen for You have promised to stand by and protect Your Church until the end of time.  there will always be faithful disciples who will work tirelessly and stay awake and alert all the time to protect Your flock.

1 Peter 2:4-9

St. Peter our first Pope and the Rock on which You have built Your Church, reminds us that You are the precious cornerstone on which both the successor of Peter and the entire people within the embrace of Your Church, stand.  Through the grace that You pour upon her in never ending streams, we too become living stones.  We live a life of active faith and we offer spiritual sacrifice everyday  which rises up to the throne as a pleasing incense to You.  Our lives must be one of obedience to You, we are called to be humble, offering one another service in love.  This is the witness of a true disciple and is pleasing to You.  

People outside the faith find it difficult to understand, let alone practice what You taught us about love for You and love for neighbor.  It is a love that teaches us to lay down our life for the good of another in imitation of You, the Master.  You have given us a clear awareness of who we are.  As St. Peter puts it so beautifully in verse 9

9 You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people God has made his own to proclaim his wonders. For he called you from your darkness to his own wonderful light.

So we walk confidently with head held high in this valley of tears though the road is narrow for Your light shines bright to illumine the Way.

John 14:1-12

12 Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father.

Beloved, the last verse makes sweeping promises.  I hope and I trust in You.  I ask nothing more than this my Lord, to know You better each day in order that my love for You increases everyday.

I ask the Father in Your sweet, holy and mighty Name to give me a full measure of Your Holy Spirit so that all I do, think and say will be prompted by Him.  Amen.

Psalm 33:18

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

upon those who trust in his loving-kindness.

Micah 2:12-13, Acts 33:44-52, John 14:7-14, Psalm 98:1-4

Daily Meditation: Micah 2:12-13

Micah 2:12-13

 12 I shall assemble you, nation of Jacob, and gather the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture. 13 They have a leader in their midst. See: their king goes before them, Yahweh is heading them!

Sometimes, not sometimes often Beloved, when one looks at the world and its people it is hard not to feel discouragement.  Evil seems to rule the day.  All that is best in man seems to be lost and only depravity and selfishness seems to be the order of the day.  Thank You for these verses that assures Your faithful that You continue to gather Your flock and lead them to pasture.  We have a Leader in You and a visible leader in Your Vicar, the Bishop of Rome.  You are the invisible Head of the Church and You have triumphed.  Thank You for this wonderful assurance today.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 33:44-52, John 14:7-14, Psalm 98:1-4

Acts 33:44-52

Beloved, the Good News has the power to stir the soul and to fill the heart with hope.  In this valley of tears there are many who upon hearing the Gospel and about such a Savior as You, their whole life takes on a new meaning.  There is a goal and there is an eternal destination after this journey on earth.

This is why a certain religious group will not permit conversions within their own on pain of death.  They recognize the Power of Truth and they know that if they did not terrorize with fear, they would quickly lose many who are unable to find reason or beauty in what they must profess to believe.  But there will be those like Barnabas and Paul who will preach the Good News whether it is convenient or not and they will leave behind a blazing trail of disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, who will carry on the work of salvation. In the end Your Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary will triumph.

John 14:7-14

The Apostles could be a pretty thick headed bunch.  They just did not seem to get it.  They had spent three years with You night and day.  You ate with them, talked to them, instructed them.  They were witnesses to all the mighty miracles You performed and yet the truth of who You are did not seem to penetrate their minds.

That's how it is isn't it Beloved, without the light of Your Holy Spirit, who is the light that dispels the darkness and brings with it wisdom and understanding?  It is easy to dismiss the Apostles before Pentecost as dumb yet what about me?  How long it was in my own life before I came into a personal relationship with You.  You had to take me by the hand and with the guidance of Your Holy Spirit you led me slowly but surely into a deeper understanding of my faith.  Thank You Lord.

Psalm 98:1-4

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him.

2 The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations.

3 He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. The farthest ends of the earth all have seen God’s saving power.

4 All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise.