Ezekiel 18:4, Acts 11:1-18, John 10:11-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4

Daily Meditation:  Ezekiel 18:4

Ezekiel 18:4

4 All life is in my hands, the life of the parent and the life of the child are mine. The lives of both are in my hands, so the one who sins will die.

Beloved, the world, its peoples, its governments, its old and young, its religious leaders and even some in the Church are guilty of the slaughter of the innocents every day.  Rivers of blood stain our souls and our nations.  Abortion is not only legalized the world over but is considered a right.  These precious souls, made in Your image for a purpose that You have willed in eternity, are ruthlessly and diabolically expelled  from a haven that ought to be the safest and most sacred for a child.  We have no one to blame if we find that the state of the world is in the terrible mess that it is today.  

Have mercy on us O Lord, hear the prayers of those who raise their voices in supplication each day for an end to this terrible and endless holocaust of the innocent on the altar of self.  May all who work tirelessly to educate the world on the horror of abortion and contraception find their labor fruitful and may the killing end.  We make this prayer in Your sweet and mighty Name Lord Jesus.  Beloved, graciously hear and answer us.  Amen.

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Daily Mass Readings: Acts 11:1-18, John 10:11-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4

Acts 11:1-18

Sometimes Beloved, You call us to do things that we consider below our dignity.  We do not want to go to certain places or be seen with certain people.  We forget that every soul on earth has been created to know You, love You and serve You and there are a multitude of souls who have absolutely no knowledge of You.  Everyone who is baptized has been given a mission to evangelize.  Many religions worship evil without even being aware of what they are doing.  They worship idols in various forms and are under the slavery and bondage of evil.  Like Peter in verse 4 we are called to bring the Good News by which they will be saved.  We are urged not to resist You and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We have to ensure that everyone we know and encounter each day hears the Good News by the way we live so that they too might receive life giving repentance.

Verses, 9, 12, 14, 17-18  

’ 9 A second time the voice from the heavens spoke, “What God has made clean, you must not call unclean.”  12 The Spirit instructed me to go with them without hesitation; so these six brothers came along with me and we entered into the man’s house.  14 He will bring you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.”

17 If, then, God had given them the same gift that he had given us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to resist God?”

18 When they heard this they set their minds at rest and praised God saying, “Then God has granted life-giving repentance to the pagan nations as well.”

John 10:11-18

Beloved, when the foundations of the world were laid and man was created, he knew that there was an awesome power, a God who created all things and he longed to know and worship Him.  Before God revealed Himself in Salvation history, men have worshipped the forces of nature or created images to which they could attribute the power of God so that they could prostrate and worship Him.  Man was created with an undeniable hunger that cried out for contact with the Almighty.  God then revealed Himself to Abraham, Moses, the prophets and prepared His chosen people for the Gift of all gifts.  When the time had come He sent You, His well beloved Son, born of a Woman, to become one like us so You could identify with our human condition and show us that it was possible to not only know You but we could become one with You.  He told us that we could strive after holiness, the same holiness and perfection of God the Father Himself, with the help of Your Holy Spirit.  God came to meet man, becoming like Him, He revealed the Face of God to us and left us a memorial of His love in the Eucharist.  He then laid down His life for us in perfect atonement for our wickedness and sin. 

Verses 14-18 speak with clarity of all that You have done for us in obedience to the Father's will.  May we in turn be bold witnesses of our faith so that those in error may find You. If necessary, may we not hesitate to lay down our lives too for the sake of the Truth.

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?

Psalm: 43:3-4

3 Send forth your light and your truth;

let them be my guide,

let them take me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you reside.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,

to God, my gladness and delight.

I will praise you with the lyre and harp,

O God, my God.