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.