Micah 2:12-13, Acts 12:1-11, Matthew 16 16:13-19, Psalm 34:2-9

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, the Lord is heading them!

You promise to assemble and lead Your people under Your leadership.

Thank You.

Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 12:1-11, Matthew 16 16:13-19, Psalm 34:2-9

Mark 6:22, 23, 24, Genesis 19:15-29, Matthew 8:23-27, Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12

Daily Meditation:  Mark 6:22, 23, 24

Mark 6:22, 23, 24

. 22 ........ The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” 23 ........... “I will give you anything you ask, even half my king­dom.” 24 She went out to consult her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

The King of kings says to me, "Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you."  I in turn say to Mother Mary, "Mama dearest, what shall I ask for?"  My Mama replies, "Ask to be possessed by the Spirit of my Son so that you may not belong to yourself again but to Him alone."

My Beloved Lord, send Your Holy Spirit upon me today and ask Him to possess me so completely that from this day forth, I will belong no longer to myself but to You through Him. Amen.

Daily Mass Readings: Genesis 19:15-29, Matthew 8:23-27, 

                                      Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12

Genesis 19:15-29

Beloved, once we have resolved to leave our old way of living behind and follow You, there is no turning back.  If we do, any progress we may have made in our spiritual journey would be hampered and we could be tempted

to return to our old ways.  Looking back with either regret or bitterness could render us immobile and we would make no progress on our spiritual journey.  Set me free Lord from the burdens of my past so I can walk calmly and confidently with You knowing I can trust my past, present and future to You. 

Matthew 8:23-27

My Beloved, I know that I belong to You and that my life is Yours ever since I gave it to You.  During the times when I do not feel Your Presence it does not mean that You are not with me.  I know You are.  Grant me serenity so that I may be confident in faith, knowing that feelings mean nothing and that You are truly present in me and with me whether I feel it or not.  May I never be afraid no matter how difficult life may get because I know that You Beloved are faithful.

Psalm 26:2-3, 11-12

2 Prove me, O Lord, put me to the test; examine my soul and my heart.

3 For your love is ever before my eyes,  and  I  live  in  truth  and  faith­ful­ness.

11 But I will walk in integrity, redeem me, O God, be gracious to me.

12 My foot stands firm in the straight path, I will praise you, O Lord, in your assemblies.

Isaiah 27:2-3, Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 8:18-22, Psalm 103:1-4, 8-11

Daily Meditation:  Isaiah 27:2-3

Isaiah 27:2-3

2 On that day, he will say, “Praise my fruitful vineyard! 3 I, Yahweh, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will harm it, day and night I guard it.”

Beloved, I am Yours, if I am faithful it is because You are the Gardener and You care for me night and day making sure that I receive all I need from the hands of an all powerful, loving and most generous God.  Thank You.

Daily Mass Readings:  Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 8:18-22, 

                                Psalm 103:1-4, 8-11

Genesis 18:16-33

Beloved, we see in these verses that God is not only just but His justice is always tempered with love, mercy and compassion.  If we cry and plead and intercede for the world as Abraham did in verse 27, "I know that I am very bold to speak like this to my Lord, I who am only dust and ashes!" surely He will hear us as He heard Abraham.   Do not let Your world perish like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Matthew 8:18-22

My Beloved, all are invited to follow You but You tell us clearly what to expect.  You had no place to lay Your head and yet the whole world belongs to You.  You will not tolerate excuses either.  If we are called then we must be prepared to drop everything for the privilege of becoming Your disciples.  We can trust You to look after those we leave behind.  If God has a work for us to do, let us do it gladly and willingly.

Proverbs 9:5-6, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

Daily Meditation:  Proverbs 9:5-6

Proverbs 9:5-6

5 “Come, eat and drink of the bread and wine I have prepared. 6 Give up your foolishness and you will live; take the straight path of discernment.”

Beloved today the Church celebrates the feast of Corpus Christi, how appropriate it  is that You have given me these verses for my meditation today.   In this proverb You invite me to, come and eat of the bread and wine You have prepared.  Heavenly food and drink necessary to strengthen me on my journey from earth to heaven.  Without the Eucharist, Your Church would have either faded into oblivion or it would be exactly like any one of the many denominations today.  It would be a Church where the Holy Spirit was replaced by each ones own spirit and Holy Scripture would be subject to everyone's personal interpretation.  In the Father's wisdom  He ordained this Sacrament where together with the power of the Holy Spirit, ordinary bread and wine become Your most precious Body and Blood.  We sup at this Banquet of Love and are healed, renewed and strengthened.  

I am still foolish about many things with Your help may I give up any foolishness in thought and action only then I will  be able to discern Your will for me from moment to moment.  Thank You.

Daily Mass Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

                              John 6:51-58, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

You remind me that man does not live on bread alone but by every word that You speak - most especially the Eternal Word that proceeds from You.  Help me to overcome self and pride knowing that it is You alone who has set me free from the slavery and bondage of sin and selfishness.  You have led me faithfully all these years from the moment I was born. You have been with me through pain, tears and sorrows, You have consoled and fed me, You have helped me find sweetness in the midst of grief.  You feed me everyday in the Eucharist.  As I eat Your Body each day, may I become more and more like You.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Thank You Beloved for Your Body and Blood which every member eats and drinks.  Sharing the same Bread which is Your Body we are made one in You.  Give me a greater sensitivity and awareness of this truth.

John 6:51-58

Beloved, if every Christian read these verses with the light of the Holy Spirit they would all come running home to You in Your Church - the one You built on the Rock which is Peter.  It is indeed a tragedy that for many this is a hard saying.  Faith is lacking and so they are unable to grasp the simple truth of the words in these verses, "The bread that I shall give is my own flesh and I will give if for the life of the world."  Can it get any clearer than this.  It is no wonder that the world is in the state it is today because Christians do not possess the life that only You can give through the Eucharist.  Catholics too have fallen by the wayside because they refuse to come to the Banquet.  Have mercy on us Lord and open our hearts to the truth.

Acts 14:15 & 17, Genesis 18:1-15, Matthew 8:5-17, Luke 1: 46-50, 53-55

Daily Meditation:  Acts 14:15 & 17

Acts 14:15 & 17

15.........God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them 17.....has  never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.”

My Beloved, how can I thank You enough for all the blessing You have showered on me from the moment I was conceived?  Yes, there have been great sorrows at different in my life but You have been present most powerfully every time to take my hand and lead me through the dark and turbulent times and You have brought me safely to shore. Thank You for the joy that fills my life because of my knowledge of You.

Daily Mass Readings:   Genesis 18:1-15, Matthew 8:5-17, 

                                       Luke 1: 46-50, 53-55

 

Genesis 18:1-15

Beloved, there is much of significance in these verses and much to learn and practice.  Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent at midday as it was hot day.  What was he thinking of as he sat there?  He was an old man and so was his wife Sarah.  Was he musing on God's promise to him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, and here they were an old couple well beyond the prime of life and still childless?  How would God fulfill His promise - He had no doubt that God would be faithful, but he must have been musing about the 'when'  of the promise.  Looking up he found three Visitors who appeared to be passing by and he welcomed them joyously and wholeheartedly.    May my welcome also be like that of Abraham in verse 3, “My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass your servant by."  May I always offer the best I have.  May I motivate those around me also to serve - Sara was sent to make cakes, the servant was instructed to take the finest calf and prepare it for the meal while he himself brought them cool, refreshing milk and cream.  Setting the meal that was prepared before his 'Guests', he himself stood at hand while they ate, ready to serve and offer them anything else they might need.  Abraham's reward was the promise of a son within the year.  Sarah laughed in secret as she was old and beyond the years of childbearing.  How often in the secret places of our heart we think we are either too old, too sick, too tired, bedridden and of no use; yet God can always do the impossible and work great things through those who are willing to offer themselves in total surrender to Him.

Matthew 8:5-17

Faith can be found in the most unexpected places.  Those who walked with Jesus and witnessed His miracles were always full of questions but this Roman Centurion who was considered an outsider, had heard of You and knew that You could only have come from God.  You had the power to command and You would be obeyed.  Even the forces of nature had to acquiesce to the power of Your Word. The Centurion's faith was rewarded as faith in You always is.  Thank You Beloved for bearing our infirmities and taking upon Yourself our guilt.

Luke 1: 53-54

53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He held out his hand to Israel, his servant,
for he remembered his mercy.

I am hungry for You Lord I know You will not deny me the gift of Yourself to feed my hunger and You will quench my thirst with the sweetness of  Your Holy Spirit.  Hold out Your hand to me always my Beloved, so I can reach for it when the road is rough, narrow and dangerous.  Thank You.

Deuteronomy 5:10, Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 1:57-66, 80, Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15

Daily Meditation:  Deuteronomy 5:10

Deuteronomy 5:10

10 But I am merciful to the thousandth generation to those who love me and obey my commandments.

To love You means that I am willing to do all You ask me do.  Love involves trust, surrender, faith, hope. Your Name is Love.  Your nature is love, Your work is love.  My response to Love  must be love.  I must always be willing like You and Mother Mary to say, "Not my will but Yours be done."  Grant  this grace to me my Lord today and always.  Your generous and merciful love promises that mercy will be experienced to all the generation who will come after me.

Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 1:57-66, 80, Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15

Isaiah 49:1-6

Every baptized Christian has a mission to make God known to all the nations.  Wherever we go we must carry the Gospel message by the life we live.

Luke 1:57-66, 80

Every child that is conceived in it's mother's womb is born for a purpose - just like St. John the Baptist whose birthday is celebrated today.  There is a work that no one else can do.  It is a terrible thing when we get in the way of God's plan by snuffing out the little ones in their mothers' womb.  All those who carry out this murderous work beginning with those who have legitimized this cruel and outrageous atrocity, have stained their hands, their lives and the soil of the earth with the blood of these innocents. The voiceless and the helpless  have been robbed of their right to live because they have been sacrificed on the altar self.

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15

1 O Lord, you know me:

you have scrutinized me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;

beforehand you discern my thoughts.

3 You observe my activities and times of rest;

you are familiar with all my ways.

13 It was you who formed my inmost part

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I thank you for these wonders you have done,

and my heart praises you for your marvelous deeds.

15 Even my bones were known to you

when I was being formed in secret,

fashioned in the depths of the earth.