MAY JESUS BE THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN OUR
HOMES AND HEARTS THIS CHRISTMAS AND ALL
THROUGH THE NEW YEAR
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Psalm 73:23-26
Daily Meditation: Psalm 73:23-26
Psalm 73:23-26
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand,
24 you guide me on the way you chose
and your Glory brings me along.
25 I have no one in heaven but you;
on earth I desire nothing but you.
26 My flesh and my heart waste away
for you, O God, O my rock,
you are mine forever.
How wonderfully these verses sum up all You do for me and what You are to me.
Yes, my Beloved, my Love, You are always with me, You hold my right hand and strength and peace flow from You to me. The glory of Your splendor leads me on and I follow in Your footsteps lest I stray. You who know the human heart know how much this poor, weak, sinful heart of mine loves You, I love You to the absolute capacity and then some. But my capacity is less than a thimbleful. I am so small but all that there is of me, insignificant though it may be is all Yours. You have absolute claim over me. I know what the Psalmist means in verse 26 - I do long for You and receiving You every day in the Eucharist satisfies me to the depths of my being - You are mine and I am Yours Beloved forever.
1 Samuel 1:24-28, Luke 1:46-56, 1 Samuel 1, 4-7
Daily Mass Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Luke 1:46-56, 1 Samuel 1, 4-7
1 Samuel 1:24-28
Luke 1:46-56
Beloved, Your Mama's reaction to Elizabeth's recognition of her as the Mother of God speaks eloquently of her understanding of God and she gave Him all the glory. She saw herself and rightly, as only the instrument that He had chosen and fashioned in accordance with His desire which was perfection; for only perfection without wrinkle or stain would be acceptable. It is He who made her worthy to bear You, His Son. All the merits and grace lavished on her were given in superabundance. He gave her the virtues that are so dear to the heart of God - humility, a docile and pliant spirit, beautiful both without and within, childlike, silent, quiet, contemplative but active in love and service. A tower and pillar of strength and comfort when You, our God, took on our helplessness and weakness and leaned on her and was comforted by her. How could the Father, You and the Holy Spirit not reward her as only a grateful God can? Her 'fiat' was necessary for You, the God Man to become Incarnate. I too unite my thanksgiving with You and say, "Thank You Ma."
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Daniel 14:38
Daily Meditation: Daniel 14:38
“You have remembered me, O God, and have not forsaken those who love you.”
My Beloved, I wish to thank You for Your constant love. All through this year You have been with me most powerfully. You have blessed me and my family abundantly both spiritually and temporally and I thank YOU.
Song of Songs 2:8-14, Luke 1:39-45, Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Daily Mass Readings: Song of Songs 2:8-14, Luke 1:39-45,
Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21
Song of Songs 2:8-14
My Beloved, You leaped from eternity into time for me. You had me always in Your heart. Your love for me is so great that You left Your throne in the highest heavens to look for me. Having found me You knew I was unworthy of You and could never be Yours in heaven until You set me free from the slavery of sin. You set Your Face like flint as You walked towards Jerusalem and made of Yourself the sacrificial lamb that set me free. Now You invite me to live a life of union with You here on hear. You lead me and teach me to delight in You and soon You will come to take me home so that I can be forever with You.
Luke 1:39-45
Mama dearest, true love is always about the other never of self. Teach me Mama to not only discover the need that another has but to do my part in providing what is required even if all I can offer if a smile, a touch or a word of comfort, Thank You Ma.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Esther 5:6, Esther 7:2, Esther 8:4
Daily Meditation: Esther 5:6, Esther 7:2, Esther 8:4
My Beloved, I ask that You bless and anoint not only but every member of my family so that we may be pleasing to You always. May all the work You have planned for me to do while I am alive, be accomplished according to Your most holy will.
Grant me and mine a full measure of Your most Holy Spirit.
I want to love You more each day until Your love consumes me - I want to delight in spending time alone with You always. Imbue my entire being with the light of Your Holy Presence Be Emmanuel in me. Become Incarnate in my soul.
---- Mine I want You to belong to Me utterly, entirely, wholly, completely without reserve, hold nothing back. Give all of yourself to Me - the good, the bad, the ugly, I want it all and I will transform, heal and make whole and beautiful. Be Mine always.
I am my Beloved Yours and Yours alone today and forever.
“What is your petition? Speak up and it will be given. What is your request? Even half of my kingdom is yours for the asking.”
“Whatever your petition is, Queen Esther, it shall be granted. Whatever request you make shall be fulfilled, even if it were half of my kingdom.”
4 The king held out the golden scepter to her.
My Beloved, I ask that You bless and anoint not only but every member of my family so that we may be pleasing to You always. May all the work You have planned for me to do while I am alive, be accomplished according to Your most holy will.
Grant me and mine a full measure of Your most Holy Spirit.
I want to love You more each day until Your love consumes me - I want to delight in spending time alone with You always. Imbue my entire being with the light of Your Holy Presence Be Emmanuel in me. Become Incarnate in my soul.
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---- Mine I want You to belong to Me utterly, entirely, wholly, completely without reserve, hold nothing back. Give all of yourself to Me - the good, the bad, the ugly, I want it all and I will transform, heal and make whole and beautiful. Be Mine always.
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I am my Beloved Yours and Yours alone today and forever.
Isaiah 7:10-14 , Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 24:1-6
Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 , Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 24:1-6
Isaiah 7:10-14
Our Father, Abba, You have given us a sign in the virgin birth and in the Word that became Flesh in order to become our food and the Victim for our sins. He is the sacrifice and the holocaust pleasing to You. We are redeemed at a price acceptable to You for it proves Your love us and for Your Son. Today You have raised Him over and above all as Ruler, Savior, Redeemer who has dominion and power over all in heaven, on earth and under the earth.
Luke 1:26-38
Abba, of all men created by Your none is fairer than Your masterpiece Mary. Chosen by God from all eternity to be the Mother of the Son, the Triune God had all eternity to make her just as You believe a mother ought to be - a Mother fit for Your Son - Son of God, Son of Mary and of Man. She is perfect and the Beloved who is as generous as You gave her to us as our Mama. He know what a treasure we would find in her. Thank You.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
John 14:1-7
Daily Inspiration: John 14:1-7
John 14:1-7
• 1 “Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. 3 After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. 4 Yet you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. 7 If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him and you have seen him.”
Beloved, I brought my anxious ;heart to You today and I asked You to speak words of consolation. As always, You did not fail me. The first words verses to strike me were these, "Do not be troubled, trust God and trust in Me." Thank You. Only You know how to console. The sweet balm of kindness and gentleness have anointed my bruised spirit and have comforted me.
I belong to You and because I do, You have room for me in Your Father's house. You have gone before me to prepare a place for me and You will come back and take me with You once my place is ready so that I may be with You always.
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---- Mine, don't worry. God is control. All will be well.
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2Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Daily Mass Readings: 2Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
2Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16
Beloved Jesus, Mother Mary is the Arc of the New Covenant and her womb is the tent that housed the Son of God. For nine months You were one with her, dependent on her for Your life within her. You embellished this fair garden with the most beautiful and fragrant of virtues. She is forever the model of all that is best and most admirable for all who wish to imitate her and this pleases You. From her has sprung the Son of the Most High God the power of the Most Holy Spirit. You are God from God, light from God, true God from true God and Mary is Your Mother. Thank You for giving her to us as our Mother as well. She makes life sweet.
Luke 1:26-38
You speak these words to all who run to You for comfort, "Do not fear, I am with you. My Spirit lives in You. I am your Father, My Son will set your free from all evil. Be not afraid. He is with You always He is Emmanuel."
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17, Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17
Daily Mass Readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17,
Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17
Genesis 49:2, 8-10
2 “Gather round, sons of Jacob. And listen to your father Israel!
8 Judah, your brothers will praise you!
You shall seize your enemies by the neck!
Your father’s sons shall bow before you.
9 Judah, a young lion!
You return from the prey, my son!
Like a lion he stoops and crouches,
and like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter shall not be taken from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs,
and who has the obedience of the nations.
You Beloved, are the King that the world waited for with baited breath. A Ruler who would save all men and crush the enemy. You rule the world with love and thus You bring down the mighty with humility. Love that was born in a stable and that was ultimately nailed on the Cross, who could resist such love.
Psalm 18:2-7
Daily Meditation: Psalm 18:2-7
Psalm 18:2-7
2 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
3 The Lord is my rock, my fortress,
my deliverer and my God.
He is the rock in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield, my powerful savior, my stronghold.
4 I call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise: he saves me from my enemies!
5 A deadly flood surrounded me,
devilish torrents rushed at me;
6 caught by the cords of the grave,
I was brought to the snares of death.
7 But I called upon the Lord in my distress,
I cried to my God for help; and from his temple he heard my voice,
my cry of grief reached his ears.
My Beloved, how wonderfully these verses speak to me. How well they express my love for You. I have experience You in the same way as the psalmist has. You have been and are my life and my love. You are my God, my Rock, my Strength. How often I have run to You in times of joy, sorrow, trouble and distress and I have always found a refuge in You.
You have opened Your arms and I have rushed into them and You clasped me close to Your heart. You have wiped my tears. You've smiled at me. You have been very grave when I did somehting I ought not to have done and I have been shamed to tears by my lack of will. But You have always been quick to forgive and reward.
You have answered every cry of distress and You have been my ever present help in all my troubles. Thank You my Beloved.
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---- Mine, I am the Good Shepherd and You are my sheep. Stay within the shelter of my fold and I will see you safely home.
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Thank You my Lord.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Isaiah 54:1-10, Luke 7:24-30, Psalm 30:2 and 4-6, 11-13
Daily Meditation: Isaiah 54:1-10, Luke 7:24-30, Psalm 30:2 and 4-6, 11-13
Isaiah 54:1-10
You love Your own Beloved and You have loved us to the end. We are not forsake or abandoned. You are ours and we belong to You. There is no intimacy my Beloved as awesome and glorious as the intimacy of the Eucharist. We would never be worthy to receive You if it were not for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You have made every provision for us my lord. You truly are a generous Lover. There is none like You.
Luke 7:24-30
Beloved, we will not find You if we come with preconceived ideas. We must be like little children - our hearts open to receiving You no matter where we find You and no matter how hidden You may be. If we seek You we will find You, if we truly seek with the right attitude and a humble and loving heart.
Psalm 30:12-13
12 But now, you have turned my mourning into rejoicing; you have taken off my sackcloth and wrapped me in the garments of gladness.
13 And so my soul, no longer silent, now sings praise without ceasing. O Lord my God, forever will I give you thanks.
John 6:28-47
Daily Meditation: John 6:28-47
John 6:28-47
Beloved all that the Father asks of me is to believe in You, hope in You, trust in You and love You. If I do all of the above, eternal life is promised to me. A life spent in perfect union with the God of love. The Father makes believing in You very easy for who could resist the love You offer? I know I cannot. You feed me with Your Body and You make me one with You in a union that is even closer than the union of spouses. Here is perfect union between God and me.
You feed my hunger. You quench my thirst. You redeem me by paying the price for my freedom with Your Life. What is even more amazing Beloved, is that this is the Father's will, that I be sanctified and ransomed by You. My belief in You is made possible not by my choosing but by the Father making it possible for me to believe; by choosing me to be among those that believe. I receive all the grace necessary to receive all that You wish to give me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Isaiah 45:6-8, 18. 21-25, Luke 7:18-23, Psalm 85:9-14
Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 45:6-8, 18. 21-25, Luke 7:18-23,
Psalm 85:9-14
Isaiah 45:6-8, 18. 21-25
You are great and worthy of praise and I unite my voice with the Church, with creation and with men and women of goodwill to declare that You Lord are the only God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit and I shall sing Your praise and offer You my love, adoration and worship all the days of my life with Your help.
Luke 7:18-23
The way of the Lord is perfect.
My whole life experience of You has been one of hope and of love. I have known the sweetness of Your consolation and the sadness of loss. You have always turned my mourning into dancing my Beloved.
Proverbs 31:20, 25-26
Daily Meditation: Proverbs 31: 25-26
Proverbs 31:20, 25-26
20 She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
25 She is strong and dignified and looks with confidence to the future.
26 She speaks wisely and her words are kind.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Matthew 21:28-3, Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7. 17-19, 23
Daily Mass Readings: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Matthew 21:28-3,
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7. 17-19, 23
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Beloved, teach me to receive Your correction and be saved. Teach me to trust You in all things. Grant me lips that do not lie especially to myself may all nations believe in You, call on You and praise Your mighty Name. Thank You for the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it is here that You wash away my guilt and forgive all my faults. Here it is that You strengthen me. On Your holy mountain, in the City of God, You feed me with the Eucharist. I glory in Your great love.
Matthew 21:28-3
Beloved, despite the fact that I drag my feet sometimes, may I always do what You wish in the end. In this alone lies my true happiness - to do Your will always.
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7. 17-19, 23
2 I will bless the Lord all my days;
his praise will be ever on my lips.
3 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the lowly hear and rejoice.
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.
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.
23 But the Lord will redeem the life of his servants;
none of those who trust in him will be doomed.
Sirach 51:28-30
Daily Meditation: Sirach 51:28-30
Sirach 51:28-30
28 Be instructed, whatever the cost, and you will gain what is better than gold.
29 Let your soul find joy in the mercy of the Lord, and do not be ashamed to praise him.
30 Do your work within the appointed time, and the Lord in his time will give you your reward.
Here again is some timely advice for me. There is much to learn, accept and correct. I know that I am frittering away precious time instead of using it properly. You have to please come to my aid Lord as I seem to be quite helpless and spineless about this.
Verse 29 tells my soul to rejoice in Your mercy and not to be slow to praise You. Yes, You are a God of great mercy and You take into account my weak will in this particular area of my life. I know that in time I will gain mastery through grace. i praise You for my slowness in asserting my self will as it reveals how much I need You and in truth how weak I am without You.
Last of all You remind me about the importance of accomplishing all that has been given to me to do, only then will You recompense and reward me.
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---- Mine, You must take concrete steps in advance so that you will not fall prey to a weak will. Arm yourself for batter. Pray, take small steps only,break up the hours at your disposal and decide what you wish to accomplish within that time and then - DO IT.
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Monday, December 12, 2011
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17, Matthew 21:23-27, Psalm 25:4-9
Daily Mass Readings: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17, Matthew 21:23-27,
Psalm 25:4-9
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17
My Beloved, You compare Your Church as well as those whom You love to valleys with gardens and orchards that are fruitful because You have planted them. It is You who nurture and protect. You are Kingdom of God and those who are grafted on to You experience Your life giving love flowing into us and enabling us to be like You in love and virtue. You enable us yield fruit in season and out of season for Your glory. We wait in patience for Your coming Lord as eagerly as a watchman waits for the dawn to light up the sky.
Matthew 21:23-27
My Beloved, You have said that all authority in heaven, on earth and everywhere has been given to You by Your Father, the same Father You taught us to call Abba. The Father has given dominion over all and He desires all to acknowledge this dominion and authority. There are some who are prepared to deceive themselves and others because they know that if they believe they will have to change.
Psalm 25:4-9
4 Teach me your ways, O Lord; make known to me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and instruct me, for you are my God, my savior; I hope in you all day long.
6 Remember your compassion, O Lord, your unfailing love from of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth, but in your love remember me.
8 Good and upright, the Lord teaches sinners his way.
9 He teaches the humble of heart and guides them in what is right.
Isaiah 27:2-3
Daily Meditation: Isaiah 27:2-3
Isaiah 27:2-3
• 2 On that day, he will say, “Praise my fruitful vineyard!
3 I, the Lord, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will harm it, day and night I guard it.”
My Beloved, I am the vineyard - I belong to You purchased at the cost of Your life. You make me fruitful by pouring out Your own Holy Spirit on me. You guard me tirelessly so that I do not stumble and fall. You give me each that that I draw so that I may live. You sustain me, You hold me up with Your strength. you sustain me. You permit me to be tried in order that I may recognize how prone I am to sin and cling ever closer to You in order that I may resist temptation.You feed me and this nourishment that You provide is Your own Flesh and Blood. You unite me to Yourself and to the Father along with my fellow Catholics in a perfect union through the bond of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Love.
Beloved, thank You for loving me so much that You make known my faults and Your give me grace to correct them because You wish me to be perfect like Your Father and mine.
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---- Mine, be on your guard always. The devil is subtle and wily and he will choose to attack you in your weakest moments. It is when you believe yourself strong and better than others. It is precisely in these times that I permit him to show you how very like you are to those whom you sometimes look upon upon. Remember all is grace.
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Sunday, December 11, 2011
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
Daily Mass Readings : Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24,
John 1:6-8, 19-28,Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
My Beloved, You hold Your hand out to me and You have shown me infinite, tender mercy and compassion. You permitted me to reach out and grasp it and You pulled me out of the spirit of darkness, sin, desolation, sadness and tears. You give me new joy and with Your Own Spirit living in me I can praise, adore, worship, glorify and live. Thank You.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
God's will and vocation for me is to:
- Rejoice always
- Pray without ceasing
- Give thanks to God at every moment.
I must be sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit and I must do nothing to quench it.
My Lord, You call me to be blameless in spirit, soul and body until You come. you are faithful and You can accomplish this in me. Of myself I can do nothing.
John 1:6-8, 19-28
If I truly wish to be like St. John, 'A voice that cries out in the wilderness,' I must be aware that I might not win the popularity vote. No one is interested in the truth. I must always be aware that I am not and I must constantly point out to the One who is the I AM, the One whose sandal strap that I am not worthy to untie. He is the One who invites us into a relationship with Himself.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 17:9-13, Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Daily Mass Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 17:9-13,
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
My Beloved, I ought to cease being surprised when I see how beautifully my earlier meditation ties in so beautifully to the Liturgy of the Mass readings for the day. Fire - Light - A burning torch that brings light to the world. To live in love with You always in this world and in the next.
When I come down the mountain, I must continue to bring You with me in order that Your light in me and the savor of Your life in me may be a witness to those in the valleys and plains.
Matthew 17:9-13
We all all called to be Elijah and John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord's coming. We must expect suffering, rejection and persecution if we want to be authentic disciples.
May I lean on You and learn from You.
Psalm 80:15-16, 18-19
15 Turn again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven and see; care for this vine,
16 and protect the stock your hand has planted.
18 But lay your hand on your instrument, on the son of man whom you make strong for yourself.
19 Then we will never turn away from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Matthew 5:13-16
Daily Meditation: Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:13-16
My Beloved there are three things You make clear to me in these verses:
1) I am the salt of the earth
2) I am the light of the world
3) This light must be a witness, a sign of hope that endures and dispels the
darkness, even if only for a moment, for those who come into its presence.
This is what is required of any one who calls himself Your disciple. Anyone who wishes to have a close relationship with You must possess these characteristics. I must possess a Christ like flavor. I must burn with Christ like love only then can I be what You want me to be, a sigh of hope in a dark world.
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---- Mine, You are truly my disciple. Just love with a love that encompasses all things,.
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I am Yours Love, have Your way with me and do what You will with me life. It is all Yours.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Isaiah 48:17-19, Matthew 11:16-19, Psalm 1-4, 6
Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19, Matthew 11:16-19, Psalm 1-4, 6
Isaiah 48:17-19
My Beloved, My Master, my Teacher, my Friend. It is You who lead us, teach us and guide us along the way of salvation that leads to holiness. If we refuse to obey then we lose our peace and joy. Our lives are arid, barren, devoid of all good. Those who depend on us will wither and die for we have given them nothing to help them and they in turn will be lost. Give us wisdom Lord so we us the time we have to know You and live by Your commands.
Matthew 11:16-19
Beloved, how often we are so ignorant and we make superficial judgments based on what is visible. We are stubborn. We do not want to change. We close our ears to the truth. We wish to ignore the Truth that became Incarnate, took flesh and broke that Flesh to feed us and poured His Blood to quench our thirst and give us eternal life. We despise people without bothering to look beyond what meets the eye. Help us Lord to love as You do.
Psalm 1-3
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.
John 1:35-39
Daily Meditation: John 1:35-39
John 1:35-39
My Beloved, catechists must be like John. They prepare the way, they make known the Bridegroom, they can do so because they know Him well, because they spend time getting to know Him better each day. The time must come when those who are being catechized will feel a burning in their own hearts as well as they come to know and love Christ and His Church. A time when they will want to make their own personal discovery and continue the journey with the Bridegroom Himself. Catechists must point out to Him and say, "Behold the Lam of God." They prepare their children or youth or adults to receive the Sacraments.
Once they understand the power and the necessity to of following Christ they must do so at once without hesitation or delay because therein lies their true joy. Jesus will ask of each, "What are you looking for? Not who are you looking for? They know who He is, but why do they wish to follow Him - that knowledge is true discovery.
What am I looking for my Lord? I am looking for the Truth that will set me free. I wish to live with You for the rest of my life. I want to be your disciple. I want you to have complete authority over me I want in turn to share my discovery of this joy in union with you with all whom I encounter.
I want to belong to You alone.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 98:1-4
Daily Mass Readings : Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 98:1-4
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Beloved the stage is set for the greatest tragedy and the greatest triumph. The opening scene has God arriving and He asks 4 questions in the above verses they are:
WHERE ARE YOU?
WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED?
HAVE YOU EATEN OF THE TREE I ORDERED YOU NOT TO EAT?
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? I can almost hear the anguish and horror in the Father's voice as He asks the last question for He knows what it is going to cost Him to undo what our first parents had done. The scene ends with the man calling his wife Eve, the mother of all the living while the truth of the matter is that she allowed herself to be tempted, she tempted her husband and thus sin and death entered the world.
Luke 1:26-38
My Beloved, here we have another stage with another woman - but one who is untouched as man - as pure as the lily is white and pure. God does not have to go in search of her because she is present to Him always. She has no cause for shame and therefore no cause to hide. Mary asks only one question not in doubt but rather in wonder as to how God would accomplish this wonderful thing in her since she was a virgin. The angel's answer suffices to change wonder to awe. She knows God can do anything, and she consents. The Holy Spirit then descends on her and the power of God Almighty overshadows her and You my Beloved, the Word of God became Flesh - God Incarnate of the Virgin Mary. She becomes the second Eve and it is more rightly called the mother of all the living. The Church was conceived at the foot of the Cross when You entrusted her to the beloved disciple as his mother.
Psalm 98:3
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.
Acts 2:33
Daily Meditation : Acts 2:33
Acts 2:33
33 He has been exalted at God’s right side and the Father has entrusted the Holy Spirit to him; this Spirit he has just poured upon us as you now see and hear.
Beloved I can see the truth of what we believe in this verse that no one can outdo God in generosity. Not only is it in Your Nature to Love, it is all Your Nature to Give. The Father gives You all things in order that You may be glorified and You in give is all things in order that we may glorify the Father in You. It pleases You to pour out Your own Holy Spirit on us for You know how much we need Him if we are live a life pleasing to God.
My Abba, You urge me to listen to Your Beloved Son but I am so terribly weak, wayward and shallow. I know that my love is nothing but a flickering flame on a dying wick. It is Your Son who keeps the flame alive with His might protection.
Beloved Jesus, I believe that You have poured Your Holy Spirit on me, the same Spirit the father has entrusted to You. You see my need of Him and so You pour Him out on me in full measure.
Holy Spirit, gentle Spirit of God, Living Flame of Life and Love between the Father and Son, stay with me and assist me to life a life wholly pleasing to my God.
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---- Mine don't be discouraged by your frailty, the important thing is to pick up yourself and start over. I am the Lord of new beginnings. It is the battle that is important because the victory has already been won by Me on the Cross. Don't be afraid of falling, it is when you do not get up that you ought to have cause for concern. As long as you fight the good fight and keep faith with Me, you will grow stronger until in the end, with my help, you will overcome and gain mastery of your faults - one weakness and one frailty at a time.
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You have poured Your Holy Spirit to me, I will lean on Him and trust Him to help me. Thank You Beloved.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Isaiah 40:25-31, Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10
Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31, Matthew 11:28-30,
Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10
Isaiah 40:25-31
My Beloved, it never ceases to amaze me how the Readings of the day so often tie up so well with my earlier meditation in my quiet time with You. There seems to be a natural overflow from one to the other. In today's verses You respond to the question You asked me, "Who do you say that I am?" After I have given You my response, You now tell me so very graciously who You are. You are my Strength, my Joy, my Song and my Deliverer.
Matthew 11:28-30
My Beloved, accepting You invitation to come follow You might seem daunting if one has not had that initial, personal encounter with You. After experiencing the sweet generosity of Your love who could resist this invitation? Indeed Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. It is the yoke and the burden of imaging You always.
Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10
1 Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all his kindness; 3 he forgives all your sins and heals all your sickness; 4 he redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with love and compassion;8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, abounding in love and slow to anger;
10 He does not treat us according to our sins, nor does he punish us as we deserve.
How true my Beloved, You have never punished me as I have deserved but You have been exceedingly merciful, tender and compassionate. Thank You.
Mark 8:28-29
Daily Meditation: Mark 8:28-29
Mark 8:28-29
28...........Then Jesus asked them, 29 “But you, who do you say I am?”
"And you, who do you say I am?"
Are you asking me my Beloved? Like Peter I acknowledge that You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. I also acknowledge that You are my life, You are my breath, You are my all. With You I am all things and anything You want me to be. Without You - what am I without You Beloved? I don't know what I'd be without You - lost for sure and most unhappy and miserable. Life would lose all meaning and color - it would be drab, gray and dull.
Beloved, You make life brilliant. The more I know You the greater is my response to Your love for me. You have never failed me although I have failed You often yet You never give up on me. You are always there. I have moved away from You sometimes but I have always come running back and I have always found You right there waiting for me.
Beloved, You know how hopelessly weak and frail I am. I need Your strength and Your support. Stay with me Beloved as You always have from eternity to eternity. Thank You.
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---- Mine, I love you with an unsurpassable love. It is a love that knows no measure. When you run to Me, look at Me, spend time with Me, smile, laugh, sing and dance before Me, you move Me to fill you with the joy that you find so exquisite.
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11, Matthew 18:12-14, Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Daily Mass Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11, Matthew 18:12-14,
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Isaiah 40:1-11
6 A voice says, “Cry.”
and I say, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty as the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will forever stand.”
9 Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
10 Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
11 Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young.
Beloved, how good You are to me verses 6-11 speak directly to my need. Yes Beloved my flesh and its cravings will wither like the grass but Your eternal word stands forever. You are here and You will grant me all I need. Safe in the knowledge that You are all I need I will lie quiescent in Your arms and permit You to battle on my behalf. Teach me to trust You and to seek to do only that which You desire. Let this be my delight.
Matthew 18:12-14
In verse 12 You say, "What do you think of this? As often as you get lost, just as often I shall come after you and find you. I shall pick you up and hold you in loving embrace. I will bring you to safety. Once you come to realize that your joy lies in staying close to me only then will you cease to stray. Sheep are notoriously silly little one and so are you. You have yet to grasp the substance and the nature of the love of Your God."
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Recall his glory among the nations,
tell all the peoples his wonderful deeds.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
He will judge the peoples with justice.
11 Let the heavens be glad, the earth rejoice;
let the sea and all that fills it resound;
12 let the fields exult and everything in them;
let the forest, all the trees, sing for joy.
13 Let them sing before the Lord
who comes to judge the earth.
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with fairness.
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