Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 117:1-2, John 6:52-59

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS:  Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 117:1-2, John 6:52-59

Acts 9:1-20

Nothing is impossible for You my God.  Who would have imagined that a bigot and a blood thirsty fanatic like Saul could be transformed into the most praise worthy Paul.  You have a mission for all of us who folow the Way and who call ourselves Christians - even more so Catholics.  We have no shortage of role models in the saints and in You first and foremost.  Transform me Lord and use me as You will.

Psalm 117:1-2

Thank You my Beloved for drawing me into Youself and loving me.  I adore, worship and praise You and I offer You a thankful heart.

John 6:52-59

My Beloved Jesus, I thank You for the gift and the grace to participate daily in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  I know these verses are true from my own personal experience.  Every day in every way my own true God the nourishment You provide for my soul enables me to be transformed little by litte into the One who saved, redeemed and purchased me for eternal joy.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

DAILY MEDITATION:  4 Corinthians 2:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

16 Therefore we are not discouraged. On the con­trary, while our outer being wastes away, the inner self is renewed from day to day. 17 The slight affliction that quickly passes away prepares us for an eternal wealth of glory so great and beyond all com­parison. 18 So we no longer pay attention to the things that are seen, but to those that are unseen, for the things that we see last for a moment, but that which cannot be seen is eternal.

Beloved St. Paul's words stirs to life and brings an awareness of the beauty and truth of being a Christian.

No, we are not discouraged or dimayed - at least we ought not to be.  In life things happen - good, bad, terrible things but through it all we do not lose heart for we know with certainty that God can and will draw good from every situation.

The older we get, the greater is our awareness of how life changes us physically.  We are not as strong, our muscles not as taut, our body thickens, skin wrinkles, eyesight dims, hearing becomes weak.  But this is only the outer shell and it must be so according to the laws of nature designed by God.  All things age with time and must eventually die.  What is important is that as the outer shell slowly decays the inner being must grow more radiant.  The beauty of the soul must shine through the eyes, through the words we speak, through the love and compassion that overflows from our heart and is translated into action.  

My Beloved grant that I may not be taken up with things that are seen  but rather to be concerned with the things that cannot.  I have been created for eternity - help me fix my sight then on eternal things and not on the things that are passing.

Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 66:8,9,16,17,20, John 6:44-51

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 66:8,9,16,17,20,  

                                                                  John 6:44-5

 Acts 8:26-40

Beloved, we do not go haring off on our own but we wait for Your Holy Spirit to inspire, lead and guide us.  We have to be atentive to what You want and then act on it.  Like Philip, once he became aware of what You wanted him to do, he did it.  The Ethiopian official was ready to hear the Word and be saved but he needed help to open his mind to understand.  We are told that Philip used what the official was reading as a starting point to draw him into a better understanding.  Help me to be guided by You Lord.  To keep aside personal opinion and unecessary passion and criticism.  just let me be love, compassion, kindness, mercy, understanding just like You.  In the end it is You who gives salvation and You who saves.

Psalm 66:8,9,16,17,20

 

16 All you who fear God, come and listen;

let me tell you what he has done.

17 I cried aloud to him,

extolling him with my tongue.

20 May God be blessed!

He has not rejected my prayer;

nor withheld his love from me.

Everytime I cried out aloud my Beloved, You always heard and hurried to comfort me. You stooped down from heaven, wrapped Your loving arms around me and heard me.  You wiped away my tears and held me until I was consoled.  THANK YOU!!!

John 6:44-51

My Beloved, I know You, I love You and in doing so, I know and love the Father as well.  It is the Father who draws me to Himself through You.  This is what He willed - that we may all come to know Him thorugh You. You are the means to our salvation.  You are the spiritual food that our souls yearn for and need if we are to live.  Thank You Lord for breaking Your Body to feed us and the promises of eternal life to all who believe.

Philippians 2:14-16

DAILY INSPIRATION: Philippians 2:14-16

Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do everything without grumbling, 15 so that without fault or blame, you will be children of God without reproach among a crooked and perverse generation. You are a light among them, like stars in the universe, 16 holding to the Word of life. I shall feel proud of you on the day of Christ on seeing that my effort and labor have not been in vain.

Beloved, St. Paul says, "Do everything without grumbling."  If I have answered Your call to service then I must be an example and a witness.  No gossiping, no speaking unnecessarily, no empty talk that will not add anything of value to my hearers.  Beloved, it is better to be silent than to let my words be critical of another to another.  I must be a light, like the stars.  My light may be small my Love but it is a reflection of Your Own Light..  grant that it burns steadily and to the full extent of its limited capacity and should it burn itself out let it be in loving You with an enduring passion ready and willing to do anything for Your glory.  Beloved, may I always be aware of the trust You have placed in me and may I honor that trust by doing all that is required of me so that You are glorified.

1 Peter 5:5:14, Psalm 89:2, 3, 6, 7, 16-17, Mark 16:15-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS:  1 Peter 5:5:14, Psalm 89:2, 3, 6, 7, 16-17, 

                                                                   Mark 16:15-20

1 Peter 5:5:14

Clothe yourself with humility in your dealings with one another. God resists the proud but gives His grace to the humble. Remember this M--- Mine nothing can so harden my heart against my children than haughty pride and arrogance  Be childlike, simple, open, truthful and humble and I will be unable to resist you and shall pour upon you all that you ask for and need.  Place all your burdens on Me.  Do not be anxious about anything.  I will place my yoke on you and I will walk with you to the end of your days.

Do not become lax and careless.  Strive not to give into temptation but be on your guard always.  Evil is constantly at work looking for a way to you through your lack of will to seriously overcome your weaknesses.  Stand firm in your knowledge of the truth and be prepared for opposition and to suffer and belittled for My sake.  it is I who give all from the infinite treasure of My grace.

Psalm 89:2, 3, 6, 7, 16-17

2 I will sing forever, O Lord, of your love and proclaim your faithfulness from age to age.
3 I will declare how steadfast is your love, how firm your faithfulness.
6 The heavens proclaim your won­ders, O Lord; the assembly of the holy ones recalls your faithfulness. 7 Who in the skies can compare with the Lord; who of the heaven-born is like him?
16 Blessed is the people who know your praise. They walk in the light of your face. 17 They celebrate all day your name and your protection lifts them up.

My Beloved, there is no god but You my God.  I worship and adore You.

May I walk in the Light of the radiance of Your Face and celebrate Your Most Holy Name all my life as Your mighty protection covers and sustains me.

Mark 16:15-20

Every baptized Christian has a clear mission to, GO AND SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS to all the world and to all people in order that all may hear, that hearing they may believe and in believing may they be baptized and grafted into Your Body the Church and thus be saved.

You equip those whom You send with power nd grace.  You cover us with Your glory, You fill us with the power of Your Holy Spirit, You feed and strengthen us with Your Body and You cleanse and quench us with Your sacred Blood.  How then can I not proclaim You in every thought, word and action?

2 Peter 2:9, 19, John 8:8-11

DAILY INSPIRATION:  2 Peter 2:9, 19, John 8:8-11

2 Peter 2:9, 19, 

 9 So, then, the Lord knows how to free from trial those who serve him 

 19 They promise freedom when they themselves are slaves of corruption: for people are slaves to whatever dominates them.

The first verse is very comforting my Lord where St. Peter says that You Beloved know how to free from trial those who serve You.

And the second verse which says that people are slaves to whatever dominates them is bang on target.

Something else that also hit the mark and touched a raw nerve recently was what You said to me in this verse from Ecclesiastes 7:9  

"Don't be too easily dejected, for dejection resides in the womb of fools."

I needed to know this piece of wisdom  because I have found myself too easily dejected.  Like a leaf blown about in the wind, I have found myself see sawing and allowing myself to be effected by the silliest of things and permitting it hold sway over me.  Thank You Beloved - You are the Master of straight talk Yand Your Word is as swift as an arrow and sharper than a double edged sword that finds its mark everytime.  THANK YOU!!!

 John 8:8-11

8 And he bent down again, writing on the ground.

9 As a result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Then Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She replied, “No one.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I con­demn you; go away and don’t sin again.”

The Eternal Word bent down and wrote on the ground and her accusers left one by one  and  until He was alone with her.  Ofcourse You knew that they had all gone - You are God, You know everything.  One can almost feel her relief had having found reprieve.  You have said to me too many times over, "M---- Mine, where are your accusers?  Has no one condemned you?"  I respond, "No one Beloved."  And You say to me in the most loving and gently way You have of speaking, "Neither do I condemn you, go, and remember, sin no more."

I can trust You to help me to overcome my weaknesses - not all at one - that is not Your way.  But slowly, gently, tenderly, compassionately, kindly and with love beyond anything I have every known except in You, You will slowly but surely make me a little like You.

Acts 7:51-8:1, Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17, 21, John 6:30-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS:  Acts 7:51-8:1, Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17, 21, 

                                                                  John 6:30-35

 Acts 7:51-8:1

Beloved, sometimes it is hard to grasp the viciousness with which Your followers are attacked and hated.  Is it because all that You taught us of God and all that You revealed of Him in Yourself and through Your Holy Spirit makes it impossible for sinners to feel at ease and complacent before You?  Christianity makes impossible claims to those who do not believe and this stirs up such a great fury in bigots and fanatics that the only way they can sate their bloodthirsty passion is to kill, maim and destroy.  You stir the conscience of men and this is the reason that You and Yours are hated with fury.  Amazingly, the innocent blood they spill only serves to raise up new Christians like Paul.  What a contradiction!  The more Christians are killed and silenced the greater the conversions to Christ!

Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 17, 21

3 Give heed to my plea, and make haste to rescue me.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a fortress for my safety.
4 For you are my rock and my stronghold, lead me for your name’s sake;
6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love, for you have seen my affliction, 

you know the agony of my soul.
17 Make your face shine upon your servant; save me in your love.
21 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human wiles; 

you keep them in your dwelling, safe from the intrigues of wagging tongues.


Hold me my Beloved in Your heart, in Your soul, Your mind in Your Body in Your Spirit and encompass me in Your Holy Presence all my days and nights.

John 6:30-35

You are the Bread that satisfies every longing.  How foolish I am my Beloved, I receive You each morning in the Eucharist - what more could I ask for.  What greater gift could You give me that I do not already receive each day?  You always give me all I need.  You satisfy my hunger and You quench my thirst.  I receive You daily in Your humanity and in Your divinity and I am in perfect union with You.  What more could I desire when I already possess Perfection?

Hebrews 1:1-3

DAILY INSPIRATION:  Hebrews 1:1-3

 Hebrews 1:1-3

 1 God has spoken in the past to our ancestors through the prophets, in many different ways, although never completely; 2 but in our times he has spoken definitively to us through his Son.

He is the one God appointed heir of all things, since through him he unfolded the stages of the world.

3 He is the radiance of God’s Glory and bears the stamp of God’s hidden being, so that his powerful word upholds the universe. And after taking away sin, he took his place at the right hand of the divine Majesty in heaven.

Abba Father, my Daddy God, You have spoken one Word - one absolute and definitive Word - the Eternal Word through Him and for Him You created all things.  He is Your First Born and He is Your Heir.  Through Him, You redeemed and sanctified the human race.

No one can look at You Father and live.  Moses had to hide in a cleft in the rock and Your hand covered him while Your glory passed by him. Had he looked at You he would have died.  You are the great I AM.  But You are also Love and You are in love wih Your creatures.  You want us to know You and knowing You to fall also fall helplessly in love with all that You are and so You gave us Your only begotten Son, Jesus.  Verse 3 describes Him to perfection and all He has accomplished becaused You wished Him to.

This Jesus is mine.  Even though I am neither worthy nor deserving of Him He is mine and I rejoice!!!!

Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-27

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS: Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-27

Acts 6:8-15

Verse 10 tells us that the accusers of Stephen could not match his wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.  My Beloved grant me this same wisdom, set my soul on fire with the desire to be ready to give up in order to receive that which You wish to give.  Unless I empty myself how can I fill it with what I desire You to give me?  Be merciful to me my lord and in Your goodness come to my aid and help me.

Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30

This is my prayer too my Lord, hear and answer me.  Abba Father, in the sweet and mighty Name of Jesus Christ grant me wisdom in the outpouring of Your Own Holy Spirit.  Fill me to overflowing and use me.  My work will only be fruitful if it is touched by Your divine assistance.

John 6:22-27

Beloved if there is anything base that has sullied my desire to serve You then reveal it to me Lord in order that I may overcome it with Your help.  Teach me how to work for the food that does not perish.  My Beloved Spouse only You can give me food I need for my sould - do not deny what I ask of You.

Sirach 14:13, 20-27

DAILY INSPIRATION:  Sirach 14:13, 20-27

Sirach 14:13, 20-27

13 Be good to your friend before you die and be generous to him in any way you can.

  

 

20 Happy the one who is intent on wisdom and who can reply to those who question him; 21 who makes his own the ways of wisdom and meditates on her secrets; 22 who pursues her like a hun­ter, lies in wait by her paths, 23 peeps in at her windows and listens at her doors; 24 he sets up camp near her house, fix­ing his stakes in her walls.

25 He places his tent in the hands of wisdom; he stays in a happy lodging. 26 He places his sons beneath her protection and finds shelter beneath her branches. 27 He is shaded by her from the heat and makes his camp in her glory.

Grant my Beloved that I too may pursue wisdom.  To gain wisdom one has to be prepared to search for it, to make sacrifice, to gain self mastery.  One must be faithful and disciplined.  I have been a dilletante all my life in the pursuit of knowledge but now that I wish to pursue more than mere knowlege, I wish to pursue Divine Wisdom herself, I have to do so with a single minded and dedicated purpose.  I know myself for what I am Lord and so do You.  Will You, my Beloved, sustain me with Your firm hand and steady me and give me the grace necessary to pursue her.  Grant me the strength of character required to deny myself the desire to give way to lighter pursuits and frivolities that do not tax the mind or the spirit in any way.  If You will my Lord, help me!

Psalm 92:2, 14-16

DAILY LECTIONARY:  Psalm 92:2, 14-16

Psalm 92:2-3, 14-16

2 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praise to your name, O Most High,

3 to proclaim your grace in the morning,

to declare your faithfulness at night,

 

14 Planted in the house of the Lord,

they will prosper in the courts of our God.

15 In old age they will still bear fruit

they will stay fresh and green,

16 to proclaim that the Lord is upright,

“He is my Rock,” they say, “he never fails.”

My Beloved grant me this grace that each day that I may live that I may give thanks to You and make music and sing to Your Name O Most High God. That I may proclaim Your love each morning and at night when I lay my head on my pillow I will declare the truth of Your Eternal Word in the watches of the night.

Grant my Love, that I may be planted in Your House and as I advance in age may I still bear fruit in plenty for the Kingdom.  May my spirit  be full of sap, eager to labor for Your glory and proclaim that You are always just, kind, compassionate, loving and merciful.  My Rock who never fails.