Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 86:1-7, John 10:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS:  Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 86:1-7, John 10:22-30

 Acts 11:19-26

The Holy Spirit is always at work and what seems like a cross will eventually become a blessing.  The followers of the Way had to flee Jerusalem because of persecution so they scattered to different places.  Each carried with them the seeds of life - the Good News, and planted them everywhere they went.  Persecution is often the means You use in order to reveal to the world the wondrous contradiction of dying in order to be born again to new and eternal life and bring forth manifold fruit for the Kingdom.  'The blood of martyrs is indeed the seed of Christians.'

Psalm 86:1-7

Mary, my mama dearest, the Most High God fashioned You - His masterpiece into the most perfect of all His creatures.  Every grace and virtue as well as incomparable beauty was lavished on you by our loving Father.  Just as the Holy Spirit rested over the Arc of the  Covenant in which was placed the law and the manna, so did He come over you and you conceived in your womb the Eternal Word of God and the Bread of Life.

This month of May, the month of blossoms of every kind is dedicated to you, the fairest of God's blossoms.  Mary, Mother of God and our Mother pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 

John 10:22-30

What were Your thoughts Beloved that cold winter day as You walked up and down the temple in the portico of Solomon?  Being God, You knew everything and so You also knew beforehand the questions that were always raised about Your identiy.  Despite the clear signs in the miracles You performed daily they refused to believe that You were indeed the promised Messiah.  They recognized that You spoke with a power and authority never heard before for everything You said had a fresh, new and inspired meaning yet they would not believe.

Truly Beloved, to those who do not believe no explanation is possible to those who do none is required. Verses 27 - 30 are a clear indication of this.  Your sheep know You, they belong to You, they recognize Your voice, they cling to You, they are carried by You, they are fed and nourished by You, they bear Your seal through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmtion.  And on Your holy priests You set an additional seal in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  Thus we cannot be snatched away from You.  Oh evil will try - but You have overcome evil and are victorious.  Weak as we are, we need never fear - You and the Father are One, we are in You and so in You we too are one with the Father and the Holy Spirit who binds us all tegether in love.