DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
A FORESHADOW OF THE SACRED LITURGY
SIRACH 47:8-10
8 In all that he did he gave thanks to the Most High,
and showed his love for his Maker by singing with all his heart.
9 He placed singers accompanied by harps before the
altar to make beautiful music; 10 he gave splendor to feasts and even greater magnificence
to the more solemn occasions, exalting the holy Name of the Lord and having the
sanctuary ring with his praises from early morning.
Hebrews10:11-18, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 4:1-20
Hebrews10:11-18
The Holy Mass is a Sacrifice of Love. It is a memorial where we re-present to God the one, holy and perfect sacrifice offered by His only begotten Son in expiation for the sins of all mankind. The Lamb without spot or blemish offers Himself to be slain and His Blood is sprinkled on all who are present. He made a once for all total atonement for the sins of all men. No longer do we need to slaughter animals as a sacrifice for sin - they do nothing to take away our sins, guilt and shame. In the Old Testament such imperfect sacrifices had only the form where the shedding of blood was a ritual and had neither substance nor power. All it did was to serve as a reminder to the people of the need for atonement for offences against God until His Son offered to become a Man like us, and being without sin, to die in our place so that we could then enter into His Sacrifice every time and through His merits be cleansed of our guilt and shame. The sinner enters into the sacrifice of the Sinless One and He who became like us now transforms us into Himself. Bathed in His Blood we receive His Life of grace and we too become acceptable and pleasing to God.
Every Holy Eucharist possesses the power to transform us and as we become more like Him, his Law of Love is etched in our hearts and minds and His grace is channelled into us through this Sacrament.
Psalm 110:1-4
My Beloved, You do rule in the midst of Your enemies in majesty and splendor. Those who believe and are baptized are saved. But there are many who continue to hate You and all who are called by Your Name with a murderous hatred. The blood of martyrs continues to flow as those who believe lay down their life for Your sake and that of the Gospel. Your rule is established and Your reign has already begun. The enemy is crushed and the devourer will slowly slink away in defeat as more and more are drawn back to You. Having tasted the world to its bitter dregs, they know that it has nothing of offer that can truly satisfy.
All will return who desire to be ruled by Love and not by the selfish desires of the flesh which will eventually decay.
Mark 4:1-20
Verse 11 “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to
you. But for those outside, everything comes in parables."
The mystery of the Kingdom of God is given to all who believe and are baptized into the Body of Christ. We receive the Word into hearts that are prepared by the Holy Spirit. There they put down roots that go deep into Christ. We draw from His Life the Sap of Grace through frequent reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We allow His Word to bear fruit and that fruit in turn bring the Life of Christ to all who taste us. We become the means through which others are attracted to Jesus because He who lives in us draws them too to Himself.
The Boat represents the Church of Christ and all who hear the Word and keep it will enter the Boat and find that God provides everything that is needed for the journey to His Kingdom.
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