Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31, Luke 13:31-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31, Luke 13:31-35

Romans 8:31-39

_____ my own, if I am with you who can be against you.  Think of it for a moment in silence.  I am God and the only Son of the Most High God and I declare that I am for you every moment of every day for as long as you live in this world and for all time in eternity.  YOU ARE MINE!  Why then do you live like a spiritual beggar when you are aware that you are the daughter of God, His Son has claimed you for Himself and has sent His own Spirit to make His dwelling place in you?

My Father gave me up for you.  My life was offered up in exchange for yours - will He not then give you all you need to ensure that you remain united with the Triune God always?  There is no power greater than that of God and this power is extended over you to protect you and keep you safe from all that the world does to seek your destruction.  

Who would dare to snatch you from beneath the shadow and shelter of My wings? Only you __________ my own can separate yourself from the God who is passionately in love with you.  

I have declared you as mine before my Father, will you not then declare yourself mine in the world, no matter what trials and hardships you may have to face?  

In Me, __________ my own, you are victorious, triumphant, indeed a conqueror, for I have overcome the world and there is no power that can separate you from My love. 

Psalm 109:21-22, 26-27, 30-31

My Beloved, who do I have but You my God!  Save me from myself, my many weaknesses, my tendency to seek the easy way and the broad path, my wilfulness and my pride.  I need You, please stretch out Your hand and save me.  Heal me of all my spiritual illness and strengthen me with the power of Your divine love.  Help me Lord, to you I cry all day long and all night my spirit yearns for you; like a deer that yearns for running springs in arid land.  Let Your mighty hand of protection rest over me.  I will praise You all the days of my life.  In Your great mercy hide me within Yourself and I will be content.

Luke 13:31-35

Blessed is He, my Beloved, who comes in the name of the Great I AM.  He is strong, mighty in battle.  My Protector never sleeps.  He came into the world and faced the enemy in my place and destroyed him. He annihilates the wicked and they are doomed to die.  My Deliverer lives.  He is the Rock who save us.  We are His, the people He redeemed on the Cross with His bloody sacrifice for the salvation of all.  He now makes Himself Food for our souls.

Praise the Lord!  Blessed indeed is our God now and forever. AMEN!!

Romans 8:26-30, Psalm 13:4-6, Luke 13:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Romans 8:26-30, Psalm 13:4-6, Luke 13:22-30

Romans 8:26-30

My Beloved, I am weak and I need Your Spirit to help me, to pray for me, to make known my needs to You so You can grant me all I need to be pleasing to You.

In everything God works for the good of those who love You. I love You, so God works for good in all the circumstances of my life.  God has a plan for me, a plan that unfolds from moment to moment.  I can trust Him because He is my Father and because I belong to You.  Your Holy Spirit helps me to imitate You.  I am made righteous in You my Beloved through grace that You obtain for me, and in the end, I will share Your glory because I will be one with You eternally. 

Psalm 13:4-6

My Beloved, grant me the light of Your wisdom lest I sin and die.  I put my trust and hope in You from sunrise to sunrise and I know that You will never fail me. I rejoice in Your love which upholds and sustains me.  Thank You for the goodness You have always shown me.

Luke 13:22-30

My Beloved, it is so hard to exercise my will over my natural inclination to choose the easy path, to deny myself the things that would lead me to self-indulgence where I could become lazy in spiritual things.  

Time on earth is short.  I must be awake, alert and steadfast in my faith lest apathy takes over and I find that my time has run out and I stand before You with nothing but an empty heart and an empty life.

Romans 8:18-25, Psalm 120:1-6, Luke 13:18-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 8:18-25, Psalm 120:1-6, Luke 13:18-21

Romans 8:18-25

In this life you will have troubles, trials and tribulations this is why I pour on you grace upon grace when you receive the Sacraments of Life - Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. But in the word to come, __________ Mine you will have eternal life.  The sorrows of this earthly life will not last, they are fleeting.  

The whole world is under the weight of sin but the victory is won. The children of God have nothing to fear for I have triumphed over the world, the flesh and the devil.  I took upon Myself all that was debase in the world and made it right .  My Spirit is poured out o all flesh so you do not battle alone.  You are the adopted child of My Father.  Wait in hope.  In hope you are saved and one day your faith and your hope in me will be rewarded with unending joy when you are united to Me, Love Incarnate, in perfect unity.

Psalm 120:1-6

My Beloved, before You came into the world to save us we were exiles without hope of ever returning home to God.  But now our songs are filled with hope, our laughter is joyous.  No one has a God like our God who send His only Son into the world in order to redeem us with His life.  

We have received gifts too marvellous to comprehend.  All those who were before us have sowed the seeds of faith which have resulted in the rich harvest of our conversion.  All who have suffered and given up their lives in order to bring us the Good News of our salvation now rejoice in their reward. May we too in turn sow seeds and experience the joy of bringing in a rich harvest for Your glory - the glory of the almighty God.

Luke 13:18-21

My Beloved, our Protestant brethren refuse to accept any authority outside of the written Word in Sacred Scripture.  yet, we see here so clearly that You left behind was like a mustard seed which the Apostles planted and the Church has carefully and vigilantly tended it and watched it grow until we can now rest in its shade and shelter among its branches.

Similarly, You left behind the yeast of Your Word which the Apostles have carefully kneaded into the batch of dough and today we see the fruits of their labor.  For over 2000 years the Church and her innumerable Saints have contemplated the Word, revealing over time the infinite depth as new facets of the beauty, insight and wisdom of the all You did and said continue to be revealed Such are the unfathomable, unsearchable riches of the Word of God.

Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 6:12-16

 FEAST OF ST. SIMON & ST. JUDE - APOSTLES & MARTYRS

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 6:12-16

Ephesians 2:19-22

Listen to me ____ Mine and pay attention my words.  You belong to the family of the household of the Most High God.  You are holy because all God's people are holy.  You have God as your Father, you have Me as your Beloved, your Spouse, your Brother and your Friend.  You have our Spirit who gives you life in the Triune God.  You have the family of God as your brothers and sisters.  You have the Saints as your companions and the angels to minister to you, to gaurd and protect you lest you hit your foot against a stone and fall.  Heaven upholds you, My Word sustains you, the Father's love enfolds you and the Holy Spirit makes His home in you.  You ____ Mine are wonderfully precious in My sight.

 
Psalm 19:2-5

____ Mine, everything in nature is sustained by divine will.  All that is exists because I will it.  Everything in the universe speaks of Me and of My Father.  The Spirit of the Godhead is in all that is beautiful and worthy of praise.

____ Mine, I am present in the spectacular and in the silence, in light and in shadow.  I am in all things and if you seek me in sincerity and truth, you will never fail to find Me.  You are Mine in time and in eternity.  

Luke 6:12-16

____ Mine, when man separates himself from God he loses hope.  When I lived on earth as a Man, I loved the times I spent all night alone with My Father.  I leaned against His heart and I knew what He desired of Me for it was what I desired Myself for My will is one with His.

With the dawning of the sun after a night of perfect union with My Father, My Dad, I was able to do all that He desired.  I chose the twelve but they were whom the Father chose as well.  Each one special, each precious in our sight.  My Father and I chose you too _____ Mine, remain in our love.

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Psalm 32:2-3, 17-19 & 23, Luke 18:9-14

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Psalm 32:2-3, 17-19 & 23, Luke 18:9-14

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

My Beloved, it is good to know that God is an impartial judge. All will receive a fair hearing and the poor, the widow and the orphan will not be robbed of what is rightfully theirs.  This is so unlike the world where people are constantly being judged by what they have and who they are.  The righteous will receive a just reward.  The humble of heart will cry to out to You and will be heard for our God stoops low over His people and watches over them more tenderly than a mother watches over her baby.

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

My Beloved, like St. Paul I too am called to make a total sacrifice of myself in Your service and the service of the Gospel.  I must accept all the suffering You send me without complaint.  Like St. Paul I must remember that if everyone fails me, God will continue to stay beside me because He is always faithful and His mercy endures forever.  He will save me from the jaws of death and the mouth of hell.  He will keep safe my reward.

Psalm 32:2-3, 17-19 & 23

These verses are also found in St. Paul's letter to Timothy.  The psalmist expresses the same sentiments as St. Paul.  My Beloved, I have nothing to boast of, You are my boast, for You are my God and in You all the promises of God are Yes and Amen.

St. Paul experienced Your great love when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and he discovered that the Lord our God is good and righteous.  The Lord stays close to those who suffer heartache.

Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 13:1-9

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 13:1-9

 Romans 8:1-11

My Beloved, in You a new law of life and love come into operation, the old law that brought only judgment and condemnation has been replaced and God our Father has made with us a new Covenant in You. He asked You take a body like ours so that You could take upon Your sinless, beautiful and perfect Body all our vileness and the stench of our iniquity.  You received the sins of the whole world and the punishment due in justice, by a just God.  You paid the price and in doing so, You my Beloved redeemed us.  In You alone we are now justified.  The Blood of the Lamb was offered as perfect atonement for the sins of the whole world from the first Adam to the last man.  You have give us Your own Holy Spirit for You know that our ongoing sanctification is only be possible with divine help.

The Father created us in love, You my Beloved, redeemed us in love and Your Holy Spirit sanctifies us in love. No wonder we are precious in Your sight.  You did it all and You have made us lovable in the sight of God.

Psalm 24:1-6

My Beloved, You ascended the mountain of the Lord and on Calvary and in that holy place,You were raised up. You alone with clean hands and a pure heart desire the salvation of all men.  

Your very Name is Truth and one who saves, and in You and through You, the Father pours grace upon grace on us and we receive Your Holy Spirit, blessings and the promise of eternal life.

Everyone who is baptized in You is able to look on the Face of God and live.

Luke 13:1-9

My Beloved, Pilate ordered that the blood of man be mingled with the blood of sacrifice and thus desecrated the altar and the sacrifice in the temple of Jerusalem. 

Pilate was also responsible in condemning You to death by crucifixion and so he in inadvertently played a part in the shedding of Your Blood which would then be poured upon us and cleanse us of all our sins and iniquities. The Father took what was evil and turned it around to good as only God can. Your Blood mingles with ours and we are changed, renewed, reborn regenerated.

Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21, Psalm 40:7-10, 17, Luke 12:35-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21, Psalm 40:7-10, 17, Luke 12:35-38

Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21

Faith is the certainty that every promise God has made is true for in Christ Jesus every promise is Yes and Amen.

My Beloved, if I am ruled by the law then I am stifled for then I am ruled by fear but if I am ruled by love then there is no need to be afraid.  Perfect love casts out fear.

Abraham was a hundred years old, Sara was well past her childbearing years.  Humanly speaking there was no way they could bring forth new life for they themselves were practically dead,.  But God can bring forth life where there was not and that is what he did in the case of Abraham and Sara.  new life was called forth from their bodies for God has power over all things.  More importantly, Abraham believed that nothing was impossible for God and if he had made a promise then it he had complete faith that that promise would be fulfilled.  To God alone is the glory and the honor for our God will keep His promises to every generation. 

Psalm 40:7-10, 17

My Beloved, although God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son and offer him up as a burnt offering, God would not permit that he make so great a sacrifice.  All God wanted was to test Abraham's faith and see if it would remain unshaken even if it meant the loss of his only son.  

The Father had already willed that He would offer You, His only Son, in perfect atonement for the sins of the world and Your response was, "Here I am, I come to do Your will." May this be my response too.  Every time You call me, may I gladly, promptly, lovingly, and obediently say, "Here I am my Beloved, I come to do Your will.  Use me for Your glory alone."  As You once said to the Apostles, "To do the will of my Father is food and drink to me, I have food and drink of which You know nothing of."  We too, my Beloved, have food and drink which You provide at every Eucharist, Your own most precious Body, and Blood.

Romans 4:20-25, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 12:13-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 4:20-25, Luke 1:69-75, Luke 12:13-21

Romans 4:20-25

My Beloved, when I believe in Your Word in faith I render You praise and honor.  I glorify You.  By my faith in Your Word, I proclaim that You my Lord will keep Your promises for You are mighty in power.  When I believe as Scriptures says I must and as so many witnesses before me have testified, that You who are the Son of God became incarnate and was born of the Virgin Mary, You suffered, died was buried and rose again, that You alone have the power to save from sin and death and that You will come again in glory, I too am numbered among the righteous.

Luke 1:69-75

My Beloved, the only reason that the Father sent You into the world is because He loves us.  We had cut ourselves off from the life that He created us to have and enjoy and although we deserved to be destroyed for our disobedience, He nevertheless gave us a second chance.  We are saved from the enemy who seeks to murder and devour us because of the eternal covenant You made made with us and You will keep it.  Each time we enter the confessional and seek reconciliation with God and neighbor, we are given a second chance.  You heap graces upon us at every worthy reception of the sacraments so we can love You and serve You as we were created to do and You in turn sanctify us and justify us and make us Your own.

Luke 12:13-21

My Beloved, You remind us that no created thing can give life. The more I divest myself from the clutter in my life, the more I cease to be possessed by material things or by those I love, the more fully will I be able to give myself to You.

It is impossible to keep one eye on You and the other on the world I would be certain to fall if I did.  We take nothing but our love with us when our exile here on earth is over and then we will be judged by love alone - our love for You and for neighbor.  May I not be found wanting my Beloved.

EXODUS 17:8-13, 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:2, PSALM 121:1-8, LUKE 18:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

EXODUS 17:8-13, 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:2, PSALM 121:1-8, LUKE 18:1-8

EXODUS 17:8-13

My Beloved, we are called to pray as a community,intercede for our needs, the needs of the Church and the needs of the whole world.  The Church cannot do it on her own, she needs us to join with her as members of the Body of Christ her Spouse and in the Name of God who will hear us and make us victorious in the face of our enemies.  There are many who hate the Church who work from within and without to weaken her defenses.  But we need not fear for we have Your promise that You have overcome the world and that You will remain with Your Church until the end of time. The gates of hell will never prevail against her.

2 TIMOTHY 3:14-4:2

My Beloved, You have not left us ignorant of the Truth we know exactly how we ought to conduct ourselves as members of the household of God, Your Church.  It is has for its pillar and foundation the Truth of Holy Scripture, and Apostolic Tradition which go hand in hand, for they are the two sides of a coin.

You were incarnate of the Virgin Mary.  The Holy Spirit worked in and through You with power.  You are preached to all the nations even to the ends of the earth.  We believe that God raised You up in  glory and You will come again just as You ascended into heaven.  

Many in the world may be deceived and chase after false doctrines which spread the cult of evil but we who stay within the protective arms of Your Church and to whom You give food and drink need never be afraid.

PSALM 121:1-8

The Bridegroom of the Church is vigilant.  He does not sleep.  He guards His own and His own rest without fear in His shadow.  His crook and staff are with Him and with these He ensures that we do not stray or are ensnared by the traps of the enemy. The precious Blood of the Lamb anoints us, He provides food that gives life and those who belong to Him will never be lost.

LUKE 18:1-8

My Beloved, we have God for our Father, You as our Brother, Spouse and Friend and we have the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Paraclete and Guide.  We can approach God with the confidence of a child who knows that it is loved and cherished and that God will grant him everything he asks for in faith for God is our Provider.

What is our response to our good and awesome God?  Let me never forget that I must always respond with faith and love. 

Romans 4:13, 16-18, Psalm 105:6-9, 42-43, Luke 12:8-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 4:13, 16-18, Psalm 105:6-9, 42-43, Luke 12:8-12

Romans 4:13, 16-18

My Beloved, obedience is a virtue that is extremely pleasing to You.  Often we prefer to do what pleases us and that which pleases us is often quite contrary to what You desire of us.

God made promises to Abraham that would remain unfulfilled in his lifetime and yet he believed that they would come to pass, how, he had no way of knowing but because it was God who made the promises to him, he believed.

Faith is the way to the Father through You and we receive it through grace which is given freely to all who believe.  You are the God of the living and the dead and those whose souls are dead through, sin can receive new life through belief and acceptance of the power of Your Blood.  You have but to speak the Word and our souls once dead through sin are raised to life again.

Luke 12:8-12

My Beloved, when we receive Your Holy Spirit we do not receive a spirit of timidity but a spirit of boldness and courage.  It is not possible to have Your Holy Spirit indwelling in us and be ashamed to show by outward gestures like making the Sign of the Cross in public which proclaims to the world that we are Catholic and we are Yours.

I must be ready at all times to give an account of what I believe unmindful of the consequences.  If I confess You before men, You assure me that You will claim me for Your own before the Father.  

The Holy Spirit is the power of God and to blaspheme against Him is to deny the existence of God, this is why You say that we will be anathema if we do so.

2 Timothy 4:10-17, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, Luke 10:1-9

FEAST OF ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Timothy 4:10-17, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, Luke 10:1-9

2 Timothy 4:10-17

My Beloved, it does not matter if friends betray us as they betrayed St. Paul, despite the fact that some failed him there were always faithful companions he could count on and St. Luke was one of them.  More importantly my Beloved, You were his tower of strength.  Having You he had all he needed.  You gave him all the power he needed to proclaim Your word before the pagans.  As long as Paul was able to preach the Good News nothing mattered to him.  As a prisoner in chains death was his constant shadow but Your Holy Spirit set his spirit free to praise and glorify You and to give him strength and courage to follow You to the end.

Help me to be neither afraid nor ashamed to use every opportunity You give me to witness to Your love.

Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18

My Beloved, I am the work of Your hands may I give You praise with every breath I breathe.  May I, along with the rest of creation, bless You and worship You so all will know what a great God You are - mighty in word and deed and loving compassion to the poor and the weak.  All creation will praise You until the end of time.  You hear the cry of all even if that cry is but a sigh.  Thank You my Lord and my God.

Luke 10:1-9

My Beloved, the harvest is rich there are many who would turn to You and give their lives over to You if only there was someone who spoke about You to them.  We are so caught up in our own little lives, our creature comforts, to take that leap of faith which is required to trust You implicitly to provide all that we will ever need.  If we stepped out strong in our faith in the Holy Spirit and the power of Your Word  we would be able to bring in the harvest for Your glory. You have empowered me to do not only all that You have done but even greater things.  In Your Name my Beloved I can heal the sick in mind, body, soul, heart and spirit but I am too timid to dare to take You at Your Word.

Help me Lord to be all that Your desire me to be. AMEN!!!

Romans 3:21-30, Psalm 130:1-6, Luke 11:47-54

ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 3:21-30, Psalm 130:1-6, Luke 11:47-54

Romans 3:21-30

My Beloved, You remind me today that no one stands outside and excluded from the mercy of God.  Faith in You makes all who believe righteous in Your sight irrespective of our race, country or culture   All of us are sinners in need of redemption, the redemption You obtained for us from the Cross.  You are the Saving Victim whose blood obtained forgiveness of sins to all who believe.

My Beloved, if I stand in God's favor it is because You obtained that favor for me.  We are saved by our faith in You.

Psalm 130:1-6

My Beloved, how beautifully the verses of this psalm expresses my need and my desire to be heard by You and my desire for forgiveness.  If I must wait for Your response, grant me the grace to wait patiently and expectantly knowing that You will come through for me in Your time.

Luke 11:47-54

My Beloved, there are many in this world like the Pharisees who only desire to set traps for Your people.  They have no intention of listening to Your Word they are there on false pretenses  they appear to be sincere but underneath the flattery and the smarm and the oily smiles, they are as treacherous as snakes waiting to strike and spread their deadly poison.  Too often Your people in the Church You founded are ignorant of Scripture as well as of Church teaching as handed down by the Apostles and they become easy prey.

We are each called to get better acquainted with the eternal truths of our faith so we do not fall at the the first skirmish.  How can we battle with the forces of the world and Satan if we have not put on the armor of God? 

Romans 2:1-11, Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9, Luke 11:42-46

FEAST OF ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 2:1-11, Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9, Luke 11:42-46

Romans 2:1-11

My Beloved, if I set myself as judge over my neighbor I am calling judgment upon myself. You remind me that the very things I condemn in my neighbor are the very things I am guilty of. I will be dealt with even more severely for I know what is displeasing to You and therefore have no excuse.

If You have been patient with me thus far it is only because You love me and want me to be saved.You can do nothing with a heart that is hardened by sin, a heart that refuses to change.  You remind us that our own actions will determine what we deserve. Those who have sought to give You glory and honor by desiring to do all that is pleasing to You, will receive eternal union with You as a reward. I must always remember there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - in the eyes of God we are all equal.

Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9

This is my song to You my Beloved every moment I am alive.  You alone are my peace, my rest, my joy, my salvation, my strength, my support, my hiding place. You are my song, my desire, in You alone is perfect peace.  All I am, all I have belongs to You.  Claim me my Beloved as Your own.

Luke 11:42-46

My Beloved, we the self-righteous, the holier than thou are quick to criticize the weak, the ignorant without mercy.  We claim to be knowledgeable  a little better read and we use this to nitpick the mistakes of those who perhaps are ignorant.  You spare no words in condemning the Pharisees and the teachers of the law and it applies to anyone who dares to judge themselves better than the little ones who are humble and meek.

Help me never to forget that if I fail to show mercy none will be shown to me.

Romans 1:16-25, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 11:37-41

FEAST OF ST. TERESA OF AVILA - VIRGIN AND DOCTOR

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 1:16-25, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 11:37-41

Romans 1:16-25

My Beloved, when we know the Truth but deliberately exchange it for the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil then God will give us up to our wrong desires.  We dishonor God and we dishonor ourselves when despite all we know about God's revelation to us in You, we willfully reject Him for the temporary pleasures of the world.

God is visible to us in You and His power is made manifest in all that You have done and continue to do. We have no excuse not to spend all the days of our live in praise and worship of You for all You have done for us. If we turn away from You my Beloved, we condemn ourselves.

Psalm 19:2-5

All creation - the heavens and the earth and all they contain has the imprint of the Creator.  The night sky, the stars, planets, the constellation, the billions of stars visible and infinite space invisible to human eyes but filled with galaxies that we can know nothing about.  The oceans and the teeming life in its depths. Unexplored lands and islands and all that we have seen in man and nature, all tell us of a good God Mighty and awesome. Powerful with a knowledge and intellect that is beyond our ability to fathom for He is infinitely wise.

Thank You Lord for the beauty around us drawing our thoughts to You in praise, worship and adoration. You are an awesome God.

Luke 11:37-41

My Beloved, so often we are caught up with externals, man made rituals, and we forget what is truly important.  We nitpick what is irrelevant and self righteously condemn everyone who does not believe  as we do and they are probably more pleasing to You because they are busy loving You whereas we are too  busy with our narrow minded prejudices  to truly encounter You. 

Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 98:1-4, Luke 11:29-32

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 98:1-4, Luke 11:29-32

Romans 1:1-7

My Beloved, You told us that You came not to be served but to serve - You are the Son of God and You remind us that service is the mark and mission of those who desire to follow You closely.  St. Paul affirms that the prophets in sacred Scripture spoke of You revealing that You would be born in the flesh, You would be a descendant from the royal line of David, You  would have awesome power and would be recognized as the Son of God and that You would rise from the dead through the Holy Spirit.

We are Your followers and we too have a mission to proclaim the Good News.  We are called to be holy and You make the mission possible by filling us with Your grace and Your peace.

Psalm 98:1-4

You my Beloved will never forget how much You love us.  We see it all around us in the beauty of Your creation and the people You have formed to be Your own, the saints who have gone before us.

Luke 11:29-32

My Beloved, the only sign we will ever need has already been given.  God so loved the world that He sent His only Son into the world to save us.  He knew we would reject You, deny You, crucify You, watch You until You cried out at last and gave up Your Spirit to the Father and then as if that was not enough we would pierce Your side.

The Father loves us so passionately that He asked You to make the ultimate sacrifice so we would have no doubts at all to the lengths He was prepared to go to ensure that the work of His hands would not be damned eternally.  Through You we now receive the fullness of life and grace.  This is why the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh will repudiate us - for we we too busy with the world to recognize the time of our salvation and deliverance. 

2 KINGS 5:14-17, 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13, PSALM 98:1-4, LUKE 17:11-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


2 KINGS 5:14-17, 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13, PSALM 98:1-4, LUKE 17:11-19

2 KINGS 5:14-17

My Beloved, when we are plunged into the waters of baptism our leprous sin filled souls are washed clean and we are made a new creation once more.  Just like Naaman the leper who after bathing in the waters of the Jordan was healed of leprosy and his skin was restored and became as soft as that of a child and he was cleansed.  He then returned to the prophet to give thanks and offer gifts which the prophet rightly refused for it was God who had worked the miracle.  

Naaman experienced first hand the power of the one true God and believed in him. He returned home with the gift of faith and he resolved to offer put away the false idols he had worshiped and to worship the one true God all the days of his life. 

2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13

11 This statement is true:

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

12 If we endure with him, we shall reign with him;

If we deny him, he will also deny us;

13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.

God is faithful - He can be nothing else for He cannot go against His nature.

PSALM 98:1-4

We can never run out of songs of praise to God for His blessings fall upon us without ceasing.

Joel 4:12-21, Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12, Luke 11:27-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Joel 4:12-21, Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12, Luke 11:27-28

Joel 4:12-21

My Beloved, the prophet Joel speaks of a time when God will walk once again among His people.  He will make His home with them, He will make hallowed the place where only symbols of His Presence are made manifest in the Temple of Jerusalem in the cloud and the Arc of the Covenant.

But in time, You who are the Son of God will become incarnate of a virgin and will reveal the God of love to us as Father and through Your Holy Spirit You will pour upon us every good and perfect gift.  From Your holy mountain, the City of God  the place where You dwell in fullness in Your One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, You will drip wine upon Your people. Milk will flow to nourish them and streams of living water which has its source in the heart of God will overflow to cleanse and empower them.  Through Your Bride the Church all who are thirsty may come and drink and be revived, refreshed and renewed.

Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12

My Beloved, You not only dwell among us but You have established Your reign and the reign of God's kingdom in our hearts.  To see You all we need to do is to recognize You through the work of Your hand in the world around us and the heavens above.

We walk in the pure radiance of Your light and love and You fill us with such gladness and joy that our full hearts can hardly contain itself and sings songs of praise and glory to You for You my Beloved are worthy of our love, adoration and worship.

Luke 11:27-28

My Beloved, it is not surprising that a woman in the crowd was so taken up by Your Presence,Your words and deeds that she simply could not contain herself.  She had never encountered anyone like You and neither did the crowds who thronged around You that day.  She knew that the apple does not fall far from the tree and she credited Your upbringing and Your mother in particular, for raising such a fine young man as Yourself and she was right up to a point. You have never been known to waste a good teaching moment when it presented itself, and while some see these verses as belittling Your Mama, nothing is further from the truth.  The words You spoke in Verse 28 “Surely blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it as well,” sum up succinctly and confirms what Elizabeth had said some 30 years before at the visitation, "Blessed are you among women."  For no human creature has ever received the Word and conformed to it so well as Mama Mary did.

Joel 1:13-15, 2:1-2, Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 8-9 & 16, Luke 11:15-26

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Joel 1:13-15, 2:1-2, Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 8-9 & 16, Luke 11:15-26

Joel 1:13-15, 2:1-2

My Beloved, we live in an age that seems to drift further and further away from Truth.  It is the Church and her shepherds who must wake up and stir up Your people anew with a lively faith and hope in You.  The timee  has come for us to gather together on Your Holy Mountain and pray that when the day of the Lord is upon us we shall not perish but be granted eternal life.

Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 8-9 & 16

The day of judgment is almost upon us O Lord.  Let us wake from our sleep for night is almost over and dawn will be here soon.  Help us, fill us, us and use us to labor unselfishly so when You do come, You will find faith

Luke 11:15-26

My Beloved, how often evil is attributed to good and good to evil.  We see this prevalent in our world today.  In verse 20 You say, ".....I drive out demons by the finger of God...." The same finger that gave us the Commandments has vanquished evil and the Kingdom is surely among us as leaven in the dough.  

We cannot remain empty, if we are we cannot know what will find its way into us and fill us when we let down our guard, but if, when cleansed from sin, we allow the Holy Spirit to live and reign in us nothing and no one can overcome us.  With Him we live without Him we die.

Malachi 3:13-20, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 11:5-13

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Malachi 3:13-20, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 11:5-13

Malachi 3:13-20

My Beloved, these verses are a fair description of our world today.  The wicked seem to flourish like grass while the good and the innocent suffer.  The wicked sin with impunity.  They are wealthy and powerful and they crush and grind the weak under the heel of injustice while the poor whimper and moan and accept their lot as a burden from which their only release is death.  Yet we know that You are a God of justice and the sighs of the poor reach Your ears even if that sigh is without sound.  

Those who love You and belong to You have no need to fear.  You are their light, their lamp and their shade from the scorching heat of the noon-day sun.  The day of judgment will most surely come, for You will not be mocked but those who belong to You need fear nothing will be triumphant and victorious in You.

Psalm 1:1-4 & 6

My Beloved, You know Your own and Your own know You.  We recognize the sound of Your voice.  We hear it and are glad.  We will follow wherever You may lead.  Your Word is a light to our feet and it brings joy to our hearts.

Your Word is perfect Your law of love gives life.  Those who have accepted You as Lord and God will be planted beside streams of living water.  You will refresh us and we will bear fruit in season and out of season for the glory of Your Name.

Luke 11:5-13

You are God my Beloved and You tell me today in no uncertain terms that if I ask, seek and know with faith, hope and confidence, all I desire will be granted to me. This is Your assurance to me today.  But how much do I want what You desire to give me?  How hungry am I for the Bread with which You desire to fill my mouth? How thirsty for the honey whose sweetness You desire me to taste?  How deep is my yearning for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to make His home in me?

If I am shallow in asking, indifferent in seeking and desultory in my finding I will never know the riches of the banquet that my God desires me to feast on.

My Beloved, give me an undying hunger  thirst and longing for all that You wish to pour upon me and fill me full, shaken together and running over for You are a gracious God.