Acts 17:15, 22---18:1, Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14, John 16:12-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 17:15, 22---18:1, Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14, John 16:12-15

Acts 17:15, 22---18:1

My Beloved, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is brilliant in the way he relates to the Athenians and brings them the message of life, the Good News.  

We depend on the Creator for every breath.  All our praise, worship and love for You add nothing to Your greatness but they have the power to transform us and divinize as we are formed in Your image.  

In every human soul God has placed a hunger, a longing, a little vacant space that only He can fill.  Our whole life is spent in seeking Him even if imperfectly in other faiths and He  rewards every sigh of desire for intimacy with Him with His grace, mercy and truth.

How comforting verse 28 is my Beloved,  "For in him we live and move and have our being, as some of your poets have said: for we too are his offspring."  Because I live and move and have my being in You,  I am united to You always.  I am a daughter of the Most High.  Your resurrection is a sign and a promise that at the appointed time when You come to judge the world You will grant us a share in Your own resurrection and ascension.  

Thank You!  

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14

My Beloved, may every breath I breathe render You praise, worship, adoration, thanksgiving and love for You alone are worthy  O Living God!  No power on earth, no king, no ruler, no principality has dominion over You.  Great are You O Lord, mighty in word and deed.  All that lives gets its life from You and it is Your breath that sustains us; when You take it away we perish.

Let all that lives and move praise Your Name and exalt it for Your majesty O Lord is above all the earth and the heavens.

Praise You Lord!

John 16:12-15

My Beloved, nothing is possible without the power of God received through the Holy Spirit.  He makes it possible for us to desire and receive all that God wills for us.  Humility is the mark of the Holy Spirit.  He can be as gentle as a breeze or as strong as a gale.  Like fire He can kindle the soul and set it on fire with love for God.  He goes where He wills and accomplishes all that You desire.  He forms us through grace, He touches and quickens our senses making them receptive to You and the Father.  You revealed to us the love of the Father and the extent that His love for us was willing to go, in giving up His only Son for our salvation.  

The Holy Spirit enables us to receive what the Father has given us through You.  It is too much for us to grasp on a purely human level we need faith and the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us plumb the infinite riches, beauty, wisdom and love of God.  With the help of the Holy Spirit we begin on earth and continue in eternity to marvel at the Father's love revealed through You.

Acts 16:22-34, Psalm 138:1-3, 7c,8, John 16:5-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 16:22-34, Psalm 138:1-3, 7c, 8, John 16:5-11

Acts 16:22-34

My Beloved, once again we see how a whole household is saved.  Paul and Silas are thrown in jail their feet fastened to stocks.  Instead of bemoaning their fate and being despondent they sing and praise God who in turn frees them through a severe earthquake that causes their chains to be dislodged and the cell doors to burst open.

Neither chains nor closed doors are barriers to You my Lord.  You go where You will.  The frightened jailer would have taken his own life had not Paul assured him that neither he nor the other prisoners had escaped. The jailer was aware that a higher power was at work in Paul and Silas' favor and he desired to be counted among those that are saved.  He was told that he must believe in You.  They spoke the Word of God to him and the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit brought salvation to all in that house.

The first act they performed as Christians was one of service.  Filled with joy, he served God's anointed servants; he took care of them, tended their wounds and fed them.  

Beloved, grant that we too never lose any opportunity to serve Your anointed.

Psalm 138:1-3, 7c, 8

With You beside me I fear no evil, no power can overcome me for You are with me.  With Your outstretched hand, You reach for me and save me.  You are kind, good and just and You care for me as no other.  Your kindness leads me on each day and I know You will never forsake me.

John 16:5-11

My Beloved, You speak of going to the Father and all that the Apostles can grasp is the fact that You will be going away from them.  They are grief stricken.  For 3 years they were Your closest companions giving up everything in order to remain with You and now they are faced with the possibility of never seeing You, whom they all love so ardently, again.  They are bereft with sorrow.  You assure them that You will remain true to Your promise.  You will not abandon them but You must go in order to send Your Holy Spirit upon them so the ongoing work of the Father continues.

We need the Helper, the Holy Spirit without whom we would be unable to live a life pleasing to You and the Father.  He reveals the sin of the world, the sin of rejection of the Son of God, He reveals the Way of righteousness, the way to the Kingdom of God which was marked by You - there is no other.  The narrow way is the Way of the Cross, the way of suffering and self denial and is the only way that leads to life eternal.  The Holy Spirit will enable us to understand that the judgement has already taken place - the judgement that Satan, death and the powers of darkness and evil have been overcome by You.  We have no reason to be afraid for You my Beloved have triumphed and we have triumphed with You.

Acts 16:11-15, Psalm 149:1b-6a, 9b, John 15:26---16:4a

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 16:11-15, Psalm 149:1b-6a, 9b, John 15:26---16:4a

Acts 16:11-15

My Beloved, we see from verses 15 through 15 that all that is good comes from You.  it was Your intention that opened the God-fearing Lydia's heart to be receptive to the proclamation of the Good News preached by Paul. Not only she but her entire household were saved.  You are truly a gracious and generous God and when You give, You give without measure.

Psalm 149:1b-6a, 9b

My Beloved, to know You is to love You and to know that You have loved us first into existence so that in knowing, loving and serving You in joyful obedience to Your holy will we will remain with You eternally.  Truly this is reason for rejoicing.

In every Liturgy we celebrate Your great love for us, Your people, the sheep of Your flock.  You rejoice in us too and that is why You bless us, watch over and protect us.  May praise of You be ever on our lips acknowledging Your goodness to us always and everywhere.

John 15:26---16:4a

My Lord and my God, it was not enough for the God of Love to send You, His only Son into the world to reveal His love for His sinful creatures and to pay the ransom for sin in order to redeem us.  Prone to sin due to the disobedience of our first parents, He knew that we would be unable to always choose the right, the true, the good and the noble so He sent us the Helper, the Spirit of Truth who will always remind us of what You have done for us.  He will help us in our weakness.  

You have warned us so we will not be taken surprise that those who know neither You nor the Father will  persecute and kill us. In their ignorance of the Truth they will believe that they please God in doing so.

Keep us safe and strong by Your Word, Your Presence and with the precious Food You make available to us to nourish and sustain our souls - Your own Body and Blood.  Thank You!

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16 * 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16 & 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

My Beloved, Philip went to Samaria to preach the Good News.  It was a place which just a some time ago James and John wanted to call forth fire from heaven and destroy because the people there rejected You.  However, You told them they would do no such thing but would proceed to the next village instead.  Samaria and the Samaritans were hated heartily by the Jews and the Samaritans returned the favor in like measure.  

Now, after Your Ascension into heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, we see how Philip went into hostile territory and found that they were receptive to the message of the Good News of salvation and came to believe.  You in turn worked mighty miracles and they witnessed these signs and wonders worked in their favor as You healed their sick and drove out the demons from those who were possessed of unclean spirits and they were filled with joy.

When Philip narrated to the others all that God was doing for the believers there, Peter sent John to them.  Finding out that they had only been baptized in Your Name, he prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit and hands were laid on them and they were filled with Your Holy Spirit.  They received the fullness of the faith and were welcomed into the Church founded on the Apostles with Peter as the Rock and You my Beloved, as its Cornerstone.

Psalm 66:1-7, 16 & 20

My Beloved, how blessed I am and how blessed are all who know You and believe in You.  We are a people of joy, songs and gladness for You are a great God and You work mightily in favor of those who put their faith,hope and trust in You.  The whole earth rejoices in Your goodness and praises You for You, my Beloved, are an awesome God.  You watch over Your sheep, never for a moment do You take Your gaze away from us but hold us safe in Your Presence.  No harm will come to us for we belong to You my Lord.

John 14:15-21

My Beloved to the extent that I am willing to love You to that extent I will experience the power and depth of Your love for me.  The natural response to love is to keep Your commandments of love.  If I do so, You promise me help more powerful and more certain than any I have known or will ever know.

The Holy Spirit Himself will come upon me, descend in me and remain in me forever.  He is the fullness of Your life, power, truth, grace, love wisdom and far more than I can even know.  You assure me that I know the Spirit for I have received Him in Baptism I have been confirmed in Him.  I call God Father, You taught me to and and I will never orphaned for it is Abouna who has willed all that I receive from You, from eternity.  The world does not see You but we do for You abide in us with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

I love You my Lord and with Your help, I shall endeavor to keep Your commandments.  Thank You for loving me as You and the Father do.  I am Yours. 

Acts 15:1-6, Psalm 122:1-5, John 15:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 15:1-6, Psalm 122:1-5, John 15:1-8

Acts 15:1-6

My Beloved, once again we see the Majisterium in action.  Each time a serious question arose in the early Church and there was a strong difference of opinion on an important matter, it was taken to the Apostles and elders.  After much deliberation and prayer a decision was taken that was binding on all.  

In a world of division, unity in the Church is a symbol of the Holy Trinity and the unity between You Beloved and Your Spouse the Church.  Division is the work of the devil, through division Satan enters and destroys.    The reason for the discord and disharmony can most often than not be traced to pride which is the hallmark of Lucifer and his minions.

Psalm 122:1-5

The house of God is the place where You my Beloved dwell among Your people.  Here You unite us in love with You, the Father and each other.  We gather here to praise, worship, adore and offer our thanks in grateful and humble acknowledgement of all You have done for us.  We come together to celebrate the greatest sacrifice of Love that wrought our salvation and redeemed a fallen world.  In the Eucharist, God feeds His people and strengthens them so they can go out into the world equipped with every grace and gift to live the Gospel.

John 15:1-8

My Beloved, You are the Vine and the Father is the Vine grower the Holy Spirit is the Sap.  We are all made one in You.  The Father who created us lovingly ensures that embedded in You and fed on the Sap of the Spirit, we bear good fruit that will last.  The Father uses all the circumstances in our lives to help us grow strong and healthy.  Apart from You we will be good for nothing except to be cast into the outer darkness where we will soon wither and die leaving no trace to indicate that we once existed.  Those who do not recognize Peter as the Head of the Church You founded and try to live outside the bark of Peter courts death.  Lopped off from Your Body the Sap of the Spirit will eventually dry up and it will be fit for nothing except to be thrown into the fire and be destroyed.

But if we remain in You and if the Words of Life remain in us, then it will delight our Father to give us all we ask, for, inspired by His Spirit we will ask for only that which will strengthen us and enable us to grow and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.  A disciple is one who walks in Your footsteps and will ultimately reach the place prepared by the Father eternally.

Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21, John 14:27-31a

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21, John 14:27-31a

Acts 14:19-28

My Beloved, the early Christian show us how to be steadfast in faith.  St. Paul suffered in every conceivable way but he rejoiced in his sufferings.  The more zealous we are for the Kingdom of God, the more readily will  be we prepared to suffer for it is  through the witness of of those who suffer that many come to believe.  

The flesh is a great hindrance to living a life of discipline as You Yourself have said, the flesh is of no avail, it is the spirit that gives life.  Help me to avoid self-indulgence and to show a greater willingness to put to death the constant demands of the flesh.

St. Paul and the first disciples were relentless in fulfilling the mission entrusted to them to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  They traveled in difficult circumstances and suffered at the hands of men and nature but their faith never dimmed.  It is important for us to encourage each other by revealing how powerfully God has worked in and through us in bringing new souls into the fold.

Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

My Beloved, it is You, who through the working of the Holy Spirit reigning in us, gives success to all we do.  You choose whom You will to come to know You and it is  You who grant  us the wisdom and insight to draw us into a personal relationship with Yourself.  Through baptism we have received our mission which is to make You known and loved everywhere for You desire that all be saved.  May I, in imitation of the Apostles, the first Christians and all those who have followed to the present age and until You come again, be counted among those in verse 21, " Let my mouth speak in praise of the Lord, let every creature bless his holy name, for ever and ever."

John 14:27-31a

Verse 31a, "....... the world must know that I love the Father and that I do what the Father has taught me to do." 

This was the reason for Your incarnation, life, passion, death, resurrection and glorious ascension into heaven.  This was the reason why You did all that You did. You gave us the blueprint by which we too can come to the Father.  It is through You for You are the Way, there is no other, You are the Truth there is no other, You are the Life there is no life except in You.

In You is peace in a world of sin and turmoil - it is a peace  that the world does not understand for it is present even when suffering and persecution are at its height.

Those who follow You must believe that we have no reason to be troubled or afraid for we are caught up in the Life of the Trinity and are made one with God through You.  We must be channels of the hope, light, peace and joy which we receive in abundance because we believe and have placed all our hope in You. 

Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, John 13:16-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, John 13:16-20

Acts 13:13-25

My Beloved, we see from these verses that God is the principle director of human affairs.  It is He who chooses, He calls, He leads, He appoints, He gives, He empowers, He removes, He raises up and He affirms, acknowledges and rewards. He fulfills the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that through their descendant He would send You, His Son, to do for His creatures what it was impossible for us to do for ourselves.  

He would start over, there would be a new beginning to meet the enemy head on and crush the power he had won over the children of God through their disobedience.  Your obedience to the will of Your Father would vanquish the powers of darkness forever.

Thank You Father for the Gift of Your Son. Thank You Jesus for the Gift of You Holy Spirit.

 
Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27

Every Liturgy celebrates Your love and Your faithfulness.  We are in awe of the Father who did not spare You, His only beloved Son but sent You into the world to lay down Your life for His sinful creatures who but for the mercy of God were destined to live in eternal darkness.

David is only a symbol of what God would accomplish through You.  Empowered by the power of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit that binds You to the Father in love, You came into the world to show us the way back to God.  You are now raised high, seated at the right hand of the Father in glory and honor.  He has made You the Rock, the Fortress, the Delivery, the Cornerstone, the Messiah, the Savior of the people He created who having disobeyed Him lost their heritage would have it restored through You my Lord and my God.

John 13:16-20

My Beloved, Lucifer and the fallen angels were thrown out of heaven into the abyss because of pride.  You who are the Son of God and equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit made Yourself a Servant obedient to the Father's will.  To serve God in our neighbor is our highest calling.  We take our cue from You.  You showed us how service rendered in love, humility and obedience is one of the best forms of homage we can render God.

You promise to bless us when we live as You desires us to.  Each one of us is called by name and chosen for a mission.  Grant O  Lord that we treat with great respect and love those who serve us for Your sake especially those whom You have consecrated and anointed servants as priests and religious.

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-7, John 15:9-17

FEAST OF ST. MATHIAS - APOSTLE & MARTYR

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-7, John 15:9-17

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

My Beloved, in these few verses many divine truths about the  Church You founded are revealed.  Peter is the Rock, the visible head on which You build Your Church.  There will be scandals even among those who have a high ranking within the Church - Judas as Peter affirmed, was one of the twelve chosen by You and he betrayed You.  His hands were stained not only with Your Blood but his won.  he condemned himself for he had no faith in Your mercy and love.

Everything in Scripture must be fulfilled as You rightly pointed out many times.  Peter too understands how vital it is that all that has been foretold must be accomplished.  Scripture says, "Another must take the place of the one who deserted it."  Here we see the Magisterium in action.  Peter together with the rest of the council, about 120 in all, had to choose one from among them as the 12th Apostle to replace Judas.  The only requirement was that he had to have been Your follower and witness from the time of Your baptism in the Jordan and until the time of Your resurrection and ascension. 

Of the two recommended one was to be chosen and so after praying together they drew lots and thus Mathias, whose feast we celebrate today, was to be the 12th Apostle.  The Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit will always act according to God's will and she will do so until the day  You come again in glory to claim her as Your Bride, for this is Your promise to her.

Psalm 113:1-7

From the east to the west the world and all its people offer You constant praise because You are worthy.  We thank You Beloved that You who are enthroned at the Father's right hand keep Your gaze constantly upon Your Spouse, the Church.  She is Your Bride and the mother of Your brothers and sisters who are baptized and grafted into Your Body.

You never forget or forsake us.  You lift us up and You satisfy us with the Gift of Yourself at every Eucharist.  Having You, we neither hunger nor thirst for You fill us and we are at peace.

John 15:9-17

The marks of a true disciple:

• I must remain in You and Your words must remain in me.  I will then receive whatever I ask of You.
• I must bear much fruit - this is possible because I am grafted to You and Your life flows through me.  The Father is glorified by the fruit of my labor.
• I will remain in You if I obey Your commandment of Love to God whom I am called to love above all and my neighbor whom I am called to love as much as I love myself.
• True love is prepared to lay down its life in sacrifice as You have done.  Grant that I may always be ready to lay down my will and my life according to Your will.
• You call me friend because You have kept nothing hidden from me   All that he has revealed to You, You make known to me in the Church and in Your Word.
• You chose me not for any merit on my part but simply because You love me.
• I have been given a mission to go out into the world and live the Good News publicly and I have Your promise that all I ask to live the life of a true disciple will be granted to me by the Father.
• Love must be the rule of my life.

ACTS 11:19-26, PSALM 87:1B-7, JOHN 10:22-30

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

 

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

ACTS 11:19-26, PSALM 87:1B-7, JOHN 10:22-30

ACTS 11:19-26

My Beloved, wherever we fin ourselves for whatever reason we are called to carry with us the Good News of our salvation.  We must live it faithfully so that by the witness of our lives we will attract others too into desiring the faith and embracing it.

Fill me as You filled the first disciples with the Holy Spirit and with faith so I too in thought, word and deed may live out my faith joyfully in the world. Grant that I may use Your light  in me to dispel the darkness wherever I may be.

Thank You!

PSALM 87:1b-7

5 But of Zion it shall be said,
“More and more are being born in her.”
For the Most High himself has founded her.

This verse speaks of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church - of her it is said that, "More and more are being born in her." For it is in her that it pleases God to dwell in the fullness of Truth, Life and the Holy Spirit. She was born from His pierced side as Eve was created from the side of Adam. He has founded her and made her His dwelling place. Every Liturgy is a celebration of God's love for it has pleased the Father to make His Son the only means by which all are saved.

JOHN 10:22-30

My Beloved, anyone who knows the Truth but deliberately chooses to stay outside the Church fabricating excuses not to enter, will never know true peace and joy.  You have shown us by word and deed that You are indeed the Son of God who came into the world to redeem and save all who believe.  Many make a deliberate choice not to belong despite knowing that You are the Christ, the anointed of God whom He sent into the world to draw all men into the fullness of Truth and eternal joy.

Thank You my Beloved for calling me, thank You for being my Good Shepherd, thank You that I belong to our flock and that I recognize Your voice and follow You.  Thank You for Your assurance that no one has the power to snatch me from You.  I am Yours, irrevocably Yours.

Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4, John 10:11-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4, John 10:11-18

Acts 11:1-18

My Beloved, how difficult it is for us to give up our prejudices, our narrow minded thinking.  Even when we embrace You as Lord of our lives we continue carrying with us the baggage of our parochial thinking.  

You taught and showed Peter that we have to put away our close minded way of thinking.  All that creates division has to be rejected.  You came  to tear down the walls that people, communities and nations have erected.  You came to break down the barriers that we have erected and which confine and wall us within our bigotry.  

All who are baptized are members of Your Body and You are our Head.  You unite us with the Father, the Holy Spirit and with each other this is why we must take seriously the commandment that we love one another as we love ourselves.

Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4

My Beloved,  I hunger and thirst for the delight of Your Presence.  You alone satisfy the deepest longings of my soul.  Having You, I have all I need or want.  You grant me Your light and Your grace these O Lord enable me to walk in the Way that leads to the Father's house.

Pour out Holy Spirit upon me so my lips will always sing Your praise and my heart will be filled with gladness at Your Presence.  Stay with me Lord as I enter into the sunset of my life.  Watch over me and keep me safe from the wiles of the enemy, lead me home where I will dwell with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit forever.

John 10:11-18

Jesus, my Beloved and my Good Shepherd, I belong to Your sheepfold, I belong to Your flock.  I hear Your voice and I recognize it.  In a world filled with a myriad voices, I hear You call and I know You as just as You know me.  You laid down Your life for me and You keep me safe from the clutches of the enemy.

My Beloved, You received Your mission from Your heavenly Father and I receive my mission from You.  Pour Your grace upon me and strengthen me that I may be like You, ready to lay down my life as You did.  

Stay with me Lord!