Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23, Psalm 88:2-8, Luke 9:51-56

FEAST OF ST. JEROME

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23, Psalm 88:2-8, Luke 9:51-56

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23

My Beloved, there are many people in the world, too numerous to count, for whom life seems as hopeless as it seemed to Job.  He wearied of it, he wished he had died at birth, still born never seeing the light  of day.  Life to him during the time of his many and grave afflictions, seemed pointless for he saw himself as one, who despite being a God fearing and honorable man suffered loss of health, family, prosperity as death and destruction suddenly locked their jaws on him and would not let go.

In the world my Beloved we know that wickedness, sin, depravity and violence against the weakest and the innocent abound.  There seem to be be no answers as to why some live such tortuous, sad, horrible lives while others seem to be always walking in sunshine.  All we do know my Lord is that God intended all creation to live exultantly but we chose to sin and with our choices came the inevitable consequences of those sinful choices.  

Thank You for the hope that sin does not have the last word for You have won for us the victory and provided us with all the grace we need to endure no matter how heavy the weight of our cross.  When we walk with You we walk in faith, hope and love. 

Psalm 88:2-8

In the night when the terrors of the dark surround me I know that You my Lord and my Beloved are with me.  I am not alone. You never abandon Your own.

Luke 9:51-56

Hate is a terrible thing and is sometimes handed down from generation to generation festering, oozing all kinds of unpleasantness, division compounding sin upon sin. One loses all reason as the black horror of hate exudes darkness, decay and death like a miasma it stifles all life.

Thank You for showing us another way, a better way, a way that leads to God.  Love that is selfless and is ready to suffer for the sake of the beloved. 

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Psalm 138:1-5, John 1:47-51

FEAST OF ARCHANGELS MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Psalm 138:1-5, John 1:47-51

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

My Beloved, it is most consoling to know that You are in and outside time and place.  You are in all, over all and above all.  You are light and You imbue all things.  Your Spirit is upon all who belong to You and in You we have a beginning, a present and an eternal destination.

Thank You! 

Psalm 138:1-5

My Beloved, my reason for being is You and so my whole life must be one of grateful song of praise, worship and thanksgiving for Your awesome Presence in my life and Your particular care for me and all whom You have redeemed with Your saving Blood. 

As our eternity will be spent in perfect adoration of You grant that we begin on earth what we will be doing in eternity my Lord and my God. 

John 1:47-51

How do You know me my Beloved? You saw me even before I was conceived in my mother's womb for I was born first in the heart and mind of the Father.  You are God and the Son of the Most High God and yet You are my God, my Lord and my Savior.  I am Yours because You chose to make me Your own.

Stay with me Lord always lest I fail You for I can do nothing on my own.

Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippines 2:1-11, Psalm 25:4-9, Matthew 21:28-32

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippines 2:1-11, Psalm 25:4-9,Matthew 21:28-32

Ezekiel 18:25-28

My Beloved, we thank God who is Your Father and ours for His immense compassion and mercy.  He sent You to be our Savior, Your life was the ransom paid for  our sins and this is why sinners are given every opportunity to repent.  The good thief received pardon and the promise of paradise.  Mary Magdalene's repentance and conversion were possible because she did not die before shes ought forgiveness, healing and pardon from You. You do not condemn sinners but give them time even to the last to seek Your forgiveness.  Thank You Lord who are the hope and refuge of sinners.

Philippines 2:1-11

My Beloved, generally it is a lack of humility that makes us overly sensitive to receiving good advice.  We assume that the person who offers it is being critical yet it is not always. St.Paul though is aware of this weakness and offers advise so gently and lovingly that one cannot but accept it as coming from one who speaks in Your Name. It is impossible to do anything right if one lacks authentic humility.

True union is possible when we consider that we are all equals as sons and daughters of God and Your brothers and sisters.  When I treat my fellow Christians with respect and considerations recognizing that we each have gifts that are to be used for the good all, then we will have a genuine appreciation of each other.

We must put the interests and the good of others ahead of our own if love is genuine and our best example is You my Beloved.  How beautifully St. Paul expressed how humble Your were even though You are God.  You obeyed and embraced the will of Your Father in perfect love and humility, becoming a Servant in order to serve so perfectly even permitting Your death on the Cross.  IS it any wonder My Beloved that God has raised You up and given You all glory, honor and power!

In You alone is salvation found and in no other and this is in perfect accordance with the will of the Father.

Psalm 25:4-9

My Beloved, I am Your little nothing - do with me as You will.  Teach me, lead me, guide me, instruct me.  Pick me up when I stumble and if I should fall, raise me up.  Grant that I may walk in the light of Your truth.  I have sinned greatly Lord blot out my sins from Your memory, forget my past Lord because You love me and You are my Savior, Redeemer and Spouse.  Keep me little and humble, aware always that I am a sinner and always in need of Your saving help.

Matthew 21:28-32

My Beloved, without humility it is not possible to either repent or to believe.  Pride is a stumbling block that shuts the gates of heaven in our face.  We can fool men but we cannot fool You.  We might make a great outward show of piety and parade our good works before men and it may seem to the world as if we are Your most ardent followers but You who see all and know our hearts and minds are aware that all our good works are nothing but filthy rags.  Rather it is the one we sneer at, belittle, look down upon and are judgmental about who will be seated in places of honor at the eternal banquet.  

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. Amen!

1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17, Luke 6:20-26

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17, Luke 6:20-26

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

My Beloved, to offer You a chaste and virginal life is to offer You an undivided heart one that is willing to put aside all distractions and all worldly attractions in order to work with single minded devotion in Your vineyard, offering to all wholehearted, selfless services in Your Name. St. Paul does not say marriage is wrong, all he says is that there is a better way. A way that will free us from anxiety and worry from anything that could perhaps hold us back from offering You our whole person just as You offered Yourself up selflessly and lovingly for our salvation.

Keep my gazed fixed on the world to come my Lord in order that I may prepare for it eagerly.  I love You and long to be united to You eternally.

Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17

My Beloved, my Spouse, You are my King and anyone who freely gives up everything in order to follow You more closely will be adorned with virtues and graces so beautiful that they will captivate You, our God.  Every grace and virtue are given to those who desire to please You and the more we please You, the more You will imbue us with Your wondrous grace and love.  Your Spirit will descend on us and we will walk in Your Light, Life and Love on earth and in heaven we will be one with You eternally.

Luke 6:20-26

My Beloved, Your gaze is always fixed on Your disciples. You have not left us to figure out on our own the way to the Kingdom and to You but You have given us a blueprint, a road map that will take us unerringly to You.  More than this, You walked this way to show us how it is done, all we need to do is to place our foot in Your foot print one step at a time.  You toss the wisdom of the world and send it spinning on it's head for the ways of the world only take us away from You.  Rather, it is a life of seeming contradiction and paradox that will lead us right in to Your Sacred Heart my King in whom dwells the fullness of the Kingdom of God.

Those who chase after the fleeting fancies of the earth fill themselves on the swill poured poured into the feeding troughs of swine but those who give up this present life for the sake of the Kingdom of God lay up treasures where they can neither be stolen nor will they face decay by rust and moths. You my Beloved are my eternal reward.  

1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Psalm 149:1-6, & 9, Luke 6:12-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Psalm 149:1-6, & 9, Luke 6:12-19

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

My Beloved, as children of the Light, baptized into Your Body and as members of Your Holy Church, we are called to judge the world not be judged by it.  The ways of the world are in direct opposition to God's law and we allow our morals to be shaped by them.  The immoral culture has seeped into every areas of our lives even the Church has not been spared as some of her shepherds are swayed by the foul winds of the world leading many sheep astray.

Grant us Your wisdom my Beloved so we may have holiness of heart.

Psalm 149:1-6, & 9

My Beloved, Your Word tells me that You delight in me.  You make it possible for me to walk in light and grace.  You pour joy like oil upon my soul and make me glad.  Your Name is on my lips from the moment I wake at dawn, at night as I lie in bed waiting for sleep, Yours is the Name that blesses me through the night.  In all my waking hours it is through Your Name that I offer praise to the Most High God. Your Name my Beloved is my delight.

Luke 6:12-19

My Beloved, God directs are steps when we seek Him in prayer this is why You often left the crowds and the twelve and spent hours and often the whole night in prayer.

You chose the 12 only praying about it with Your Father and seeking His approval.  You spent the nights in prayer and the days in doing the work for which You had come into the world.  Those whom You called, the chosen were not just figureheads but they worked in close collaboration with You.  They had You for the Teacher, Guide, Friend and Protector.

Wherever You went crowds gathered, they were hungry, thirsty and sick. You touched each one of them, permitted them to touch You and gave them what they had come seeking. No one who approached You went away disappointed.

Verse 19 "The entire crowd tried to touch him because of the power that went out from him and healed them all."

My Beloved, may Your power emanate from me and strengthen and comfort all whose lives I touch each day.  Thank You.

1 Corinthians 4:6-15, Psalm 145:17-21, Luke 6:1-5

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 4:6-15, Psalm 145:17-21, Luke 6:1-5

1 Corinthians 4:6-15

My Beloved, am I like Paul prepared to be a fool for You?  Am I prepared to work for Your Kingdom quietly, in secret, unseen and neither expecting nor attracting applause? Am I truly humble, prepared to work in the shadows and allow others to receive the credit aware that as long as I do the work, it does not matter who receives the plaudits?  To look to You for hep and to expect my eternal reward from You, let this be my desire always.

Psalm 145:17-21

My Beloved, if I model my life on You, if I try to act always as I know You would act, I will experience a deep and abiding peace.  If I believe with unshakable faith that you are with me so close that You hear every cry, every sigh as I call on Your Name, I will be serene always. Nothing will disturb my spirit.  

You know I love You.  Feeble though my love may be it is offered with all the fervor this poor, weak vessel is capable of.  Yet You know my limitations despite my ardent desire to burn with love for You and You look at me with great tenderness, kindness and compassion.

May my mouth be filled with Your praise always.  May I along with all creation bow down in worship and acknowledge that You are God. My God.

Luke 6:1-5

My Beloved, nothing is forbidden to God because He is Lord of all - but of course the Pharisees did not know that You were indeed God.  It is the Sabbath, Your disciples are hungry and so they pick grain as they walk through the fields and eat. God does not put the law above human need and He does not expect us to do so either.  Especially when the need is genuine and legitimate the law must always take a back seat.  You point out a precedent to the Pharisees, “Have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry?” 4 He entered the house of God, took and ate the bread of the offering and even gave some to his men, though only priests are allowed to eat that bread.”  You are the Son of God and the Son of David who is Lord even of the Sabbath.  Love and compassion must always be put before the law.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40, Luke 5:33-39

FEAST OF BLESSED MOTHER TERESA

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40, Luke 5:33-39

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

My Beloved, immorality is anathema to You and it should be for all who call themselves Christians and yet grave sins are not only tolerated but celebrated. Ignoring divine and moral law Christians bow down to the diktat of the culture condoning the sins that bring death to the soul.

These verses describe perfectly the age we live in.  If the Church and all its members had taken a strong stand when the first hint of which way the wind was blowing was perceived, we would not have reached this sorry stage had we done so many would have been saved from the flames that can never be put out.

Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40

My Beloved, the one who places all their hope and trust in You will never be disappointed because You will always ensure that they receive justice.  I know with certainty that if I yield, submit and commit my life to You I need fear nothing.  You will act on my behalf.  You know that You are my Beloved, my Life, my Delight, my Rock and my Refuge and You will give me all that is good and perfect and holy to enable me walk firmly in Your way.  You will provide the grace and strength I need to do good and to reject evil.  In times of distress, I call on You and You never fail to come to my help.  Thank You for rescuing me from the wiles of Satan ad the jaws of death.

Luke 5:33-39

My Beloved, the people had observed that Your disciples did not fast whereas the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees fasted often and prayed long prayers.

When we pray and fast the discipline of the body frees the soul so it can draw closer to You.  When we are weak then we are strong.  Your disciples had the Son of God physically present in their midst.  They talked to You , touched You, laughed with You, confided in You, and they were instructed by You.  

As You said the time would come when  they would no longer have the  physical presence of the beloved Bridegroom in their midst and when that time arrived, they the would fast, pray and even lay down their lives for You as You did then, where You had gone they too would follow someday.

The old order had passed, You ushered in a new order of love, service and self-sacrifice.  You brought with You the dawn of hope and freedom from fear and death.  Thank You my Beloved.

1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 5:1-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 5:1-11

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

My Beloved, thank You for speaking so powerfully to me today.  You urge me through the words of St. Paul not to desire to be wise in the ways of the world but rather to be prepared to be considered a fool for You.  The wisdom of the world is worthless in the sight of God.

The worldly wise are caught in a web made of their own deceit .  We are not to make idols of humans no matter how gifted they are because their gifts have been given to them to be used on Your behalf.  Everything belongs to You and I belong to You and You are of God.

Psalm 24:1-6

All created things sin heaven and on earth,all that is visible and invisible, all that is spiritual and material - everything belongs to the Lord God almighty.

My Beloved, only those with clean hands and a pure heart can come up to the throne of grace and into Your holy Presence because nothing unclean can approach You.

Thank You for the wonderful Sacrament of Reconciliation that enable me to begin again no matter how far I fall or how filthy my sins have made my soul.  Your  grace in this awesome Sacrament of Healing is always available.

Luke 5:1-11

My Beloved, as usual a crowd had gathered around You hungry for Your Word, hungry for God. You taught them and they listened.  The crowds had swelled so You had to get one of the two boats that were there.  You chose Peter's boat and requested him to pull a little away from the shore to accommodation the crowds and You continue to teach.  When You had finished, You asked Peter to go into the deep sea and lower his nets for a catch.  He replied that they had been fishing all night and had caught nothing.  His human experience told him that it would be a useless endeavor, there were no fish; but because he respected You he would do as You asked.  He was soon to find out that human experience counts for nothing , it has no bearing before the will of the divine.

The fruit of obedience was a bountiful catch so great that the nets began to tear and they needed help.  When God gives, He gives in abundance - far more than we can ever imagine or dream of.  They had to request the other boats for help to bring in the catch.  Our non Catholic brothers and sisters also labor in the Lord's vineyard and work toward establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

Peter was amazed.  God never ceases to amaze us.  Falling on his knees aware that he was in the presence of the divine he confessed that he was a sinner.  James and John who were until this moment his commercial partners in the fishing trade were also in the boat. Seeing Simon's distress You consoled him and told him not to be afraid.

We ought not to be afraid of the divine vision for us for it is so much greater than our own.  You assured Peter that You had a great mission for him. They came to land, left the boat and all their worldly ties and followed You to collaborate with You in God's work.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 33:12-15 &20-21, Luke 4:38-44

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 33:12-15 &20-21, Luke 4:38-44

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

My Beloved, we are not truly conformed to You if we continue  to allow jealousy, envy and discord to mar our relations with our brothers and sisters. We all work towards the same end, to witness to You, to cooperate with You and with those who work for Your Kingdom. It is You alone who makes our work fruitful, we on our part must be faithful to the call and give it all we have got.  The whole purpose of evangelization is that all may come to know You, love You and worship You as the Lamb of God who atoned for the sins of the world and saved us.  God will reward us according to the sincerity of our labor.

Psalm 33:12-15 &20-21

My Beloved, my Lord and my God, You look down from heaven to earth and its people whom You have redeemed.  Yours is the work  of salvation that brought us life.  Those who toil in the vineyard are called by You to work side by side each using the various gifts given to us by You to make Your Name known and glorified.  It is You who render the work fruitful as men and women come to know, love and worship You; You who are true God and true Man.

Our hope is in You we long for Your return, the greater our hope the more intense will be our labor for You have saved us, You are our help and our shield, we rejoice because we know we have not trusted in vain.

Luke 4:38-44

My Beloved, in today's Gospel passage we have a glimpse of Your life and You work.  You left the synagogue to go to Simon's home and was told that his mother-in-law was sick. They urged You to help her.  You are not indifferent to our pleas, You bend over her lovingly demonstrating to us how God always stoops over us in tender compassion and You healed her.  Restored to health she serves.  We too must remember that we are called to serve.

At sunset the people brought all their sick to You and not one was turned away.  You touched each one and healed them.  It is personal, You are not indifferent to our pain and suffering but You empathise with us and desire to make us whole.

By the time everyone left You would have  been exhausted but would have slept only a few hours because You woke up at dawn to be alone with Your Father, to be refreshed in His Presence.  But the people would not leave You alone they came looking for You and when they found You they wanted You to stay with them. You told them that You had a mission and You would not rest until that mission was accomplished. 

You gave us a wonderful example of how we too must answer the call that we have received to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God.  We are called to work tirelessly expecting nothing from those we serve, claiming no glory for ourselves as we each do the work God has sent us to do. 

1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Psalm 145:8-14, Luke 4:31-37

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 Corinthians 2:10-16, , Luke 4:31-37

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

God has revealed to us through His Spirit the glory that awaits those who love Him and have been faithful to His Eternal Word.  My Beloved, by virtue of my baptism and confirmation and strengthened and renewed daily with the Eucharist, I know that in me dwells the Spirit of the Triune God and through Him I receive wisdom and understanding.

it is Your Spirit and the Spirit of the Father that enables me to plumb to the extent that is humanly possible and to the ext end that grace grants, the goodness of God's favor and kindness in loving us as He does  

The world does not understand but those whom God has called, understand this language of divine love.  I understand more than those in the flesh ever will because divinity has touched me and dwells in me.  You my Beloved, make this possible for in Your loving kindness I see as You have enabled me to see. 

Psalm 145:8-14

This is my God my Beloved, He is gracious, compassionate, loving and kind.  He knows my weaknesses, He is aware that without His help, I would have long been ground in the dust with no hope of ever rising up.  But God has picked me up as He picks up all His children and lavishes His love on them.  All creation and all creatures have experienced Your gracious kindness and praise You.  Everything that moves and breathes praises You my God and tell of Your mighty deeds and Your tender mercy.

You have conquered from the Cross.  Your death established Your rule from the creation of the world to its passing into eternity.  We can trust in Your Word which upholds us, instructs us and lifts us up.  We hope in Your Word, we have faith in Your Word, we believe in Your Word and we know we do not believe in vain.

Luke 4:31-37

My Beloved, You had a mission and nothing would deter You from fulfilling it.  In three shorts years You had You had to train the Apostles and go to as many places as possible to speak about the Kingdom of God and our responsibility in building it.  You spoke about God with authority because You were God.  You called God Father and the Spirit of God was Your Spirit and the Spirit of the Father.  You knew what You were speaking about when You spoke on Scripture revealing how everything spoken of by the prophets was fulfilled in You and through You.

Those who heard You were amazed and astonished for they did not fully understand but the what the evil spirits knew - You were the Holy One of God, they recognized You and trembled.  You rebuked them and commanded them to be silent because we must come to know this knowledge, this revelation, through our personal experience of You and Your saving work.

My mission is to spreak the Good News wherever I am.  Help me Lord!

1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalm 119:97-102, Luke 4:16-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalm 119:97-102, Luke 4:16-30

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

My Beloved, I don't come to You with a great plan on how I am going serve You. I don't need to be coached on how to speak eloquently in order to capture the attention of my listeners with clever words. All artifice is worthless. All I need is to know, teach and preach the Good News that God sent You into the world as our Messiah who obtained our salvation through a bloody Crucifixion on the Cross.

I am who I am, Your little nothing, weak, fearful and trembling. I just make myself available to You. I show up and I let the holy Spirit work through me with His power - if any should come to the faith, the glory belongs to God alone.

Psalm 119:97-102

My Beloved,if I am to grow in wisdom and knowledge I must love Your law. Like Mama Mary I must meditate on Your Word all my waking hours. Your commands must be the rule of my life so I will never stray from the paths of holiness and goodness and I will be invincible before the enemy. 

 The more I ponder Your commandments of love the wiser will I grow in understanding your teachings and instructions. I must abide by our law if I desire the light of Your Word to guide my steps You have not left to muddle on my own but have given me Your Holy Spirit as my Teacher, Instructor and Guide.

Luke 4:16-30

My Beloved, You returned to Nazareth the place where You grew up.  You went to the synagogue on the Sabbath as You had done in the past when You lived there.  You stood up to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah which was handed to You. You found the verses in which the prophet revealed the messianic role, verses which were very familiar to You because they spoke of You.  All eyes were fixed on You as You read aloud in Your beautiful, mellifluous voice the ancient texts breathing into the well known text the fire of life and truth as You proclaimed to Your hearers God's wonderful plan of salvation.

You sat down while every gaze in the synagogue was  riveted on You and said, “Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen.”  There was something so compelling in the say You said it that everyone agreed with You and was moved but there will always be skeptics who can only focus on the banal and the inconsequential and it is they who say, "Who is this but Joseph’s son?”  The response of those who limit the power of God according to their own narrow boundaries of understanding and their response is just as stupid as those who thought they knew You. Like Nathaniel's preconceived prejudice which prompted him to remark, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"

You pointed out to them that throughout the history of Israel the prophets were rejected, persecuted and put to death and this is why outsiders and foreigners were singled out for God's singular blessings rather than His chosen people. On hearing this they not only became furious but hostile - truth often brings out the worst in the wicked and they too were prepared to kill You in order to silence the Truth.  You walked away unharmed through the crowds for Your hour had not yet come.