Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 144:1b-2, 9-10, Luke 13:31-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 144:1b-2, 9-10, Luke 13:31-35

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Ephesians 6:10-20

My Beloved, we are not called to rely on our own strength and wisdom because we have none that will enable us to live in the world and battle successfully with all the forces that are working against us.  We don't have to because You have made  provision for us to walk in the light of truth, justice and faith.

The Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts in baptism.  As children of God we have all the resources made available to us, we are co-heirs with You to the Kingdom of God.  It is up to us to arm ourselves with the armor that is given to us so we may withstand evil. 

We have many spiritual weapons in our armory each with the ability to help us wage war and establish God's Kingdom on earth. Truth, so no lie against us will succeed, Justice so we will be trusted, zeal so our enthusiasm does not dim as we bring Your message of peace to to strive torn world.  With faith in You we will guard against false doctrine. The helmet of salvation and the sword of Your powerful Word will ensure that no matter how wily the enemy is he will not prevail against us.

When we pray always, offering even our work as prayer, and we are ever watchful so the enemy will remain at bay as we make intercession for ourselves and the whole word, God in turn will be faithful and keep us safe under His mighty protection.

Psalm 144:1b-2, 9-10  

Verse 10 Reminds us that it is You who gives us victory so we can sing a joyful and triumphant hymn of praise.  when we are planted in You, it is You who will grant us all the power we need to win the daily war we face from the world, the flesh and devil.

Thank You.

Luke 13:31-35

My Beloved, we cannot be saved against our will.  Much as You would like to gather us as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing You cannot do so unless we flee fro the world and take refuge in You.  And so we bring upon ourselves misery ad heartache until we come to our senses and call You and You who love us passionately, tenderly with compassion and mercy will hasten to us and save us.

Keep us faithful to our mission no matter what the cost.   May we imitate You and in the end take us to where You are so there with all the angels and saints we may praise You  our God eternally.

Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14, Luke 13:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14, Luke 13:22-30

Ephesians 6:1-9

Verses 6-8

6 Do not serve only when you are watched or in order to please others, but become servants of Christ who do God’s will with all your heart. 7 Work willingly, for the Lord and not for humans, mindful that the good each one has done, 8 whether servant or free, will be rewarded by the Lord.

My Beloved, how easy it is to put on a grand show and pretend that we are striving diligently to labor in Your vineyard when all eyes are on us.  But You warn us to guard against such a deceitful temptation.  When we work whether we are seen or not, we work for You and we must be faithful and dutiful.  Doing our best and working willingly and diligently; in this is our reward. The only reward worth having is the one that the Lord will give us at the end of our days.

Psalm 145:10-14

The Lord lifts up those who are falling and raises those who are beaten down.

I thank You my Beloved that we are not alone.  When the world gets too much for us, You will do battle on our behalf.  The poor and the downtrodden have You on their side and You will ensure that they receive justice for You ally Yourself powerfully on their side.  You hear the cry of all the voiceless people in the world whom the rich and the powerful seek to crush and silence.

Luke 13:22-30

My Beloved, we all love to take the easy way, the broad path.  Self indulgence is very alluring.  To give up and give in instead of disciplining ourselves and soldiering on is so much easier.  This is why You warn us that the road to perdition is the easy one.

The narrow gate requires us to do away with all that could impede our entrance and slow us down.  We carry so much unwanted baggage and they are the cause that keep us from reaching the finish line.

Time is short and we have to make our journey to the Kingdom alongside You.  If we lose sight of You and we arrive late because we could not let go then when we do arrive, distance will be denied to us.  We might recite a litany of all our good words but You will say, "I do not know where You come from?"

If I come from You then I must return to You only then can I hope to be with You forever.  You never fail to remind us that those whom we expected to see at the table of the Lord will not be present and those we least expected to gain entrance into the Kingdom of God will be reclining at table wit You.

Keep me humble Lord for it is only in knowing how little I am able to help myself and trust wholly in You is there any hope for me.

Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 18:2-4, 47 & 51, 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10, Matthew 22:34-40

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 18:2-4, 47 & 51, 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10, 
Matthew 22:34-40

Exodus 22:20-26

My Beloved, how often we forget the times when injustice was done to us and we mete out the same injustice to others. Instead of showing empathy and understanding we become oppressors ourselves. 

Time and time again You warn us that Your mighty protection is over the widow and the orphan because they are more vulnerable and at risk at the hands of those who would exploit their weakness and their helplessness.  Those who dare to abuse them believing that no one will hear their cry or even if they are heard will do nothing to help them will soon learn that You will punish most severely those who took advantage of these, little helpless ones.  People get rich and powerful through the pain, blood, sweat, tears and despair of children.

Widows are often abandoned by their relatives and are at the mercy of evil men who cloak themselves in the guise of righteousness.  The poor are given loans at exorbitant rates of interest and when they cannot pay, their children are taken as bonded labor.

The rich take away even the little the poor have without the slightest twinge of guilt.  Do we wonder then why our world is in the state it is in?  Let us wake up for You will avenge every cry and sigh of the widow and the orphan for You are full of loving kindness and mercy for the poor.

Psalm 18:2-4, 47 & 51

My Beloved, there is nothing more delightful than to praise You, bless You and offer You worship and thanksgiving.  You are everything and You generously give us all of Yourself without hesitation.  No plan against us will succeed because we are Your anointed.  Built upon the Rock of Peter, the Church is our fortress and You are its Cornerstone.  From You we receive grace and power through Your Holy Spirit.  You have vanquished the foe and we are saved by Your atoning Sacrifice.  You who died for us entering into our death, rose again and we were raised to new life in You.

Matthew 22:34-40

My Beloved, in order to receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God as co-heirs with You we must live these two commandments which sum up the whole law of love.

Verses 37-39

Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and the most important of the commandments.  But after this there is another one very similar to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

It would not be possible to obey them Lord on our own strength and so You make available to us perennial grace through the Sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.  

Thank You my Lord and my God!

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_____ my own, do not concern yourself with what others do to you, that is irrelevant, rather be concerned about what you do or do not do for others. You are not alone.  I have given You a full measure of my Holy Spirit let Him take control of your life and direct it  Give Him the freedom to act with power in and through you.

Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, Luke 12:49-53

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, Luke 12:49-53

Ephesians 3:14-21

Father in heaven I fall on my knees before You, it is from You that every family in heaven and on earth receives it's true name.  

I ask You Lord from the wealth of Your glory to give me power through Your Holy Spirit to be strong in my inner self.  I pray that You my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ might make Your home in my heart through faith.  

I pray that I may have my roots and foundation in love so that I together with all God's people may have the power understand how broad and long how deep and high is Christ's love. 

Yes, may I come to know His love although it can never be fully known and so be filled by the very nature of God.  To You O Holy Spirit who by means of Your power working in me is able to do so much more than I can ever ask for or think of and to God be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for all time forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19

Verse 4

For upright is the Lord’s word

and worthy of trust is his work.

The Word of God is the Word of truth, Light and Life.  One can put all one's trust in the Word for it never fails.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord –

the people he has chosen for his inheritance.

You my Beloved assure us that I am blessed because I am chosen by God to be His inheritance.

18 But the Lord’s eyes are upon those who fear him,

upon those who trust in his loving-kindness

19 to deliver them from death

and preserve them from famine.

Truly Lord, a holy fear of God is to be desired and embraced for You fix Your gaze with love and tenderness on those who recognize their nothingness before You.  They tremble in awe at the knowledge of Your purpose in creating them which is love and they desire never to offend You by committing sin and to to respond to Your love.  I can trust You to preserve me from eternal death and I am grateful that You desire to seat me at Your banqueting table and partake of You in the awesome Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Luke 12:49-53

My Beloved, You came to cast the fire of the Holy Spirit on the world in order to purify us and render us pleasing to God.  You knew from the first that You had to be baptized into our death which was brought about by our sin. Our souls were dead and You had to take on our sin and our punishment so that by entering into our death You could raise us to new life in You.

Your Soul continues to be in anguish because so many still do not know You or knowing You turn away from You, indifferent to Your atoning sacrifice.

Help us not to succumb to evil in the face of persecution even if it means being denied and ostracized by our own.

Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:39-48

FEAST OF ST. JOHN PAUL II

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:39-48

Ephesians 3:2-12

My Beloved, all that St. Paul says about himself in these verses can be also be said of the Saint whose feast day the Church celebrates today - St. John Paul II, the Saint of the second millennium.  If we can call St. Paul who was Saul the Saint of the first millennium then without exaggeration we can say the same of St. John Paul II in this age.

We know how God took away every earthly love and tie one by one - first his mother, then his sister, a well loved older brother and finally his most beloved father. With each loss God drew him ever closer to Himself and further away from the things of the world.  God granted him a marvelous and prodigious intellect - a genius.  A wisdom that was learned through great suffering.  An expansive, generous, winsome, charismatic personality that was comfortable with whoever met him and whose lives he touched profoundly.

Grace upon grace was showered upon him as we see how well he understood and could express the wisdom revealed by God, taking us into various levels of truth, deeper and deeper into the light as he taught, wrote, preached, spoke and lived the Good News of our salvation in You my Lord. He spoke boldly and with confidence. 

When the world demanded he come down from the painful cross of physical  suffering that was inflicted upon him he stayed unflinchingly on it as a silent, powerful witness in imitation of You.  Preaching perhaps his most eloquent sermons when his once magnificent physical stature grew increasingly frail. 

Thank You my Beloved for each of the Apostles that have blessed Your Church in every age.

Isaiah 12:2-6

Thank You my Beloved for the powerful witness of all Your Saints including our very own St. John Paul II who lived his life boldly and unafraid.  Preaching the Gospel truths in and out of season.  Tearing down the walls of the enemy and shepherding Your Bride, the Church faithfully till his last breath.  Now grant Your servant and friend eternal rest in Your Bosom. Amen

Luke 12:39-48

To us my Beloved to whom much has been given help us not to become vain, pompous and self-righteous rather help us to remember that the graces we receive are to be used in Your service, selflessly.  We who are members of Your Church and are privileged to receive the Sacraments instituted by You are made strong and ready for battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. You warn us of the consequences of being lax in our faith and squandering the great wealth given to us by not using them.

There is a place where those who have not lived quite as they ought will go.  Verses 47 and 48 speak clearly of such a place which the Catholic Church calls purgatory.

47 The servant who knew his mas­ter’s will, but did not prepare to do what his master wanted, will be punished with sound blows; 48 but the one who did what deserved a punishment without knowing it shall receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be asked of the one entrusted with more. 

It is a place where all impurities will be burned away and only that which is pure will remain for nothing unclean can enter the Presence of God.

Ephesians 2:12-22, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 12:35-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 2:12-22, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 12:35-38

A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

Ephesians 2:12-22

Who am I in Christ Jesus?

I am the peace of Christ.  There is no hatred living in me.  The Spirit living in me unites me to Christ and through Him to the Father.  I am no longer a stranger or an exile.Heaven is my home.  The Saints are my sisters and brothers, my family in Christ.  I acknowledge all that God has done through the prophets and Apostles to make known the work of redemption that obtained salvation for the sins of the whole world.  In Christ, it pleases the Father to make me a living temple with my Lord as it's Cornerstone. God dwelling in me is Emmanuel.

Psalm 85:9-14

A people of faith reaching up to God has the power to move Him to stoop low in love and justice over us.  Through Christ we receive all that makes it possible for us to be pleasing to God and will enable us to walk in the way of Love, Justice, Truth, Mercy and Peace.

Luke 12:35-38

How can I be dressed for service when You return from the wedding my Beloved?  

The Church teaches me how to prepare for Your coming.

The corporal works of mercy are:

• To feed the hungry;
• To give drink to the thirsty;
• To clothe the naked;
• To shelter the homeless;
• To visit the sick;
• To ransom the captive;
• To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

• To instruct the ignorant;
• To counsel the doubtful;
• To admonish sinners;
• To bear wrongs patiently;
• To forgive offences willingly;
• To comfort the afflicted;
• To pray for the living and the dead.

When You return to find me will it gladden Your heart and will You put on an apron, seat me at table and wait on me? 

When You come my Beloved no matter what the hour may be may You find me awake and ready and may You rejoice in me as You carry me home.

Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 12:13-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 12:13-21

Ephesians 2:1-10

My Beloved, when we resist grace we go spiraling downward into the bottomless pit of hell where neither light nor truth can be found.  Only the infinite love God has for His wayward children can penetrate the abyss of darkness with His Light, Truth and grace.

This is what the love of God has done for us -we were dead to our sins to God raised us up because of His tender mercy and compassion and through You my Lord we are saved. The invisible God is now visible to us in You and through You He reveals the wonders, marvels and power of His extraordinary grace which He generously pours upon us.

My salvation comes from my belief in You Beloved not because I merited it but because I am nothing.  God chose me before He laid the foundations of the world to know, love and serve Him in and through You my Lord and my God.

Psalm 101:1-5

Verse 2 says, "I will walk the way of integrity." This is impossible on my own my Lord.  The Psalmist asks, "When will You come to me?"  I know when You come to me my Beloved, You come to me in every Eucharist. When I receive Your Body and Blood I become like You and thus I can walk, "With a blameless heart."  

Grant me the grace never to return to my sinful past by revisiting my sins and colluding with the transient desires of the flesh which leave a dreary pall on my soul and my life.

Grant me the grace to live out my faith with courage, unafraid of what man might think but only striving to please You my Beloved always.

Luke 12:13-21

My Beloved, the worst dissensions and violent crimes are often committed because of quarrels over family property.  Ugly enmities create insurmountable barriers and brother, sisters and relatives die with unforgiveness still burning in their hearts because of worldly possessions.

God does not care so much if we are denied an earthly inheritance for it has no power to save our soul.  Rather He desires that we amass virtues through a life of grace.  Often we are a little envious of those who seem to have all the wonderful things the world offers which of themselves are not sinful.  God Himself who is perfect Beauty has put the love of the good, true and beautiful within us.  So there is nothing wrong in liking beautiful things and surrounding ourselves with them provided that they do not displace Him and the love of things eternal.

More often than not we cling to things and people.  We idolize them and spend all our waking moments polishing, preserving and admiring our idols.  We have no time for the Lord and Maker of our life who created us and desires so much more us for than that which is ephemeral. He desires us to live a life lived in the power of His marvelous grace and life spurred by the Holy Spirit and loving God and neighbor as we should.

Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13, Luke 12:1-7

FEAST OF ST.IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH - BISHOP & MARTYR

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13, Luke 12:1-7

Ephesians 1:11-14

My Beloved, of all the people in all the world and among all the people God chose the Jews and called them, making a people for Himself.  A people for whom He would choose one particular tribe of the 12 tribes of Israel and from this tribe and at a time of His choosing would ask the consent of a young girl if she would cooperate with Him in receiving and conceiving and bring forth the Savior and Messiah into the world.  But to us who are gentiles, You have granted the immense grace,that on hearing the Word of Truth which is the Good News that saves all human kind, we believed. 

Through this free gift of faith received at our baptism we are sealed with the awesome, glorious, all powerful Holy Spirit of the Most High.  You are the promise, oath and Covenant that God makes with all who believe.  In and through You we receive freedom from slavery to sin and we are made children of God and co-heirs with You to the Kingdom.

To the Father through You and in the Holy Spirit be all praise and glory forever.

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

My Beloved, God created us so we may rejoice always in Him through You who are our peace.  Our hearts must overflow with songs of praise that burst forth from our lips .  Our whole life must be in tune with the melody of praise and worship in  heaven.

Why? Because You my Beloved are the reason for our joy.  You are the Love of God made Flesh,, visible and tangible to us His children.  If the earth is full of the kindness of the Lord then it is a kindness that shines through those whom He has called from darkness into Your own marvelous light.

Do I permit the kindness of God to shine though me?

God our Father is in heaven and from there He keeps a loving eye on us.  He sends His angels to protect us and fills us with His Holy Spirit so we can love You as You ought to be love.  In this way we are certain to give God the glory, praise and hone that so delights our Abba God.

Luke 12:1-7

My Beloved, I pray that some day the churches will be so crowded that we will crush one another.  May the multitudes gather to praise, worship and offer thanksgiving in the only acceptable Sacrifice to God - the Holy Eucharist.  May Your Word be preached just as You have preached in these verses.  {Powerfully, fearless, courageously but also with Your tender compassion, mercy and gentleness. Making known to all God's children all that He has accomplished for us though You His Beloved Son.

You warn us not to be the yeast that sows hatred, enmity, division and discord.  You inform us that everything we do - good ,bad or ugly will be made visible.  Every word and every thought we think and every act we commit while we thought no one was watching will be made known to all.  But for those who love You, whom You cave called by name, You say, "Do not fear."  

Verses 6-7

Don’t you get five sparrows for two pennies? Yet not one of them has been forgotten by God.  Even the hairs of your head have been numbered. So do not fear: are you not worth more than a flock of sparrows?

Thank You my Lord for loving me and for revealing the love of the Father to me through the gift of You Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:1-10, Psalm 98:1-6, Luke 11:47-54

FEAST OF MARGARET MARY ALCOQUE

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ephesians 1:1-10, Psalm 98:1-6, Luke 11:47-54

Ephesians 1:1-10

My  Beloved, I am who I am by the will of the Father.  It is His good pleasure to pour upon me and all who belong to Him an abundance of His grace and peace which flows to us from Your Sacred Heart.  It is the Father's good pleasure to bless all who are united with You, His Son, with every spiritual blessing from heaven.  He holds nothing back but gives lavishly to all who are grafted to Your Body.

How truly blessed I am that God chose me before the foundation of the world was laid to be holy and without sin - what a gift!  The God of love who is Your Father has adopted me as His daughter in love because I am one with You through Baptism.  The Father desires that all praise and glory be given to You.  He delights in our love for You and our acknowledgement of all He has accomplished for us through You.  

Sealed in Your Blood which courses through us You have claimed us for Yourself.  It is the price paid for sins - the only sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to the Father in exchange for the debt we owed and could never repay.

It is Your Most Holy Spirit sent down upon Your Church at Pentecost that continues through the ages to reveal the greatness of our God and His awesome love made visible in You my Lord and Beloved Savior Jesus Christ.

It is in accordance with the will of the Father to unite and reconcile all creation and everything in the heavens above and the earth below in You - so in You, united with You, one with You, we are also one with our Father.

Psalm 98:1-6

My Beloved, the new song that the angels sang at Your birth continues to be sung triumphantly everywhere in recognition of the wonders of God's love and the victory won against sin and death through You.

The wages of sin is death and the justice of God demanded that the consequences had to be borne but since we, His children, could never reverse the awful consequences of our sins and since God loves us despite our disobedience and ingratitude He asked that You my Beloved pay the only acceptable sacrifice that could blot out our iniquity and render us just once more in His sight.

God's love and power has saved us in You my Lord and we shall sing and make melody with all creation until every breath that is granted to us here in this life is at an end and we beging to sing Your praises eternally in heaven when You call us home.

Luke 11:47-54

Verse 49

(The Wisdom of God also said,) “I will send prophets and apostles and this people will kill and persecute some of them.

This verse echoes through the ages my Beloved, Your prophets, apostles and followers continue to be persecuted and murdered all over the world.  All who have been silent while hatred and violence rages against Your people will have to render an account, for they will be held accountable for every drop of innocent blood  spilled because they belonged to You.

My Beloved, all who are called to teach and preach Your Word as parents, teachers, catechists, elders, priests, religious and laity have failed miserably for we have withheld the key that unlocks the Gospel that could save the world.  We have not lived the Good News and we have not shared it with others and so our guilt is twofold.

Have mercy on us Lord and grant us the grace to change our ways rather than to continue putting out the light for ourselves and for everyone else.

The pharisees and elders had a vicious hatred for You because You spoke the truth.  The world continues to hate You to this day because You and Your Church refuse to condone the evils paraded as good.

Galatians 5:18-25, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 11:42-46

DAILY GOSPEL READINGS

Galatians 5:18-25, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 11:42-46

WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Galatians 5:18-25

When I allow the Holy Spirit to lead me I can be absolutely certain that He will take me to the heart of the Trinity and I will receive the life of Christ which is a life of grace.  The law can only make me aware of my sins and my guilt the the punishment due to sin, it offers no remedy.

Every sin has some pleasure attached to it which makes sinning attractive to the flesh and to the senses but such pleasure is ephemeral.  To sate the senses which are easily numbed we begin to indulge in greater aberrations which desensitizes us even more. But when we exercise the gift of the Holy Spirit the fruits become visible in our lives - love, joy, peace, patience, understanding, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  The more abundant the fruit the more we will please God and the less we will fall prey to sin.

Those who belong to God receive grace daily to resist temptation.  If we say we are led by the Spirit may it be evident by the way we live each day. 

Psalm 1:1-4 & 6

My Beloved, here in these verses, we see how those who  abide in Your Holy Spirit live.  They do not congregate with sinners.  They will not linger with those who belittle and mock the things of God, faith and morality rather, they will delight in keeping God's law of love.  They joyfully ponder on God's Word and draw strength , wisdom and right judgment from it.

They will be rooted in Your heart and from Your Spirit will flow springs of life giving water which will enable them to thrive by living a life of grace and bearing fruit in and out of season.  For those who follow You who are the Way, the Truth and the Life will walk in the Way of the Lord that lead to eternal life.

Luke 11:42-46

My Beloved, You were always bold and unafraid to speak the truth and laying bare the sins of the self-righteous  who believed that their good works,, their credentials as pharisees and teachers of the law and their outward show of piety and the stringent keeping of the law put the in good standing with God.  

It is no wonder that unrepentant sinners hate You to this day.  You name our sins and shame us into repentance failing which we consign ourselves freely to hell. All my empty works and empty promises might impress men but God who sees all and knows all does not hesitate in calling me a hypocrite.

We lay curse upon curse on ourselves when we not only commit grave sins with impunity but also mislead others into following us down the road to perdition by deceiving them into believing that there is neither God nor sin and therefore no judgment, heaven or hell.

Galatians 5:1-6, Psalm 119:41, 43-45 & 47-48, Luke 11:37-41

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Galatians 5:1-6, Psalm 119:41, 43-45 & 47-48, Luke 11:37-41

Galatians 5:1-6

My Beloved, You have really and truly set us free from the bonds of sin.  This freedom is given fully and freely to us and it is a gift that we receive from You. However, it is also possible to refuse this freedom and deliberately choose to yoke ourselves to sin.  The choice is ours to make but let us be aware that our choices have eternal consequences.  

If I choose sin then I must accept the wages of sin which is death.

There is no way to keep myself righteous before God on my own strength and will.  By following rituals and customs I cannot become righteous before God rather I must remember that it is all grace freely given to all in You, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Faith in You must be the catalyst through which I act in love for God and neighbor.

Psalm 119:41, 43-45 & 47-48

My Beloved, truth is the hallmark of those who love You.  Your Word provides all the hope we need for it speaks of Your unconditional love for us.  The truth of Your Word is a lamp that lights our way and keeps us on the paths of righteousness.  If I abide by Your Word I will walking the freedom that is granted to the sons and daughter of God almighty.

Your Word upholds all things and provides all the hope and confidence we need to live in holiness all the days of our lives.

Luke 11:37-41

My Beloved, what was the motive behind the Pharisee's invitation to You to dine with him?  Knowing well how You paid no attention to the rituals and customs that they held on to so dearly believing themselves righteous for upholding their human traditions, did he hope to show you up before his fellow Pharisees?

When You sat down to dine without performing the ritual washing of hands he thought he had his 'aha' moment while he sat in judgement on You in the secret place of his mind and heart. But nothing is hidden from You my Beloved.  Reading his self-righteous thoughts You lost no opportunity to reveal his uncharitable thoughts and to teach him and the rest of the guests present what was acceptable in the eyes of God. Hypocrites who consider themselves in right standing with God believing they are saved by their outward acts of piety deceive themselves.

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31--5:1, Psalm 113:1-7, Luke 11:29-32

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31--5:1, Psalm 113:1-7, Luke 11:29-32

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31--5:1

The sons and daughters of God are born of water and the Holy Spirit.  Through baptism we rise to new life as we share in His glorious Resurrection.

Sin makes us slaves, yoked to it we are robbed of the freedom which the Beloved won for us on the Cross.  God has made an eternal covenant with us through His Son, the Blood that poured out from His sacred Body put an end to the power of Satan and the fear of death.  We are children of the Father, co-heirs with the Son our Redeemer to the Kingdom of God.  His life giving Spirit dwells in us and makes His home in us so we must never submit to becoming prisoners of sin but walk in the freedom won for us through the unfathomable love of God who paid the ransom for our freedom with the life of His only, first born Son. 

Psalm 113:1-7

My Beloved, the wages of sin is death but in Your tender mercy and compassion, You picked us up from the ashes since we were unable to save ourselves.  You stoop lovingly over us, wash us and restore us to new life through the power of Your Spirit.  You strengthen us with the Bread of Angels, and You take us to Yourself so we may have a share in Your inheritance.

May we praise You my Lord and never stop to extol the wonders of Your love, majesty, power and might.

Luke 11:29-32

My Beloved, the greatest sign of the power of God is already given to us, it is the unfathomable sign of the love of God made visible on the Cross.  No other is needed.  If we desire an assurance of the love of the Father for His children, all we need do is raise our eyes and there behold the power of God, the wisdom of God and the glory of God  who did not spare His only Son. We fall on our knees in worship, awe and adoration as we gasp at the truth of the uncomprehending, incomprehensible love that was prepared to lay down His life so that we might live.

Thank You Lord!

Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 4:12-14 & 19-20, Matthew 22:1-14

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 4:12-14 & 19-20, Matthew 22:1-14

Created, Called, Chosen

Isaiah 25:6-10

My Beloved, God deigns to dwell in His fullness in the Church You have established with You as her Head.  In the Church is prepared a banquet with the sweetest wine and the finest wheat. Here You invite all to come and be set free from the shroud of sin that casts a pall over the world which is dead to the spirit of Truth, Life and Love, here we will find wholeness, comfort, hope and peace.  

The world can offer nothing except that which steals, plunders and kills for it is filled with vice, greed and violence, no one is spared but those who come to You will be consoled.  You wipe away the tears of the the poor, the forgotten, the rejected, the dejected and the castaways that the world has turned its back on and ground under its heel.  These You invite to ascend Your holy mountain where You dwell, all who come to You will rejoice and be saved for Your Face will shine on all and Your merciful love will rest on all who come to You.

Psalm 23:1-6

I am Your sheep Lord.  I do nothing for I can do nothing and so You do it all for me.  You lead me so I will not stray, You carry me when I am too weary to make it on my own.  You feed me on Yourself and strengthen me, You quench my thirst from springs that stream forth from Your heart with living water and You give me life.  You let me rest on Your breast and You restore my weary spirit.  I do not fear death nor the dark, nor do I fear the enemy for You my Good Shepherd are with me always and when the time comes and  my days on earth draw to a close, You will receive my last breath and my soul and You will grant that my next breath will be drawn in heaven in the company of Your angels and saints.  My voice will unite  with theirs and will praise and glorify You my Lord and my God forever and ever. 

Philippians 4:12-14 & 19-20

My Beloved, all we have we have received through Your bounty grant that I may be satisfied always with what I have and when I have not, to cheerfully go without for even in want I always have You and having You I have everything.  Give me a generous heart and a compassionate spirit ready to share all especially with those who have consecrated their lives to You.

Thank You for granting me strength to bear the burdens and crosses You have sent over the course of my life, they have shaped me into person You are molding me to be.  Thank You for my faith that assures me that You will always provide all I shall ever need.  You are God and in You are found all the riches and treasures of the Kingdom.  Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Your incomparable Word which gives life. 

Matthew 22:1-14

My Beloved, we are citizens of heaven and the Kingdom of God belongs to us who are baptized and are partakers of the divinely instituted Sacraments.  To us the gates are thrown wide open and each of us hear Your invitation all the time to come to the feast prepared for those who belong to the family of God.

Too often the world lures us and the noise of the voices in it distracts  and deafens us so we can no longer the gentle voice of the Spirit.  Too often even hearing we allow ourselves to be tempted and drawn away from the things that give life to those that bring death to the soul and the spirit.  Yet, You are patient and You do not turn away from us in anger nor to You reject us despite our selfishness and ingratitude.

To the very end, You call, You are the divine Love who constantly woos us and if ware lost my Beloved it is because we have chosen to ignore You and Your invitation to feast at the Banquet.

We have been called, chosen and are welcome but many prefer to be non committal.  Have mercy Lord hear the prayers of the few and save the many for You have won for us infinite merit by Your life, passion, death, resurrection and ascension.