Isaiah 58:1-9A, Psalm 51:3-6AB, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Isaiah 58:1-9A, Psalm 51:3-6AB, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15

Isaiah 58:1-9A

My Beloved, You do not desire that I bend myself all out of shape trying to scrupulously give up food, drink, and other things that are so easily done – especially giving up things that may offer some difficulty but are not impossible but have no direct effect on my relationship with You or with others. You have no use for these and although perhaps beneficial in some small way to my own spiritual growth You would rather that I released those I have held bound with resentment, anger or whom I have labeled and discounted as being any good even though I could be wrong or they may have changed. You desire that I look around me and find those who are spiritually naked especially those in my own home and in my backyard. You desire that I fast from my own sinful inclinations that cause hurt feelings, resentment and anger in others. Such a fast is pleasing to You, will touch the heart of the Most High and cause Him to flood my soul with His Holy Spirit. I will receive healing in heart, mind, soul, body, and spirit. You will forgive all my sins and each time I call on Your Name for help You will hasten to my side and help me.

Psalm 51:3-6AB, 18-19

Abouna, (Our Father), I offer You a heart filled with gratitude for sending Your only beloved Son Jesus into the world. Thank You for the offering of Himself as the Sacrificial Lamb, whole and without blemish or imperfection in expiation for my sins and the sins of the world. Heaven was lost to me through original sin and I was condemned along with the rest of humankind to eternal exile. Thank You for Your infinite mercy and tender compassion You desired to save us. Thank You my Beloved for accepting the Father’s will knowing that Your precious life was the only acceptable sacrifice that would wash away our iniquity and cleanse us from every sin from the first Original sin to the last. Thank You for the horrific and inhuman torture and suffering of heart, mind, body, soul and spirit that You experienced for nothing else could take away the horror of sin that brings eternal death.

Holy Spirit of God grant me the grace of a truly contrite heart and humility of spirit that I may never cease to be grateful and thankful to my Redeemer for the price that He paid for my redemption. Amen.  

Matthew 9:14-15

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them?”

My Beloved, Bridegroom of my soul – I thank You for Your abiding Presence in the world after Your glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven. I thank You for Your astounding humility in making Yourself available to us in the Holy Eucharist hidden in the bread and wine. I thank God for the wisdom of the Church for this holy season of Lent where we step back and contemplate the love of mercy of God and the Sacrifice on Calvary that gave us hope of a life with the Triune God now and in eternity. May we fast with a fast that is pleasing to God. Thank You for this brief period of mourning in this life and the hope we have of eternal rejoicing at the wedding banquet prepared for all who believe in Your Name and have placed their hope in You.