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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Acts 5:1-6

My soul’s beloved, the sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they did not give all the money from the sale of their land but they wanted to deceive everyone into believing that they were as generous in giving as everyone else. As Peter pointed out, no one had asked for their money and they could have given as much or as little as they desired and it would have been gladly accepted however, their intentions were less than noble and what is worse they thought that they could  get away with their hypocrisy. 

It will do us all good to remember that it is better to be childlike before God.

Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145:10-13, 21, John 14:27-31

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145:10-13, 21, John 14:27-31

Acts 14:19-28

My soul’s beloved, my Lord and my God, being a Christian is never easy for You Yourself have said if they persecuted You we can expect no less for the servant is not greater than the Master. Yet it is communion with one another and community that helps us to be strong and to grow in faith. We are called to pray individually and together as Your family. Paul suffered terribly for preaching and teaching the Good News but despite all he suffered there was the zeal of the Holy Spirit aflame in him and it urged him on. Paul endured all kinds of difficulties and hardships as he travelled wherever the Spirit of God led him. Always led by the Spirit he was able to win many souls for You.

I too called to the same mission of preaching the Gospel to the ends of he earth beginning from where I am right now. Forgive my puny efforts thus far and help me with a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit to accomplish all You have planned for me in this life.

Psalm 145:10-13, 21

My soul’s beloved, all You ask of me is to testify how good You have been to me from the moment of my conception to this day. I am called to speak of Your love, You faithfulness and Your tender compassion. I am called to radiate the love that is within me so others may receive the same hope that I possess. I must give You thanks always and recognize Your Presence in all the circumstances of my life. Give me a heart that sings constantly  of Your goodness so others too may come to believe and be saved.

1 Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7,16-17, Mark 16:15-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist

1 Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7,16-17, Mark 16:15-20

1 Peter 5:5-14

My soul’s beloved, the most sure way to draw near to You is through the virtue of humility before You and before my brothers and sisters. You have shown us the way to stoop low in service. Pride and arrogance are the hallmarks of evil indulged by those who are self-absorbed. We are called to live in service to God and to each other. St. Peter reminds us that we need not carry our burdens alone but we can place all of our worries on You since You take care of us. Help me to be watchful and alert so I do not fall into temptation and help us not to become despondent when we are called to suffer for our faith for there are many believers all over the world who are suffering far more than we may ever be called to. Rather let us rejoice that we are considered worthy of suffering for Your Name. You give us strength enough for each day and You take us by the hand so that we are not alone You help us to overcome temptation, You teach us how to persevere and in the end You will ensure that we reach the place prepared for us. To You be glory, honor and power for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

My soul’s beloved, faithful God, You never forget Your promises. You are steadfast in love and I can trust You to keep all Your promises. This is why I need never be anxious, or troubled. God fights my battles. He wages war on my behalf and I am victorious in You. We are blessed because we walk in the light of Truth. Your steadfast gaze is upon us and Your mighty protection keeps us safe from the wiles of the enemy.

Mark 16:15-20

My soul’s beloved, this is what You did as well when You walked on earth as a Man. You confirmed the message with signs and this is what You assure us too. But are we bold enough to take You at Your Word? My own faith is a poor, small, weak thing and needs to be propped up constantly by Your promises of love for me and Your faithfulness to all Your promises. Morning after morning You speak to me and tell me how much You love and care for me and yet at the first sign of difficulty I become troubled.

Grant me a robust faith Lord. A faith that takes You at Your Word and steps out boldly to speak in Your Name and to proclaim the Good News. What good does it do to anyone if I hide it under a bushel – my faith like a light must be held aloft so all who see by its light will come to believe that You are the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world as the Lamb of Sacrifice.

Grant me the courage to take You at Your Word confident that as You have said so it will be.

Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87:1-7, John 10:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87:1-7, John 10:22-30

Acts 11:19-26

My soul’s beloved, You confirm what You have said to me in Your Word for me today. If the hand of the Lord is with those who preach and teach the Good News then a great number will turn to the Lord and believe. There will be signs of the presence of God in the miracles that take place when good people pray and are filled with faith in You and the Holy Spirit. If we remain in You we can expect to bear good fruit but apart  from You we will soon wither and die. Let me never forget this truth; nothing can be won by force unless it is the force of agape love.

Psalm 87:1-7

My soul’s beloved, we are told that in Antioch the believers were first known as Christians. You are Christ, the Anointed One of God and we are Your followers so we are called Christians and bearers of the Good News, the fruit we are called to produce and present to others is You. Holy Mother Church is the New Jerusalem, the New Zion and all who are born of her are born of God and know God for we are baptized in the Truth of God’s Living, Eternal Word. We rejoice that our names are registered in the Book of Life and at the end of this life You will receive us in the next; there to live with You eternally.

John 10:22-30

My soul’s beloved, I thank You for once again confirming Your Word to me today. It is by our fruits that we know if one is good – You asked Your hearers to look at Your Works done in the Name of Your Father and to believe that You are who You say You are – The Christ the Son of the Living God. But then only those who belong to Your flock know You and recognize Your voice and follow You just as You know them. Thank You for Your assurance that we will never perish, and that evil cannot snatch us from You for You are our Good Shepherd. We are entrusted to You by the Father Himself and made one in You we are also made one with the Father in and through Your Holy Spirit.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Acts.11:1-18

My soul’s beloved, You are the Eternal Word of God that came down from heaven to redeem the whole world and yet we claim exclusivity. We would like to package You and claim You for ourselves we cannot preach You to the ends of the earth if we restrict the Good News to certain people or areas. You came for all, You saved all and all have hope in You.

We who are baptized can often have an elitist attitude and we raise barriers by our words and by our attitude. The Holy Spirit goes where He wills and is given to anyone who is open to receiving Him. The Church is not an exclusive club but is the home for all who desire to rest in her.

Forgive me my soul’s beloved for the times I have been as narrow minded as the disciples in Jerusalem may I never dare to restrict God’s love that is freely given in You to all who believe.

Psalm 42:2-3, 3-4

2 As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

3 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I go and see the face of God?

4 Day and night my tears have been my food,

as people ask me day after day,

“Where is your God?”

 John 10:1-10

My  soul’s beloved, I offer You a grateful heart for calling me out of darkness into Your own marvelous light. I belong to You I recognize Your voice I follow You and You lead me to pasture and bring me back home safely to rest in You. Grant me the grace to share the life I have received in You with everyone I meet so all may hear of You and be saved.