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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL

Bless the LORD, all you angels,

you ministers, who do his will. Psalm 103:21

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

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

My soul's beloved, divine love is a fire that does not consume. God who is, who was, and who ever shall be dwells in inaccessible light that shines brighter than a thousand suns and in Him there is no darkness. This love that emanates from Him blazes forth and all in heaven fall down and worship Him for He alone is worthy of worship. His love upholds all things, sustains all things, gives life to all things and if He should take it away nothing will be. The Eternal Love of the Father manifests itself, becomes visible, takes shape and form in the Son of Man who is One with Him from all ages. "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father." This is the Son of God and the Son of Man who in perfect obedience to the Father permitted Himself to fall into the ground and die in order that the whole world be saved and redeemed and share in His Life and His Love.

Thank You my souls' beloved for giving up Your Life so that I may live.

Psalm 138:1-5

My soul's beloved, we were created to worship God for in this worship, praise, adoration, and thanksgiving lies our joy. You are always attentive to the sound of my cries and You hasten to help me. I am among those privileged to come before You each day and along with the angels and saints in heaven and on earth to offer You the greatest Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and Worship in the Holy Mass.

Thank You for Your never failing kindness towards me even though I am unworthy. Thank You for not looking at my sins in order to judge me but for looking at me in love and tender compassion and helping me in my daily struggle to overcome my frailties. Each time I call You answer me, Your love strengthens me and enables me walk in confidence for You walk beside me. All dominion, glory, and power have been given to You and all in heaven and on earth bow down before You - all sing the same hymn praising You for leading us from darkness to freedom and light, "Great is the glory of the Lord."

John 1:47-51

My soul's beloved, that You are the Son of God is a given, we know it and we believe it. However, there have been many who have claimed to be gods and sons of gods. No god or son of god has ever claimed to be the Son of Man. You entered into our humanity in order that we may enter into Your divinity such is the magnanimity of Your love. Nathanael was impressed because he was meeting You for the firs time and You said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." You knew his virtues and praised him for it. Nathanael wondered how You knew this about him and then You said, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." It was this revelation that prompted him to make the declaration of faith in You, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." You then promised that he would see greater things than what he had just seen, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Jacob had a dream in which he saw angels ascending and descending from a ladder that reached up to heaven. You are the Ladder that has bridged the gulf between God and our fallen race and the angels, Your ministers, assist us to pass from this life to the next. Thank You Lord for Your obedience even unto to death, death on the Cross to save us.

Job 9:1-12, 14-16, Psalm 88:10-15, Luke 9:57-62

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Phil 3:8-9

Job 9:1-12, 14-16, Psalm 88:10-15, Luke 9:57:62

Job 9:1-12, 14-16

My soul's beloved, Job understood that God was the Creator of all that was seen and unseen. He recognized His power and that all things were because He ordained it and He could sustain it or wipe it all away if He so desired. He realized that God had authority over all His creation and everything in nature acted in accordance with the authority of the Most High. He saw his own insignificance and that God could do what He desired with him as well and who could dare question Him. It is God who set the stars, who calls out the sun each morning commands it to set and calls out the moon. He is aware of every wave that breaks upon the shore just as He is aware of every hair on our head. He has created us all and can do just as He wishes with us yet He is gracious but we cannot complaint against Him when things don't go the way we would like for all things exist, live and move according to His plan and His purpose. He is God and we must trust Him in all things even when we do not understand His ways. Job understood that God is above all and before all and as His creatures we must submit to His in all things trusting in His Wisdom.

Psalm 88:10-15

My soul's beloved, often in life we can feel like Job. Our prayers seem to be flung back in our face for no one hears and the silence of God is deafening. Yet, we are called to be faithful even when it seems that God is distant and our prayers bounce back to us seemingly unanswered.  As long as we are alive, as long as we have this day, we are called to praise You, bless You, adore You and seek to do Your will in all things for once our life here comes to an end we have to stand before You and then we can do nothing to change the the final outcome of all our actions. Now is the time to do good. Now is the time of our salvation - each day and every moment is the time to stand for God but when our 'now' runs out then there is nothing that we can do to change the final outcome of all our actions.

Luke 9:57-62

My soul's beloved, God has a purpose and a plan for every life and we are called to spend our entire lives discerning His will and doing exactly what He asks us. He supplies the grace, the gifts, and the opportunities to make You known and loved for in this alone lies the true happiness of every man, woman, and child. It is easy to procrastinate, to be lured by the world, to be selfish, to pretend that we do not understand what He desires of us because it is not what we would like for ourselves. We prefer the broad and easy road rather than the narrow and rough path - but if we wish to be saved that we have to choose the path that God has mapped out for us nothing us will every satisfy. 

Once I know what God is asking of me I am called to obey Him with a singleness of purpose trusting Him in everything for He who calls will also equip. Once we say yes to Him we can be sure that even though we are afraid we will soon discover that God will work all things to our good. We can make many plausible excuses to postpone the acceptance of His will but in the end our true happiness lies in saying yes to God always as You my soul's beloved, Mama Mary, and all the Saints did.

Help me Lord. Take me by the hand and lead me each day ever closer to Yourself and to Your Kingdom.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mk 10:45

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 soul's beloved, there are many in this world who feel as Job did when death seems like a friend bringing release from their terrible troubles. The people of the time viewed death as the end of life and there was nothing beyond to hope for that is why they looked upon material possessions as blessings from God and sickness and sorrow were punishment for sin. Yet Job knew that he was a righteous man and that he loved God - he could not understand why after all the bountiful blessings he had received all his life was suddenly taken from him and he lost all that he loved most dearly in the world as well as all his possessions and finally even his health. His grief was so great that he longed for death that would bring his suffering to an end.

So it is my Lord for all who do not know You. Who have not yet encountered You and who will go through life never having recourse to You because no one ever spoke of You - the Resurrection and the Life. This is why You have given all who follow You this mission that we make You known and loved for faith in You brings hope and no matter how hard life is on earth we understand that suffering in the right spirit is the quickest, surest way of growing in grace and perfection and that in the end there is the crown of victory for those who have walked the Way of the Cross. Grant my soul's beloved that when the cross is laid upon me that I may remember that You would not have permitted it were it not a necessary part of my journey preparing me to enter from this  life to the next.

Psalm 88:2-8

My soul's beloved, there are many times in life when suffering buffets us from every side and You seem distant. Even to lift our voice in prayer seems burdensome and futile. Great suffering comes in many ways and it brings us down to our knees and we can go in either direction - we can either cling to You and beg You to help us through the suffering or we can turn away from You in bitterness and anger. The choice is our to choose life or death. Despite all difficulties that the psalmist is experiencing he knows that You will hear his and will listen to his prayers. Often times my Lord only suffering can get our attention when there is a danger of us straying so far away from the fold that we could be lost forever. 

Lord Jesus, my soul's beloved and my Friend help me never to stop crying out to You to save me when I am in distress.The greater the suffering may I cling to You even more strongly for You alone can help me find the strength to go on and You will bring me safely at last from sorrow of Calvary to the hope of the Resurrection.

Luke 9:51-56

My soul's beloved, You have shown us the way to the Kingdom is the way of suffering. We have to deny ourselves each day, pick up our cross and follow You. The three years of Your public ministry were drawing to a close and You knew what awaited You in Jerusalem. You knew that death was the only outcome to the resistance and hatred of those who opposed You and yet You would not be deterred.  Even the people of the Samaritan village did not welcome You because to them You were a Jew and a foreigner. They could not see past their narrow prejudices that God was visiting His people.

Before we condemn them let us look at ourselves and at the many times we have rejected people who could be our friends and brothers and sisters simply because they did not fit our mold. On the other hand when we have experienced rejection and hurt do we respond as James and John wanted to do and call down the wrath of God on our enemies? You rebuked Your apostles and You revealed to them that You are a God of Mercy. You did not come to destroy but to restore and the only way that was possible was to keep Your gaze fixed on Jerusalem. 

Help me never to lose sight of the goal which is the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthian 10:14-22, Psalm 116:12-13, 17, 19, Luke 6:43-49

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him, 

and we will come to him. Jn 14:23

1 Corinthian 10:14-22, Psalm 116:12-13, 17, 19, Luke 6:43-49

1 Corinthian 10:14-22

My soul's beloved, St. Paul reminds us that we cannot drink from the Cup of Life and eat the Bread of Life while at the same time dining with evil. It is true that he was addressing the pagans who once worshipped false gods and offered sacrifices to them. Today our worship of false gods takes other forms. We worship the flesh, we worship the material things that the world offers - they distract us and take away our focus from You. When we misuse the good things of the world and use them for sinful purposes we cease to glorify You by using all the great things that the human mind as fashioned with the intellect that is Your gift to us.

Grant us wisdom Lord and holiness of heart that we may always choose the right, the true, the good, and the beautiful. Keep us safe in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 116:12-13, 17, 19

My soul's beloved, there is no worship more pleasing and acceptable to God than the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, the Holy Eucharist. When we come together as the Body of Christ to offer worship to the Father, as we offer the Sacrifice of Calvary, we open the floodgates of mercy and the treasuries of grace and the Father is pleased to pour upon us every grace and blessing, filled to the brim, shaken together, and running over.  When we raise the Cup of Blessing God fills it with His merciful love that washes us, strengthens us and renews us in heart, mind, soul, body and spirit - He makes us a new creation in You as we eat Your Flesh and drink Your Blood. Thank You my Lord and my God for this awesome Sacrifice of Love.

Luke 6:43-49

My soul's beloved, what kind of tree am I? What type of fruit do I produce? Am I the kind of tree that bears insipid fruit, not very good but not very bad either?  You said, "By their fruit you will know them." You have also said, "A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks." There can only be a store of goodness in my heart when I am grafted to You when I am one of the branches that is attached to the Tree of Life. 

You cannot stand hypocrites in fact You condemn them. I cannot say, Lord, Lord, to You in prayer and then indulge in sin. My prayer life and my actions must be in sync. They must play a harmonious melody. It is not possible to have a fruitful prayerful while my actions are displeasing to You. I desire to build my house on a strong foundation - the foundation of the Church, the Church founded by You and has Peter as its rock and You as its Cornerstone so when the flood comes I will stand firm and will not be destroyed by the storm and the flood.

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27, Psalm 84:3-6, 12, Luke 6:39-42

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Your Word, O Lord, is truth;

Consecrate us in the Truth. Jn 17:17

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27, Psalm 84:3-6, 12, Luke 6:39-42

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27

 My soul's beloved, St. Paul drives some very important truths home today.  I have been given a vocation to teach and I am called to do my utmost in doing it to the very best of my ability. You have given me all I need to carry out this mission and it is now my responsibility, in all humility, to ensure that I do everything, make use of all the tools available to me, develop and hone my skills and use them well. Above all I need to pray. I need to spend time with You and Your Word. I ought to grow and develop in my own faith only then will I be able to share it with the ones I am called to teach. I can only give what I have. I must expect nothing, no reward. I give freely for I have received freely. Help me Lord. Stay with me. Lead and guide me and above all never ever let me take my vocation for granted or believe that I do not need to prepare everyday. Help me never to get stale for the message of the Good News is alive if I am not able to present it with boldness and conviction then I will be held accountable. Stay with me Lord.

Psalm 84:3-6, 12

My soul's beloved, Your Sacred Heart is my dwelling place. In it I find refuge and strength. Your mighty protection keeps me safe from the fowler's snare.  I hunger and thirst for You and You satisfy every longing of my soul. You satisfy. In You I am complete, I am whole, I need nothing for You possess me completely and I am encompassed by You. I thank You my Lord for this confidence that I have in Your eternal love for me your poor, little speck who is almost nothing. The sparrows know You and desire to stay close to You as they build their nests and place their little ones near Your altar. So too my soul's beloved I place my own little ones close to You. Keep them safe from all evil and bring them at last to the place that You have prepared for them from eternity. And don't forget me too my Lord and my God.

Luke 6:39-42

My soul's beloved, I cannot lead or teach if I am handicapped  and ill equipped if I attempt to do so while I am unprepared then I risk the grave danger of teaching error thus I will jeopardize not only myself but those that are entrusted to me.  Help me not to spend time looking at others with a critical, judgmental and self-righteous spirit rather let me turn the light of truth on myself and correct what is wrong with me. I must follow Your footsteps. I must tread where You have gone. I must train myself to imitate You - this is the work of a lifetime and even then there will be innumerable occasions when I will fall far short of the mark. I need Your grace and Your help. Thank You for all the grace You shower on me through the Sacraments especially that of the Holy Eucharist. Thank You for deigning to become one with me so I can for a while be truly lost in You.

Micah 5:1-4, Psalm 13:6, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Blessed are you holy virgin Mary, deserving of all praise, 

from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Micah 5:1-4, Psalm 13:6, Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

Micah 5:1-4

My soul's beloved, it has always been the way of the Lord to choose the smallest, the most insignificant, and through the most humble the Lord God manifests His glorious power and majesty. Mary, Your Mother and daughter of the Most High was one such creature. God's favor rested on His handmaiden who was totally His. Created flawless in perfection and by favor of the Lord of Heaven and earth was born without stain of original sin through the merits You gained for her and for the whole world. She is the first fruits of our redemption. No evil dared to approach her who belonged wholly to God. She was a creature - perfect in every grace and virtue just as God had intended when He first created man and woman. In freedom they chose to turn away from the good God and give assent to sin. However, Mary the sinless creature reflected naught but Her Creator from the moment of her conception, and throughout her virginal life.

From Her the Son of God took Flesh. From Her the Son of God was nourished and received His Blood. From the first moment when the Son of God and the Son of Man was conceived in her womb she became one with Him in a union that would never come to an end.

Happy Birthday dearest Mother. Pray for the children that Your Son gave to you from the Cross for He saw our need of a Mother such as your self. Intercede for us that we too may desire God and God alone and life in perfect accord with His will always just as you did.  Mary dearest Mother pray for me and all those I intercede for each day and at the hour of our death sweet Mama come to us and lead us to the eternal embrace of your most beloved So, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 13:6

My soul's beloved, Mother Mary began her canticle of praise with the words, "My soul rejoices in the Lord." Long before she was born the psalmist prayed, "With delight I rejoice in the Lord." Mary so loved the Words of Sacred Scripture and the psalms that they were engraved on her soul. This is why every word she utters and that are recorded in the Holy Bible echo the Sacred Word. It was her food and drink and You who are the Eternal Word of God received from her Your food and drink as You grew in secret in her virginal womb. She was saved as we all are by Your act of infinite love on the Cross as the Lamb of Sacrifice however she was the first to experience the fruit of Your saving love in the womb of her mother Anne. Her whole life was a celebration of praise for all that God had done for her. May we too sing of God's loving mercy and compassion all the days of our life.

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23

My soul's beloved, who can say but God what our blessed Mother's emotions were when God invited her to collaborate with Him in saving all mankind. She was familiar with Scripture. It was food and drink to her and so she would have known the prophecies concerning the birth of the Savior well. The prophet Isaiah speaks of it and so do other prophets as well. Although she saw herself as God's handmaiden too humble even to contemplate that she could ever be the one chosen for so great an honor. A virgin will conceive and bear a Son and His Name will be Emmanuel. True she was a young girl, she was a virgin, but she never thought that God would call her. But He did.

Her response was yes. Her response to God had always been yes and so it would never have occurred to her to say anything but yes.  She did ask a practical question though. "How can be since I am a virgin?  And then there was this awesome revelation made to her about how it would be made possible. There was to be a betrothal with the Holy Spirit, there was to be an overshadowing of the Almighty, Holy and Eternal God and the Eternal Word who had reposed in the Father eternally would leap into the virginal womb of Mary. And Mary said what she always said to God, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ 

Happy Birthday dearest Mama Mary. Thank You for your fiat to the will of God. Thank you for offering yourself to God in order that God may come to us. Walk among us. Save us. Live with us and finally take us to the place created for us eternally.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Rejoice and leap for joy! Your reward will be great in heaven. Lk 6:23

1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17, 

Luke 6:20-26

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

My soul's beloved, St. Paul reminds us that time will run out for each one of us and the day of judgment will dawn when we have to stand before You and account for our lives. He warns us about getting too caught up with the affairs of the world and of the myriad things that seem important when in truth all that matters is doing all through the grace of God in establishing His Kingdom on earth. This world is passing and everything in it. Let us fix our gaze on You and with our hand in Yours walk on the narrow path, the rough road that leads to eternal life.

Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17

My soul's beloved, I know that I am Your sister, Your bride, You poor little nothing is precious in Your sight. You desire to seat me with You in the Kingdom. You desire to pour upon me every treasure of grace and blessing. You see me as I am and You love me anyway because I am Yours. You have created me, redeemed me, saved me and Your Spirit sanctifies me each day. You help me weed out my weaknesses which are too many to count, one weakness at a time. It is slow, tedious work and will take a lifetime and even then I shall die flawed. But You love Me and this is the source of my comfort, peace, and strength. It is You clothe me with grace. It is You  who shower on me all that You need to help me walk on the narrow, rough road that leads to life and eternal joy. Your grace is sufficient for me for in my weakness, in my frailty and fragility You make me strong in Your strength. Grant that I keep my ear attentive to Your voice all my days.

Luke 6:20-26

My soul's beloved, in the beatitudes You give us a blueprint for our lives. It is You blueprint. You lived it and You call us who are Your disciples, members of Your Body, to do the same. The world laughs at the Kingdom value but the wisdom of the world is folly before You. All the Saints whom the Church has elevated so we can venerate and imitate their virtues lived lives that were shaped by the Beatitudes. 

The Kingdom is guaranteed to us when we are weak, poor, hungry, sorrowful, mournful, insulted,  persecuted, reviled, scorned, shamed by the world and even put to death for the sake of the Gospel. 

We are called to be in the world but not of it. We are not to be tainted by the culture and the values that the world holds up as worth emulating for it is a culture that panders to the flesh and to everything that is passing and will eventually decay and be forgotten. The day of reckoning will arrive for all and those who like the rich man who was fat and sleek and was blind to poor, sick, destitute, Lazarus at his gate will find himself banished to darkness where he will feast on his vanity with bitterness and regret.

My soul's beloved, grant me the gift of true humility for it will guard me against self love and vanity.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Jn 15:16

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

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

My soul's beloved, You hold us to a higher standard than those who are of the world. We are called to judge our brother and sisters in the Church with mercy and not drag them into court to be judged by the laws of those who are not guided by the laws of compassion and love. You teach us that we must treat one other as we ourselves would like to be treated. It is better to lose the world and gain our inheritance in heaven. 

St. Paul reminds us that we were all once sinners but now we washed in the waters of baptism, and frequently partaking of the Sacraments we are now a new creation in You and we must imitate You in every area of our lives. We must be guided by the Holy Spirit and not by the spirit of the world which is the spirit of darkness. All who walk on the side of Truth has the Holy Spirit for a Friend and Guide. Show mercy to one another so mercy be shown to you. 

Psalm 149:1-6, 9

My soul's beloved, You love us so much You lay down Your live for us and You rejoice when we overcome the lure of the world and its empty promises. You have put a new song into our hearts for You have revealed God's awesome love for us. He sent You into the world to make visible His Face, His Mercy, His desire for us to know that we are His children and He is our Abba, our Father, our Daddy God. 

God humbles Himself as He stoops over His creatures. You humbled Yourself when You were clothed in our humanity, walking among sinners, eating with them, ministering to them, laying hands on them and You desire that we too walk in humility before You and each other. Let the Church exult in Your goodness as all its members sing praises to God for all He has done for us, for His faithfulness and His love for us all. We praise You for calling us out of darkness and filling us with Your life and Your Spirit. May our lips never stop singing Your praises in all the circumstances of our life. Amen.

Luke 6:12-19

My soul's beloved, You chose the 12 from a large number of disciples. You chose them after spending a night of prayer so that they were God's choice. You did everything in accordance with Your Father's will and this is how You desire that we live in the world. We are called to discern the Father's will in all things from the great to the little things in our life. We are to have the confidence of children before Him certain that in all things God works for good. 

Large crowds followed You for they had never heard anyone preach and teach like You for You spoke the Truth in love. They all wanted to touch You and experience the power that emanated from You as they were healed of their infirmities. I belong to the privileged my soul's beloved for I can receive You in the Holy Eucharist. We become Flesh of flesh, bone of bone, one Spirit when we are united in Holy Communion and God deigns in perfect love and perfect humility to unite Himself as one at every worthy reception Your Body and Blood in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

My Lord and my God. My God and my all- I adore You, worship You and love You with all that I am, all that I have and all that I shall ever be.

1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Psalm 5:5-7, 12, Luke 6:6-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27

1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Psalm 5:5-7, 12, Luke 6:6-11

1 Corinthians 5:1-7

My soul's beloved, St. Paul reminds us today that there can be no compromise with grave sin. We cannot somehow twist lies and give them the appearance of truth  No matter how cleverly we use words and arguments to make our wickedness seem an inextricable part of who we are, or because it makes us happy to deny who we are, who God created and meant us to be, and live a lie and demand that those around us do the same it is still a hideous lie and a heinous offence against God.

The opening verses could so easily be spoken of the world we live in today. St. Paul writes, "You have become news with a case of immorality and such a case that is not even found among pagans." Immorality is widely celebrated in our culture today. He does not mince words when he says how sinners within the Church ought to be treated. He speaks boldly but the reason he does so is because he fears that the rest of the members of Your Body, does not get infected and it is for their sake as well as for the sake of the sinner that he says that they ought to be  expelled. 

St. Paul hopes that such stern measures may bring the sinner back to repentance and could then return to the fold.  We cannot tolerate even a little sin and whitewash it for then like a little yeast in unleavened bread we stand in danger of spoiling the whole batch. Our Eucharistic celebrations can be truly moments of great rejoicing if we truly pursue holiness and purity in our lives. 

Psalm 5:5-7, 12

My soul's beloved, the psalmist also confirms that St.Paul says to us today. You are not a God who delights in wickedness and there is no place for the kinds of sins that the world encourages and calls tolerance. Those who belong to the fringes with aberrations that the world in a more sensitive to Gospel values refused to accept as  truth now dictate with vicious, arrogant ferocity that we all comply with their definition of the new norms. However, Your Word is clear and while we may play with the intellect of humans we cannot play with the God of all righteousness and goodness. 

You promise that those who love You and stay unflinchingly faithful to end despite all the vicious attacks of the world; will find a refuge in You.  You Yourself will preserve, protect and deliver them from the hands of the enemy.

  

You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil has no place in you.

The arrogant cannot stand before you. You hate all who do evil;

you destroy all who speak falsehood, who thirst for blood and live on lies; all of them the Lord detests. 

But for those who take refuge in you, let them ever sing and rejoice. Let your deliverance shield them, that they may praise you in gladness – those who love your name, O Lord.

Luke 6:6-11

My soul's beloved, today we read how on a Sabbath You cured a man whose right hand was paralyzed. We are told that You entered the Synagogue and while You were teaching You noticed the man. The pharisees watched hawkishly ready to pounce for they were certain You would heal the man and then they could trap You for breaking the law of Moses. So many things are wrong with their line of thought. Did it never occur to them that no one but God alone could heal as You did? Or did their prejudice close their minds completely to the truth much like the world we live in today? 

You knew their thoughts but neither political correctness nor fear of the authorities would deter You from doing what You came into the world to do. I love the sense of drama that You injected into the whole proceedings. You knew exactly what You would do and You knew exactly how the Pharisees would react. Surrounded by everyone in the Synagogue you said to the man, "Get up and stand in the middle." This way every eye would be on him and on You. Then You challenged them saying, "I want to ask you: what is allowed by the Law on the Sabbath, to do good or to do harm, to save life or destroy it?" Then You surveyed the crowd urging them to give the obvious answer to the question. The Pharisees were silent proving themselves too cowardly to answer as they knew they ought. So instead You spoke directly to the poor man saying, "Stretch out your hand." He did and his hand was restored becoming just as whole and strong as the left. Instead of praising You the Pharisees were furious much like our politically correct world who are prepared to twist their credibility into every preposterous shape as they try to shove the square pegs of truth into round shapes of lies.

Wisdom 9:13-18, Psalm 89:10, 12-14, 17, Philemon :9-10, 12-17, Luke14:25-33

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

CANONIZATION OF BL. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA

Let your Face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:135

Wisdom 9:13-18, Psalm 89:10, 12-14, 17 
Philemon : 9-10, 12-17, Luke 14:25-33

Wisdom 9:13-18

My soul's beloved, who can fathom the wisdom of God unless the Holy Spirit were given from above to grant us understanding. How often we have been mistaken when we were sure we were right  because we are unable to see and know as You do. We are weak, frail, sinful and we struggle daily to keep our gaze fixed on You for the clamor of the world is loud, strident, and seeks to keep us from You. We get so caught up in our daily struggles that we often fail to raise our eyes, heart, and minds to the Source of all goodness and life. 

Thank You Father for sending us Jesus, Your Son to redeem us. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that lives in us and directs us to walk in the way of wisdom.

Psalm 89:10, 12-14, 17

My soul's beloved, our Responsorial Psalm this day is,"O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next." How good it is to know that we can run to You and take our refuge in You when the world gets too much for us. Thank You for Your Sacred Heart that is open to all who desire to enter into it and there find their rest. No one knows the length of his days. We do not know when that hour will come when we will pass from this life to the next. We are here one day and gone the next just like the flowers in the field that bloom for a day and are gone. We are like a puff of wind. We forget that life is short because we are so focused on the things of the earth. Help us Lord to understand that we are here only as pilgrims on a journey from this life to the next. 

Philemon :9-10, 12-17


Luke 14:25-33

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the way the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6

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

1 Corinthians 4:6-15

My soul's beloved, we have received the treasures of our faith through the witness of the Apostles who handed it down faithfully to their successors. The rich deposit of faith carefully safeguarded against all error has also been faithfully handed down from one generation of the faithful to the next. Yet, how often, we disregard those who have sacrificed everything to ensure that the faith is preached to us, and the Holy Eucharist and the rest of the Sacraments are administered to us.  Each of Your anointed and consecrated servants is alter Christus and we ought to treat them with great love and reverence. They have sacrificed all that the world had to offer, family, possessions, children of their own, wealth and much more besides, in order to live a life of poverty, chastity and obedience to the way of life You called them to, in order that we may receive the Word of Life.

Thank You for each one of Your consecrated servants. May we be ever grateful to them, be mindful of their sacrifices daily and like the holy women who accompanied You and took care of You, the Apostles and disciples, may we do never hesitate to give of our love, time, and resources. You have said if we give them just a cup of cold water, we will receive a heavenly reward.

Psalm 145:17-21

My soul's beloved, the psalmist celebrates Your goodness, Your righteousness, Your faithfulness and mercy and invites all creatures to do the same. You are close to all who call on Your Name, that Name that God has raised above every other and has ordained that at Your Name every knee shall bow, every tongue confess to His glory, that You are Lord. Every good and perfect gift is granted to those who call on You. Who trust You to supply all our needs. You hear every sigh, every cry, and Your loving heart is always moved to tender mercy and compassion and Your flood our souls with every grace and blessing to enable us walk the narrow road to leads to eternal life. Grant my soul's beloved, that all my thoughts, my words, and my actions may sing in celebration praise for all that God has accomplished for us in and through You.

Luke 6:1-5

My soul's beloved, You summed it up summarily to the Pharisees who could see no further than their blinkered vision, "The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the sabbath."

How often I am guilty of having the same tunnel vision as the Pharisees, it is easy to look at them with scorn because of their narrow view of the Law and Scripture and their hypocrisy in interpreting it and applying it to their own lives. Like the Pharisees I often judge on what I see from where I stand, I know nothing of the true circumstances that lead people to do what they do, I am devoid of all compassion and mercy, and I arbitrarily condemn them. 

Like You my beloved, let mercy and compassion be foremost in all my thoughts and words instead of being close minded and judgmental. May I learn from You and imitate You always bearing in mind that the Father has appointed You as sole judge of all humanity. 

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

1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40, Luke 5:33-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the light of the world says the Lord, he who follows me will have the light of life. Jn 8:12

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

Luke 5:33-39

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

My soul's beloved, we must always keep in mind that those who labor in Your vineyard beginning from those who have stewardship of Your Church, the hierarchy and all who teach the faith as well as all the baptized who have are sent to spread the message of the Kingdom of God, must be found to be trustworthy. However, we are not to judge anyone for You alone have been appointed as Judge of all. What is important that each of us be faithful to the work allotted to us that is all that matter the rest we leave it up to You. Nothing is hidden from You. You see all things and You judge according to the righteousness of God.  

Psalm 37:3-7. 27-28, 39-40

My soul's beloved, the psalmist reminds us that, 'the salvation of the just comes from the Lord.'  Today, on the first day of Catechism class you remind us to trust in You and do good to make You our delight and You will grant us all that our heart longs for. We ought to commit our life to You and trust in You and You will act on our behalf. No matter what we must let nothing disturb our peace but stay calm before You no matter what the circumstances. If our mind is fixed on You then this is possible. You are faithful always. Sheltered in You Sacred Heart I am content and I am safe. Hide me in You my rock and my refuge all my days.

Luke 5:33-39

My soul's beloved, we are constantly judging people based on what we see just as the people who questioned You did when they compared Your disciples to that of John the Baptist's and those of the Pharisees. Our senses can often deceive because we are unable to see as You do. You are the Bridegroom of the Church and where You are the Eternal Banquet has already begun except here we enter into that celebration at every Holy Eucharist in Heaven the celebration will never stop.

We hate change especially when we are well settled and comfortable in our routine. But without change we will petrify and become fossils. Change is imperative for growth. This is why we must be constantly aware and alert and be ready to adapt, and learn. Often, the old needs to give way to the new or else we will stagnate and become obsolete. We need the fresh winds of the New  Testament, the wind of the Holy Spirit to energize us and spur on us. To set us on fire so we can ignite the world with Your Love. 

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come after me, says the Lord 

and I will make you fishers of men. Mt. 4:9

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

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

My soul's beloved, St. Paul reminds me today that I belong to You and since You are one with the Father and the Spirit, I am one with the Triune God. The wisdom of the world is folly before You while the sinner believes he can sin with impunity in fact it is because of Your loving kindness and mercy that he lives so he can repent and return to the Father.

Everything belongs to You and along with all, I too am yours in this life and in the one to come. Thank you for claiming me for yourself despite my unworthiness. 

Psalm 24:1-6

My soul's beloved, each day before dawn I seek Your Face and through the day I remain close to You. It is You who do this, You who provide the grace that kindles soul to desire You more than anything. Keep me holy by the power of Your love. Help me to keep away from any sin that would defile my soul and separate us for sin is abhorrent to You. Keep me before Your Holy Face every moment of every day and I will enjoy perfect peace and joy in Your Presence.

Luke 5:1-11

My soul's beloved, how God loves us! He sent You into the world to reveal His awesome love. You taught us the secrets of the Kingdom of God and You  make it possible for us to get there. In this miracle of the great catch You were revealing Peter's mission and that of the Apostles. You were showing them in ways that they could best comprehend what it was that You were calling them to. They were to establish Your Church on earth and it was in obedience to this call that they would put out into the deep, leaving all that was familiar and dear to the behind, and they would haul in a great catch. So great that others would be invited to come and take part in this great work of teaching and preaching the Good News of our salvation so that all could come to know the Truth and be saved.

We may have doubts about what we can do when drawing upon our limited human experience but when we are obedient and at Your Word we cast our nets like Peter despite our preconceived ideas, You will honor Your Word and we will haul in a great catch for Your glory. Thank You for calling sinners to collaborate with You in this wonderful mission of establishing Your Kingdom on earth.