Exodus 17:8-13, Psalm 121:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14---4:2, Luke 18:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The word of God is living and effective,

discerning reflections and thoughts of the heart.  Heb 4:12

Exodus 17:8-13, Psalm 121:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14---4:2, Luke 18:1-8

Exodus 17:8-13

My soul's beloved, while it is true that the battle is the Lord's and so is the victory we, like Moses, are called to be intercessors. We are called to raise up our hands in prayer as the battle between good and evil rages in the world. As long as there are those who sit on the Rock of Peter and yield to the power that emanates from You who are the cornerstone of the Church, we will be victorious against the Enemy. The strength of the Church comes from her total dependence on her Bridegroom. She safeguards the treasures of the faith as received both in Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition and through her Teaching Authority granted to her by none other than her head, You, the Christ, the Son of the Living God she remains invincible for You have assured her that You will remain with her always, until the end of time when You will come again to claim Your Bride and lead her to the heavenly banquet where there will be rejoicing together with angels in heaven as we join them in singing praises to God  forever. 

Psalm 121:1-8

My soul's beloved, how wonderfully reassuring are the words of the Psalmist this morning. Truly I need fear nothing for my help comes from You who are God, Creator of all things visible and invisible by the power of the Word of God. You have appointed angels to take charge of me lest I stumble. They guard me night and day and intercede for me before Your holy throne. I walk all the days of my life in Your shadow. You provide the shade lest the heat of the noonday sun scorch me. You are my help. You keep me close at Your side at Your right hand. You have made a holy Covenant with me and You will remain true for Your Word is worthy of trust. Thank You for every one of Your promises which strengthen me, help me, and sustain me.

2 Timothy 3:14---4:2

My soul's beloved, never was sounder advice given as the advise Paul gives to Timothy. The Word of God is a double edged sword, we are called to know it thoroughly for it has the power to strike through bone and marrow and get right to the heart. In it is all that we need to help, direct, teach, refute error, and to light our path when the way is dark. The Word of God has the power to save for it is alive and active and its Author is the Holy Spirit from whom flows all wisdom and knowledge. It must become our life's work to know Your Word in both the Old and New Testament for they are the arms of our faith and when held aloft with the power of the Teaching Authority of the Church guarantees victory to us individually and as members of Your Body. Grant us a hunger and thirst for Your Word and grant us the wisdom to use the power of the Word to direct us in every situation of our life.

Luke 18:1-8

My soul's beloved, You ask us to pray without growing tired when the answer to our prayers seem long in coming. We are called to pray and to ask others to pray for us and intercede for us when we grow weary and disheartened. We need help this is why You said where two or three are gathered in Your Name You are present in their midst. We are reminded to pray without ceasing, without losing hope even when it seems hopeless like the widow and the unjust, wicked judge in the parable. In God's good time, and in His most perfect way, every prayer will be answered in accordance with His will for He desires to fill His children with every good and perfect gift beginning with the Holy Spirit.

The last line in today's Gospel is so terribly sad and when we look at our world today one sees that there is not much faith in the world and yet we know that You have triumphed, the victory is Yours, peace reigns on earth and as Your faithful remnant intercede along with You faith will be kindled and You will find faith when You return in glory.