Romans 10:9-18, Psalm 19:8-11, Matthew 4:18-22

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come after me, says the Lord,

And I will make you fishers of men. Mt. 4:19

FEAST OF ST. ANDREW - APOSTLE

Romans 10:9-18, Psalm 19:8-11, Matthew 4:18-22

Romans 10:9-18

My soul's beloved, each of the Apostles fulfilled the will of the Father perfectly for they were formed by You, taught by You, encouraged by You, sent by You. They were faithful witnesses and they were persecuted because they were faithful almost all lay down their live for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel. They handed down the faith in all its purity and authenticity as they laid hands on those who came after them and anointed them to build on the sure foundation of Your Word and all You taught and enjoined them to do.

We are called to imitate them for by virtue of our baptism we too are anointed and sent out to live the Gospel by the witness of our daily lives wherever we are beginning in our homes. We live out the faith and by our example we ignite the light of faith in our children and every life we touch each day, so they in turn will go out and shed Your Light in the world.

St. Paul reminds us through each of these verses that this is why we are born, how we are saved, the reward that waits for those who have lived out the mission of discipleship.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:8-11

My soul's beloved, this is my prayer that You may grant me the desire and the will to do all that You have created me to do and all that You have created me to be.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

enlightening the eye.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

all of them just.

They are more precious than gold,

than a heap of purest gold;

Sweeter also than syrup

or honey from the comb.

Matthew 4:18-22

My soul's beloved, every moment of every day You visit us and You call us. If we fail to hear You do not give up on us but continue to invite us until we do. Once we have heard the invitation it is  up to us to choose how to respond to it. If, the the Apostles Andrew, Peter, James and John we leave our present life and old familiar, and perhaps sinful ways behind and begin to lead a live that is guided by Your Holy Spirit, by Your Word and Your Church, then we can be certain that our reward will be great in heaven and on earth we will taste true joy and peace despite all the challenges that living a Christian life may entail.

Isaiah 4:2-6, Psalm 122:1-9, Matthew 8:5-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come and save us, LORD our God;

let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Ps 80:4

Isaiah 4:2-6, Psalm 122:1-9, Matthew 8:5-11

Isaiah 4:2-6

My soul's beloved, every human person is redeemed by Your Blood. We are all saved by You and sanctified by Your Holy Spirit. We all have a glorious destination, the Kingdom of the Father where with You we will reign for we are all baptized into Your Body and on us is conferred the dignity of priest, prophet, and king. 

While there will be those who prefer a life of sin to a life of grace, it will be their choice to walk away from the freedom that You offer to those who desire to live as sons and daughters of God. To those who desire to live in the shadow of Your wings and in the shelter of the Most High God, You will ensure that our lives are fruitful as we live our days in submission to the will of God for there is no way we can live happy and fulfilled lives if we live in contradiction to the divine will.

To those who accept You as Lord and Savior is granted the grace to live always in the light of Your love, to receive Your protection and help, and to be guided safely as our Good Shepherd from here to the hereafter.

Psalm 122:1-9

My soul's beloved, each one of us in on a journey. We can choose to walk with the saints or to walk with the wicked. We can choose to keep company with God or with evil. We can choose to banquet on the finest wheat and the sweetest honey or eat from the trough of pigs. The choices we make our ours alone for we have been given the gift of free will. It is a gift that we can use to yield lovingly to the will of the Father who knows what is best for the children that He created in love and for love. Peace if Your gift to us not as the world gives it for the peace in the world is a transient thing but Your peace is everlasting and can be experienced even in the midst of suffering, trials and tribulations. It is a peace that the world cannot give but You alone who are the Prince of Peace.

Matthew 8:5-11

My soul's beloved, in this beautiful incident of the Centurion who desired that his servant be healed of his pain and suffering we also have a beautiful image of You and the sinner. Like the Centurion You are full of compassion and pity, mercy and tender love for the sinner represented here by the servant who is paralyzed and is suffering tremendous pain. You desire to heal the sinner. You are the only mediator who can approach the Father and obtain from Him all that we need. You plead for us before the Father night and day so we will be relieved of our suffering and healed in heart, mind, soul, and spirit. As Your servants Lord grant us to be obedient to all that You command, going where You send us, doing all that You desire us to do, serve willingly, joyfully, and promptly and we can be sure that You will ensure that we have a place at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Show us Lord, your love;and grant us your salvation. Ps 85:8

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44

Isaiah 2:1-5


My soul's beloved, the world longs for peace, people of every nation long for peace, peace among people from all walks of life, faith, cultures, races seems impossible. We hope for peace, we dream of peace, write about it, sing songs desiring peace but it seems as distant as the horizon and just as impossible to experience in the world we live in. People in the Old Testament long for peace in the midst of the wars they fought with neighbouring countries, as well as within their tribes. In the era before You came into the world the chosen people were living under oppression with Rome, a foreign power ruling them and grinding them under its heel. They longed for the day when they would shake off the yoke of the Romans and they could rule themselves. 

The messiah they prayed for, longed for and dreamed about was one who would usher in a new era of peace under his rule, after having defeated the Romans and establishing his rule under which they would know t time of peace as in the reign of king David. 

Yet, when we read this prophecy, it does not speak of the kind of peace that the people of Israel at the time of Isaiah were longing for, nor is it the peace that the Jews under Rome hoped for, nor is the peace that our world today desires. This peace that You came to give us is nothing like the peace our finite minds can grasp it is a peace that only our spirits can fathom, hunger and yearn for. It is a time when all will know God. All will come together as a community of believers and together they will rise up in prayer, praise, worship, adoration, and thanksgiving to the One true God, who holds all things together in Himself. who sustains all life, and generates it. It is only in living in His Presence, guided by the wisdom of His Holy Spirit, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, the Son of God whom the Father sent into the world to lay down His life in order that we may receive divine life, that we make the peace that You have already given to us, and left with us, becomes a reality. 

Peace is Your gift to us, already given, only we need to understand how to make that peace real and tangible among us. Only then will the prophecy be fulfilled and the world will beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks, and nations will live side by side in fraternal love. The Light of the World has already come in it is up  to us walk in Your Light.

Psalm 122:1-9

My soul's beloved, even the psalmist today is singing of peace. Today, the first Sunday in Advent we light the Candle of Hope. As the Church comes together during this season of Advent as we wait in joyful hope for Your Second Coming, we ask for the grace to pray more fervently to increase our yearning for You and as we wait to prepare ourselves by getting rid of all that is unworthy of us as children of God. As we wait let us rejoice, let us encourage one another as we pray, work, and fulfill our vocations with greater fervor and love. Let us work together to ensure that the peace You have given us is realized first within our own hearts, in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our church, and slowly in ever widening circles let our peace go out into the whole world. Peace begins with me.

Verse 9
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Romans 13:11-14

My soul's beloved, the world does not know peace because the world is wallowing in the flesh, in the senses, in self indulgence, in excess of every kind. We are hell bent on dabbling in the works of darkness, licentious behavior of every kind is not only tolerated it is celebrated, and those with ill formed conscience do not not right from wrong. People live on the level of their emotions and have no knowledge of a Higher Power under whose divine law we are governed. But for those of us who have experienced conversion, St. Paul reminds us to renew ourselves anew in You. To put on Your armor of Light. To witness to You and to conduct ourselves in public and private as children of Light. Change must begin with me. Love must emanate from me. I must hold myself accountable if I fail to love as I have been loved. Help me my Lord to be guided by Your Holy Spirit so the hope that I have in You may also be experienced by those whose live I touch each day.

Matthew 24:37-44

My soul's beloved, time and time again You warn us that the end will come at a day and time that we least expect it therefore we have to be prepared always. People laughed at Noah, they called him insane, but he kept on building the ark as commanded by God. He believed that what God said would happen would surely come to pass. Those around him also heard what God was about to do but they chose to laugh it off as implausible. They continued to live their lives making no preparation for the disaster that was about to come upon them and because they chose to do nothing, they perished.

We too have been warned to be prepared for no one know the day or the hour when we will die, nor do we know the hour of Your Second Coming. Come it will, that is guaranteed and this is why, if we are wise and prudent, we will remain awake and alert. My soul's beloved, You come to me each day in the Holy Eucharist grant that I live each day preparing for Your coming into my heart in order that it may be a fit dwelling place for You and should You call me home any time any day, I will be ready for I am prepared. Thank You Lord.

Revelations 22:1-7, Psalm 95:1-7AB, Luke 21:34-36

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man. Lk 21:36


Revelations 22:1-7, Psalm 95:1-7AB, Luke 21:34-36

Revelations 22:1-7

My soul's beloved, You have made a Covenant oath with us. At Baptism we are sealed with Your Blood and we are made coheirs with You to the Kingdom of God. We are given a glimpse of the glory that awaits us when You will make all things new. We will be nourished by the Tree of Life, we will drink from the Life giving water that is sweet, pure, and will quench  all the inmost longings of our soul. The fruit of the Tree of Life that is bountiful in Mercy and forgiveness will reconcile us to You and the healing remedy for sin will be found in abundance. In Your glorious Presence there will be no darkness and the Light that lights up the heavens will come from You. All who have walked on the side of Truth will be given a place with You where we will worship, praise, give thanks, and adore You will music, song, and dancing. You will give us Your Name no longer will be  forsaken, forgotten, persecuted, trampled upon, but we will share in the inheritance of the glory that You have promised us. We will have the privilege of gazing upon You whom we have loved in life and whom we have followed with Your help and grace.

We believe every one of Your promises, and we live in hope of  everlasting life as we accept our share of each day's challenges knowing with the certainty that comes from faith that You will come again and take us to the place that has been prepared for us eternally,

Psalm 95:1-7AB

My sou's beloved, our whole life is a yearning, a longing, for the fulfillment of Your promises/ We believe in Your Word. We believe in Your promises. We know that after we have passed through this vale of tears You will lead us to the place where You dwell in glory and splendour. We are not orphans but You have revealed to us that God is our Father. We are not left to struggle on our won for the meaning and purpose of our life for You came into the world and revealed the Good News of our salvation to us.  We live with a joyful longing despite whatever difficult circumstances we may face for we do not face these challenges alone. We have the Helper who lives in us sanctifying us and helping us from moment to moment with His inspirations and consolations. We walk with You up the Mountain of the Lord as often as we desire, and there we feast at the Eucharistic Banquet. You have given us all we need and You have shown us how to walk from this life to the next. We are not strangers but we are in relationship with the Father and with You through the same divine Spirit that binds You the Father and the Father to You in eternal love. Thank You that I am Your, the sheep of Your flock and thank You for shepherding me as my own Good Shepherd and Lord.

Luke 21:34-36

My soul's beloved, here is a warning to us Your disciples, Your flock, the ones who have been marked by You and for You - to us You say, be on your guard. The possibility of losing sight of You and of our goal is ever present if we lose focus of the goal and our destination. Evil lurks, temptations abound, the flesh is weak, the devil is awake and roaring seeking to plunder, destroy, and to kill. Anxiety kills the spirit and the the soul because we lack faith in Your Word which assures us time and time again not to worry but trust our heavenly Father to provide all we need in this life. We ought not to walk with our sight on the things of the world or be caught us in the distractions that it constantly puts before our eyes, but we are called to be vigilant, awake, and focused. We are called to read the signs of the times with the help of Your Holy Spirit but we are not to lose heart but pray constantly and we will be 

strong to withstand whatever we will have to face before You call us to Yourself.

You tell me to watch and pray as I wait for the time of Your visitation. Help me Lord!

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 21:20-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Stand erect and raise your hands

for your redemption is at hand. Lk 21:28

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 21:20-28

Revelations 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9A

My soul's beloved, sin is in the blood, it taints both flesh and spirit with its evil and it destroys. Only the shedding of innocent blood can wash it away and render what was dead to life. The Son o God became the Son of Man in order to pay the price for the evil that sin has wrought. God created man for happiness and God created the world for us that we may be happy. But we have given sin a foothold and we have been deceived into believing that there is no such thin a divine law or natural law. We live lives that are contrary to all that is wise and good. We have closed our lives to life and feed on sterile fruit. The world celebrates sin and casts down innocence and purity of heart, mind and soul. 

How much longer Lord? How long will You be silent while the world seems to be destined for hell and damnation? But You have saved the world. You did pour out Your Blood, and we have hope.  The Blood of the Lamb covers the earth and all in it and all who are washed in Your Blood are saved. There are many who  because they believe  are also called to lay down their lives and their blood too calls out to You to grant mercy for You are a God of compassion, and love and the blood of martyrs will raise new believers in You. For by Your Blood and by their blood many will be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

Psalm 100:1-5

My soul's beloved, and Bridegroom of my soul, You have called me from darkness into Your marvelous light.  You have invited me to the wedding feast and there I sit at the banquet table and dine on Bread made of the finest wheat and Wine from grapes sweeter than honey. Your provide food for my soul. You have taken me to Yourself. You have called me by name and made me Your Own. I belong to You. I am numbered among Your sheep. I am invited to take my place beside You and to worship You with songs of praise, worship, thanksgiving and adoration all the days that will be granted to me in this life and eternally before You in heaven.

Luke 21:20-28

My soul's beloved, it is easy to get frightened and become alarmed about all the things You say in today's Gospel. The world has always known violence because evil is given a free rein for a while. You have saved the world. You have redeemed it. You have sent Your Holy Spirit to help us to live holy live and to choose the right, the true, the noble, the good, the holy. All those who walk on the side of truth hear Your voice and abide by it. 

It would seem that all good is obliterated from the  earth but that is what evil desires us to believe. It is not true. As long as the Eucharist is celebrated on our altars, as long as You are present in our tabernacles, as long as You are present among us in the Blessed Sacrament we have hope. Our worship rises before  the highest heavens in fragrance pleasing to God and His ear hears our songs of praise, and our petitions. 

We have Your assurance that You will come again to claim the world and all in it that has been redeemed and sanctified by You. Evil will come to an end and death will be no more. Until then let us stand erect, have courage, be bold, and wait with hope for our salvation is closer now than it has ever been before.

Revelations 15:1-4, Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9, Luke 21:12-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Remain faithful until death

and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:10C

Revelations 15:1-4, Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9, Luke 21:12-19

Revelations 15:1-4

My soul's beloved, You have won the victory over sin and death and Your rule and dominion  is everlasting. 

You who are the Son of the Living God have won for us who believe the privilege of knowing You, loving You, and serving You in this life; and in the next we have the hope of living with You forever. 

In heaven as one earth all sing Your praise to the glory of the Father. Thank You for showing us the way to the Father's house. Thank You for drawing all creation to Yourself through Your suffering, and thank You for teaching us that all we endure in this life for Your sake and the sake of the Good News will be rewarded with eternal life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 98:1-3, 7-9

My soul's beloved, thank You for creating me. Thank You for letting me taste Your goodness, Your everlasting mercy, and Your infinite love. You have won the victory and You have defeated death, and sin.  To You has been granted glory, honor, and power and all who come to You will live with You for You never forsake Your own. You have struck mightily and You have vanquished the enemy forever. Your Kingdom is forever and Your rule will never end. You are mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and compassion to all who believe in You and You forgive all our sins when we approach You with contrite hearts. There is nothing that Your love cannot conquer. There is no wound You cannot heal. 

Thank You my soul's beloved for inviting me to belong to You and for granting all the grace necessary for me to desire You above all created things.

Luke 21:12-19

My soul's beloved, thank You for revealing to us that we can expect to be persecuted for our faith in You. The world hates You and has rejected You because it prefers a life of self-indulgence. Unless we are prepared to die to self and to the world we can have no hope of eternal life. The Way to God is through the Cross of suffering. We have to be prepared to lay down our lives if we are to pick it up again and live forever. You desire that we live trusting You to provide us with all we need and even if we are imprisoned and are put on trial we are not to worry for Your Spirit is with us and He will inspire us with words of wisdom that no one can refute. Thank You for telling us not to be surprised if those closest to us betray us but not to be dismayed or anxious for having You we have everything. Our lives are forever secure in You.

2 Samuel 5:1-3, Psalm 122:1-5, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Mk 11:9-10

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

2 Samuel 5:1-3, Psalm 122:1-5, Colossians 1:12-20, Luke 23:35-43

2 Samuel 5:1-3

My soul's beloved, You too became a Man so You cold become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. You have espoused us to Yourself. You are are God and our Shepherd. You will take us by the hand and lead us to the place that Your Father and our Father has prepared for us. You are are King, our Lord and our God it is in You and through You that all that is came to be. Thank You for the privilege of being Catholic and for the awesome Gift of Yourself to Me in the Holy Eucharist where we have a perfect union of our souls. Stay with me Lord all my days and when this life has run its course, come for me my soul's beloved and take me to Yourself so I can praise, worship, adore, and glorify You eternally.

Psalm 122:1-5

My soul's beloved, I thank You for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist all over the world every day. It is the Eucharist that keeps the world safe under that constant and watchful gaze of our Father. He delights in our union with You as His children receive Your Flesh and drink Your Blood and are sustained with Your Life. We rejoice as we enter the New Jerusalem, Your Church, the place where You dwell in fullness just as You do in heaven. Thank You for making Yourself accessible to us in our tabernacles. Thank You for such awesome love that gives us undying hope in uniting with You forever and ever in the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:12-20

My soul's beloved, no one says it as eloquently as St. Paul all that You have wrought for us by becoming like us, sharing our humanity, our suffering, and taking our place in that most ignoble, and horrific of all deaths by crucifixion. We can never thank the Father enough who deemed that You share our death in order that we may receive Your Life and walk no more in the darkness of sin. It would have been more than enough if this was all we received but the Father's love is infinite and unfathomable He desires that we share in Your glorious inheritance, becoming Your brothers and sisters and co-heirs with You to the Kingdom. You received the punishment that was ours. You tasted death, You entered into death and You destroyed it forever. What we had lost through sin You regained for us through Your perfect submission to the will of Your Father. No one has seen the Father except You. No one knows the Father as You do and having seen You we have seen the Father who is invisible for You have made Him visible to us through You. There is no created being more powerful than You for to You has been given all authority and all dominion. You rule over all and Your rule will never come to an end.

Your life holds us together for You are the Head and we are Your Body. We are baptized into You and each one of us is grafted to You. You are the Firstborn Son of the Father and we are His adopted children for He has given You to us as our Brother, our Spouse, our Bridegroom. You reconcile the world to Your Father through the Sacrifice of Yourself on the Cross. Your Blood redeems the world and we are saved by You and no other. Thank You for the hope we have in You. 

Luke 23:35-43

My soul's beloved, when the world sneers, mocks, jeers and persecutes us because we are Christians help us to recall what You suffered in order to redeem us. Nothing we go through can equal what You went through in order to open the gates of heaven for us. You are the King not only of the Jews but of the whole world and of the universe. Every sinner has hope no matter how grave the sin as demonstrated from the Cross when You promised the repentant thief paradise that very day.Thank You my Lord and my King for the hope I have in You.

Revelations 10:8-11, Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 111 & 131, Luke 19:45-48

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


Revelations 10:8-11, Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 111 & 131, Luke 19:45-48

Revelations 10:8-11

My soul's beloved, just as John received his mission from You so too are we all given the same mission, which is to preach the Good News of our salvation and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. You Word is sweeter than honey but if we are to be faithful to Your Word we must be prepared to be treated just as You were to be rejected, persecuted and perhaps even lose the people and things we care about most in the world perhaps even to the shedding of our blood. But we do have Your wonderful assurance that all will hear and will will be given an opportunity to choose life over death when the choose to put their faith, hope, and trust in You.

Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 111 & 131

My soul's beloved, all who believe in You taste the fullness of life and experience the richness of Your Word as they live it each day. We can trust You to keep Your promises and we know that our hope to have a share in Your inheritance will be fulfilled for Your Word is true. Eternal life and perfect joy will be ours as we live in expectant hope for the fulfillment of Your promises in the life to come. 

Luke 19:45-48

My soul's beloved, Your temple within me must be a fit dwelling place for You my Lord. Drive out from within me all that is base, impure and unworthy of one who is espoused to You. Each day You teach me Your Word of Life and Truth so I am not walk in darkness but in Your light. There is a constant war within me to give in to the temptation of the flesh, the world and the devil but I know that I have also received Your Holy Spirit who will help me fight the good fight and win the race. Sweet Spirit of God give me a great hunger and thirst for the Word. Let it be the food and drink that strengthens and empowers me as I live out my life in fear and trembling. May I be filled with awe at the eternal destiny that God desires for me.

Revelations 4:1-11, Psalm 150:1-6, Luke 19:11-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world, 

to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Jn 15:16

Revelations 4:1-11, Psalm 150:1-6, Luke 19:11-28

Revelations 4:1-11

My soul's beloved, John was privileged to have a vision of heaven and he tries to describe what he saw. It is hard for us to visualize through. What is important for us to remember is that heaven is a place and we are assured that there is a place for us. We are invited to live out our faith in You and through the teachings of the Gospel and the Church for there is only one Way to get there. You are the Gate that leads to heaven there is no other for the one who is baptized. We each have a glorious destiny to spend eternity before our Creator, our Savior and the Sanctifier. Our work in heaven and our delight will be in the privilege granted to us to gaze upon Your Face and that beatific vision will fill us with unbounded joy. We thank You for giving us a glimpse of our destiny when we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. God comes to us. You enters our body, You reside in our heart and for just a while God whom the heavens cannot contain unites us to Himself in the same perfect union that we will enjoy eternally in heaven.

Psalm 150:1-6

My soul's beloved, we are invited to spend our time here on earth praising You in just the same way that the angels and the saints praise You in heaven. In all our liturgies we sing hymns of thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and worship acknowledging the work of God in the heavens and on earth. We praise You for all that we have received here on earth. For the love of family and friends, for the beauty and fecundity of all that lives. We praise You for the sun, moon, and the stars. We praise You with songs and with music that has the power to lift up the soul to the highest heavens. We praise You without inhibition, forgetful of self, as we are carried up to the top to the mountain of the Lord on wings of prayer. Thank You my soul's beloved for giving us a glimpse of the eternal while we still work out our salvation in fear and trembling here on earth. 

Luke 19:11-28

My soul's beloved, in this beautiful and thought provoking parable of the talents You desire us to know that there will be a day of reckoning. We will have to give a strict account of how we spent this wonderful gift of life granted to us in preparing for the world to come. All that You have lavished upon us is given to us as stewards and we are to use these gifts in the service of others. If we spend our gifts in making You known and loved we will be blessed abundantly. Every day we are invited to use our talents for the glory of God and to provide for the needs of those who have less than we do both spiritually and temporally. The more we give the more will God give back to us for we can never outdo You in love or in generosity. Let us be warned about what will happen to us if we hide our talent by being selfish and lazy. God has no use for those who spend their lives in self-indulgence and in idleness. We are called to labor in the vineyard, we are called so sow good seed, we are called to bring in the harvest which is plenty but in which few desire to labor in order to bring it in. We are called to spend our lives here on earth in being sensitive to the needs of those around us and to share what we have received in confidence knowing that the more we give the more we will receive. Let us give cheerfully and generously of ourselves as we wait for the glorious day of Your coming again to take us to be with You forever. 

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22, Psalm 15:2-5, Luke 19:1-10

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

God loved us, and sent his Son

as expiation for our sins. 1Jn 4:10

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22, Psalm 15:2-5, Luke 19:1-10

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22

My soul's beloved, as the liturgical year comes to an end the Church reminds us that our whole life here on earth is a preparation for eternity with You in heaven. You were sent into the world by the Father who desires that all of us be saved in and through You. He has planned for each of us to live a life of good works which He makes possible for us to perform through grace lavishly poured upon us as we frequent the Sacraments of Life. We are victorious in You. The more we yield to Your Spirit, the more will we be able to live lives pleasing to God. You assure us that those who persevere to the end will be clothed in garments of white and will be given a  place on Your throne, just as You are seated with the Father on His throne and are given a Name above all others. You teach us how to be truly humble. You desire that we invite You to take Your rightful place in our hearts and when we do, You assure us that You will abide in us as we abide in You.

Psalm 15:2-5

My soul's beloved, we are all called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. You have shown us the way that leads to the Kingdom. You have taught us by word and by example and if we imitate You and obey Your Word we will walk in the way of light and truth. We are called to be holy. We are invited to love one another without counting the cost. We are called to lay down our lives just as You lay down Your life for us and saved us.We are not left orphans but have been given Your own Holy Spirit who lives in us and teaches and guides us in the way of life and truth. Keep us attentive to His prompting so we may always live a life of grace.

Luke 19:1-10

My soul's beloved, Zacchaeus reminds us that God sees us as sinners who can be saints if we are willing to respond to His invitation and open our hearts to make room for Him. Zacchaeus did not allow either his physical or spiritual shortcomings to deter him from his hunger to encounter You. He was prepared to do everything in his power to have a glimpse of You, he did not think it unseemly or ridiculous to climb a tree and perch on it in order to be able to see You who were passing that way. The hunger in his heart made him forgetful of self. We too are called to be like him and when we stop focusing on our sins and our imperfections and instead focus on You we too will experience the joy of having You call us by name and You will invite Yourself into our lives and there You will give us the joy of feasting with You. You did not need to prompt Zacchaeus to make restitution for the sins of his past just being in Your Presence provided the grace needed to do so. 

Salvation has indeed come into the world. Thank You for assuring us that You came for sinners and not for the righteous. 

Revelations 1:1-4, 2:1-5, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 18:35-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life. Jn 8:12

Revelations 1:1-4, 2:1-5, Psalm 1:1-4 & 6, Luke 18:35-43

Revelations 1:1-4, 2:1-5

My soul's beloved, I believe in the testimony of the Apostles and above all to the revelation of the Father Himself about  You. Grant me the grace I need to listen and obey. You know me, You know when I sit and when I stand, You know my thoughts before I even think them. You know my weaknesses and my strengths. Grant me the grace to endure all for Your sake. Keep me faithful always. If I am called to suffer for You help me not to run and hide with fear rather give me courage and boldness. Help me to be aware of my sins, my failures, my shortcomings, and grant me the grace of true repentance so I may never be separated from You my Lord and my God.

Psalm 1:1-4 & 6

My soul's beloved, You are the Vine and we are the branches. We are fed from the Sap of the Tree of Life. You give us all we need to live holy lives, to desire what is holy, to actively seek all that is holy and to model our lives on those holy men and women who have gone before us for they have modeled their lives on You. In baptism we have been grafted to You. We have our roots deeply embedded in You and from You we receive food and drink for our nourishment which in turn helps us to bear good fruit in every season. Thank You for Your assurance that You watch over those who belong to You.

Luke 18:35-43

My soul's beloved, You approach me everyday and You heal me of my blindness. You fill my empty begging bowl with rich graces as I feast at the Eucharistic Banquet. You hear every cry, every sigh and You invite  me to approach You because You care for me. There will always be obstacles in my way, obstacles of my own making, my own weaknesses and sins. Like the blind beggar, I too know who You are and that I can always trust You to meet all my needs. You are a God of compassion, mercy, and love. You are the Good Shepherd who goes in search of the one lost sheep and rejoices when the sinner returns home. You have healed me of my blindness and I now follow You closely. Stay with me Lord and keep my hand in Your own so I may never stray from the path that leads to life.

Malachi 3:19-20A, Psalm 98:5-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-10

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Stand erect and raise your heads

because your redemption is at hand. Lk 21:28

Malachi 3:19-20A, Psalm 98:5-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, Luke 21:5-10

Malachi 3:19-20A

My soul's beloved, today you assure us that all who believe in You and in Your Name have nothing to fear when the day of the Lord arrives to judge both the living and the dead. Faith in You and confidence in Your Word fills us with expectation for that day when all sorrow shall end, and we will see the Living God face to face. We long for that day my Lord when there will be no death, no mourning, no tears, no heartbreak only infinite joy and glorious bliss in Your Presence. This is Your wonderful promise to us today:

".....for you who fear my name, there will arise

the sun of justice with its healing rays."

Thank You Lord for Your great love for us which saves.

Psalm 98:5-9

My soul's beloved, everything in nature yields to Your Will by providing fruit in due season, the sun, the moon, and the stars, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, the animals both great and small that roam in the forests, the insects all give you glory and sing your praise, they are all true to the nature that You have given them. They live and they die and withing their life span they function according to the purpose for which they were created. It would do us well if we too, following the example of all created things, and everything in nature, to live according to the divine purpose for which we were created. 

Grant O Lord that this age of excess will come to an end and that true wisdom may soon prevail. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

My soul's beloved, St. Paul and all the great Saints can say with confidence, "Imitate me," because their lives were modeled on You. This is what every Christian should be able to say instead we are cafeteria Catholics, and lukewarm Christians. We are too afraid to stand for what is right and true instead we seek to use words that blur the truth so completely that anyone can interpret it according to the culture of the day. We are called to be busy with the things of heaven, to toil night and day spiritually and temporally so that we can work with dignity and provide for our needs instead of being lazy and useless. St. Paul is pretty severe when he says that those who do not work should not be given food to eat. He reminds us not to be spend our time in gossiping and interfering with those who are doing the Lord's work and hindering them rather, each must discern God's will for their lives and do it joyfully and without ceasing so when the day of the Lord comes upon us we will be found doing the will of God.

Luke 21:5-10

"..............not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

My soul's beloved, in today's Gospel reading, and as the liturgical year comes to a close, we are reminded that this is not our home, we have a place waiting for us in the Kingdom of God. We are called to be faithful, we are called to be honest, we are called to live out our faith by the testimony of our lives and fulfill the mission to which each of us is called according to our vocation. We are not to be distracted by gossip, or by false prophets but we must be guided and directed by the Church who in turn is guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. 

You warn us not to be dazzled by outward appearances or of institutions -  their glory will fade and what is here today will be gone tomorrow. You warn us that if we are faithful we must be prepared for persecution by the world and those in it who prefer a self-indulgent lifestyle, who trample on the rights of those less fortunate than themselves, or those who live by the Gospel values. These are the ones most hated by the world and they seek nothing less than to kill and destroy them. However, we have Your Word that all those who are faithful to the end will be saved. You Yourself, will come in glory to take by the hand those who belong to You.

3 John 5-8, Psalm 112:1-6, Luke 18:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

God has called us through the Gospel,

to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess 2:14

3 John 5-8, Psalm 112:1-6, Luke 18:1-8 

3 John 5-8

My soul's beloved, as members of Your Body, we are reminded to help other Christians in need because we are brothers and sisters. It is no good to say we love when we do not reach out to help, provide, serve, and give. It is by our love for one another that we give the most powerful witness to the world that we belong to the family of God. Make us sensitive to those in need and not wait to be asked to give but to offer what we can. Give us a generous heart and a loving spirit.

Psalm 112:1-6

My soul's beloved, may I never become so complacent that I take Your Love for granted. You are God, You are the Holy One, You are the Son of the Living God and to You is due all glory, adoration, worship, and thanksgiving. May I tremble in awe and fear before You and prefer death rather than to displease You by sin. Thank You for all the blessings You heap upon me and my family. Thank You for Your promises to continue to bless the generations to come. Thank You for Your assurance that You will provide for all our needs and will keep us always in Your Light. Give me a loving and generous heart, ready to gladly share what I have received. Keep me and mine ever before You my soul's beloved now and forever.

Luke 18:1-8

My soul's beloved, may I always be persistent in prayer trusting that You will provide all that I need. Let me be childlike in simplicity and humility as I come to You in expectant faith. The wicked out of sheer frustration give justice to the poor who plead with  them until they receive their rights, how much more will the God of Love answer the prayers of His children when they address Him as Abba, Dad, just as You have taught us.

May I never grow weary of coming before You with the same prayer to bless me and mine with every spiritual grace and blessing so we may life lives pleasing to You and that we may shine with Your Light in the world so others may come to know and love You too.

2 John 4-9, Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-19, Luke 17:26-37

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Stand erect and raise your heads

because your redemption is at hand. Lk 21:28

2 John 4-9,  Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-19, Luke 17:26-37

2 John 4-9

My soul's beloved, we are called to walk in the Light of Truth revealed by You. We are called to be children of the Light and as children of the Light we are called to live according to the commandment of Love. Love must be the reason for all we do. Unless we are motivated by love for  God which is reflected in love for neighbour we cannot be pleasing to You. Love is God's nature and we are called to have this same nature, the nature of God.

You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, there is no other way to the Father and to the Kingdom of heaven but through You who are the Gate through  which we must pass to eternal life. Thank You my most beloved for laying down Your Life and giving me Your Life that I may live.

Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-19

My soul's beloved You summed up the 10 commandments into the great commandment of Love and those who follow it walk in the Light, the Light that emanates from the Son of God, the Light that illumines Heaven. You pour upon us grace unending, through the Sacraments that help us to desire You with all the fervor of our souls having experienced You unfathomable love through these awesome Sacraments through which we receive the gift of faith and through faith makes us citizens of heaven. I hunger and thirst for You my God, fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may never stray from the path that leads to the Kingdom. Keep me close to You, hide me in Your Sacred Heart and may I never cease to give You all the praise, adoration, and love that is due to You, Savior of my soul and the Giver of every good and perfect gift. 

Luke 17:26-37

My soul's beloved, the words of the Gospel are somber, it reminds us that life is fleeting and that the day of reckoning will come to each of us. We know the Truth we are invited to live it in season and out of season. We are called to keep our gaze on heaven and to walk the narrow way which few choose because it is hard. We are to keep going forward, constantly pressing on toward the goal which is eternal life. Once we put our hand to the plow, once we have said yes to the will of God there is no looking back. If we do we become powerless, we become ineffective, to look back at what has been and wallowing in the bitter fruit of regret, we are called to press forward constantly. Led by the Spirit we are called to work untiringly to ensure the reign of the Kingdom of God within us. If we live in the flesh, we court death where carrion will feed. If we walk in the Spirit of Truth we will walk in Love.