Titus 2:1-8, 11-14, Psalm 34:3-4, 18, 23, 27 & 29, Luke 17:7-10

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

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14, Psalm 34:3-4, 18, 23, 27 & 29, Luke 17:7-10

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14

My soul's beloved, St. Paul gives all Christians sound advice in keeping with all the things we believe as children of God, the Most High and as taught by Jesus our Savior. The Holy Spirit provides all the grace we need to live holy, pure, and upright lives free from all deceit, and immorality. However, in every age and even more so in ours we have begun to  pick and choose what suits us and to discard what requires discipline and self control. We are cafeteria Catholics and Christians. Your Word is clear. Your Word tells us very clearly that  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. But we prefer to follow our own flesh, the devil, and the world. We are willing to sell our immortal soul for momentary pleasure and gain. We have lost sight of the eternal as we wallow in slime of sin. We have so blinded ourselves to the good, the true, the Godly, and the beautiful that we can no longer recognize it. This is why the world mocks all things holy and sacred. 

If all men, women, and youth modeled their lives on the lines recommended by St. Paul the Kingdom of Heaven would already be among us and all those who have not yet believed would come to do so. You lay down Your Life for us but we live lives that are no different from those who are not espoused to You. Our sin is greater because even though we know the Truth we choose to be blind to it. In Your great mercy Lord, have pity on us and grant us a new outpouring of Your Holy Spirit so we may return to You with all our hearts and be saved.

Psalm 34:3-4, 18, 23, 27 & 29

My soul's beloved, I thank You for the wonderful encouragement in the verses if this Psalm . You alone save.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,

that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will grant you your heart’s requests.

The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;

their inheritance lasts forever.

By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,

and he approves his way.

Turn from evil and do good,

that you may abide forever;

The just shall possess the land

and dwell in it forever.

Luke 17:7-10

My soul's beloved, we expect to be rewarded for any good that we do, even though as Your followers we are called to be serve and not to be served. We are given a mission and we have to be out in the field helping to bring in the harvest without murmuring. We are called to carry out our mission according to our vocation in life without expecting to be complimented, without expecting to be applauded, without expecting to be favored for doing our duty. You are our Lord and our Master. You came to serve and You gave us a wonderful example of the laying down Your life for us while we were yet sinners and still are. We are unworthy servants Lord called by You and empowered by Your Holy Spirit to live a life of grace, of holiness and above all of joyful service.  Help us Lord to remember this when we expect recognition. Keep us humble and keep our hand firmly on the plow as the Lord of the harvest desires.