1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6, Luke 2:22-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.


1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6, Luke 2:22-35

1 John 2:3-11

My soul's beloved, to know You is to know that You are the Eternal Word of God, the Word of God is the embodiment of Truth if I say I know You then I must be obedient to Your Word and keep Your commandments for they are the Way to the Father who is love. You make visible the Love of the Father and we have union with Him through You. True union with the Father is possible only through You His Son whom He sent into the world that we may come to know Him who is love. You are the Son of the God of Love, Your Spirit is the Spirit of Love and of Truth and we are united to the Father and to His Spirit through You there is no other way to be One with the Father except You abide in us and we abide in You.

Sin separates and darkness descends on those who refuse to walk in the Way of Truth which is illumined by the Light of the world. To walk in the light I must walk in love.  I must love because I have first been loved by You and I am called to be like You and to imitate You so Your Spirit may always remain in me.

Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6

My soul's beloved, truly all who belong to You have a new song in our hearts. Songs of praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done for us and how He has saved us in You. Our joy should kindle in us a burning zeal to tell the whole world of how much God has loved us sending His own Son into the world to become like us and to show us how to find our way back to Him. 

You continue to bless us, we continue to see Your glory as You minister to us in the Sacraments. Keep our eyes open so we may recognize You in those we encounter every day.

Luke 2:22-35

My soul's beloved, Mary's virginal womb was opened when the descent of the Holy Spirit descended upon her and the power of the Most High overshadowing her. Love became incarnate and took flesh from Mary's flesh. Love made flesh was nourished as all babes in the womb are nourished. Mary's body and blood sustained the God of Life in her body for nine whole months. Sinless from the moment of her conception in order to fulfill the awesome plan of God, she became the first Sanctuary, the first Tabernacle, the first Holy of Holies where God dwelt in fullness. God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God begotten not made One with the Father and through Him all things were made. This young virgin, hidden from the world, bloomed unseen, unheard. It is in silence so profound that God became Man and from this new Garden of Eden God was born into the world.

Who can see God? Simeon - righteous and devout whose heart was consumed with longing to see the prophecies concerning the Messiah fulfilled, who spent all his days in the temple, to him was made the promise by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he laid eyes on the Anointed of the Lord. He saw Mary and Joseph bringing the Babe to be presented and he trembled with excitement for  his eyes looked upon the Promise as Mary place Him in his arms. 

My soul's beloved, we too are privileged to have intimate union with You in Holy Communion. There is closer intimacy than this - the intimacy that Mary enjoyed as she carried You is ours for a brief moment in time when we receive You in the Eucharist. Like Simeon, as we come to the evening of our own lives we too can say, 

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you prepared in the sight of every people,

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.”

You bless us each day. You are with us and as Simeon prophesied You continue to be a sign that is contradicted by the world. Keep us faithful my beloved especially when we are called to suffer for Your Sake and for the sake of the Gospel.

1 John 1:1-4, Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12, John 20:1, 2-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

1 John 1:1-4, Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12, John 20:1, 2-8 

1 John 1:1-4

My soul's beloved, beloved Bridegroom of my soul, we may be tempted to envy the Apostles who walked with You, talked to You, lived with You and shared Your life in the three years of Your public ministry. Yet You have assured us that those who believe although we have not seen You will be blessed. Our eyes may only see You veiled in the Bread, our tongues have tasted You hidden in the Holy Eucharist, and You make our hearts Your sanctuary - the bless where You dwell and yet this seeing, this knowing is no less that what the Apostles experienced. We too have the Word of Life who animates our souls and through which we receive every grace and blessing.

We too like the Apostles are called to make You visible to the world by our lives as we testify to the Good News that has saved the world. Thank You for the fellowship we enjoy with You through the Holy Spirit that unites us to the Father and to You - our joy is truly complete.

Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

My soul's beloved, the people who once walked in darkness have seen a great light. We have received the Good News and all who believe in Your Holy Name are assured of salvation for there is no other given to us by which we may be saved.  Thank You Lord for becoming Emmanuel for us. 

John 20:1, 2-8

My soul's beloved, Mary Magdalene made haste to the Apostles carrying with her the news that the tomb was empty and together with Peter and John the ran back to the tomb. The Good News of the empty tomb was first given to Mary Magdalene, a faithful disciple, it was her privilege to make this revelation to the two foremost in the inner circle - Peter the head of Your Church and John the beloved. Like John we are reminded to always hold the head of the household of God in reverence because he has been appointed by You. We can trust Your choice. The disciples saw and they believed in the Resurrection without which St. Paul reminds us our faith is in vain. Thank You for the hope we have that one day our mortal bodies will be made new again in the Kingdom to come.

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Psalm 24;4-5, 8-9, 10 & 14, Luke 1:57-66

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24, Psalm 24;4-5, 8-9, 10 & 14, Luke 1:57-66

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

My soul's beloved, it is the will of our Father that we all be saved. He created us for love, for happiness, and for union with Him for all eternity. But we have been disobedient and we have taken His love for granted and turned away from Him. All have sinned ever since that first terrible fall and the Father has wooed us back in every generation and all the time. He sent messengers whom the world spurned, rejected, and often put to death because they did not want to hear the truth about themselves. So God sent You into the world - no love can transcend this - the love of the Father for us that He sent You knowing that You would suffer the fate of all whom He had sent earlier and yet, He did for only You had the power to save us. 

I thank You for faith, for hope, for the certainty that despite the fact that the world seems doomed, it is the work of the devil to create this illusion though  partly true. We are created for God and half the world's madness is because they are hungry for Him. You have won the victory. You have triumphed. Your Sacrifice has reconciled us to God and we are saved.

This Christmas as we remember how You came into the world, let us also take comfort in Your enduring Presence among us most especially in the Holy Eucharist, and continue to fill us with longing for Your coming again in glory and majesty to establish the reign of God among us forever.

Psalm 24;4-5, 8-9, 10 & 14

My soul's beloved, those who droop their heads are those who have no hope. You remind us today that we are redeemed and we need to lift up our heads and see what You have done for us. You came to show us the way that leads to the Father, You revealed truths that were hidden and You give us Your Holy Spirit who helps us to walk in the path of righteousness.

You came for sinners not for the righteous. You came to take us by the hand and to gently lead us to Yourself. You teach us humility by example and show us that the easiest way to get to heaven is through humility and obedience. Kindness and constancy - if only we could be like You and be kind to all and constant in our love towards all whom we encounter each day then peace would truly prevail. Thank You for the assurance of Your enduring friendship with those who desire to be Your disciples.

Luke 1:57-66

My soul's beloved, there is that perfect time ordained by God that arrives in all our lives how ready are we, when it does arrive, to accept it with an open heart. Do we wait in joyful and in a prayerful attitude of anticipation for it or are we indifferent so that the time passes us by without any awareness on our part or acknowledgement? Both Zechariah and Elizabeth waited in prayer and in joyful anticipation for the time when this child given to them by God in their old age, this child of blessing and miracle would arrive. He did and the whole neighborhood rejoiced praising God for all He had done for Elizabeth who had quietly endured the sorrow of being barren.

Now God's promises were being fulfilled. The boy  was born and as instructed he was given the name John. His father confirmed it and his tongue was made loose again and he broke out in a song of praise, prophecy and blessing.

Lord God keep me always in a prayerful attitude as I wait for the times of Your visitation. May I be aware when You come and do all that You ask of me always.

1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8, Luke 1:46-56

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

1 Samuel 1:24-28, 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8, Luke 1:46-56

1 Samuel 1:24-28

My soul's beloved, in an age where most people permit their feelings to dictate their course of action they will not understand Hannah's decision to return to the Lord the son that she so ardently prayed for. During the many years that she was barren she was inconsolable and when God answered her prayers and granted her a child one would imagine that she would be ready to give him up. 

My soul's beloved, every relationship like every tree must be fruitful if not, You warn us that it will be destroyed. Hannah was satisfied that God had removed her shame and she was prepared to honor God by giving back to Him that which she cherished so dearly. How many of us who have been blessed with children offer them back to God to serve Him alone in the sure knowledge that He will protect, watch over and bless them? 

1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8

My soul's beloved, every prophecy in Scripture reveals the pure joy of living in faith and trusting God to meet every one of our needs. Mary knew this perfectly well when she echoed Hannah's hymn of thanksgiving and praise in her glorious Magnificat to the Lord when she visited Elizabeth. When we take You at Your Word we will know that even when we are poor we are rich, even when we are hungry we are satisfied, when we suffer persecution we are joyful, when we have nothing the world considers necessary to be happy we are exultant because we have You who alone can satisfy our deepest needs.

Thank You my soul's beloved for teaching me more and more every day the value of detachment for all created things in order to be truly in union with You. It is not easy and I make very little progress but thank You for Your patience with me and for not giving up.

Luke 1:46-56

My soul's beloved, it is a shame that our Christian brothers and sisters who love You so much and allow their lives to be directed by Your Holy Spirit refuse to honor Your Mother as You desire her to be honored and cherished. The Church did not understand the immensity of the gift that You gave us from the Cross with Your dying breath but in the two thousand years that have followed she unwraps the gift that keeps on giving. 

How blessed we are to call her Mother, to know that she loves us because we are Your sisters and brothers. She who was one like us understands our weaknesses and she desires nothing more than to draw each of us into a closer union with You for in this alone is our lasting joy. She prophesied that all generations will call her blessed and some day every one in the coming generations will give her the honor that is due to her as the Mother of God and as our Mother.

Song 2:8-14, Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21, Luke 1:39-45

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!

Song 2:8-14, Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21, Luke 1:39-45

Song 2:8-14

My soul's beloved, Bridegroom of the Church, I offer You a profoundly grateful heart for the gift of being born Catholic. For placing me where my faith could be nurtured and where it could bloom. So many are no longer practicing their faith as Catholics but have tried to find fulfillment in other ways. To me though through no merit of my own has been granted the fullness of joy in the only place where You dwell just as the Father intended, in the One, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Here there is the beauty, grandeur, splendor of heaven itself for the  Spirit of God which descended in the Upper Room continues to makes His home granting her every favor and grace through the merits that You have won for her and each of her members. 

It is here that You who is our Lover comes to us at every Eucharist. You leap in our soul. We are united more closely than any human could ever be united with another. We become truly one with You and You leave us desiring more and more of You. Thank You for helping us love You better each day. 

Thank You for the place in Your heart that is reserved just for me and where You keep me safe in Your love. Thank You for desiring my love and for the Holy Spirit that enables me to love You more and more every day.

Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21

My soul's beloved, You deserve all our praise, all the glory and honor that we can give You. The more we discover the goodness of God the more we exult in His faithfulness and His love. Thank You for Your love which is everlasting. Thank You for the plans that You have for us to give us an eternal future with You in the Kingdom. Thank You for loving us to the end and for sharing Your inheritance with us even though we are so unworthy. Thank You for blessing not only us but our descendants and every generation that will follow until time shall be no more and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. We long for the day of Your coming in glory. Marantha my beloved, Maranatha!

Luke 1:39-45

My soul's beloved, You did not leave uws without any compass by which we could follow You. After Your example par excellence we have another perfect model of discipleship that of Mary Your mother. She was a human being like us and she demonstrates in every instance of her life what true discipleship means. It is being docile to the will of God, it is laying aside our plans so that God's plans become our own. It is being humble and confident that no matter how little we are God can make something beautiful of it. She teaches us that a life well lived is one that is lived in loving service to others. She teaches us that if we are schooled by the Holy Spirit we can reach the heights of holiness with the grace and help He makes available to us. And the we too will be overshadowed by Him and through the power of God You will become incarnate in our heart and in our life. And we will be a blessing to all who encounter us just as Elizabeth was blessed when she visited her. Give us faith to believe that all that You have said is true and that we can trust Your Word just as Mother Mary did.

Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 1:26-38

Isaiah 7:10-14

My soul's beloved, whether or not we ask for signs they are all around us. The signs of the Father's awesome love for us, signs of the Holy Spirit working in our lives so we can make to choices that are necessary to lead holy lives, signs of the great love You have for us which is made manifest in the Sacraments. Through them You touch our lives at the deepest level and You enable us to desire to love You in return.

Everything around us speaks of Your Presence, for all that lives, breathes and moves give You glory. All that is created was created so that we could experience Your love, Your power, Your majesty, but above all Your mercy and tender compassion. 

The greatest signs are these that God pierced time and space, choosing a young Virgin from whom He took flesh and became incarnate and God permitted Himself to be nailed to a Cross and take upon Himself the worst of us all so He could become  for us our all in all - making of us sinners sons and daughters of God.

Psalm 24:1-6

My soul's beloved, how could we be sinless when the sin of Adam and Eve has tainted us and all creation bringing death and destruction into the world. How could we ever become clean again? There was no way that we could regain that which was forever lost. The devil's envy of human beings caused us to lose our inheritance. He first lost it and would see us all damned before we could receive what he had deliberately given up because he thought himself equal to God.

Who could ascend the mountain of the Lord again? How could we ever stand before Him in the holy place? How could we ever become clean of heart once more and have what was lost restored forever?  But God found a way. Love always finds a way. The Father asked You to become one like us and You did become like us in all things except sin. You entered into the world, You became a Man, and You bridged the unbridgeable chasm that yawned between heaven and earth. Thank You for restoring what the first man lost. Thank You for the hope we now have in You and for the reward that we will receive when we choose to accept You as our Lord and our Savior. We will see the Face of God when we seek You and we will live.

Luke 1:26-38

My soul's beloved, in a few words the most unbelievable event in all history unfolds when God sends the Angel Gabriel with an invitation to a young girl who until then lived a quiet, hidden life known to none except those around her. She herself never imagined that she would be the recipient of such extraordinary favor. Yes, she knew the prophecy, but she would consider herself too unworthy of such an honor. She was a young girl with plans. She was betrothed to Joseph and would soon go to his home as his wife. Then suddenly everything changes. She is bewildered, a little afraid, and shaken by this extraordinary revelation. How can this be? One can almost hear the tremulous question whispered from her lips and the Angel says,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary's response must be our own when You invite us to collaborate with Your divine plan to establish  the Kingdom of God in the world so that You can reign in the hearts of all.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”

Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel. Mt 1:12

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 7:10-14, Psalm 24:1-6, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

Isaiah 7:10-14

My soul's beloved, You always give us signs however we can miss them if we are not attentive. Here the prophet is inviting Ahaz to ask for a sign but he is a hypocrite, and self-righteously says that he would not tempt the Lord by asking for one. Perhaps he was actually afraid to ask because he was fearful of what it would mean. The sign would be one that would cause him discomfort and stir him from his lethargy and he was quite content with the status quo. 

But we can never thwart God's plan. God takes control and will give us the long awaited and long promised sign of the new thing that He was about to do. This awesome, wondrous, totally unfeasible in human terms, unfathomable and infinitely loving and merciful plan would be set in motion when He invites a virgin to cooperate with Him to conceive and bring forth the Son of God and Son of Man so God Himself could become God with us. Emmanuel.

Psalm 24:1-6

You my soul's beloved, the Lord God, the King of glory who are the fullness of the earth and all who are of it, who was there before time began and who as the Eternal Word of the Living God was breathed forth through the Holy Spirit founding the seas, the rivers, the dry land, the mountains, valleys, hills and plains teeming a with life, beauty, and fecundity. You invite us to come up the holy mountain where God dwells, You permit us to enter the holy sanctuary where none but the High Priest could enter just once a year, and You permit us to offer to the Father the most pleasing, the most fragrant sacrifice whose aroma reaches the highest heavens. God is so magnanimous that He desires that we unite the pitiful little sacrifice of our own lives with Your own glorious Sacrifice that redeemed the world. You have given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation that enable us approach You with sinless hands and clean hearts and You teach us how to be truly humble before God.

Thank You for making infinite graces and blessing flow from the Eucharistic Banquet and thank You for the reward of eternal life which will be ours because of our hope in You, our Savior.

Romans 1:1-7

My soul's beloved, as Your disciples, Your followers, through Your merits we are invited to a life of holiness as children of God.  We can do nothing on our own but to us is granted grace and peace from God our Father when we ask for it in You Name. Thank You for the Apostles and for St. Paul whom You set apart to bring the Good News those who would not otherwise have heard it and be saved.

You have set us free from the slavery of sin and we now follow You and we in turn are invited to live the Gospel in our place in the world. Thank You for Your yes to the Father. Thank You for coming into the world in poverty and humility as a helpless little Baby. Thank You for giving us Your life through the power of Your Resurrection and taking upon Yourself our miserable sinful lives that would have ended in eternal death. Give us a burning desire to share the Good News so that all may come to believe in You and be saved.

Matthew 1:18-24

My soul's beloved, if we are not attentive to the voice of God we could do things that are not in accordance with His will although we may truly believe it is. St. Joseph who was a just man honestly believed himself to be right in divorcing Mary whom he found to be with child; a child he knew was not his. This is what the law demanded and as a righteous Jew he would have been acting in accordance with the law. However, even when all seems to be right we could be terribly wrong and this is why we are called to have a listening heart. A heart attuned to You, to Your Spirit, to Your Father' will. Joseph was such a man. 

God spoke to him through the Angel Gabriel, and Joseph not only believed that the it was the Lord, but he obeyed the will of God. How often we are indifferent to God's messengers. God visits us and we miss the times of His visitation because it was not according to our preconceived ideas or what is the norm. 

There is a third element to this listening and being attentive to His voice and to obey Him and that is that we are called to incarnate God in our lives, so He becomes Emmanuel, God with us as we take Him home into our hearts, into our lives, and never permit ourselves to be separated from Him through sin.

If we wish to imitate Joseph we must do as he did. The passage ends with this beautiful stipulation, "He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home." Where Mary is Jesus is sure to be and so it would do us who call ourselves Your disciples, to take Mary into our home and there to honor, revere, and love her as the Mother of God.

Isaiah 54:1-10, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, Luke 7:24-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God. Lk 3:4, 6

Isaiah 54:1-10, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, Luke 7:24-30

Isaiah 54:1-10

My soul's beloved, who can speak as tenderly and lovingly as You do? No one. No earthly creature can love as You love. I thank You for all the reassurances of Your loving kindness and faithfulness that You have expressed so eloquently today through the mouth of the prophet.

You have blessed me with greater blessings than I deserve or could ever imagine. Even as I grow in years Your loving kindness and faithfully grow even more. You have given me so much and I in return give You so little. Yet, to console me and tell me not to be discouraged of my sinful past for You have forgiven me and have restored to me all that I had lost. Not only are You my Maker, my Redeemer, my Savior and my God but You are the One who constantly woos me with such exquisite tenderness. Even though I am often unfaithful Your faithfulness is unwavering. You have loved me even when I rejected Your love and turned willfully from you preferring to wallow in the mire of my sins.

Thank You for covenantal love for me even though I am so completely unworthy of it. Thank 
You for Your mercy that never ends.

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

Thank You my soul's beloved for rescuing me from sin over and over again. Thank You for depriving the devil of the satisfaction of enticing me with lies. I deserved eternal death but Your great mercy saved me. I praise You for all that You have done for me for entering into the pit of death and taking upon Yourself the punishment that was mine. Thank You for changing my mourning into dancing and celebration over and over again when You have once again led me from the brink of destruction to the Sacraments of Healing, restoration and feeding me at the Banquet of Love.

There may be sorrow and tears still in store for me but I know that You walk beside me and I have no need to be afraid. For You my God are with me. You will wipe away my tears and You will always change my mourning to gladness.

Luke 7:24-30

My soul's beloved, continue to assist me through the remaining days of Advent so I may look to Your coming this Christmas with a heart ready for You. Help me not to worry about my past for You have forgiven me but help me look ahead with faith and hope. Thank You for the place prepared for me and as I live each day from moment to moment, help me not to be afraid but rather walk in the radiance of Your light and Your truth. When You come for me Lord whenever that may be, with Your grace I will be ready and waiting with great joy and anticipation for Your coming. 


(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 7:18-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Raise your voice and tell the Good News:Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power. Is 40:9-10

FEAST OF ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 7:18-23

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25

My soul's beloved, You are the Light of the world, You are Love, You were sent to banish darkness and set us free from all the things that enslaved us and kept us from desiring You before all created things. You descended from Heaven into the Womb of a creature, who was peerless of all creatures. Like dew from above You rained gently on the earth, her womb opened to receive You and of her came forth the Fruit of our salvation. The power of God and the Justice of God now became accessible to every human being who was crushed under the heel of oppression, of sin, of power and influence. Who would have thought the that a baby born in poverty, could created such fear in those who held an earthly scepter they sought to murder You. 

The prophets of old foretold Your coming and yet when You arrived no one knew - for You came in silence, wrapped in night.  Only an angel, shepherds and later on a few wise men led by a star came to pay homage to the King of Kings. 

To those who believe You grant grace upon grace and You preserve them from the snares and traps set by the Enemy. To those who believe is given the awesome privilege to announce the Good News so that by their witness, their proclamation, the whole world will believe and every knee shall bend and every tongue will proclaim You are God.

Psalm 85:9-14

My soul's beloved, it is one of the lies of the devil to create a perception that evil has taken over the world, that good is overtaken by wickedness, that divine law no longer has power to dictate and govern our actions and I have been tempted often to believe this lie. 

God is still God. The power of the Holy Spirit prevails, You have redeemed the world and conquered death and sin and we are alive in the new life that You have given all who believe. Peace has come upon the earth. Justice is available to all and fear no longer has us in its grip. The evil one has lost the battle, he struck at the heel but You crushed his head. 

Continue O Lord to heap upon us rich and infinite grace as we live a life sustained by the Sacraments and help us to live and witness to the truth as we proclaim the Good News by our humility and our obedience to the two great commandments of love. You have won the victory and we are victorious in You our Savior, our Redeemer and our Lord.

Luke 7:18-23

My soul's beloved, faith can grow dim in difficult circumstances and we begin to question the things that we know in our hearts to be true. John the Baptist was no different. Great as he was, he was still a man who wanted reassurance, who was wondering whether he was mistaken in pointing You out as the Lamb of God. So when his disciple came to You from John asking for clarity on whether You were actually the One or was he to look for another You pointed them to Your works of healing, miracles, and alleviating people from suffering of mind, body, and spirit. That You said was the answer to John's question. The prophecies concerning the Messiah were being fulfilled in You - no he was not to look for another for the Lord had truly come into the world.

It is a pity that in every age there will be those who take offence at You and Your followers but You have promised nothing less than persecution and perhaps even death for those who believe in You. Those who hate You and hate Your follower do so because they silently shed the spotlight on their own wicked lives which they refuse to change, thus they condemn themselves. But those who are convicted of sin will be saved.

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19 & 23, Matthew 21:28-32

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come, O Lord, do not delay;
Forgive the sins of your people. 

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13, Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19 & 23, Matthew 21:28-32

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

My soul's beloved, Your coming, Your Life, and Your death are not in vain. Even though the world seems deaf and blind to what You have done for us all yet, all will come to know You who were crucified for our sins and who has redeemed the world. It is the Father's will that all be saved and it will come to pass in time. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit and through the faithful remnant through whom the Kingdom of God is being established in our hearts, the will of God will be fulfilled. When You come again in glory and majesty to take to Yourself all those who believe in You and in the Good News, You will  find us all standing on the side of Truth for God's purpose will in creating us cannot be thwarted.

In the meantime my Beloved, pour out Your Spirit upon us, upon Your Church, upon Your anointed, upon those who are baptized and upon all who believe. Raise up in the world more laborers to go out into the field and to bring the the harvest. Thank You.

Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19 & 23

My soul's beloved, true joy is possible when we live to bless You, praise You, worship and glorify You in all that we say and do. We are called to be Your witnesses in season and out of season. When it is convenient and when it is not. All those who walk in the light of Your Love walk with faces radiant with the joy of the Holy Spirit who abides in us. It is You who through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us will raise up new disciples and followers for You. Thank You for loving the sinner, for going out in search of the lost, and for Your healing of all our wounds.Thank You for You assurance that You are close to those who suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Keep us sensitive to those in need,those whom the world does not see. Give us a true disciple's heart that we may touch those around us with Your love. Amen.

Matthew 21:28-32

My soul's beloved, help us never to forget that You have no mercy for hypocrites. For those who say one thing but whose hearts are far from You. Help me Lord never to be duplicitous. Give me the heart of a child who is without guile. Help me to remember that I cannot fool You. May I never try for then I will be truly stupid for no one can hide their true selves from You. I know Lord that there are occasions when I pretend to be better that I actually am. Forgive e my Lord and help me to be pure in though, word and deed always. Keep e little, keep me truly humble and childlike and do not hesitate ( I know you have)  to do all that is necessary to purify me of my flaws and inherent weaknesses. Thank You.

Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, Psalm 146:6-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor. Is 61:1 (Lk 4:18)

Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, Psalm 146:6-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Isaiah 35:1-6, 10

My soul's beloved, as we read the words of Isaiah our hearts are filled with hope and longing for You to come again and reconcile the whole world and all creation to Yourself. The world today is so far away from the ideal that You came to reveal to us. You came to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and above all in the hearts of us all. You said peace is My gift to you but there has never been a time when the world has been so hopelessly divided. Our morals are in the gutter, all that is celebrated as necessary for us to live happy, fulfilled lives is the swill that is served to swine and yet we believe the lies, and we hanker to live up to the impossible ideal of the world's standard which required that we look a certain way and possess certain things in order to achieve them.

The world today is filled with people who are stressed, afraid, sick in spirit, addiction is rampant and as people try to fill their emptiness with things that simply cannot satisfy. Why has the world become deaf to the Voice of Truth. You came to give us life in all its fullness. You want to give us joy, You want to take our parched spirits, and hungry lives and make them bloom again. You want to make our hearts exult and sing joyful songs. You want to restore us to life, restore our visions, restore hearing. You want us to open our eyes and see the glory and splendor of living a life true to the Gospel.

To those who are growing weary and distressed as the world is drifting further and further away from You, the prophet offers encouragement and our hands are strengthened, our feet are made firm, our hearts are filled with courage. Our eyes grow bright with hope, our ears hear the tidings of great joy and we leap with joy and sing. For the Lord who has ransomed us will return in glory and there will be an end to sorrow and mourning as You return to give us everlasting joy in Your Presence. Hasten the day of Your coming Lord! Maranatha!

Psalm 146:6-10

My soul's beloved, Your Word is true, Your promises will be fulfilled. We believe Lord. You will secure justice for those who have been crushed under the heels of the wicked. You will satisfy their hunger. You will set free those who have known nothing by oppression. You have saved us all.  Those who have walked in darkness now walk in newness of life. Those who have come to know You walk in the freedom that belongs to all God's children who have been baptized and are given the right to call God, Father. Those who are powerless now have God as their Protector, their Brother, their Friend, their Beloved and these blessings are not only for those who are saved but for all generations. Thank You Lord for coming into the world and for saving us.

James 5:7-10

My soul's beloved, St. James often writes with such gloom and doom but not today. It is good for us to remember that the world is not doomed and going to hell as it may sometimes seem. For those of us who tend to get weary of the waiting for Your coming in glory, he as words of encouragement which sustains us. We are called to be patient and pray as we wait. God in His own time and in His own perfect way is reconciling all things just as He has promised, even though we cannot see it. The rain falls, the sun shines, the seed sprouts, the grain ripens and the harvest will be ready. In the meantime we are called to be vigilant over our own lives, our weaknesses, and pray constantly for grace to be steadfast in faith, hope and love, to the end.  We are called not be be judgmental, self-righteous, bigoted as we wait but to be tenderhearted, merciful, charitable and compassionate - imitating You who came for the sick not for the healthy.

My soul;s beloved, meek, humble and gentle of heart, make my poor sinful heart like Yours.

Matthew 11:2-11

My soul's beloved, for those of us who are tempted to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" We are directed to the works of grace evident all around us. The spiritually and the physically disabled are made whole in the awesome Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Good News is being preached from the rising of the sun to its setting and everywhere there is the celebration of the Paschal Mystery which opens the floodgates of grace and imbues the world with God's mercy and love. But there is a warning as well to those take offence at the Gospel but those who believe in it will be blessed.

You ask us not to look to the Church for  the temporary and the ephemeral but for the everlasting and the permanent. The Church will not condone the culture of the day or its values if they are contrary to those of the Gospel. To those who cry out for the Church to conform to the world You say, 

“What did you go out to the desert to see?

A reed swayed by the wind?

Then what did you go out to see?

Someone dressed in fine clothing?

Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.

Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom it is written:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way before you.

Amen, I say to you,

among those born of women 

there has been none greater than John the Baptist; 

yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Let us never forget my soul's beloved that the greatest all all the virtues is true humility.

Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Lord will come; go out to meet him!

He is the prince of peace.

Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19

Isaiah 48:17-19

My soul's beloved, I know that I do not deserve love such as Yours. You do not love me because I am good or virtuous or possess any extraordinary gifts. You just love me because Your nature is love and You cannot be contrary to Your nature. I on the other hand are most undeserving of Your infinite love for me. You know my faults and failing better that I for I tend to overlook them, justify them, or make light of them. 

Help me Lord to be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit whom You have so generously given me. Who makes His home in me unworthy and sinful as I am. It is not enough to just hear His voice but to obey Him. Grant me the grace to do so joyfully and promptly not for what I can obtain from You but simply because this pleases You. I know that You find it pleasing when I am humble and obedient and when I seek only to please You in every way. Let me not worry about the good that will flow from living a life of virtue but rather let my only motive be to do so in loving response for all You have done for me. May my heart be filled with gratitude a, thanksgiving and praise for the life of grace that is possible when I live in close union with You.

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

My soul's beloved we have Your assurance that those who follow You who are the Way, the Truth and the life will always walk in the Light of Your love. They will obey Your law of love and will have nothing to do with those who deliberately choose to walk in the path that leads to death. Those who walk in the Way of Life will send their roots deep into You and will be fed and watered from the life giving springs that well up to eternal life in us. We will bear abundant fruit in every season and we will be a blessing to all who know us and will learn to love You and desire to experience the same joy that we possess.

Your Word my Beloved, is a light to my path and a lamp to my feet and so it is with all who choose to feed on Scripture and allow Your Word to guide us. Grant O Lord that I may be faithfully live in the Light of Your Gospel and be fed and nourished by the Sacraments. Stay with me Lord, watch over me, and do not permit me to stray from the path of virtue and righteousness all the days of my life.

Matthew 11:16-19

My soul's beloved, there is no pleasing or satisfying sinners who are bent on willfully living a live steeped in immorality. The deliberately ignorant and the willfully wicked do not desire to know the Truth; if they did then they would have to change their ways. They prefer a life of self indulgence and licentiousness even though it brings no lasting joy. The idolatrous love of the body, the lust for power, money, and the flesh are the idols that the world flaunts today and insists can satisfy our deepest needs. This lie is swallowed by the gullible despite the proof in their own lives that they are empty, hollow, sad, lonely, depressed, stressed, anxious and sick in mind, body and spirit. They believe that more of the same that is the cause of their dissatisfaction will relieve them and so the sad, unholy, cycle that leads to the death of the soul continues. 

You came to show us another way. The way that leads to eternal life and unending joy. But the sinner thinks it to hard, and impossible and refuses to even try it. They do not know that if they are willing to take only one tiny step toward You, You will run the other ninety nine and embrace them and restore all they have lost and more. You love as the Father loves, completely, totally, wholeheartedly, even to the laying down of Your life so we may live.

Thank You my Beloved, for loving me to the end.

Isaiah 40:25;31, Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10, Matthew 11:28:30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.

Br

Isaiah 40:25;31, Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10, Matthew 11:28:30

Isaiah 40:25;31

My soul's beloved, when I lose focus of who You are - the Holy One, the Lord God at whose Word all things came into being and without whom nothing was created, then I get discouraged, I falter, I feel weak and unable to go on. But when I take the gaze away from myself and lift up my eyes to see the beauty and wonder of all that You have made and who sustains all things with His Breath, the Breath of His Spirit, then I grow confident and full of hope. The Father sent You into the world to reveal to us that we all can enter into glory if we follow the Way that You trod, if we receive the Truth as You revealed it, and if we are open to the Life that You desire to give all who believe, then You who are the Way, the Truth and the Life will take us by the hand and lead us to the Father.

You do not give up on us even though we give up on ourselves and each other. You were born like us, clothed in human flesh as we all are in the womb except that God, Your Father, in the power of His Holy Spirit overshadowed the Virgin who conceived You, nourished You, and gave birth  to You the Son of God and the Son of Man. You understand our weaknesses, our temptations, our propensity to sin over and over again, our concupiscence, our tendency to forget that we are greater sinners than the ones whom we so readily point our fingers at and condemn. You do not judge us to condemn us but to help us recognize our weaknesses and overcome them. You do not grow tired of our inconstancy, and of the fact that we commit the same sins over and over again despite all our resolutions to sin no more. Instead, You flood our souls with grace when we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation and through the Holy Eucharist You help us to grow strong again and less prone to committing the same sins as often as in the past. You carry us when we have no strength of our own and You help us to soar on the wings of prayer to the highest heights and encounter the Face of our God.

Psalm 103:1-4, 8 & 10

How blessed I am beloved Bridegroom of my soul, to know You, to love You, to live in You, to be fed and nourished by You and for the constancy of my hope that I shall one day be taken up by You to heaven, there to remain in perfect union and bliss with You eternally.

Thank You for loving me as passionately and as tenderly and compassionately as You do. Thank You for not destroying me as I deserve but for ministering to me with love and helping me along the journey when it gets dark, difficult, and wearisome. Thank You for redeeming me with Your life and for never giving up on me even when I am at my worst. Thank You for helping me each day for taking one more, little step, towards my destiny, my goal, which is life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit  in the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 11:28:30

My souls beloved, I adore You, I worship You and I love You. Small and puny as my love is, I do love You with constancy. Even though I give in to temptation, You who know all things, know how much I desire never to commit sin but do so over and over again despite my best intentions. Thank You for never giving up on me but for daily teaching me and leading me in the way that leads to life and the path that leads to holiness. Thank You for giving us such a perfect example of humility and meekness and for Your invitation to take Your yoke upon us and to learn from You our Teacher par excellence. Thank You for the rest that You always give me when I come to You. I love You Jesus, my Lord, grant that I may love You always until the last breath I take here earth and receive Your eternal life in heaven.