Hebrews 12:1-4, Psalm 22: 26-28, 30-32, Matthew 5:21-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases. Mt 8:17

Hebrews 12:1-4, Psalm 22: 26-28, 30-32, Matthew 5:21-43


Hebrews 12:1-4

My soul's beloved, St. Paul reminds us that apart from those who have gone before us and left for us a shining example of faith we also have the best of examples in You who although You were God endured the cross, and all that such a death entailed, in humility for the sake of the glorious outcome promised by God not only for You but for those whom You redeemed and ransomed for heaven. We need to keep our gaze and our focus on You for the minute we lose our sight of You because we are distracted by sin there is every possibility of getting lost.  You have given us an example of how to endure this life's hardships. You have shown us how to wage the battle and to keep our eyes on the goal. You have made available to us the Sacraments that are channels of grace and strength. No, Beloved, I have not yet been tried to the point where I am called to shed my blood. You have. Keep me close to You and never let anything part me from You. Help me to persevere until the end. 

Psalm 22: 26-28, 30-32

This is my mission my soul's beloved. I have been created to know You, to love You, to serve You and to be happy with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit for all eternity. I belong to the household of God. I have been baptized into Your Body. I am a member of the family of the Most High. I eat of the finest wheat and I drink the sweetest honey. I was born for heaven and for joy. I have an awesome destiny that is eternal in the Presence of the Almighty. I am called to make this truth known to everyone I encounter each day - how God loves me and how He saved me and the destiny He has obtained for me one with a future and with hope.

My testimony must result in many more coming to know You and love You as well so that the whole world may rejoice and be glad at all that is accomplished by You for sinners. Even though we die we will live and together all will praise You for all eternity. My Lord, my God, my King.

Matthew 5:21-43

My soul's beloved, these two miracles occur on the same day. One is a woman who has had an issue of blood for twelve years and we have a young girl of twelve who  is very sick and on the point of death. In both cases a physician could do nothing. The woman was not only considered unclean because of her ailment, she had spent all her money paying for doctors who could do nothing to heal her but only made her worse. As always there is a crowd around You and Jairus, a synagogue official approaches You and begs for a miracle. You readily agree to accompany him and the crowd goes with You pressing on every side. Then we have this little dramatic moment. This woman suffering with the issue of blood has heard of You. She believes all she has heard and expects a miracle herself. However, she is too timid to come to You boldly unlike Jairus. She stealthily draws closer to You pressed around by the crowd desiring only to touch the hem of Your cloak certain that just that was enough to grant her a miracle, so great was her faith. She touched You and just as she had expected, she was healed.

You were not about to let her go unnoticed - she was to be a witness to quiet faith in a hopeless situation until the end of time. You stopped, turned around, and demanded to know who had touched You with such great faith You felt power go out from You. The poor woman, trembling with fear acknowledged that it was indeed her who had touched You and why she had done so. Her faith was rewarded. You addressed her as daughter - she who until then was unclean was now embraced and made welcome as a member of the family of God. Her faith had saved her and peace of Your gift to her. From that moment on her life had changed dramatically no more would doctors abuse her, belittle her, and steal what little she had to live on without providing any relief to her ailment. She was given new life. She was a new creation.

As you made Your way to Jairus' house word reached that his little girl had died and that he need not trouble You any further. Poor Jairus his heart must have been crushed with sorrow and all his hope died within him. She was dead and death is final. But not when the Lord of Life is among us. "Do not be afraid; just have faith," You said to him. So often we allow our circumstances to crush us instead of clinging ever more steadfastly to our faith and to Your promises instead of giving in to anxiety, sorrow and despair. Taking Peter, James, and John with You into the house, You sought to silence the mourners assuring them that the child was not dead but asleep. But instead of believing You their tears and sorrow changed to ridicule. You asked them all to leave except the child's parents and the three Apostles. You then took the little twelve year old girls hand and spoke gently to her, "Talitha koum," the God of Life had spoken and the little girl woke up. Here we recall the words said earlier in Hebrews, God came to take by the hand not angels but human beings. It says here that everyone was astounded and You ordered them not to speak of this however, You did not leave without telling them to feed the child. You care for the whole person not just for the welfare of our souls but for all our needs both spiritual and temporal.

We can always come to You with every need and concern nothing is too trivial for You because You love us. Thank You for such tender, merciful love.

Hebrews 11:32-40, Psalm 31:20-24, Mark 5:1-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people. Lk 7:16

Hebrews 11:32-40, Psalm 31:20-24, Mark 5:1-20

Hebrews 11:32-40

My soul's beloved, the Old Testament is chock full of heroic men and women who lived by faith, believed in God and His promises. Many were treated shamefully, were persecuted, were tortured and died barbaric deaths. They lived as strangers in the world living hard lives as they wandered from place to place speaking about God and warning the people to repent and live holy lives. However, all that they did was not sufficient to enter heaven - without the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God, all their suffering and good works were futile, empty, and in vain. They only received their inheritance after You became incarnate, entered our world and obtained salvation and justification for us sinners, perfecting in us what until then was imperfect. In You we are all redeemed and we receive the reward of salvation only through the justification of the Cross.

Psalm 31:20-24

My soul's beloved, every grace and blessing we receive flows from You. We are safe when we take refuge at the foot of the Cross. Covered in Your Blood and strengthened by the Food of Your Flesh we become one with You. Through Your life, suffering, and death our own lives have meaning. Thank You for grace that keeps us faithful and constant. Thank You for Your example of humility that keeps us humble. Thank You for the Sacrifice of Your Life that has saved us and keeps us grateful. Thank You for opening the gates of heaven for us so we may enter with You and receive the inheritance that the Father has in store for us. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, please help me to remain always humble like You.

Mark 5:1-20

My soul's beloved, who do we have but You. Shackled by sin we only injure ourselves and can do nothing to set ourselves free from the chains that bind us and render us unable to live in freedom as children of God. Without You, without grace we are wrecked, alone, unfit to keep company with anyone and we go deeper and deeper into sin. Thank You for seeking the sinner and seeking the lost. Thank You for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thank You for never desiring the death of the sinner but his restoration into the family of God.all 

May I never forget all You have done for me, how You have saved me, how You set me free from my sins and have bathed and washed me in Your Blood. Thank You for feeding me in the Eucharist and thank You for make me a child of God. May I always be grateful and never cease to tell everyone all that You have done for me. How You rescued me and remain with me always.

Acts 22:3-16, Psalm 117:1-2, Mark 16:15-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL, APOSTLE

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


Acts 22:3-16, Psalm 117:1-2, Mark 16:15-18


Acts 22:3-16

My soul's beloved, like Paul, we often do sinful things mistakenly believing that we do them because we are zealous for God, when all the while You ask only this, that we show mercy, tenderness, understanding and compassion. Paul truly believed he was serving God when he cruelly rounded up Christians and threw them in prison. He was even prepared to kill them believing that what he did would be pleasing to God.

He was mistaken, seriously mistaken. Even though he was fully convinced that what he was doing was right and had the backing of the religious authorities it still did not make is actions right. You revealed yourself to him you told him that his persecution of Christians was in fact persecution of You and Paul was stunned. Paul believed, he wanted to know what You wanted him to do. He was struck blind by divine light and was blinded by it. You took away all that was familiar to him and now he stood before you stripped of all that once meant everything to him, and he was ready to be made into anything that You wanted him to become. He was to be given new sight and new life in Baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit and with fire he began to work as tirelessly and zealously in setting the world ablaze but now he was armed with faith, Truth and love making him one of the most celebrated convert and most successful missionary of all time.


Psalm 117:1-2

My soul's beloved, the Good News is this God is love, God revealed Himself in You when You became Man. God sent You into the world to save it because there was no hope of heaven for us and we were eternally separated from God due to the sin of our first parents. God, would not, could not permit that we whom He had created in love would be lost to Him forever. So He made a most unbelievable exchange - justice had to be satisfied, we had sinned, our separation from Him was a direct consequence of our sin, but He would not, could not rest, until the bond that was severed was restored. Only One could make perfect satisfaction for our sin and heal the rupture that it had caused and so He sent You into the world to take upon Yourself our punishment, our suffering, enter into the bitter separation between God and us and taste the death that was the penalty for sin. In exchange all that we had lost God would restore and He did. Resurrection is ours because You rose again and because we are grafted into Your Body, we will rise again too, to new life on earth and eternal life in heaven. This is the Good News that we are supposed to shout from the rooftops. God is love. God loves and His love endures forever.


Mark 16:15-18

My soul's beloved, many through the ages beginning with the Apostles believed in Your Word and they did all the wonderful things that You promised they would do in Your Name. But we are lackluster Christians and if the world is in the terrible state it now is it is because we have not taken our mission seriously, because we are indifferent, because we would rather life a life of self-indulgence than set the world ablaze with Your loved. Grant us a new Pentecost my beloved, so we too can joyfully lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel, in order to gain it anew in the Kingdom of Heaven.


Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

Hebrews 10:1-10, Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10-11, Mark 3:31-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Mt 11:25


Hebrews 10:1-10, Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10-11, Mark 3:31-35

Hebrews 10:1-10

My soul's beloved, ever since the foundations of the world, from the time God created us and desired us to have a glorious destiny Him we used the wonderful gift of our free will to follow the desires of the flesh. We turned away from all that He desired for us, eternal joy in His Presence. Even then He did not abandon us in anger but decided that He would save us. Slowly, patiently, He drew us back to Himself. He planned to restore all we had lost but first the terrible sin of our disobedience had to be atoned for. God began His work of salvation when He chose a man and through him He made a Covenant to bless him and his descendants. He gave them the Law which made them aware of their sins and He asked that they offer sacrifice of animals in atonement for their sins. The blood of the animals could never take away the punishment for sin but it paved the way for the perfect, once for all Sacrifice that was to do what all the bloods of animals could never accomplish.

He prepared a Body, He asked if You would come into the world, His only Son, and if You would offer Yourself as a holocaust for the sins of the whole world. There was not other way by which we could be saved but by the shedding of innocent blood, of a Lamb without the stain and blemish  of sin. The fragrance of this most pleasing Sacrifice would rise up the highest heaven until the end of time. This Sacrifice would repair the relationship that was broken and restore what was lost forever. Your said yes to the will of Your Father. By this yes and the yes of Mary we have been saved.

Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10-11

My soul's beloved, long before You were born of Mary and conceived in her womb through the Holy Spirit, prophets and holy men through the ages spoke of the wonderful thing that God was about to do in order to save and redeem all humankind. After the sin of our first parents, the whole world waited in patient longing for the promises that God had made to be fulfilled. Perfect Love, perfect humility, perfect obedience made possible the greatest Sacrifice. God became Man so the Man could become the Lamb of perfect Sacrifice who would take away the sins of the whole world. Thank You for giving us new hope, a new song, and for putting songs of glad praise in our hearts and on our lips. Teach us to do Your will in all things so we may share in the awesome destiny that God has promised to all who believe in You and hope in You.

Mark 3:31-35

My soul's beloved, the gospel writers were inspired to narrate this incident even though many would misinterpret it. Not Your Church though. To her, has been given the authority to teach, preach, and interpret everything that has been said, done, or recorded about all that You did and taught here on earth. Through the fullness of the Holy Spirit given to her we know that this was a shout out to the whole world that no one has ever done the will of God as perfectly, as completely, as wholeheartedly as Your beloved Mother. From the moment of her conception to the moment she breathed her last breath here on earth no creature has ever been so perfectly aligned to the will of God than Mary. She is truly the disciple par excellence, she is our model in faith, and in imitating her, and staying close to her, she will guide us, her children, safely into Your arms and finally into the Kingdom. Thank You Father, for Mary, thank You Jesus for giving her to us as our Mother. Thank You Mary for your constant intercession on our behalf to Your Son. Thank You beloved, for the gift of Your Church, born of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28, Psalm 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel 2 Tim 1:10

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28, Psalm 98:1-6, Mark 3:22-30


Hebrews 9:15, 24-28


My soul's beloved, You have forged a new covenant with the God of Love, Your Father, that through the shedding of Your Blood, and the death You suffered on our behalf, the very gates of heaven that was forever closed to us are now opened. You have entered in glory and are seated at the right hand of God the Almighty Father and there You make ceaseless intercession for all who believe. Having suffered in expiation for the sins of the whole world, You have now been given authority, dominion, and power. You offer to the Father an eternal Sacrifice on our behalf making atonement for sin.The wages of sin is death and death is what we inherited from our first parents. But through the one, holy, perfect, and acceptable Sacrifice of the Son of God who became a willing Victim for our sins, our death no longer  condemns us to eternal darkness. You take away the sins of the world and our death does now makes it possible to enter into Your Life. Salvation is ours - we now have a future, a hope and an eternal destiny in the Kingdom of God.


Psalm 98:1-6

My soul's beloved, it would be a terrible thing if we forgot what You have done for us and how You saved us. Without You we were condemned to a life of eternal darkness after death. But God who is the God of Love was moved to pity and compassion and sought to save us. Knowing that only one who is sinless could make expiation for the sins of the world, God sent You into the world to become sin and suffer the consequences of sin which is death, in order that we might be redeemed and receive new life. We ought to be constantly singing songs of joy celebrating the victory You won for us and letting the whole world know the lengths that God went in order to save us. It is right, fitting, and just that we shout out from the rooftops so the whole world knows that we are saved and redeemed by Your Sacrifice. We must be mindful of God's faithfulness, kindness, compassion, mercy and tender love always and we must be witnesses to God's love so all may come to know You and be saved so that Your Sacrifice will not be in vain. 

Mark 3:22-30

My soul's beloved, if the scribes had admitted that all the miracles You performed were through the power of God then they would have to believe that You were sent from Him. However, You did not fit their concept of the Messiah and so they not only rejected You, but they ascribed all the wonderful miracles You performed to the powers of the devil. They were prepared to say the most outrageous things in order to justify their rejection of You. 

You did not accept defeat at their hands, nor did You condemn them but You gave them an opportunity to understand how foolish their reasoning was. Just as the powers of darkness work together to bring about our ruin so do must we believe in You unite in  the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. It would seem that the world was never more divided and polarized as it is today. Evil and good are at war with each other and evil seems to be gaining in strength yet, this is a lie for You have won the victory, You have crushed the head of Satan and we are redeemed no matter how bleak the world looks right now. The remnant will grow strong and bear fruit for the battle belongs to God and He has won.

Isaiah 8:23---9:3, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, Matthew 4:12-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people. Mt 4:23

Isaiah 8:23---9:3, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, 
Matthew 4:12-23

Isaiah 8:23---9:3

My soul's beloved, we who are redeemed by You now walk in the light of truth. Saved by Your passion, death, and glorious resurrection we are now and Easter people and our song is Alleluia! For You, our God, have rescued us from the clutches of the Enemy and have claimed us for yourself. No longer do we belong to the night. No longer are we oppressed by our sins for your have forgiven us, redeemed us, and have made us co-heirs with You to the Kingdom. We have a place at the table where You feed us with Yourself. No longer are we orphans but children of the Most High God. This You have done for us and I rejoice. 

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

My soul's beloved, thank You for changing my mourning to dancing and my lamentation to songs of gladness. What need have I to be afraid when You, my God are with me. Emmanuel. You are my hiding place I nestle in Your bosom. You are my peace, my rest, my joy. You have prepared a place for me in Your Father's house. You invite me to call Him Father too for this is what I am. I have been created by Him, redeemed by You and Your Holy Spirit sanctifies me. I have a glorious destiny and while I continue my pilgrim journey here on earth I am granted the privilege of gazing at You in the Adoration Chapel and worshipping You. I receive the Bread of Angels in the Holy Eucharist and You nourish me with Yourself. What more could I desire when God Himself pours His love into my heart and whose life has been given to me so I may walk with the faith that comes from the assurance that I am a child of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

My soul's beloved, there is only one truth, the truth, that we are all saved by You. Without You the gates of heaven which were shut would have remained so eternally. But God so loved us, His pitiful, sinful, creatures, and loved us so completely that He sent You His only Son, to become the means of our salvation. You became sin. You tasted death. You took upon Yourself our infirmities, in order that we may receive healing, wholeness and Your fullness. You gave us life and took upon Yourself the death that was ours. You paid the price for our salvation and there is salvation in no other but in You. This is the Good News may I do my part in making it known so that all may hear, believe, and be saved.

Matthew 4:12-23

My soul's beloved, the world that was plunged in darkness has not received the light of salvation. We are children of the light and the darkness will never overcome it again. You established the Church when You called the twelve. Follow Me, You said to them and they left everything behind, all that they knew, all that was familiar, secure, comfortable to go with You. They had to get up and go. All of us are called but we are afraid to trust You and so we do not rise to the challenge and follow You. The Apostles did and You Yourself taught them. You revealed the secrets of the Kingdom. To them was given the privilege to spend three years with You in close friendship. Their lives were transformed forever because they responded to You invitation. My life too can be totally transformed if I am willing to give up all that is safe, familiar, and secure and throw my life into Your hands with abandon trusting that with Your help I too can do all that You did and even greater things just as You promised.

Hebrews 8:6-13, Psalm 85:8, 10-14, Mark 3:13-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.


Hebrews 8:6-13, Psalm 85:8, 10-14, Mark 3:13-19


Hebrews 8:6-13

My soul's beloved, Your obedience, Your humility, Your submission and yielding to the Father as His only, most beloved Son obtained for us who were condemned to eternal separation from Him, won for the children of Adam and Ever healing, reparation, and restoration of what they had forever lost - our inheritance of the Kingdom of God. The Father had made a Covenant with Abraham and renewed that Covenant over and over for they were the people and nation chosen by Him for His own. But they rejected Him because of which we who were far away from Him were invited to the wedding feast and given a place at the banquet table.

The Father makes a second Covenant and this new Covenant was You His Son, sent into the world to take upon Yourself all our weaknesses even tasting death. You restored permanently what was once lost and this new Covenant was made with every people and every nation saving all and obtaining for all a place in the Father's house. The God and Father of Love has inscribed our names in His heart and He has put the Law of Love in our hearts  making us His people for He is our God. You have poured Your Holy Spirit into our hearts and through the power of the Spirit we know the Father and the Son whom He sent into the world. In You we have forgiveness of sins and the promises of eternal life.

Psalm 85:8, 10-14

My soul's beloved, the Father is loving kindness and You are Truth revealing to all who believe in You that God is our Father, You are our Brother and Savior, and the Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier - salvation is our and the promise of eternal life is fulfilled. You came into the world to reveal that God loves us and the proof of His love is His Son. You came to restore what was lost. You came to bridge the yawning chasm that separated us from God. The justice of God was met and peace was restored when You took upon Yourself the punishment and death that was ours and gave us a share in Your life. 

Mark 3:13-19

My soul's beloved, You chose the twelve Apostles, You called them and You sent them into the world to carry out Your mission of preaching, teaching, and healing. You gave them Your authority to do all You did and they in turn have handed down that authority in Your Name so the work of salvation is made known and redemption is available to all who believe in You. The Apostles are not a myth - we know the names of the twelve and we know the name of the one who was to betray You. Each of the Apostles was part of God plan, chosen by God just as the sons of Jacob were chosen to rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. 

The Apostles was entrusted the Church that You founded with Peter as the Rock and You its Cornerstone. To the Apostles was entrusted the mustard seed of faith and the Church has tended that seed faithfully over the last 2000 years until it is a mighty tree and birds of every kind shelter in its branches. She will continue to grow for the Holy Spirit is her sap and You are her Head giving life to her and to all her members through the Sacraments of Life and of healing. Thank You Lord for holy Mother Church.

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom

and cured every disease among the people. Mt 4:23

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17

My soul's beloved that mysterious priest and king of Salem, Melchizedek appears to Abraham after he has defeated the kings and he is blessed. When we win the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, the righteous King, the King of Peace comes to us and blesses us. We in turn are not to hoard these blessings but are called to give back to God in thanksgiving a part of that which we have received. The King of Salem appeared from nowhere, there is no history, no previous knowledge of him and Abraham was prompted to give him an offering of bread and wine to this king who receives it he is blessed by him. It seems so random and yet when we read this text that appears in the Old Testament in the light of the New it all comes together and makes perfect sense. 

You came into the world through the power of God and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. You are Prince of Peace and the King of Righteousness. You came into the world and we now recognize in You that mysterious King and High Priest and the Church teaches and testifies that You are a priest forever  in the order of Melchizedek. To You we make offering of bread and wine and You give it back to us as Your Body and Blood and we are blessed.

Psalm 110:1-4

My soul's beloved, in this psalm the psalmist is inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal things that would never have been known. It is a revelation of what is to come in the mysterious appearance of the King of Melchizedek. Having won the victory You are seated at the right hand of the Father. To You has been given all dominion, rule, authority and power over all that is known and unknown, seen and unseen. Begotten of the Father before all ages from eternity to eternity You are God and the Son of the Most High and He has given You to us as our Eternal High Priest, Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, King, Lord, Brother, Friend, Beloved and Spouse.

Mark 3:1-6


My soul's beloved, in this miracle there is much that is revealed to us. We become withered in mind, soul, and spirit when we do not live as Your disciples. We become ineffective and useless, crippled in mind, soul, body and spirit. But all is not lost. True sorrow for sin, true repentance and contrition makes us whole again when we approach You in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and confess our sins, resolving to sin no more. It is always lawful to do good but wicked people abhor all those who spend their lives in selfless and loving service of those who are weak, poor, lost, and cast aside. Those in authority are blind to those who are marginalized and thrust outside where they are unseen and therefore does not trouble the conscience of the fat, the sleek, the greedy, the rapacious who make a pretense of being good. When they are challenged instead of admitting their error they are filled with hatred, and venomous anger like the Pharisees, and they seek to put to death those who dare to challenge their authority and trouble their conscience. Thank You for the Beatitude that assures us that those who are persecuted for righteousness same will inherit the Kingdom. 

Hebrews 6:10-20, Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10, Mark 2:23-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call. Eph 1:17-18


Hebrews 6:10-20, Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10, Mark 2:23-28

Hebrews 6:10-20

My soul's beloved, today You speak to us of hope that is true and enduring because of the promises made to us by God. We have been called to a life of good works which makes visible the faith that we have in You. We believe and so we strive to live each  day  according to the will and plan of God who Himself has prepared a life of good words for us. He will judge our works those that are worthy and those unworthy and we will be rewarded accordingly. Faith keeps our hope alive for we believe in God's promises, the Covenant of love that He made. 

We believe because God Himself has sworn an oath and every word that comes from from the mouth of God is true thus our hope is firmly tethered to our faith in the love of God who revealed that love to us in You. Love came down to earth and Love became accessible and tangible because the Love of God, the Word of God, was given up for us in order that with Him we may enter into the Holy of Holies beyond the veil that once separated us from God.

Psalm 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10

My soul's beloved, every celebration of the Holy Eucharist is a coming together of all God's people to offer You, the Father and the Holy Spirit thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and worship that is fitting and acceptable because we offer the only Sacrifice that is acceptable to God. At every Eucharist God renews His Covenant of Love and so it will be until the end of time. There is nothing greater than this that the incarnate God who became like us now offers us Himself wholly and without reserve as our Food and Drink so we may become like You. No longer are we slaves. No longer are we bound to our evil desires, to our flesh, to the world and to the powers of darkness for You came to set us free and if You have set us free my soul's beloved, then we are truly free.  Worthy indeed are You to receive all glory, honor, and power always.

Mark 2:23-28

My soul's beloved, if we are hones with ourselves we can all admit to being like the Pharisees ready to nit pick and criticize when we do not understand something and we misinterpret and malign those whose true motives are not clear to us. 

You were walking with Your disciples when this incident took place. They were hungry and they were eating the grain as they walked through the field. All that Your detractors saw was that they were breaking the sabbath laws. They could see no further because their vision was so narrow. You then took them to Scripture and reminded them that the king they so revered, David, too went into the house of God and shared with his companions the bread that only the priests could eat. 

You are the eternal High Priest and You make available the true Bread that satisfies our hunger at its deepest level. You are the Living Bread and You share Yourself with us as our food which gives us strength for our journey. We enter with You into the sanctuary and there we sit and dine and are fed and satisfied for You are the Lord of Lords, King of Kings and Your authority is over all for You are the Son of Man and the Son of God.

Hebrews 5:1-10, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 2:18-22

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Heb 4:12

Hebrews 5:1-10, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 2:18-22

Hebrews 5:1-10

My soul's beloved, we see from the verses below that those who are called to serve You and Your people as priests are called by God and given their vocation. He is like us and so is able not only to identify with our weaknesses but to pray and intercede for us as well.  You too were sent by Your Father as the Eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek - that mysterious priest who appeared to Abraham. God sent You into the world, His Son, to become a Man like us but without sin. This was necessary because not only did He desire You to be Priest but also Victim and the Sacrifice offered in expiation for the sins of the whole world. Being clothed in flesh You know what it is to be tempted, You understand the weaknesses of the flesh, You can see how temptation from the world, flesh, and the devil have to battled constantly and because we are sinners we falter and often we fall. This is why You can make intercession for us with Your Father You understand our struggles.

Obedience to the will of the Father learned through suffering is what enable us to become perfect like You and when we grow in Your image and likeness we receive the salvation that You won for us through obedience and suffering.

Psalm 110:1-4

My soul's beloved, the Father has given us a High Priest who understands, has unfailing compassion, and loves us more tenderly than all the love of every mother and father that ever walked the earth or will walk the earth. He has placed You at His right hand and has given You a seat beside Him and from there You make intercession for us night and day.

Begotten of the Father eternally, to You has been given rule, authority, dominion, and power over all that is, was, and is to come. You are the Prince pf Peace and You have brought salvation to us all. You have won the victory from the jaws of death and are now victorious and triumphant over evil. The Father has assured eternal life in the Kingdom to all who believe in You and our worship, adoration, praise, and thanksgiving is offered to God through You who are our High Priest. You gather our prayers and petitions and offer them to the Father who receives all gladly through Your holy hands and every grace and blessing is made available to us through You.

Mark 2:18-22

My soul's beloved, we are reminded today that there is a time for everything. There is a time to fast and a time to refrain from fasting. We ought not to get bothered by criticism, there will always be people who will criticize and find fault. You are the eternal Bridegroom who is always with us. Yes, it is appropriate to fast at the appointed times but we are a redeemed people. We are people who are chosen to sit at the wedding banquet and feast on the finest wheat and honey and receive eternal life. The Bridegroom is always with us. We make a bridal chamber for You in our hearts  always available, always accessible  as Emmanuel. You came to show us the Way to the Father's house - it is they Way of Love not the way of the Law. Love always overcomes and triumphs. This is the New Wine of the New Covenant that we have received and we are victorious because You have won the victory for us. Thank You.

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6, Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10, 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, John 1:29-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him,
he gave power to become children of God.  JOhn 1: 14a, 12a


Isaiah 49:3, 5-6, Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10, 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, John 1:29-34

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6

My soul's beloved, You are God, the Son of God, and yet You are so humble. You consider Yourself a Servant of God because Your love Your Father and desire to do nothing but please Him. This is why when He sent You into the world made incarnate in the womb of Mary chosen to repeal the terrible wrong of original sin which separated Creator from created. Of all the nations Israel was chosen as the people of God from whom would come the Savior of the world to restore what disobedience had lost. The Father made You who are God from God and Light from Light, true God from true God to become the Light to the nations so that all may be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. What is the truth? That God loves us and He loves us to the end. 

Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10

My soul's beloved, to do the will of Your Father was food and drink to You. You desired nothing more than submitting, yielding to His will. We can never know the extent of Your anguish at being separated from Your Father and in obedience to His will leaving heaven to walk among us as one of us. Yet Your response as always been, "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.  You became the ultimate Sacrifice paying the price for our sins and iniquities. You became the holocaust for our sins because You were sinless and therefore Your life in exchange for ours was the only price acceptable for our redemption. 

We are called to learn from You who are meek and humble of heart. We must walk in humility, we must seek Your will in all things and we must be obedient always seeking to do what is right, good, and true rather than giving in to our own base instincts.

Thank You for bringing us justice before God. Thank You for revealing to us the extent of the Father's love. Thank You for showing us the way back to the Father's House.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

My soul's beloved, Paul reminds us that we who belong to the Church, which is Your Body, are sanctified in Your Blood and therefore we are called to be holy as God Himself is holy. We proclaim that You are our Lord, You are the Christ, the Anointed of the Father and because we are born again in You of water, Fire and the Holy Spirit, grace and peace is poured into our soul, our heart and our lives by the Father through You. We receive in abundance every good and perfect gift from God our Father  in and through You.

John 1:29-34

My soul's beloved, John the Baptist also teaches us humility. He teaches us to recognize the truth and to proclaim it. He teaches us not to claim for ourselves a glory that is not rightfully ours but which belongs to You alone. We are called to point out to You and proclaim that You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and that there is salvation in no other but in You. We must recognize our limitations,our unworthiness, and know that only You have the power to save us and to restore to us what was lost. In baptism You make us children of God and co-heirs with You to the Kingdom of God. John knew that You are God and existed eternally.

When You stood in line with sinners to be baptized by John, You identified with us sinners so we would not be afraid to approach You who are sinless. You shared in our baptism so we could share in Your Resurrection. We have John's that what he was told how he would know that You were sent by God. He would see the Spirit come down and remain on You and God the Father Himself would testify that You are indeed His Son in whom He was well pleased. 

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8, Mark 2:1-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A great prophet has arisen in our midst

and God has visited his people. Lk 7:17

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11, Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8, Mark 2:1-12

Hebrews 4:1-5, 11

My soul's beloved, we were created for You, for God, and for a life of eternal joy in Your Presence. But we lost what God had given us through disobedience and a disordered will. We were created for rest in the bosom of the Most High God and for a life of eternal joy in You. When our first parents lost our inheritance all was not lost for God our Father would not permit that His children be destroyed forever. 

However, not everyone believes, just as in the old day the people of God did not believe the prophets and those God sent to prepare them to receive You. Even today You are rejected by the world and those who believe in You are rejected as well for people prefer to live a life in the world rather than to be be a part from it.  The world is in turmoil, in conflict, gripped with violence and hate because we refuse to receive the One whom the Father sent and in whom alone is perfect peace and rest.  But for those who believe Beloved, those who strive in the way of truth and life, will be granted the fullness of joy in You.

Psalm 78:3-4, 6-8

My soul's beloved, keep me ever mindful of all that God has done to save us. He has done marvelous deeds in order to reveal His great love for us for while we were still sinners He sent You into the world to redeem us at the cost of Your Own life. This is the Good News of our salvation - this is the unspeakable, unfathomable, love of the Father who was prepared to give You up, send You into the world in poverty, as a little Baby, rejected even as You were born. The rejection continues to this day because those who have believed have failed to pass down the faith to their children and their children have grown up ignorant of the Father's love and God's supreme sacrifice.

Forgive us Lord for not being as ardent in living our faith and handing it down to future generation. Make up for our lack and from this day forth grant that our efforts will bear fruit that will last. May our children receive all that You desire to give and may they in turn hand it down to those who come after them faithfully from one generation to the next until You come again in glory.

Mark 2:1-12

My soul's beloved, the people had heard of You and they flocked to see You. They wanted to hear Your words, listen to Your teaching and the place was packed with no standing room even. Into this scenario the friends of the paralytic who have also heard of You and believe that You can heal him also arrive. But they cannot enter, they cannot squeeze the man through along with the pallet he is lying on. But they were determined that their friend be brought before You and receive healing.

These friends put us to shame. How willing am I Lord to have those whom I love, and who are in need of healing to face any hurdle in order to bring them to You? I am mostly indifferent and so are many who know You and have experience Your mercy, healing, forgiveness and compassion. We take it all for granted and keep our blessings hidden instead of shouting it from the rooftops so others too might flock to You. 

You forgave man's sins first which was imperative if he was to be completely healed and holier than thou and self-righteous among the crowd took offence but were too cowardly to speak openly, instead they grumbled within themselves. God who knows all things that we do in secret, was aware of their inner grumbling and He called them out in public. You are never afraid to point out the error of our thoughts or ways and correct us. You then demonstrated to the crowd that You were indeed God when after forgiving the man's sins You commanded him to get up, pick up his mat and walk and this he did before the crowd who were amazed. 

Grant us O Lord this same amazement at all the marvels You do for us and may we not shut up about them but shout out from the rooftops all the wonderful things that You have done for us and continue to do so all may rejoice and believe.

Hebrews 3:7-14, Psalm 95:6-11, Mark 1:40-45

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people. Mt. 4:23

Hebrews 3:7-14, Psalm 95:6-11, Mark 1:40-45


Hebrews 3:7-14

My soul's beloved, today You encourage me to be faithful and not to be taken up or to given into the deceit of lies. Not to grow hardened by sin. Habitual sin deadens the soul and kills the life of grace that is freely given to us. Keep me close to You and grant that I may only keep company with those who will help and encourage me on this pilgrim journey from life to eternity. You have purchased my soul at too great a price for it to be lost in the end. I will trust You to stay with me as You have promised.

Psalm 95:6-11

My soul's beloved, grant that I may never forget that You are God and my Creator who made me for a glorious purpose. I belong to You, I am Your sheep and I belong to Your flock whom You guide each day. Help me never to grow hard of heart through sin. Keep me ever attuned to the voice of Your Holy Spirit and do not test be beyond my strength to endure. Keep me faithful to the end never to be parted from You at last.

Mark 1:40-45

My soul's beloved, no matter how gravely I may sin grant that I may always return to You confident that in You I will always find pity, compassion, and tender mercy. You will grant me all my heart's desires. You will forgive me, wash me, cleanse me, and make me whole again. You will restore all that I had so wantonly lost through dissipation and weakness and You will counsel me and help me to walk once again in the light of Your Presence. Thank You for the Church, for its ministers, and for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Thank You for always desiring to heal me when I cry out to You for help. Like the leper grant me a passionate desire to tell everyone all that You have done for me and how You healed, saved and restored me and of the glorious destiny that awaits me because You love me and have claimed me for Yourself so others too may come to You and experience the same healing power of Your touch and be filled with Your love.

Hebrews 2:14-18, Psalm 1-5:1-9, Mark 1:29-39

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.

I know them, and they follow me. Jn:10:27

Hebrews 2:14-18, Psalm 1-5:1-9, Mark 1:29-39

Hebrews 2:14-18

My soul's beloved, You came into the world like one of us in all things save sin in order that You could destroy the works of darkness and sin and lead to death. You came into the world to take by the hand not angels but each one of us who is baptized into Your Body. Only those who believe that You have been sent by the Father in order to crush and dispel the works of darkness can be saved by You. You were sent into the world to redeem all mankind yet not all know You and therefore they cannot make that act of faith in You that will redeem them.  This then is my mission and my work to make You known and loved. To make known the price You paid to save us all from the terrible and deadly fate that awaited all in the hands of evil. Thank You for becoming the Sacrifice that was acceptable to the Father for the expiation of the sins of the world. You have saved us through all the suffering You bore for our sake therefore You are no stranger to it but You do understand our suffering.

Psalm 105:1-9

My soul's beloved, You are faithful and You will never forget the covenant You have made with us. Thank You for the confidence that we can have in You for You are true to Your Word that saves us. Thank You for the song of praise in our hearts, thank You for our knowledge of You. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us and for revealing to us the depths of the Father's love for us. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit and for power in the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness, who teaches and instructs us and gives us understanding and direction. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who enables us to praise and to prayer and for abiding in us and keeping us always united to the Father and to You through the unbreakable bond and Covenant of Love. 

Mark 1:29-39

My soul's beloved, see see in these verses what a typical day was like for You and this ought to be a typical day for us who are Your disciples and followers. You left the synagogue, the place of worship and came to the house of Your friends along with friends there You were made aware of the situation prevailing in the house. Peter's mother-in-law was sick. Wasting no time You went to her, grasped her hand and helped her to get up. It was no ordinary taking of the hand but a warm grasp of love and concern and we are told that the fever left her at once and she began to serve. We too must reach out warmly, with love, making known our affection and concern. We are called to intercede for each other.

After ministering to those within the house we are told that You ministered to the whole town until after sunset curing all their sick and setting free those who were under demonic possession. You would have been exhausted and it would have been only natural to then look to refresh Yourself with food, drink, and much needed rest. But we are told that You rose up very early before day and went to a secluded place to pray. In this way You tell us too of the importance of prayer. It has to under gird all we do if our work is to be effective. And another very important point to remember is not to rest on our laurels but go where we are needed. Not to wait for praise and thanks but to go about doing the work we are given always aware of our mission just as You were. Keep me focused Lord and never lose sight of how dependent I am on You always.

1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Mark 1:7-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Mk 9:6



1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Mark 1:7-11

1 John 5:5-13

My soul's beloved, we are assure that if we believe that You are the Son of God we have won victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  By virtue of our baptism we are given this free gift of faith that enable us to believe the testimony of the Father that You are His Son, the One You sent into the world to save and redeem us all and to give us eternal life. That life that is only given to those who believe that He sent You.

The Father, the Holy Spirit, Your obedience to the Father and Mary's fiat made it possible for God to take on flesh and become like one of us in all things save sin to show us how much God loves us. While we were yet sinners You came into the world to make known the Father's love and to to woo us back to Him.  

To all who believe has been given the power to become children of God and to inherit eternal life from You who alone has the power to give it. This is the will of God that all who believe in You receive eternal life. Thank You.

Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

My soul's beloved, as Christians we are privileged to be grafted into Your Body through the waters of Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Spirit. We have Your life flowing through us - eternal life. We are fed on the finest wheat and our mouths are filled with the sweetest wine when we receive Your Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist and You become our food which sustains us for the journey from this life to the next.

You put a song of praise on our lips and joy in our hearts for You have drawn us into fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit through You. How blessed we are to have received this awesome gift of faith and for the privilege of the children of our womb being born into it as well. There is no greater gift than this that we are called children of God and that we have an eternal destiny with You.

Mark 1:7-11

My soul's beloved, we have the testimony of John the Baptist of what took place that day when the Son of God came to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. There was an epiphany that day when God the Father proclaimed to the whole world that You are His Son and the Holy Spirit rested upon You and empowered You to take up Your mission of redeeming the world.

John did not suffer delusions of grandeur as men of importance do. He knew who he was and he knew what God desired of him. He did not make himself  greater than You because he knew that You were the Messiah sent by God and he too testified to it. All who flocked to him to be baptized were told that there was one greater than he who would baptize with water, with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 

In perfect humility and obedience the Sinless One stood among sinners, identifying with them when You submitted to baptism and the Father tore asunder the heaven and the Holy Spirit rested upon You as the Father's voice was heard as He proudly proclaimed and gave to us His poor, sinful, adopted children His own beloved Son  and commanded us to listen to You if we are to have a share in Your inheritance. The Father will be well pleased with us too if we always listen to You.

1 John 3:11-21, Psalm 100:1-5, John 1:43-51

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.


1 John 3:11-21, Psalm 100:1-5, John 1:43-51

1 John 3:11-21

My soul's beloved, the world hates those who are good because it holds up a mirror to their own evil this is why the holy men and prophets were persecuted and killed in the past. And today You are hated as murderously and as viciously as You were when You came into the world. The Evil One who knows that You are victorious intends to take as many to hell before You come again. We continue to slaughter the innocent just as You the Innocent was slaughtered. We rip babies from the womb as we dismember them; can there be a greater horror than this? Is it any wonder that violence is rife in our world? We continue to slaughter our brothers and sisters because we have not loved. Those who love are hated by those who have never experienced it. 

We too would never have known love had Love incarnate not come down into the world. You showed us how to love, how to lay down our lives for one another just as You did. You taught us to show compassion, tenderness, and mercy to the weakest, the sinner, the outcast, the forgotten. We are children of God - You have made us His children. We are now people of the Light and people of the Truth grant us the grace to continue to walk in the Light and fill us with Your Holy Spirit and with grace so we persevere to the end.

Psalm 100:1-5,

My soul's beloved, if all the did cry out to God with joy then it would hasten Your coming to us in glory. But we are sinners and we continue to wallow in the mire of sin. Grant O Lord that Your faithful remnant double their songs of joyful praise to make up for those who don't. We know You. We know You are God. We know that You created us and that we have been claimed by You and marked for glory. Grant that we may not keep the Good News to ourselves but share it generously with everyone we encounter each day so all may come to know and love You as well.  Thank You for gathering us together as a family to offer to the Father the Sacrifice most pleasing to Him and will fills the earth with the abundance of His blessings because of it. Thank You for the Eucharist that most sublime of all gifts that keeps us alive and enables us to strive to be good despite our weaknesses. May we at least make You know to our children so that the generations that follow will continue to sing of Your goodness, mercy and love.

John 1:43-51

My soul's beloved, once again we see that it is You who decides, it is You who seeks and finds and it is You who issues the invitation to everyone, "Follow Me." It is a short, concise invitation but those who accept it will find eternal happiness. Philip is a model for us as well. No sooner did he accept Your invitation to follow You, he could not contain his excitement and wanted Nathanael to follow You too. He shared his discovery of finding You and told his friend all about You. Nathanael was skeptical but to please his friend he came along to meet You. Are we like Philip? Are we excited about bringing others to You those nearest and closest to us so they too can have what we've been given? Not really my Lord. We are not excited we are complacent. We do not see because our eyes are dull and so are our ears. We are too caught up with earthly things and are unable to see or comprehend the wonders of heavenly things. But to those who do You give them this wonderful assurance, "Believe, and you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."