Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18-2-7, John 10:31-42

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life. Jn 6:63, 68


Jeremiah 20:10-13, Psalm 18-2-7, John 10:31-42

Jeremiah 20:10-13

My soul's beloved, there are people in the Old Testament who were chosen for terrible agony and suffering because they were chose by God to make known the wicked ways of the rich, the powerful, the rulers so they could turn away from sin and return to God. However more often than not it had the reverse effect, they were hated so much they were hounded, persecuted, threats were made against their lives, plots were hatched, and they became fugitives  and sometime they were tortured and put to death. They had no way of knowing that all they suffered would pale in comparison to what You were made to undergo and that all their prophecies concerning One who was to come would find their fulfillment in You. Now, however it all makes perfect sense as Your life shines a powerful light on them and all that God was doing is revealed in the light of the Gospels.

In the first reading from Jeremiah today all that he had written about his suffering can be attributed to You for this is how You too were hounded and persecuted and finally put to death. A necessary death so that the God of Life may grant us who were doomed to die to rise up to new life in You.

Help me never to complain if I am privileged to suffer but grant me the grace to be aware that redemptive suffering continues to make up what is lacking in Your suffering - by granting me the honor of having a share in the ultimate Sacrifice made for me and for the whole world.

Psalm 18-2-7

My soul's beloved, sin is a terrible thing and grave sin brings with it death and total banishment from You. Were it not for You Lord, God, Savior, Deliverer, Rock, Fortress, Refuge we would be fodder for the Enemy. But God so loved the world, and You so loved the Father that You came into the world to become the new Adam and take upon Yourself the punishment that was ours for the wages of sin is death.

Now Beloved, when we find our foot slipping all we need do is call upon Your Name, the Name of One who Saves, Jesus, and You instantly reach out to us and save us. You defend and protect us from the snares of the devil. You throw around us a mighty, impenetrable shield of grace and the enemy cannot breach its walls. You Body and Your Blood provides nourishment and strength so we can fight temptation. Thank You Lord for taking my place on the cross and becoming the Victim and the Holocaust of Sacrifice that takes away my sins and the sins of the whole world. 

John 10:31-42

My most beloved Jesus, my soul's beloved, we balk when the good are called to suffer, when Christians are stoned to death even in our day and age. Christians are hated and Christianity is looked upon with fear and suspicion and there are entire nations that ban public or private worship and practice of our Christian faith. Today's Gospel tells us the Jews hated You so much they picked up rocks to stone You to death and this was not the first time that their hatred prompted them to react so viciously to Your teaching.  There is absolutely no doubt that You were seen as a threat to their way of life and to the status quo and it is no different today as well. Real Christians continue to be seen as a threat for they will not back down from speaking the truth.

You pleaded Your cause before Your tormentors and accusers and  cited Sacred Scripture to support Your claims of who You were but nothing will deter those who have chosen the path of evil to change their course. They are so blinded by their own evil, so hardened of heart, that they refuse to believe the Truth even though it shone so brilliantly before them. The Father of Lies is murderer and a marauder and those who have given themselves up to him will not rest until they bring their evil plans to fruition. You did not back down from the truth even though it would bring You the hour of death and of the Crucifixion for this is why You came into the world. This is why we now will enter into the Passion Week leading up to the heart of what we believe, the core truths of our faith, that we are saved through Your death and we receive eternal life through Your glorious Resurrection. 

Death did not have the last word, it never has, it never will.