Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-9

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.

Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-9


Isaiah 55:10-11

Dear Love,

You are the Eternal Word of the Living God. You came down from heaven to reveal to us the love of the Father and to empower us with Your Holy Spirit. Unless God provides the means by which we can bear fruit all our efforts to please Him will be futile. You are the Sower and the Seed is Your Word, if Your Word finds a home in a receptive heart then it will certainly bear lasting fruit. However, we are sinners and I more often than out give in to self indulgence. I am too lazy to make the effort to work and serve. I choose the way that is easy and find excuses not to do the things I ought. 

Help me Beloved, that having received the Word of God it may find a willing and receptive heart so it can put down roots and bear fruit a hundred fold.

Psalm 65:10-14

Dear Love,

I have no excuses for not living a life that is pleasing to You and to the Father. You have made every provision for me. You have laid down Your life for me. You have shown me the way to the Father's house. You have given me Your own Holy Spirit. I have the Sacraments through which I receive rich graces to overcome my natural concupiscence to sin and to choose the narrow way which is the way of salvation.

Yet, Beloved, I am too weak to do choose what is necessary to grow in faith and life. I would rather give in to sloth and laziness than make the effort that is necessary and will myself to do what I know I must. Help me Lord I beg You.

Romans 8:18-23

Dear Love,

How well St. Paul understands by sinful condition. I desire to be all that You wish me to be but this poor creature is weighed down by my own flesh and its natural tendency to a life of ease.

I desire to receive all that You so gladly are ready to give me but I am not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices required. You have set me free but I still have to throw away the shackles that hamper and limit me from soaring with the Holy Spirit.

Help me Beloved for without You literally picking me up and doing it all for me I am not sure I can do more than just desire all that You have won for me on the Cross.

Matthew 13:1-9


On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. 
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore. 
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
"A sower went out to sow. 
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up. 
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. 
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots. 
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. 
But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. 
Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40, Matthew 10:16-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you to all truth
and remind you of all I told you. Jn 16:34, 14:26

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30, Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40, Matthew 10:16-23 


Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30

Dear Love,

Scripture reveals that God is always faithful to His promises. We sin often and greviously but You are always, always able to draw good no matter how terrible our mistakes. All we need to do is trust You and to keep faith. The response to Your call of all the great stalwarts in faith through sacred history and to the present age has always been, "Here I am." May it be mine as well my Soul's Beloved.

You always say, "Do not be afraid." Fear cripples and renders us unable to move and can destroy us. This is why You always tell us not to fear anything or anyone for You my Lord are with us. You are called Emmanuel - God with us. Help me to remember this always especially when I get anxious. You have made a promise just as You did to Abraham and to his descendants that You will be with me and with those that come after me. I believe. 

We can live and die in peace for we know that You have triumphed over death. You are the gate through which we enter from this vale of tears to the the Kingdom of Heaven. I shall not die but live forever.

Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40

Dear Love,

We have our mandate from You. We have been called from darkness to walk in the Way of Life, Light, and Truth. We must spend our days doing the things that are pleasing to You and we will find a place of refuge in You and we will be fed on food that strengthens us in our journey.

You know our secret desires and You will grant them for nothing delights You more than to give us all we ask especially when we ask for that which will help us to always choose the way of peace and goodness. You have pitched Your tent among us because You desire to make Your home with us. The Father has entrusted us to You for You have redeemed us. Because we belong to You we need never be afraid even when danger is all around us. Thank You Beloved for accepting me as Your own.

Matthew 10:16-23 

Dear Love,

The Apostles were given their mission directly from You and they have handed it down faithfully to the present day, and so it shall be until You come again in glory to claim Your inheritance.

The words You spoke to them are meant for all Your disciples. We live in a world that is getting increasingly hostile to those who are called by Your Name. We are to be prepared for battle. We ought not to be deceived but alert and aware of the cunning and wiliness of the enemy. We must be prepared to suffer even to lose our lives for Your Sake and for the sake of the Gospel. It is better to lose one's life than to lose one's soul.

We can trust You and Your Holy Spirit to come to our aid when the enemy condemns and accuses us. We need not prepare our defense for the Paraclete will enlighten us and give us the words we need. Even when our own abandon us we must not be surprised for You have already revealed what we can expect. The harvest is indeed vast and we are called to labor faithfully in it until You return. Thank You for calling us and for the privilege of serving You. Keep us faithful always.

Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5, Psalm 105:16-21, Matthew 10:7-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel. Mk 1:15

Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5, Psalm 105:16-21, Matthew 10:7-15


Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5

Dear Love,

Through all the troubles that beset us in life no matter how great or how distressing; You desire that we respond as Joseph did. He could have been vengeful and malicious and he would be excused if he did harm to those who had harmed him so greviously. But he could see that his brothers repented of the terrible wrong they had done him and how they dreaded in bringing further grief to their father if the next favored son after himself was also lost to him.

Joseph was magnanimous in forgiving his brothers and his joy in seeing them again was so great that he them with heaped gifts and desired to have his father and brothers come to him and stay with him. When You forgive us You too restore all that we had lost and give us even more than we had before.

Like Joseph may we not withhold our forgiveness from those who have wronged us when they approach us in repentance; no matter how great the wrong. May we like Joseph heap blessings over those who having sinned against us  now beg for our mercy and pardon; bearing in mind how much You have forgiven us and how great is the mercy You have shown us.

Psalm 105:16-21

Dear Love,

Joseph was a man chosen by God to teach us that those who belong to You will be kept safe. Even if we have to suffer for a while vindication will come. If we accept our trials patiently and continue to keep faith no matter how hard it may be, in the end, we will triumph for You will never forsake those who truly trust You in all circumstances. 

Sometimes troubles seem to crush and overwhelm us in those time we are called to keep our faith and hope in You alive because You are God and You are true to Your promises. All You have done for us in the past must encourage us to remember that You are the same yesterday, today and forever and You will reward greatly those who remain faithful to the end.

Matthew 10:7-15

Dear Love,

When You sent the Apostles out for the first time You gave them a clear mandate, they were to make a proclamation that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. They were then given the power to demonstrate that their proclamation was indeed from God by the works of God that they performed just as You, the Son of God had done. They were to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.  And unlike the televangelists we have to day who live a life of pomp and plenty through extortion couched in pious words, they were to give without cost what they had received without cost. They were to make no provision for the journey trusting that God would provide all they needed.

They were to trust in the hospitality of those would give them a place to stay - if they were received kindly that household would be blessed abundantly, if they were rejected then the blessings would be withdrawn. This is why we must always welcome Your servants, Your priests with glad and generous hearts providing for all their needs according to their requirements in welcoming them we welcome You. 

Your message of salvation is clear and we must give it just as we received it so all who hear may believe. Those who reject it for whatever reason, do so at their own peril.

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24, Psalm 33: 2-3, 10-11, 18-19, Matthew 10:1-7

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.Mk 1:15


Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24, Psalm 33: 2-3, 10-11, 18-19, Matthew 10:1-7

Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24

Dear Love,

When we look at Joseph whom his brothers betrayed but who was destined to be used by God in way that no one could ever imagine least of all his brothers. We see how God has the power to draw good out of every situation in our lives no matter how terrible it may seem.

When we come to God hungry like the people of Egypt and the whole world during the time of famine did, He directs us to come to You, His Son, and echoing the words of Your Mother at the wedding feast at Cana, He tells us, "Do whatever He tells you." We the baptized and the members of Your mystical Body the Church, as well as people of all faiths will come before You, prostrate before You and pay homage to You for You are the Eternal Word, the only Son of the Living God.  Your identity may be concealed to some but nevertheless Your mercy is granted to all whether they know You or not.

There is always punishment for sin, atonement must be made, Joseph paid the price for his brother's jealousy and envy of him, he was given up as lost to his father forever, and yet here he was, and would be the means by which all of them would be saved from certain death. Sin has consequences, grave sin has grave consequences but true repentance will always find that God is full of mercy and tender compassion, slow to anger and ready to forgive. Just as Joseph's brothers discovered. 

Thank You Father for Jesus Your beloved Son.  Thank You Beloved of my soul for all You have done for me and for saving me. Thank You Holy Spirit for grace that enables me to live as God in Christ has called me to live.

Psalm 33: 2-3, 10-11, 18-19

Dear Love,

Our whole lives should give You thanksgiving and praise for You are a great God and worthy of all praise. Thank You for giving us life and for Your breath that keeps us alive. Thank You for protecting us from the wiles of the enemy and for guarding us by appointing angels to be with us always. Thank You for bringing to naught the plans of the enemy and for breaking the bonds that enslaved us to our flesh, to the world, and the wiles of the devil. Thank You for Your loving assurance that Your eyes are always on those who trust in You and lean on You for support. Thank You for feeding our hungry hearts with Your Body and for quenching our thirst with Your Blood without which we would surely die.

Matthew 10:1-7

Dear Love,

The world knows the names of the Twelve disciples whom You called and gave authority over unclean spirits and to cure every disease and illness. But You know our names, they are carved on the palms of Your hands and we too have been given the same mission as the Twelve. If we are faithful to the mission given to us to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand, then our names will also be written in the Book of Life. You came to call sinners to repentance - thank You for calling me, a sinner, from darkness to light and life in You.

Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15, Matthew 9:18-26

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15, Matthew 9:18-26 


Genesis 28:10-22

Dear Love,

Jacob came upon a shrine and taking one of its stones lay his head on it and sleep. You are the Cornerstone on which You have built Your Church - we lay our head on You and in You we find our rest. You are the gateway to heaven, around You angels throng. In You every promised made by God our Father is fulfilled beginning with Abraham. You are the God who  provides all our needs and satisfies every longing. You assure us of blessings not only to us but to the generations that will follow and until the end of time. You assure us that wherever we go we shall find Your blessing for You will be with us, You will protect us wherever we are, You will provide for us and You give us Your solemn promises that You will never leave us.

How awesome is Your Church - truly this is where You make Your home and here You dwell in Your fullness in the Eucharist, on our altars and in our tabernacles everywhere. Here we celebrate the Memorial of Your Love, Your awesome Sacrifice that opened the gates to heaven and made of Yourself a stairway to God. Thank You for abiding with us, among us, and in us.

Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15

Dear Love,

In You I have placed all my hope and my trust. I dwell in Your Sacred Heart, I shelter under Your wings. I abide in Your shadow. You are my refuge, my fortress, my strength, You are my God and my all. I thank You for being with me and for not abandoning me during the times when like the prodigal son I had wandered far away from the voice of wisdom. Thank You for rescuing me from my own stupidity. Thank You for setting me free from the traps set to snare me. Thank You for making a place of refuge for me in Yourself.

My soul clings to You and You will deliver me because I am Yours. I believe in all Your promises. I acknowledge that You are my Lord and my God and that there is no Name but Your Name that has power to save. I will call Your Name in times of distress and You will save me always. Thank You.

Matthew 9:18-26

Dear Love,

Jairus, a Jewish official knelt before You acknowledging You as Lord and God begged You to raise his dead daughter to life. Who but God has such authority? Not only did he ask You to restore her life but he was confident that all You needed to do was lay Your hand on her and she would receive life again. He believed that the power of God was Yours to command. 

Just as this drama was unfolding, we have another being enacted but in silence, hidden, cloaked - the woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years wanted to quietly touch the tassel on Your cloak certain that if she just touch it she would be cured. Two incidents of great faith are narrated in today's Gospel reading.

Both the father and the woman had their faith in You amply rewarded. To the woman who lived with shame all her adult life You said, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you." And instantly she was cured.

To those who were mourning the dead girl You said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping." You cleared the crowds because they did not believe. Once again the Gospel writer Matthew does not record any words all he says was that You took the girl by the hand and she arose. 

My Beloved, grant me an increase of faith every day for as long as I live. Grant me the grace to exercise my faith just as Jairus and the woman suffering from bleeding did. Thank You.

Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14, Romans 8:9, 11-13, Matthew 11:25-30

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


Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14, 
Romans 8:9, 11-13, Matthew 11:25-30


Zechariah 9:9-10

Dear Love,

We were created for joy, for gladness, for God. You show us how we can be pleasing to God. Perfect humility and total obedience to the Father who is love and who cannot but love us just as extravagantly as He loves You.

The reward for Your obedience is complete and eternal Lordship over all that is in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Things both seen and unseen are subject to Your rule. You saved us from eternal damnation and now the Father desires that we too become co-heirs with You to His Kingdom. 

Thank You Beloved, thank You Father, thank You Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

Dear Love,

There is no God but You O Lord, who are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three in One and One in Three. We bow before this unfathomable mystery and we worship and adore You. We will praise Your Name for as long as we draw breath on earth and shall continue to do so in eternity.

Thank You for not punishing me as I deserve but for showing such mercy and compassion and for forgiving me. Thank You for not remembering my sins and my past offences. Thank You for forgiveness of sin in Reconciliation and for graces received to assist me to sin no more.

Thank You for being true to Your Word and for being faithful to all Your promises. Thank You for lifting me up every time I fall and for Your consolation when I am in sorrow. Truly You are great and worthy of praise.

Romans 8:9, 11-13

Dear Love,

We were created for life not death. This is why Beloved when we were condemned to death by the sin of our first parents the Father sent You as our Savior so He could be faithful to who He is - the God of life and love.

No longer are we to be ruled by sin and by our flesh which is so weak rather, we have received Your Spirit and through the power of Your Spirit we can say no to sin and yes to life in all its fullness.

Thank You for the Sacrament through which we receive grace upon grace to live life as You meant us to live it. In union with God and with one another.

Matthew 11:25-30

Dear Love,

Without true humility it is impossible to understand that things of God. Only those with a childlike spirit can comprehend eternal mysteries - mysteries that are impossible for the intellect alone to wrap itself around. God is a God of contradiction, of paradox, and of mystery. The worldly wise and the learned in the things of the world find heavenly truths absurd and nonsensical but to those who have a childlike heart, and spirit is given the wisdom of God to believe the mysteries of divine truths.

Only You know the Father and the Father knows You but we are blessed because You have the authority to reveal the Father to whoever You choose to reveal Him. And You have revealed Him to us.

Beloved, today You invite us to a deeper and more authentic relationship with You as You say:

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves. 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29, Psalm 135:1-6, Matthew 9:14-17

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


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

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29, Psalm 135:1-6, Matthew 9:14-17

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29

Dear Love,

It certainly seems abominable how Rebekah cheated her older son of the special blessing that his father Isaac desired to give him. She took advantage of his blindness and his old age to deceive him and ensure that the blessing was given to her favorite son Jacob. She lacked trust in God's promises that the younger would rule the older. God did not need her deception in order to fulfill His promises to Jacob. Rebekah wronged her older son and Jacob too became party to this sinful act which would have bitter consequences for him as well as for his mother.

No matter how well-intentioned the mother was she stole what was rightfully Esau's and in doing so she wronged both her children by creating division between them. 

Sin is sin no matter and no matter how well intentioned are reasons may be it is still sin and can never be justified before You.

Psalm 135:1-6

Dear Love,

Praise is the language of the people of God. We are called to praise You in all circumstances. We are called to begin the day with praise, sustain it through the hours and when we lie on our beds at its close we are to praise You again for You are worthy.

All my words, my thoughts and my actions must witness to Your goodness and just as all that is in heaven and on earth gives You the glory, and the honor, so must I with every breath I breathe praise You and acknowledge that You are my Lord and my God and that there is no one like You.

Matthew 9:14-17

Dear Love,

You, our God, had come to earth and God now lived among His people. You lived especially close to the ones You had chosen the 12 as well as the other disciples who decided to follow. Three short years of living in communion with the Son of God made Man - this was a time of joy such as the joy known at a wedding feast.  

Those on the outside were critical of the obvious sense of celebration among those who lived with You for there was no greater happiness than this - to live in Your Presence. You wanted them to have these three short years that they would look back on and which would sustain them during the long years ahead of them after You having fulfilling Your mission returned to the place from where You had come, heaven. 

This was a hallowed time, a time of grace which would help them during the times of hardship, persecution, suffering, and all the other horrors that awaited them for being Your disciples and Your witnesses even to the ends of the earth.  The Bridegroom was indeed with them with a new message of love that did not fit in with the old one that taught an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. A message that taught that we are all brothers and sisters and children of the God and so we must love one another just as You love us.

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67, Psalm 106:1-5, Matthew 9:9-13

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Mt. 11:28


Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67, Psalm 106:1-5, Matthew 9:9-13

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

Dear Love,

All Your promises are everlasting as we see throughout salvation history. What was true then is true today and will continue to be true until You come again in glory. You made provision for Isaac. You ensured that he found a suitable helpmate to console and help him. To be his own. One who would be for him a comfort in the time of sadness and loss. 

You will always be with me because belong to You and You will ensure that no matter what difficulties I may have to face in life You will be right there with me carrying my burdens with me for You are yoked to me. Thank You Beloved. 

Psalm 106:1-5

Dear Love,

We are called to be a people of praise and thanksgiving for You have been so very good to us. You are merciful, kind, tenderhearted, full of compassion, slow to anger and ready to forgive the contrite of heart. Lord, if we begin to count Your blessings there will be no end for You have been infinitely gracious to me from the moment I was conceived.

Continue to fill me with Your love and Your Holy Spirit so I may sing songs of gladness and praise to You all my days.

Matthew 9:9-13

Dear Love,

God does nothing by chance. You passed the customs post for the explicit reason of calling Matthew and inviting him to become a part of the chosen 12. Matthew as a man deeply despised by his own people as a traitor and he was despised by those who had employed him the Romans. He would have heard of You, the miracles You had performed, Your extraordinary teachings which stirred the hearts of those who heard You and he would have felt even more alienated, more alone. 

You not only passed his way as he was employed doing exactly that which made him despicable among his people, but You stopped, looked at him in a way that no one had ever looked at him before, You saw his heart, and You said just two words that were to change his life forever, "Follow me." The words of the Gospel tell us that he got up and followed You. 

It was as simple as that. His whole life had turned around simply because You cared enough to make him feel worthy of respect. In the Bible joy is always expressed by a meal. Matthew invited You and Your disciples to dine with him he also invited tax collectors and Pharisees. The Pharisees complained that You singled out sinners and You responded with the words that it would all of us well to remember, 

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Thank You Beloved for Your assurance that You came for sinners like me. Keep me humble and always aware to show mercy just as mercy has been shown to me.

Genesis 21:5, 8-20, Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13, Matthew 8:28-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Jas 1:18


Genesis 21:5, 8-20, Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13, Matthew 8:28-34

Genesis 21:5, 8-20

Dear Love,

We can trust You, we can trust the Father to look after us in all the circumstances of our life. Even if people plot against us You have the power to draw only good for the suffering and the persecution. All we need to do is trust You and be at peace. Poor Hagar, it was Sarah who persuaded Abraham to sleep with her and so have a child with her. She thought God needed her assistance in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, all she succeeded in doing is thwarting the will of the Father, and causing suffering to Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael.

God does not need our help to fulfill His promises unless of course He specifically invites us to collaborate with Him. God always hears the cries of the innocent as He heard the baby  Ishmael's cry. God opens our eyes to see His bounty and goodness. It is God who refreshes us and strengthens us and helps us to move on and complete the mission He has entrusted to us.

Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13

Dear Love,

You hear every sigh, every cry that is made by those that are poor, marginalized, forgotten, thrust aside and hidden from view. The sick, the disabled, the weak, those feeble in mind, body, and spirit and have little or nothing of the most basic needs to live. To these You offer hope and encouragement. You give Your assurance that though the world may have forgotten them, they are still under God's steady gaze. His ear is attuned to their voice, His hand is outstretched to grant them all that they need. The psalmist assures us that You will deny no good thing to those who are poor, hungry and have nothing. It is You who delivers us from the hands of our oppressors and we need never grow fainthearted for You are with us always.

Matthew 8:28-34

Dear Love,

An entire town came out to beg You to leave their district after they heard about the miracle You had just performed. The two men who had been possessed of demons and lived among the tombs and had thus far terrorized them were restored to perfect health. Instead of rejoicing that they were healed they were more concerned with the herd of pigs that was destroyed. 

They were focused on the things below and so they missed the opportunity to welcome God in their midst.

Before we get too judgmental about them, I am sure that we too missed many opportunities ourselves to encounter You being too preoccupied with our fears and anxieties we failed to recognize and welcome You and instead insisted that You leave because we were unaware that God Himself had come to us.

Genesis 19:15-29, Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12, Matthew 8:23-27

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word. Ps 130:5

Genesis 19:15-29, Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12, Matthew 8:23-27


Genesis 19:15-29

Dear Love,

Your promises are eternal. The Covenant You made with Abraham and to His descendants covered also his kinsman at the time. His nephew Lot and Lot's family. God saved them because of Abraham for God is ever mindful of His Word and faithful to it. Similarly, Your Covenant of Love covers me and my family and extends down the ages to the thousandth generation. Grant us the grace to do our part in making You known and loved wherever we go. To speak of Your kindness and saving love that gives us a future filled with hope. 

Thank You for sending angels when we need them and for strengthening us through their presence and for saving us through their intervention. Truly You are great and worthy of praise now and always.

Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12

Dear Love,

If my foot is on level ground it is because You have leveled the hills and the mountain tops in my life so I can walk with confidence in the Way that You direct me. The Way that leads to life in its fullness.

Thank You for coming to me morning after morning and for filling my life with the sweetness of Your Presence. Thank You for showing me mercy even though I am so undeserving. Thank You for showing Me the Way, for revealing the Truth and for filling me with Your Life. Direct my footsteps so I do not go follow the path that leads to death. Keep me safe for Yourself and for Your Kingdom.

Matthew 8:23-27

Dear Love,

I have read this passage several time, I have heard it being read, and I have heard so many homilies based on this incident. The boat was caught in a violent storm and You were asleep while the terrified disciples were certain their end was near. Instead of taking their cue from You who slept peacefully in the boat despite it being buffeted about with the winds and the waves. You trusted the Father would keep You safe from the elements. The elements themselves would not dare to engulf You who was their Master. The disciples ought to have known by now that You were Lord and if they had faith they would have let You continue to sleep until the storm died down naturally and they could come to peacefully to shore.

It isn't easy though Beloved. We say we trust You, we have faith in You and Your word, but just like these disciples, when it comes to the testing of our faith we allow ourselves to get petrified, anxious, fearful, and all our good intentions go flying out the window. It is precisely in moments such as these we must be aware that You are present in the very center of our being and that nothing can assail us as long as You are Lord and Master of our lives.


https://bridegroomofmysoul.blogspot.com/2009/08/tossing-in-wind.html
TOSSING IN THE WIND - Jesus Asleep in the Boat

https://bridegroomofmysoul.blogspot.com/2009/04/so-what.html
SO WHAT!!!!

Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 117:1-2, John 20:24-29

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe! Jn 20:29


Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 117:1-2, John 20:24-29

Ephesians 2:19-22

Dear Love,

What we will be once the Kingdom of heaven has been established we do not know for our mortal beings cannot truly comprehend what God has prepared for us in the eternal. But this we are assured that we a brothers and sisters. We are a family. We are members of the household of God because in baptism we are grafted to You. As the cornerstone of the foundation we are all being built int a sacred temple and in this temple the Spirit of God resides with You as the Head. Together, we are a living, breathing, worshiping, exultant people who are one in You and by the power of the Spirit we are made one in the Father through You. 

Psalm 117:1-2

Dear Love,

How can we not but be a people on fire with the love of God for all that He has done for us through You. We are given a mission, just like the Apostles, to go out into the world and tell everyone how we have been saved by You and how because of You we shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thank You Beloved for Your love and Your steadfast kindness to me. Thank You for Your love that never fails. Thank You for Your faithfulness that endures forever.

John 20:24-29

Dear Love,

The Apostles were privileged to know You personally and yet when the time came they all fled forgetting all that You had foretold about rising again on the third day. Fear had them trapped behind closed doors but in Your risen Body You are now able to walk freely through all barriers. You came to the disciples and after a moment of hesitation they believed it was truly You. Thomas who was not present at the time refused to take their word that You had risen from the dead and said he needed to actually touch the wounds physically in order to believe. 

Once again, while Thomas was with them You entered the room through the closed door and invited Thomas to touch each of Your wound and to doubt no more but believe. In an instant he as prostrate before You as he cried out, "My Lord and my God!"  You then said to him and through the preaching of the Gospels we know that this was said to us as well, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Thank You for the privilege of being numbered among those who have not seen yet believe through the testimony, the witness, the  preaching and teaching of the Apostles, the disciples, all the holy martyrs, the Church, and all who have played a part in making the Good News of our salvation known to us. Thank You for You assurance that we are blessed.

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16, Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19, Romans 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation;
announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light. 1 Pet 2:9

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16, Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19, 
Romans 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42


2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16

Dear Love,

We are all called to be of service especially to those whom You have called from out of the world to be Your ministers.  We are called to be generous in our affection and support of them and offer them whatever help they require. Above we are called to support them with our prayers. They must be able to count on our friendship and whenever they make known to us their needs we are required to offer all we can so we can in some small measure ease the heavy burden they carry. So it was with the woman who offered hospitality to Elisha each time he came to the region where she lived.

God blesses abundantly all who share what He has given them especially with those who serve Him by ministering to His people in the Church. The lady was childless and Elisha who was truly a man of God, was able to assure her that she would conceive a son.  God will always bless us with His best blessings if we allow ourselves to be used by Him just as He wishes.

Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19

Dear Love,

Your people rejoice because of the Covenant of love You have established with them. It is an everlasting Covenant which assures us that we are Your people and You are our God who delights in giving us all we need to enable us fulfill the purpose for which we were created.  Your love is our light, our guide, and our help. We are made strong and confident ready to do all You command because we belong to You - we are Your people, the sheep of Your flock who know Your voice and listen. You have raised us up, You have given us Your Name, You dwell among us and in us and we shall praise You, bless You, honor You and worship You as our only God, our only King, our only Savior, Redeemer, Messiah and Lord.

Romans 6:3-4, 8-11

Dear Love,

We are baptized into Your Body and we are now its members. You shared in our death in order that we may be raised to new life in You. Each one of us is a new creation and to us has been given the gift of life in the Holy Spirit who lives in us and is our Paraclete, our Friend, our Helper and our Guide. 

I desire to hand over to the Holy Spirit irrevocably the reins of my life and I ask that He take control of it in every respect. No longer do I wish to follow my own inclinations and desires but I want to be commanded by Him and I ask for the grace to obey Him in all things without reserve.  I want to live in You Beloved and in order to do so I must put to death all that is unworthy of a child of God. Help me Beloved. Stay with me. Remain in me.

Matthew 10:37-42

Dear Love,

It is clear that we are called to love God above all, before all and most of all. If we fail in this commandment to put the love of God before all other loves, then we can be certain that nothing we do will prosper. Our mission is clear. Each day we are called to pick up our daily crosses, our troubles, the things that steal our peace, and follow You only then will be find the joy and peace that passes understanding. 

We are called to be docile under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are called to live a life for others. The world preaches a gospel of self; self love, self glorification, self will but true love is always directed away from self and towards God and neighbor.

Teach me always to be sensitive to the needs of those whom You have appointed in the Church as our shepherds. Grant that I may be always ready to serve them no matter how slight the task. Grant that I may be able to ease their burden in ways that perhaps no one will ever notice but which does make a difference in the work they are called to do. 

Keep me humble, keep me awake, keep me alert and active in Your service for love of You.

Genesis 18:1-15, Luke 1:46-50 & 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Genesis 18:1-15, Luke 1:46-50 & 53-55, Matthew 8:5-17

Genesis 18:1-15

Dear Love,

There is much we learn in today's first reading. We are called to welcome the stranger, offer hospitality, and give only the best we have. We are called to give generously and gladly without counting the cost only such giving carries with it a reward from God for Your Word says that You love a generous giver. You accept every act of charity as done to Yourself.

Once the men of God had eaten it was time to grant Abraham and Sarah what God had promised, a son. They had waited long years for the fulfillment of this promise and now they were both old, and Sarah was long past her child bearing years.  But we see that with God nothing is impossible. Sarah laughed, to her the prophecy was hilarious and ridiculous for humanly speaking what they said was beyond the realm of  reality. When the men of God asked why she had laughed, she lied and said he didn't, but they were assured that she would indeed bear a son at the same time the following year.