2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

HOLY MASS READINGS

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word. Lk 1:38

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38


2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Oftentimes we have great ideas, good ideas, and yet they may not be what You desire. Today You remind us that all we have comes from You. What can I give You Beloved that is not Yours already? All I have are my sins, my weaknesses, my shortcomings, my faults, my many failings. These are my own and these I offer You that You may take them and in return give me Your goodness, Your kindness, Your gentleness, that I may reflect You in all I say, do, and think.

Thank You for Your promises to Your  people O Lord. Those whom You have saved at so great a price. Those who belong to You are assured of a being rooted in You so that Your life may flow through us. Just as You spoke through the prophet Nathan You have destroyed the Enemy. Satan is crushed and death has lost its sting.  Hope is born in us because of You.

Your Church will stand forever and no power will overcome it for it has You for its Head. You are the Bridegroom. You will protect her and preserve her for You have triumphed and You have won for us a victory that is eternal.

Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We have a song of triumph and victory on our lips. Yes, the world is an evil place and evil people abound in it but we know that You have overcome the world and in the end Your rule over the powers of evil and darkness will reign over all.

You have given to us all that precious gift of free will because You love us and You desire that we return that love freely, gladly, completely; the choice is ours to make. And when we make the choice to love You as You ought to be loved then Your light in the world grows brighter. 

The day will dawn Beloved when all will come to the knowledge of truth and all will freely choose to bend the knee before You in love, worship, awe, and adoration. 

You have made an eternal covenant of love with us. Love never fails. Thank You Beloved for Your patience and grant that Your faithful remnant continue to live in the world with courage. 

Romans 16:25-27

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We thank God our Father for revealing His love for us through You. This is the Good News - that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn us but to save us and to bring each one of us to the knowledge of Truth. The Truth that is Life.

St. Paul reminds us today that everything in Scripture makes known to people of all times, all ages, and all generations the eternal truth which is that all are saved through You, and You alone, His Son. This is why all glory, all honor, all worship, belongs to You and when all creation bows down before You we glorify the Father. It is through our faith in You Beloved that the world is saved for this is the will of God for His people always and everywhere.

Luke 1:26-38

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There is no story so beautiful as this. It is timeless. It is a story of love triumphing over hate, sin, Satan, and death.

It is a a story that is quiet, still, silent, and filled with awe and beauty. In just a few words the greatest drama, the most wonderful tale of love unfolds. Here God dialogues with a young virgin, a pure little flower over which God had lavished every grace, blessing and beauty, hidden, unknown, unseen by the world yet constantly under the gaze of the Triune God.

The Angel comes to her bringing God's message of Good News to the world. Her fiat will make it possible for God to accomplish what He desired ever since the fall of man and woman. God had to wait for time to unfold, for the one He had chosen to be born, to wait until she grew into young, virginal, womanhood, wait for her consent to give herself to Him so His Son could take flesh in her womb.

Mary said yes to God as she always did; no other response would be conceivable to her and when she did heaven and earth erupted, exulted, overflowed with joy.   

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.

As quietly as the Angel had come, he departed from her but the world as it was known until then had changed forever because Mary said yes. And we thank God and Mary that she did.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

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


Song of Songs 2:8-14

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank You must humbly for loving me as ardently as You do even though I am completely unworthy of such love. We both know that I am a miserable, weak, sinner. You know how careless I am and how easy it is for me to fall in to the traps and snares that my own sinful inclinations lead me into. Yet, You never give up on me and for this Beloved, I am truly grateful. Should You take Your gaze away from me I would be lost eternally.

Thank You for always staying close to me. For pursuing me even when I hide from You. Thank You Beloved for revealing to me unashamedly, even though I am less than nothing, and a sinner, that You love me infinitely, You love me passionately, and that You died in order that I may live. I have You assurance when I have reached the end of this valley of tears, You will be waiting for me. You will receive me. You will take me by the hand and You will lead me as a bridegroom leads his bride to the eternal wedding feast that will last forever. Thank You for the promises You make me and that will be fulfilled in eternity.

"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret recesses of the cliff,
Let me see you,
let me hear your voice, 
For your voice is sweet,

and you are lovely."


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

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

With the help of Your Spirit I shall offer You grateful thanks for all You have done for me. Thank You for creating me. Thank You for watching over me even as I lay hidden in my mother's womb. Thank you for all the plans You have for me plans for a future of hope, a life of joy, and an eternity of You loving me and I loving You.

Thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for loving me even though I have never deserved Your amazing love.

Thank You for accepting me as I am and for constantly helping me to become the person I am created to be.

Luke 1:39-45

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Mary, led by the Holy Spirit always did what God desired of her. She was truly the chaste little dove of the Holy Spirit and of the Father who lavished on her every conceivable grace. She grew in the shadow of the Living God and she was God's delight.

Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, her cousin Elizabeth as well as the baby in her womb recognized that they were in the presence of God and the Mother of God and they were filled with joy. Elizabeth exclaimed divine truths which we would never have know had she not uttered them:

"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord

would be fulfilled."

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

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

Isaiah 7:10-14

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You give us signs constantly of Your Presence with us and yet like Ahaz we prefer to stumble around blindly, refusing to see what God reveals to us. You are truly Emmanuel, God with us. Your signs are everywhere and the greatest sign is this Your Presence in the Holy Eucharist.

Thank You for Your abiding Presence in us through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Father for Your love that surrounds us, animates us, enlivens us with the love of Your Son, the Bridegroom of my soul. Thank You Beloved, for being with me, close to me, always.

Thank You Mama Mary for making all this possible through Your yes to God.

Psalm 24:1-6

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,

that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, Matthew 1:18-25

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!

Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19, 
Matthew 1:18-25

Jeremiah 23:5-8

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We are so blessed to live in this time and in this age. We do not look forward with expectation for the Messiah for You have already come. You walked among us. You lay down Your life for us. You redeemed us. You come to each every day in the Eucharist, when we call on Your Name You hasten beside us. You have put Your Holy Spirit in our heart and He has made us His dwelling place. You have taught us to call God Father for He loves us with a love beyond all telling. Did He not send You into the world even though He knew how unspeakably we would treat You and in the end kill You.

You are the righteous shoot to David. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your rule is established forever for all authority is given to You. You have shed Your Blood and the earth has soaked it and rendered is sacred. The world now belongs to You for You won it on the Cross.

We now look forward to Your coming again in glory. You who have saved for Yourself people from every nation, every tribe, every race, every language, now rule over us and in the end You will come to claim us for Yourself and You will share Your inheritance with us. Every knee shall bow, every tongue will confess to the glory of the Father that You indeed Beloved, are God our Savior, our Lord, and our King.

Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You are the Son of the Father, You are the Son of Justice, You are the Crown of our Salvation. To You has been given rule over all that is, was, or ever shall be. You have been enthroned in the highest heavens and to You we bow the knee.

We thank You for Your love for us who have no one but You to help us. You are the Friend of those who have no one. You hear the cries of the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, the refugee, the castaway, the crushed. You hear every sigh that cries out to You for help and justice. No one who looks to You for aid will be denied.

Thank You Beloved that in the end the victory You for us won will be ours forever.

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly. 
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins." 
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." 
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. 
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,

and he named him Jesus.

Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11, Luke 1:46-50,53-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor. Is 16:1 (Lk 4:18)

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - GAUDETE SUNDAY

Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11, Luke 1:46-50,53-54, 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28


Isaiah 61:1-2A, 10-11

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank You for acquiescing to the will of Your Father and in perfect and sublime humility coming into the world through the womb of Mary. You truly became one like us in all things save sin. You came poor so we may become rich. You showed us how we can have plenty in the midst of nothing, to have joy in the midst of sorrow, to laugh in the midst of tears, to know peace in the midst of discord, to walk in the dark valley with confidence because we are not alone. You are always with us.

Today as we look at the world which is as it has always been Beloved, we look at it with hope and confidence knowing that You came into the world and You brought hope, peace, joy, and above all love. We have tasted and seen how good the Lord is and that we will live because You live. You have worn the victory. The reward is eternal life. Death has been trampled and destroyed forever.

Luke 1:46-50,53-54

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Mary has shown us how to truly be happy. Everything we have received comes from the hand of God. We belong to Him. He is our Father, from Him we receive every good and perfect gift - the best of all His Gifts is Yourself as our Brother, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend, our Bridegroom. He has taught us that You are our Father and hence will provide for all our needs both spiritual and temporal.

Mary understood this perfectly in her beautiful hymn of praise, the Magnificat. The more we glorify You Beloved, the more we ourselves will understand what it means to live in the Presence and be overshadowed by the Almighty who constantly works in us and for us. Whose favor rests on us. Who desires that we strive to become like Him - holy and perfect. 

Thank You Beloved for also giving us Your Mother - she whom You treasure is now ours to treasure as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Paul gives us the formula for joyous living. We are called to rejoice always - our circumstances ought not to prompt our feelings of joy, rather it must be a state of being always. We are called to pray without ceasing which means every thought, every word, every deed must be prayerful and done with the intention of giving God glory and honor. We are called to give thanks in all the circumstances of our lives for nothing that happens to us is without the knowledge of God our Father. 

We are called to live a life in the Spirit allowing Him to guide us always. We are called to be alert and aware of the world around us and the many snares that are set out to trap us. We are called to be innocent yet wise, not foolish and naive. We are called to choose good over evil and to avoid sin in every form. Thank You Beloved for giving us strength and grace to live holy lives through the power of the Sacraments. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who makes His home in us. Thank You for walking with us and being our constant Friend. Thank You for all the help You make available to us and grant us the wisdom to cry to You and ask for Your strength rather than to rely on our own puny efforts. Victory is our all we need to do is claim it.

John 1:6-8, 19-28


A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.

And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests
and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it,
but admitted, "I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent. 
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,

where John was baptizing.

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, Matthew 17:9A, 20-24

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19,
Matthew 17:9A, 20-24


Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

In every great and awe-inspiring figure in the Old Testament we see a facet of Yourself. Looking through the lens of the New Testament we see how each one of them foreshadowed You. Today Sirach gives us a character sketch of the grand, old prophet Elijah, a man who because he was so close to God, had such great faith in the power of God and so open to God's direction, that he was able to work great signs and wonders. Generation after generation would continue to speak with awe of him. He believed, he had faith that God would do as he asked in order to prove to God's people that he was indeed the servant and prophet of God.

Because he believed, God was able to work marvels through him and so it is with each of of us. God has called us to a life of good works that we can accomplish if we will only let Him take complete control of our lives.

Here I am Lord, I come to do Your will. Do with me just as You wish for I belong to You completely.

Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist cries out to make us turn to You, to let us see Your Face and we will be saved. Sadly Beloved, if You do not do so, if You do not intervene we will be lost. You rend the heavens and You came into the world to walk among us as one of us. God, our Father, sent You into the world in order that we might be saved and that You could restore what was loved forever.

We ask once more Beloved, that You intervene because the world has forgotten what God has done for us. They have grown in ignorance of You their Lord and Savior. How can they know Beloved, if no one has told them. To us O Lord who are Your faithful remnant give us a burning desire that is like a fire in our bones that do not permit us to rest unless we speak the Word, the Good News. Use us as the Holy Spirit used Philip to preach to the Eunuch and open his eyes to the truth so he asked to be Baptized.

Stay with us Lord and help us carry out the work that You have entrusted to those who strive to remain faithful with Your help. 

Matthew 17:9A, 20-24

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Through the course of history God has sent men and women who like Elijah did the work of God and revealed the power of God as he worked tirelessly to make Him known. John the Baptist too understood that he was sent to prepare the way for the One who was to come after him, the One whose sandals he said he was unworthy to unfasten. Anyone who desires to work for the Kingdom must understand that he or she is only a servant.  Must realize that it is God alone who works in and through them and that the work, and the fruit of that work must give glory to God alone.

You made it clear that when the servant labors in the field and then returns home, it is his duty to first serve the Master and only then look to his own needs and at the end of it all he does not look for praise for after all he has only done his duty. Grant me Beloved of my soul, such an attitude for after all I am only the hand maiden of Your the Hand maiden of the Lord.

Mother dearest keep my gaze ever upon you so you may direct my way and will in the way of Your Son, Amen. 

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.


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

Isaiah 48:17-19

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You confirm below all You have said to me in Your Word to me today. Truly, it is You my Lord and my God who are my Redeemer. Your Holy Spirit is my Guide and He leads me on the path of holiness. He inspires me to do good, to strive after goodness and integrity. I fail miserably several times a day but that is not because He has failed me but because I fail You. I am a miserable sinner. I struggle and often I lose because I have not thrown myself upon You and begged You to help me when I am unable to help myself.

The remedy is clear. I must obey Your commandments if I am to live a life pleasing to You. The fault is all mine. You provide all the help and grace I need every day and if I would but look to You, call on Your, cry out Your Name You would hasten to help me. 

Deliver me Beloved from myself I beg You and help me to choose always to walk in the path that leads to You and to the Father with the help of Your Spirit. Amen. Continue to bless those I love with Your peace and Your joy.

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Those blessed by You keep their gaze fixed on You and not on the world. To do this one needs to be totally focused on You to desire You above all else. Not to permit any distractions to tempt and cause one to falter and perhaps fall by the wayside.

To walk with You Beloved, to make a home in You is to put down roots in You and receive from You all the help required to blossom and be fruitful in all seasons no matter how hostile the surroundings.

Those who belong to You lack no good thing but are filled with joy and peace. I am Your Beloved. Keep me always beside You.

Matthew 11:16-19

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We live in a perverse world. We live in a world that bends over backwards to call good evil and evil good. All that is pure, good, holy, beautiful, noble, delightful, innocent, awe inspiring, is made to appear twisted and ugly.

You were a Man of contradictions but those were contradictions that the world never understood and still don't understand. Contradictions like the first will be last. The poor are rich. The humble will be exalted. To die in order to live.

You made this same complaint 2000 years ago and the same complaint is relevant today. The world prefers those who are of it; those who embrace its ever changing culture that trumpets today what it decried yesterday.

But there is hope. There is always hope. There will always be the remnant from which a new shoot will spring and hope will rekindle. Count me always Beloved as part of that remnant and grant that all I love and pray for each day be part of it too. Let us always be counted among those that carry Your Light even though it be as a flickering wick, as I am.

I love You.

Isaiah 41:13-20, Psalm 145:1, 9-13, Matthew 11:11-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Let the clouds rain down the Just One,
and the earth bring forth a Savior. Is 45:8

Isaiah 41:13-20, Psalm 145:1, 9-13, Matthew 11:11-15


Isaiah 41:13-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank You with all my heart that it is You who seek me and finding me, You grasp me by the hand and You will never let go of me for You are aware what a weak, sinful, miserable creature I am. Without You I am most certainly lost.

It is You who make of me a new creation. You are able to take the little I have and make of it something worthwhile. You can empower me and use me in any way You will to accomplish just what You desire. I am all Yours. Do with Me anything You wish.

To You Beloved, I come along with everyone else who is aware that You alone can save us not only from ourselves but from the world and the Enemy. I know that if You took Your hand of protection from me I would not last a moment. It is Your love that sustains me and keeps me alive. It is grace that enables me to accomplish all that You entrust to me. Were it not for You Beloved I would be covered in shame and guilt but wash me, clothe me, fill me, strengthen me, and use me and You encourage me to do the best I can.

You feed me with Yourself. You live in me. You breathe in me  and because You do I am alive with the life that You pour into my soul. Stay with me Lord until the time comes for You to carry me home to the place You have prepared for me in eternity.


Psalm 145:1, 9-13

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

How good it is to know You, to love You, to live in You and have Your life keeping me alive. It is You I hunger and thirst for. It is You I love and adore. Forgive me for the many times I give into weakness Lord. Were it not for You unfailing kindness and mercy I would be lost forever. Thank You for watching over me. Thank You for Your infinite patience with Me. Thank You for never giving up on me even though You would be justified in doing so considering how often I turn away from You to follow ways that take me away from You.

Keep me faithful Beloved. Grant that I may, in my own small way, help to establish Your Kingdom on earth. Stay with Me Lord and grant that I may never ever be parted from You. 

Matthew 11:11-15

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You spoke clearly. You did not mince words. You were never politically correct, never afraid of speaking the truth no matter what the consequences to Yourself. You did not back down from a confrontation before the self-righteous, hypocritical Pharisees and those in authority. You called out their sins in public because they tried to whitewash their iniquities. 

You admired John the Baptist because like You he too was not afraid to call out those in power and admonish them; even Herod and Herodias were not spared. 

You remind us today that establishing the Kingdom of Heaven on earth is not an easy task but a violent one. Those of the world do not take kindly to the Kingdom values. They prefer exploitation, trickery, chicanery, lies, duplicity. They are aware that their way of life which is debauchery would not survive if the Good News were allowed to be preached openly and freely and so they do all in their power, using whatever means necessary to silence all who desire to witness to a Christian faith. 

But God walks with us. God is in us. The victory is won.

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11, Psalm 85:9-14, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT


Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11, Psalm 85:9-14, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

How good is our God, no matter how far we have strayed He come in search of us for He knows that without Him we could never be happy. Thank You Beloved for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for coming to look for strays who would otherwise have been doomed to die. Thank You for tenderly carrying those who are too little, too weak, unable to help themselves. Thank You for Your loving concern for those who need help and for never failing to provide it. Thank You for Your assurance that we are free - You have said it and Your word is true.

Grant us the grace we need to become authentic disciples just as St. John the Baptist was. Give us a hunger for Sacred Scripture. Let us receive strength and nourishment from Your Word which brings life and light. Help us never to be afraid of speaking the truth in a world that is ignorant of the depths of the Father's love who sent You, His only Son to redeem us. Thank You for showing us the way, thank You for being the Way that leads to Truth and Life.

Keep us safe in Your loving presence and grant that we may never stray.

Psalm 85:9-14

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Give me a listening ear, a ear that is always attuned to the sound of Your voice so I may follow Your directions always. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for coming into the world to reveal the Father's love for us. Thank You for justice for all in a world that denies it to those who are poor, forgotten, marginalized, discarded by the wayside. They have God who fights the battle on their behalf and those who have taken advantage of them better watch out for the Day of the Lord is at hand.

You are the Truth of God, You are the Life of God, You are the Light that sheds its light on all who believe in You. Those who walk with You will always walk in safety.

GENESIS 3:9-15, 20, PSALM 98:1-4, EPHESIANS 2:1-6, 11-12, LUKE 1:26-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.

GENESIS 3:9-15, 20, PSALM 98:1-4, 
EPHESIANS 2:1-6, 11-12, LUKE 1:26-38


GENESIS 3:9-15, 20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Genesis gives an account of how sin entered the world and how we, human beings, created with such great love by God, our Creator, severed this intimate relationship that we enjoyed with God,

The envy of Satan and his hatred of men and women who will some day enjoy all that he himself chose to reject is real and he will stop at nothing to deny us that which God has chosen to give to us beginning with You, His only Son, as the willing Victim that forever heals, repairs, and restores our relationship with God. I believe that women are a special target of the Devil for he knows that all women, should they strive to imitate our Virgin Mother and Queen, Mary, he will not have a leg to stand on. 

God always knew the consequences of giving us the gift of free will, He knew that we would use this gift to reject Him and yet, His incomprehensible love created us anyway for He believed that once we understood to what lengths He was prepared to go to restore what we had lost, we would be ready to share in the joy of truly loving Him as we ought.

We thank You Father for creating us, we thank You Father for Mary, You daughter, the Mother of God, and the New Eve of all the living. We thank You Beloved for Your perfect obedience to the will of the Father in complete contrast to the willful disobedience of the first Adam. Today sweet Mother the Church honors you, reveres you, venerates you as our model of every virtue and perfection, as the disciple par excellence, as the Fairest daughter of God our Father, the Mother of His only Son, and the most radiant Spouse of the Holy Spirit. You are the Crown of the Angels, the Crown of all Creation, our Mother and our Queen.

PSALM 98:1-4

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Of all the nations of the world God chose the least, for this is always His way. It is the same God who creates something out of nothing that chose to first reveal Himself to the people of Israel and to make them His own nation. For this nation He chose Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, his 12 sons, David and from the line of David He chose You, His Son, to come into the world.

The world is struck with awe at the wonders the Lord, our God has done. We continue to sing new songs celebrating God's victory over Satan and sin. For the New Covenant between Him and us sealed in Your Most Precious Blood. The Flesh and Blood You received from Mary, Your Mother.

Today we remember how God chose her, how through the merits You would eventually gain for her and all mankind, she was to be born immaculate from the moment she was conceived in her mother's womb, for nothing unclean can enter the presence of God, and in this case God was entering into her womb - she had to be immaculate.

Because of Mary we have hope. Because of Mary we are able to celebrate God's love for us. Thank You Mama Mary for your constant intercession of us until we are all safe with you in the Kingdom of Your Son.

EPHESIANS 2:1-6, 11-12

Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him. 
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,

we who first hoped in Christ.


LUKE 1:26-38


The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.