2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17, Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 6:1-6

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17, Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 6:1-6

2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17

King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him,
"Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba
and register the people, that I may know their number."
Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered:
in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; 
in Judah, five hundred thousand.

Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people,
and said to the LORD:
"I have sinned grievously in what I have done.
But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant,
for I have been very foolish."
When David rose in the morning,
the LORD had spoken to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying:
"Go and say to David, 'This is what the LORD says:
I offer you three alternatives;
choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.'"
Gad then went to David to inform him.
He asked: "Do you want a three years' famine to come upon your land,
or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you,
or to have a three days' pestilence in your land?
Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me."
David answered Gad: "I am in very serious difficulty.
Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful;
but let me not fall by the hand of man."
Thus David chose the pestilence.
Now it was the time of the wheat harvest
when the plague broke out among the people.
The LORD then sent a pestilence over Israel
from morning until the time appointed,
and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died. 
But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it,
the LORD regretted the calamity
and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people,
"Enough now! Stay your hand."
The angel of the LORD was then standing
at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
When David saw the angel who was striking the people,
he said to the LORD: "It is I who have sinned;
it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong.
But these are sheep; what have they done?

Punish me and my kindred."

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

When we take our gaze away from You and focus instead of material things, finding our strength and comfort in them rather that in the God of Love, we can be certain that we will fail. Faith comes from knowing You, loving You, and clinging to You. David, in a moment of weakness, looked at his army to determine his strength forgetting that numbers didn't matter, Your faithfulness was the source of his strength.

He repented of his sin immediately, but there are always consequences for our folly. David was given three option to choose from for his suffering - he chose the third, three days of pestilence to plague his land. Seventy thousand people perished and David realized that when we sin sometimes the innocent are caught up in its wake.  

David cried out to the Lord,  "It is I who have sinned;
it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong.
But these are sheep; what have they done?

Punish me and my kindred."

Beloved, each time I sin, grant me the grace to acknowledge my sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive Your pardon and healing.

Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I am deeply sorry for not taking advantage of Your great mercy and frequenting the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as I ought. Keep me from spiritual sloth and for taking Your goodness, mercy, and love for granted. I have sinned and sinned often in so many ways and have delayed in approaching this Sacrament of Grace where I can be healed, restored, and strengthened. 

I cry out with the psalmist today to delay no more, so my sins may be washed away, that You may cover my iniquities with Your most precious Blood and restore the purity of my soul. Only when I am free from sin can Your grace and blessings flow to me and to those I love and keep me and mine safe from the snares of the enemy. Forgive the wrongs I have done and may Your Spirit grant me the grace to approach the Sacrament of Grace, Love, and Mercy as soon as an opportunity presents itself. Thank You. 

Mark 6:1-6

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today we seen in the Gospel that You have come home, the place where the people in Your neighborhood saw You grow from a child to manhood and they assumed that they knew You based on what they remembered of You and Your family. You have returned with Your disciples and when they hear You teach in the synagogue they are all impressed and struck by Your wisdom. However, it is a superficial reaction only, Your words fall like seed on rocky soil, their hearts are hard, they reject You because they think they know You and thus they lost their moment of grace and conversion.

How often Beloved, we too are guilty of forming skewed opinions about people because we think we know them. We judge them on what we see and what we knew of them in the past. We do not grant them the benefit of having grown and changed completely from the people we once knew. We chain them to our of them memories in the past and thus lose the opportunity of discovering them anew in the present. 

Lord God, Beloved of my soul, I pray that You may never at any stage in my life, be amazed at my lack of faith. Amen.

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 20--19:3, Psalm 86:1-6, Mark 5:21-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 20--19:3, Psalm 86:1-6,
Mark 5:21-43



 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 20--19:3

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Father grieved over His lost children just as David grieved over his son Absalom. 

"My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom!
If only I had died instead of you,
Absalom, my son, my son!"

These words were the words that God uttered when the first human beings He created sinned and separated themselves and us eternally from Him, our Creator and Father. Only in the case of God, His lament over us and His profound sorrow over our separation from Him, gave us a do-over when You who are God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, entered into our death and raised us to new life.

Abba Father, You found a way to bridge the chasm that our sin created through Jesus, Your Son. 

David was crushed with grief as he mourned the death of his beloved son.

God grieved when You hung between heaven and earth as Absalom did. Evil thought it won the day when You were put to death on the tree of the Cross but Your death resulted in a triumphant victory. The world resounds and the very heavens are shaken with the glorious songs of praise at what God has done for us, how He rescued us, and won for Himself  through You, every man, woman, and child from the jaws of death.

Psalm 86:1-6

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist lamentation and his incessant pleading with God to listen and answer is heard when He sent You into the world. You have become the means by which all of us are saved. Truly God our Father, is good, kind, forgiving, abounding in tender mercy and compassion to all who call upon the Name that saves, Jesus, His only Son.

Thank You Father, thank You Beloved, thank You Holy Spirit, triune God for rescuing us from the jaws of death and the pit of hell and for the glorious destination that is now ours through Your obedience unto death even death on the Cross. 

Mark 5:21-43

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today's Gospel reading in the Liturgy recalls two miracles, one is the healing of Jairus' young daughter, and the second the healing of a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. 

Jairus' daughter was raised to life and she was restored to her family. The woman bleeding for twelve years was condemned to being considered unclean even since her affliction. The doctors had robbed her of all her money and she had nothing left. Stripped of everything, she approached You timidly, secretly, quietly. You were her last hope. You did not disappoint her for You never disappoint those who come to You in faith. She touched You and was healed instantly. You demanded that she reveal herself so that You could praise her faith. Two thousand years have since past and she lives on in the Gospel and is praised for her faith to this day.

No one is beyond the realms of God's tender mercy. Thank You Beloved for teaching us this wonderful lesson today through both these heartwarming miracles in the Gospel.

2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13, Psalm 3:2-7, Mark 5:1-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people. Lk 7:6


2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13, Psalm 3:2-7, 
Mark 5:1-20

2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13

An informant came to David with the report,
"The children of Israel have transferred their loyalty to Absalom."
At this, David said to all his servants
who were with him in Jerusalem:
"Up! Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom.
Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us,
then visit disaster upon us and put the city to the sword."

As David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing.
His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot.
All those who were with him also had their heads covered
and were weeping as they went.

As David was approaching Bahurim,
a man named Shimei, the son of Gera
of the same clan as Saul's family,
was coming out of the place, cursing as he came.
He threw stones at David and at all the king's officers,
even though all the soldiers, including the royal guard,
were on David's right and on his left.
Shimei was saying as he cursed:
"Away, away, you murderous and wicked man!
The LORD has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul,
in whose stead you became king,
and the LORD has given over the kingdom to your son Absalom.
And now you suffer ruin because you are a murderer."
Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king:
"Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?
Let me go over, please, and lop off his head."
But the king replied: "What business is it of mine or of yours,
sons of Zeruiah, that he curses?
Suppose the LORD has told him to curse David;
who then will dare to say, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants:
"If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life,
how much more might this Benjaminite do so?
Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.
Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction
and make it up to me with benefits
for the curses he is uttering this day."
David and his men continued on the road,
while Shimei kept abreast of them on the hillside,

all the while cursing and throwing stones and dirt as he went.

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Oftentimes the innocent are called to suffer greatly at the hands of those they love, those whom they cherish. So it is with David, so it was with You. Scripture says of You, "He came unto His Own but His own received Him not." David was hounded by his son, You were only hounded and persecuted from the moment of Your birth and those who hated You with a visceral hatred did not rest until they had strung You on the Cross. Handing You to a punishment that was only meted out to scoundrels and murderers of the worst kind. 

David bore the insults of Shimei patiently, just as You did. You gave us an example of perfect humility and surrender to the will of God. Beloved, of my soul, grant me the grace to be silent when I ought to be silent. Help me not to rush so quickly to defend myself as I have a tendency to do. 

You did not defend Yourself before Pilate or the Sanhedrin  when You were accused, condemned, and crucified. Grant me the grace to be still in the presence of God should I be persecuted for my faith in You.

Psalm 3:2-7

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Truly, I need fear nothing for You are my Rock, my Refuge, my Stronghold, my Deliverer, my Lord and my God.

You sustain me with Your own Flesh and Blood. Your Spirit dwells in me and You revealed to me that the omnipotent God, Creator of the Universe is my Father.

You are my Savior and my Redeemer. I will fear nothing for You my Beloved are the Bridegroom of my soul. You have claimed me for Yourself in time and in eternity.

Mark 5:1-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There is so much that this miracle reveals about God and about humans. Here is a man possessed by a legion of evil spirits. How they gained entrance into this poor soul the writer does not say but we can safely presume that one evil led to another until the man was consumed with it. He opened the door and they entered. He lived among the tombs with the dead and was so violent that the people of the town could not restrain him. This is what happens when the power of Satan gains a foothold in our life. 

You did not come there by chance. God's love does not give up no matter how deep we have sunk in the mire of sin. You came in search of the lost sheep. Salvation was at hand and the demons recognized You as the Son of the Most High God and they knew that the moment of reckoning had arrived. 

You healed the man and when the townspeople saw him in his senses and clothed, Mark tells us that they were filled with fear. Isn't that amazing? They were not afraid of him when he was possessed and violent and they found it hard to restrain him. The chains and shackles with which they sought to bind him, he smashed. But now they are afraid. What is it about goodness that makes the world suspicious? They did not want You to stay among them but begged You to leave. Wow. But the man who was healed pleaded to remain with You. However You said no, he was to be entrusted with another mission. He was called to go back home and spread the Good News of what God had done for him and that God had visited His people. And that's exactly what he did. He became the first evangelist.

Grant my Lord that I too am faithful to the mission that was given to me at baptism. To know You, Love You, serve You, and to make You known and loved. Amen.

Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light;
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,
light has arisen. Mt. 4:16


Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, 
1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

When Moses spoke about a prophet sent by God chosen from among them he was prophesying about the incarnation. God would send His Son into the world as one like us in all things save sin. When God spoke to the people they were terrified and thought they would die and they told Moses that they did not want to hear Him speak. But God sent You into the world as a Baby, small, weak, helpless, dependent on Your Mother to be nursed, clothed, cared for. A Baby whom the world would not fear but with whom we could draw near, with whom we could identify.

Thank You Beloved for Your humility. Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son. Thank You Holy Spirit for making the will of God a reality. Thank You Mother Mary for your 'yes' without your consent the incarnation would not have been possible.

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You call us constantly to repentance because we were created for God and for His Kingdom. Our eternal destiny ought to be the source of our joy. Yes, we are sinners, and we will be tempted as long as we are in the flesh, but we have received the Spirit of God which makes us sons and daughters of God and it is this Spirit that enables us to call Him 'Abba' Father. We are a people of the the Resurrection and this is why we must have a song of praise constantly on our lips. We are saved. 

You are our Good Shepherd. You guide us along the Way and with the help of Your Spirit we can choose to do what is right always. You have not left us to muddle our way to the Kingdom, rather You have given us the Sacraments to strengthen us and fill us with grace. You do not ask us for the impossible, all we are required to do is live the present moment well, for the rest, we can trust You.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There is a way of life that is excellent and many are called to choose it. How did we manage to travel so far from the wisdom of this invitation that the world of today thinks it ridiculous an unnatural? We are created for God. In this truth is our greatest joy and we are restless because we do not rest in You. The world today is dissipated, hungry for the next thing to excite and titillate. The sated flesh is feverishly looking for depraved new thrills all the while finding only emptiness and darkness. 

The world has forgotten the good, the noble, the pure, the beautiful, the divine. We have the answer but we have stifled it because we are afraid of the demands that such a call may have on us. We have failed not because we have tried but because we refuse to rise to the challenge that the call of the Spirit gives us. 

John the Apostle and the Evangelist, as well as St. Paul and so many other noble men and women have found true union with You because they denied the world and the flesh and followed You with undivided heart and mind.

Help us Lord to discover true joy that can be found only in loving You.

Mark 1:21-28

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

In today's Gospel passage we are told that You spoke as one having authority. The people who heard You speak were unaware that You were the incarnate Word of God. Eternally begotten by the Father, and when You spoke of God and the Kingdom of God You knew intimately about what You spoke. 

As the Son of God and empowered by His Spirit You had authority over all creation, over demons and evil spirits, and over death itself. Your miracles were signs pointing out to the reality of who You were - the Savior, the Redeemer, the Messiah for whom the world was waiting ever since the sin of Adam and our separation from God.

Evil spirit know You but we whom God has called to be His children are ignorant of You. This is because we who know You have not done enough to make You known. We have failed in our mission of living the Gospel. Help us Lord to become more effective in our mission of making You known and loved to everyone we encounter each day.

2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17, Psalm 51:12-17, Mark 4:35-41

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. 
Jn 3:16

2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17, Psalm 51:12-17, Mark 4:35-41

2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Like David we too can be selfish and heedless of others. We can be so hard of heart that we are unable to be empathetic especially towards those who are poor, weak, or those who serve us. The rich, the powerful, those in authority have a blind spot and willfully run rough shod over others. In a beautiful story Nathan brings David to awareness, sorrow and contrition, and repentance. Although God forgives him there is still the painful consequence that we he must endure, the loss of the child born of the sinful relations he had with Uriah's wife.  He sinned gravely not once but twice. Yet God's mercy is available to the greatest sinner and in this we can take comfort.

The world may condemn us but God is merciful and kind. Thank You Beloved for instituting the Sacrament of Reconciliation wherein all that we had lost because of sin is restored to us. Though our sins be as scarlet Your precious Blood can wash away every stain of sin and grace will once again abound. Thank You!

Psalm 51:12-17

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Give me a sensitive conscience. A conscience that is restless until it approaches the throne of mercy and receives forgiveness. Grant me the humility and the desire to frequent the Sacrament of Mercy and Reconciliation often so I may be filled with grace and renewed in Your Holy Spirit.

Mark 4:35-41

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

As each day draws to a close we are called to let go of all the troubles of the day and withdraw from the world and spend time alone with You. Even when we are safe in the Bark of Peter because You are present evil surrounds us and there are times the storms of evil threaten to overwhelm and destroy us. We live in a world where the waves are terrifying, the winds toss the Church about violently and it seems we are doomed to break into tiny fragments and be destroyed. If this is how we feel, then we lack faith just as the terrified disciples did and we accuse You of not being concerned that we are drowning. You look at us with tender pity and say, "Where is your faith? How can You drown when I am with you?" Turning to the the evil around us You say, "Quiet. Be still! You are powerless against Me and Mine."

The Church You have founded Beloved is safe, no matter what lies those who hate her may say. You are Emmanuel, God with us. The Bridegroom will not permit any harm to come to His Bride, the Church.

2 Timothy 1:1-8, Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10, Mark 4:26-34

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

Memorial of Saints Timothy & Titus

2 Timothy 1:1-8, Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10, Mark 4:26-34


2 Timothy 1:1-8

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is You who have called me from darkness into Your own marvelous light just as You called the Apostle Paul and You gave him his great mission. He in turn called Timothy, laid hands on him, and bestowed on him the power that he received from You so the mission of the Church You established would live on until Your return in glory. 

Timothy was born into a household where faith in You was alive. Grant Beloved, that our own homes are beacons of faith filling every member with Your life, light, and love. We are reminded today not to take this gift of faith for granted but to keep it alive and burning.

Let us trust that You have called us and empowered us will not be drawn into the ways of the world but rather use that power to conquer ourselves. Through the love that has been poured into our hearts by Your Holy Spirit make us bold and ready to face whatever difficulties for the sake of the Gospel. Thank You Beloved for the strength we receive from the Eucharist, our heavenly food and drink.

Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We are created for You, we were formed by You, we were sent forth and commanded to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. We have been entrusted with the glorious mission of singing Your praises and telling the world how great You are and how worthy of all our praises. You O Lord have saved us. You called us from darkness, and from eternal death to become the children of God and heirs to the Kingdom. You came into the world to rule over all hearts with the love of God and to teach us to love as You do.

Jesus, Beloved of my soul, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Your Own.

 Mark 4:26-34

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

In both parables today, You remind us that the work of bearing fruit is the work of the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is to be docile under His influence.

We are the field, all we are asked to do is be available, open, ready to receive, the work is done by the farmer. He tills the land, prepares the soil, and sows the seed and then we wait for God to cause what has been planted to grow. All the while we are called to just be in His Presence. He will provide all that is necessary for a great harvest. 

You my Beloved, have completed the work of salvation and have entrusted to the Holy Spirit. Grant that I remain docile under His influence so He can accomplish in me all that God wills. Amen.

2 Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89:4-5, 27-30, Mark 4:1-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live forever.

2 Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89:4-5, 27-30, Mark 4:1-20


2 Samuel 7:4-17


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Often times Like David we want to do things for You but in Your response to him through the prophet Nathan You make it very clear that it was not God's will for David to build a house for the Lord. It was David whom the Lord chose to rule over His people and to him God bestowed innumerable favors and victories. God chooses whomsoever He wishes to accomplish His work in the world. To each the Lord has assigned a work to be completed during their lifetime. Good as David's desire was, it was not he whom the Lord would entrust to build the temple but his son Solomon. 

God has already planned a life of good works for each of us. It is important for us to align our will to His and to have a ear attuned to You and to Your Spirit in order that we may discern what His will may be. Sometimes we exhaust our energies doing things that You have not asked us and we wonder why we are unhappy, unfulfilled, and disheartened. Keep my ear ever attuned to Your voice Beloved and may I only do that which You desire me to do. In this is my true joy.

Psalm 89:4-5, 27-30

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

All that is said of David in relationship with God is nothing but a little prelude of what the Father was to accomplish through You His true Firstborn. David is dead and is flesh has become dust. You died but You rose again and Your throne is everlasting. David won many victories on the battlefield but You have won the greatest victory of all for You conquered death, crushed the head of the devourer, Satan, You have defeated him and dispatched him and his minions  to hell. 

The Covenant of Love that God our Father has established with You is extended to us all who believe that He sent You into the world to save us. Thank You for the gift of faith I received through Baptism. Thank You Beloved for giving me a share in Your Kingdom and Your glory. Thank You for the hope I have of eternal life with You. All who believe in You are privileged to be called children of God.

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

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


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

FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL

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

Acts 22:3-16

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

As the Church celebrates the conversion of the greatest of all the Apostles who preached to the gentiles, we have first hand testimony from his own lips as he addresses the people and preaches the good news.

It is the testimony of each one of us before our conversion, before our personal encounter with You, before we discovered the purpose for which we are created by God, our Father.

In the past, when we were in the grip of false notions about God and we made assumptions of the truth based on the culture around us, the media, the false prophets with influence to impact the way we think, we were just as rigid and overbearing as Paul. Certain that our way was the right way and everyone else was wrong, we bludgeoned with our bullying those who would not conform to our way of thinking. Uniting our voices to the popular voice of the world, we refused to acknowledge the Life we received in Baptism.

Then, like Paul something we least expected occurs and we are roused from our folly. In Saul's case he met You. In our case it could be anything You permit to happen to us to shake us up. Saul was blinded by the Light of Truth revealing to him his own spiritual blindness. It is only when he was rendered helpless in his blindness, physically weak from fasting, and spiritually hungry for more of You that You sent Ananias to restore his sight, to reveal to him his mission and to Baptize him. 

'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,
to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice;
for you will be his witness before all
to what you have seen and heard.
Now, why delay?
Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away,

calling upon his name.'"

I too have been given a mission when I was baptized into the family of God. Grant O Lord, that when my life here is over I will hear You say to me, "Well done good and faithful servant."

2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19, Psalm 24:7-10, 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


2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19, Psalm 24:7-10, Mark 3:31-35


2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

David loved you with a love that was transcendent. He was oblivious to everything but the joy of Your Presence and his heart bubbled with praise that burst forth from his lips in songs of exuberant praise. His joy was contagious, he leaped and danced before God to the sound of musical instruments. He gave to God the glory that was due to Him and the people around him were caught up in the fervor of his joy and everyone danced, sang, and worshiped God. 

This is how I too ought to prayer and worship You when we come together as one family in our liturgical services. We ought to put aside everything and worship You with our whole being. You fill us with such rich graces when we come together at the Eucharist and each one of us is given the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation to drink and we become the most blessed of all God's creatures as we feast on the abundance of the Lord. 

Psalm 24:7-10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

At every celebration of the Holy Eucharist I am invited together with all God's people who are present to enter into the glory of God. You who are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord, invite me to come into Your glorious Presence and there I join with Your anointed to offer to the Father the most pleasing Sacrifice of praise, worship, and adoration as I offer Him His Son. Uniting with Your Perfect Sacrifice the sacrifice of my own miserable life I am made acceptable to the Father and He in turn fills me with the Holy Spirit who enable me to live a life of joy and grace. Thank You Beloved.

Mark 3:31-35

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There never was and there never will be a human creature more pleasing to God, more beloved by Him, than the one whom the Father chose as His fair daughter, who the Son chose to be His Mother, and whom the Holy Spirit chose to be His Bride.

If I and everyone else in the world choose Mary as our model then You would have us all as Your mother, brother, and sister. 

Mary, Mother of God, and my Mother, intercede for me and for the whole world.

2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10, Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26, 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

2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10, Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26, 
Mark 3:22-30


2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

David was a man like all men. From being a shepherd of his father's flock he was chosen by God and anointed by Him as king through the prophet Samuel and later by the people. Under his rule the people of God in Israel were united and he reigned successfully, for not only was he God's chosen, but more importantly God was with him. 

In the life of David we see a foreshadow of the true Prince of Peace, the Shepherd of the people of God, the anointed of God, the one who unifies all people and makes them one. Only in this instance God becomes a man and is like us in all things save sin. The Enemy is powerless before You just as the Jebusites were powerless against David. Zion was the city of David. The Universe and all in it belongs to You and You reign as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and God of all that is, was, and ever shall be. Your Kingship is everlasting.

Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26

Once you spoke in a vision,
and to your faithful ones you said:
“On a champion I have placed a crown;
over the people I have set a youth.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand upon the sea,

his right hand upon the rivers.”

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Great things are said of David but he died and is buried just as all flesh dies and becomes as dust. However, all that was attributed to him is more rightly said of You for all the praises that were sung of him were in fact prophesies of a King who was to come. The Sun of Justice. The Son of God. Anointed by the Holy Spirit to bring about the reign of God upon the earth and to win for God all peoples, and all nations of every race and language. In You the power of God and the wisdom of God are made manifest. In You the love of God and His faithfulness and mercy flow upon us as streams of living water. To You the Father has given all authority and at Your Name Beloved, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess to the glory of God that You indeed are Lord. There is no other Name by which we are saved but the Name that is every other. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Mark 3:22-30

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

It was clear to everyone who ever saw You, heard You teach, witnessed Your miracles over life, nature, and the supernatural that You were indeed God and from God. They believed when You said, "I AM". But those who opposed You, the Scribes, the Pharisees, those with religious authority were determined to keep the status quo where all power rested with them. They lauded it over the poor and the ignorant. They ruled rigidly and kept people bound and restricted with their interpretation of the law. This is why they attributed Your power to the devil. 

The works You did were clearly of God. The blind could see, the deaf hear, the lame could walk, the dead were raised to life and the people believed. This is what struck fear in the heart of Herod and the religious authorities. They preferred the lies rather than the truth that God had come among us and walked with us. 

It is no different today Beloved. Christians are persecuted and harassed because Your power continues to work powerfully in us and the wicked continue to be threatened by Your goodness, kindness, gentleness, mercy, and power that is made visible in those who truly believe.   

Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 25:4-9, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 25:4-9, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20


Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The city of Nineveh was a pagan city. Its people were to be destroyed because of their sins but God is a merciful Father and would not carry out their destruction before giving them an opportunity to repent. God sends His reluctant prophet Jonah to preach repentance and to warn the people of their coming downfall lest they turn away from their sins.

It would have taken Jonah three days to walk the length and breadth of Nineveh before all would hear his message of repentance, but such was the heart of the people that at the end of the first day the entire nation beginning with the king, wore sackcloth and fasted. God saw that they had repented from their sins and they were saved.

Often, it is the people of God who are hard of heart. We take our faith for granted and are often guilty of the sin of presumption. On the other hand, there are many who hearing about You for the first time, believe in the Good News and are counted worthy to inherit the Kingdom. Truly Beloved, many who are now first will last and the last will be first.

Psalm 25:4-9

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Psalmist's prayer to God is that He reveal the Way to Him, to guide him in the Truth in order that he may receive life from the Savior. 

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.

Long before Your incarnation Beloved, the people of God cried out to God for the One who would set them free from the bonds of sin and death.

Thank You for revealing to us the Father's heart which is full of mercy and compassion for us. He does not seek the destruction of the sinner but longs for all His children to be saved. 

Thank You Beloved for coming into the world in accordance with the will of Your Father, and for redeeming us.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Ever since You came into the world and redeemed us we are living in the final days. Millennia have come and gone and we do not know the exact day or the hour when You will return in glory but we ought to live as if that day were today and that hour is now upon us. 

St. Paul is warning us that time is running out and we ought to live in the world but not be possessed by it if we are to be counted among those that will taken up with You into glory. Unfortunately, we are living in an age where all things spiritual are considered a joke and Christians are mocked and persecuted. 

Grant us the courage Beloved, not to be taken in by the things that pass away but to cling to the things that are eternal.  

Mark 1:14-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

John is arrested and the way is open for You to begin Your mission. John rightly said, that he must decrease while You increase. Everything was in accordance with the plan of God. Let us not cling to what we have, or to the past, but be open to the wonderful new thing that God wants to reveal to us and to give us.

It is time to evangelize and to call everyone within the circle of our influence to repent and to believe in the Good News. Andrew, Simon, James, and John gave up their trade and livelihood as soon as they received Your invitation to follow You and in doing so they would cast a wider net, fishing for men and women for the Kingdom of God and for His glory. At Your invitation they left their nets, they left their family, they left all that was dear and familiar and followed You and they did indeed become fishers of men and women. 

My mission is the same. I too am called to preach repentance and forgiveness of sin in order that all receive the joy of eternal life with You.

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27, Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7, Mark 3:20-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son. Acts 16:14

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27, Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7, 
Mark 3:20-21

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Both Saul and David were fighting battles the difference was that God was with David and so he was victorious. Even though Saul, on numerous occasions sought to kill him, David still gave him allegiance since he was a king anointed by God. David too was the Lord's anointed but that did not make him proud and haughty. He did not hold a grudge against Saul despite the fact that he had hounded him out of Israel and exiled him. David and Jonathan were more than friends, David loved Jonathan as a brother. He mourned their death and asked his entire army to  mourn as well. He sang songs praising the deeds of Saul. 

David was truly remarkable. His generosity of spirit and his ability to not only overlook the evil Saul had done to him but to forget them completely. Grant my Beloved that I may rise above petty thoughts and actions and be generous in spirit when I deal with those who are not so. 

Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank and praise You for revealing Your Face to us in the Holy Eucharist. Thank You for saving us by laying down Your life for us in order that we may exchange our death for Your life. 

Thank You Father for consoling us and for wiping away our tears and for giving us Jesus, You Beloved Son as our Lord, our Savior, our Bridegroom. 

Thank You Holy Spirit for without Your power the bread would remain bread and the wine, wine. But Your power transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Savior and God.

We do see Your Face O Shepherd of Israel and we are saved. Thank You.

Mark 3:20-21

Dear Lord, Beloved of my soul,

If Your relatives were also Your disciples and lived with You, they would not have been influenced by hearsay. How often we believe that we have the right to pass judgement on the actions of another even though we know nothing about them? How often we allow others to influence our judgement instead of forming opinions for ourselves after proper assessment of the facts. How often we jump to conclusions because those with power and an axe to grind, influence the way facts are presented and misrepresented.

Lord God, if I were a genuine disciple I would not be influenced by wolves in sheep clothing. Keep me close to You  who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.