Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16, John 14:21-26

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you. Jn 14:26


Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16, John 14:21-26


Acts 14:5-18

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Paul was a powerful preacher not only because this charism was the Gift of the Holy Spirit but also because of his conviction that You are indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. Prudence, wisdom, and common sense must go hand in hand as we see in this instance. The Gentiles and the Jews in Iconium wanted to do kill them so they went to other cities and continued to preach the Gospel wherever they went. Were it not for the persecution the people of these places may have never heard the Good News that saves. 

In this miracle, we see that faith is necessary in order to see the power of God at work. The cripple believed in the Good News, Paul recognized that the man could be healed and so he commanded him to walk and he did. The rest of the crowd were so taken up by what they had just witnessed they declared Paul and Barnabas to be gods and were preparing to offer sacrifices to them.

The two Apostles immediately refuted them and tried to make them understand that what they had witnessed was the power of the one true God. History is littered with rogue evangelists who take personal credit for the work of miracles, signs, and wonders that is clearly of God. This is why You have warned us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. 

Paul explained to the people that they have always known the true God even while they were worshipping false ones. He was evident in all that was around them in nature and the seasons, and all the good things they enjoyed from their beauty and bounty. 

Grant O Lord that Your servants never steal the glory that is due to You alone.

Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for Your Presence everywhere. Not only do You come to us in Bread and Wine but Your handiwork is all around us. All of creation tells us of Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your love and our hearts ought to swell always in joyous praise.

There are many in the world who bow down before idols made of silver and gold. They put their faith in the handiwork of artisans who fashion beautiful, inanimate objects and worship them.

Catholics are accused of being idol worshippers if this were true Beloved, then the iconoclasts would have succeeded in their attempt many centuries ago in their attempt to rid our churches of so much beauty. We are creatures and You understand our need to look at images of You, Mary, and the saints. Icons are sacred images that remind us of our history. They fill our senses and move our hearts to look beyond them to You whom the heavens cannot contain. 

John 14:21-26

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

If I truly loved You then I would find it easy to turn away from all the frivolous pastimes that separate us. Your Word is clear, "Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him.”  There have been times Beloved when I have with Your help been able to keep myself away from the things of the world and I have seen the difference it has made in my life yet, fool that I am, I am unable to sustain this way of living for long. I go back to old ways and find myself once again with leaden feet and I am unable to soar with the Holy Spirit on the wings of the eagle.

You have said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and live with him." Can it get any clearer than this Beloved? Yet, I drag my feet. I do not love as I ought to, as I desire to. I want to be consumed by the fire of divine love but just desiring it is not enough. Hell is full of those with good intentions but who took them no further than desire. 

Beloved, it is the will of the Father that we know and love You, for in knowing and loving You we know and love Him. You then make us this awesome promise for You know that there are many weak, sinful, foolish people like myself. "From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you."

Grant O Lord that I may receive a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit this Pentecost and not only me Lord, but Your Church and the world. Amen.












22 Judas—not Judas Iscariot—asked
Jesus, “Lord, how can it be that you
will show yourself clearly to us and
not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered
him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep
my word and my Father will love him;
and we will come to him and live with
him. 24 But if anyone does not love me,
he will not keep my words; and these
words that you hear are not mine, but
the Father’s who sent me. 25 I told you all this while I am still
with you. 26 From now on the Helper,
the Holy Spirit whom the Father will
send in my name, will teach you all
things, and remind you of all that I
have told you.

Acts 9:26-31, Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32, 1 John 3:18-24, John 15:1-8

DAILY HOLY MASS READING

Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord.
Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Jn 15:4A-5B


Acts 9:26-31, Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32, 1 John 3:18-24,
John 15:1-8


Acts 9:26-31


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Old sins cast long shadows and often people are unwilling to accept that sinners have changed and have become a new creation in You. So it is with Paul. He has an alarming reputation because his persecution of Christians was legendary. His reputation as an enemy of the Church was widespread and Ananias in Damascus was afraid was to go to him. Similarly, the Apostles in Jerusalem were unwilling to believe that he was now a disciple. It took Barnabas, a disciple himself and known to the eleven to testify on his behalf. He told them how Paul had seen You in a vision and that he was now a most ardent defender of Christians and the Way. It was only after Barnabas vouched for him that they believed, embraced him wholeheartedly and welcomed him into the fold. 

All of us are sinners and we have all at one time or another experienced a personal conversion but those who knew us then only remember our old sins and hold us hostage to their old memories of us. 

We all need to be like Barnabas. We need to speak up when people vilify those we know to be good Christians. No one should be held in chains to their past once they have become a new creation in You. We must readily accept the testimony of those who speak on their behalf. 

Soon Paul himself proved that he was truly appointed to You as an Apostle to the Gentiles. Persecution followed him wherever he went and he had to escape those who sought to kill him. In this way, wherever he went, he preached the Gospel powerfully and many who heard him believed and were saved.

You have assured us not to worry about those who kill the body and after that can do nothing more. What is important is that we shine Your light in the world. We can trust the Holy Spirit, to do the rest. 


Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

God stoops in humility constantly over us His weak, willful, sinful children and how much more must we be prostrate in humility before Him

You have shown us that the Way to the Father is through obedience and humility. It is only when we a conformed to Your will in all things that the Holy Spirit can mold us into Your image and likeness. 

Thank You for Your assurance that all who sleep in You will rise again to worship You. Thank You for assuring me once again that my descendants too will serve You and tell of all You have done to succeeding generations. 

1 John 3:18-24

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Words are cheap this is why the disciple of love reminds us that our actions must testify to our love. We are reminded not to let our past sins keep us in condemnation but once we have confessed our sins we must trust that You have forgiven us completely. A heart that knows it has been forgiven much can approach You with confidence knowing that all we ask for in faith You will give provided we keep the commandment which is that  

we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us.

Thank You Beloved for the Holy Spirit who leads us deeper into life in You.

John 15:1-8

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

After what the Father has done for us in sending You to become the means by which we are all saved, He will not tolerate us to become deadweight on the Vine. As long as we draw life from You, as long as we produce good fruit, as long as we allow the Father to prune us through suffering, only then will He permit us to remain in You.

We live in You on the Father's terms and it is His will that we bear good fruit in abundance. You cursed the fig tree that was full of leaves but without figs and it withered. It was not the season for figs - the lesson You wished to teach us is that we are called to bear fruit in every season.  We can do so only if we remain in You and Your Word remains alive and active in us. To this, You attach a glorious promise, 

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Grant Beloved Father, for the sake of Your Son, to fill me with Your Holy Spirit in order that I may do all that You have planned for me in this life. Amen.

Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98:1-4, John 14:7-14

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.  Jn 8:31B-32


Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98:1-4, John 14:7-14


Acts 13:44-52

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The first verse in today's Reading says that almost the whole city had gathered to hear the word of the Lord. This incited jealousy in the Jews. What were they envious of really? Is it because they loved their Jewish faith or simply because Gentiles, whom they despised, believed the Good News and rejoiced that God had not forgotten them?

Their envy and jealousy were so great that they were prepared to use any means by which to oust the disciples from their territory and they did. Unbeknownst to them, by their very actions, they were helping to further the Kingdom of God. The Gospel was being preached to other places and more and more were becoming believers.

When we are persecuted for our faith let us not get discouraged Beloved, but believe that God is at work and He will ensure that no matter where we go we will be faithful to the mission which has been entrusted to us. To preach the Good News in season and out of season. When it is convenient and when it is not. We leave the results up to You and to the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 98:1-4

Dear Lord, Beloved of my soul,

Truly You are God and not like us weak, powerless, sinful human beings. You know how to turn defeat into victory. You know how to turn poverty of spirit into incomparable riches pleasing to You. 

Beloved, if we trust Your Holy Spirit we will always have a new song praising and glorifying You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. You can and will work mightily in and through us if we yield ourselves to You.

Like the disciples, Beloved, grant that wherever we go we will remain Your humble and obedient servants attuned to the Holy Spirit and ready and willing to work ceaselessly in Your vineyard in the way that You desire us to. Amen.

John 14:7-14

Dear Loved, Beloved of my soul,

This Truth that You reveal about Your Father when You says, "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Helps me understand ever more deeply that You and the Father are One, indivisible in unity yet distinct Persons each from the other. The Holy Spirit is the bond of Love that makes the Three One. 

All that You did from the moment the Father sent You into the world was to reveal His Love for His wayward, sinful, most beloved children. It broke His Heart when original sin severed the link between Him and us and from the very moment on He conceived a way to heal it. This is what You were sent to do and You succeeded in doing it spectacularly my Beloved. 

Every Sacrament that You instituted is because Your Father wanted You to. You become one like us in accordance with Your Father's will. You taught us how to be obedient and humble as this is the only way we can receive what He desires to give - a share in His Kingdom.

After all that Philip has seen and after walking with You closely for three years he makes the most foolish request, 

"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." 

How often Beloved have I caused You to wince when I say something equally foolish? You said sadly to Philip, 

"Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 

Beloved, today I ask the Holy Spirit to etch these words on my heart. May I never forget them and every time I recall them may my love, faith, hope, courage, and strength refreshed, renewed, rekindled.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."

Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, John 13:16-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us 
and freed us from our sins by your Blood. Rev 1:5AB

Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, 
John 13:16-20


Acts 13:13-25

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Luke gives us a detailed account of Paul's ministry and his journey to different places to preach the Gospel and establish communities of believers. He travelled tirelessly wherever the Holy Spirit led him and did not refuse any opportunity to proclaim the Good News that saves. 

Today's Liturgy throws light on one such incident which will give us a glimpse of what his life was like and how he went about spreading the Gospel. One important fact to note is that he did not travel alone but with his companions. It is important that we have a like-minded friend so we can encourage and support each other.

When evangelizing we can take our cue from Paul, he begins by speaking of things his audience is familiar with and leads them step by step through salvation history. How God Himself chose a people and a nation and how He led them from the time of Abraham until John the Baptism who proclaimed Your coming and testified that You were greater than he and that he was too unworthy to even unstrap the sandals on Your feet. We need not be too anxious about the words we use for the Holy Spirit Himself will give power to our speech and it is He who will work in the hearts of those who hear the Good News. The work of conversion is His this takes the burden of results off our shoulders and rests squarely on the Holy Spirit where it truly belongs. All we are called to be is faithful.

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

David teaches us to always recall Your favors and give You unending praise and thanks in all circumstances. Not only are we called to recall Your kindness, goodness, and generosity to us but we are to encourage others to do the same, especially our children. From generation to generation we ought to raise up families who will praise You recognizing that it is You who bless us and shower us with Your goodness and mercy. 

John 13:16-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We are called to read the Gospels, meditate on it, and live it every day in our lives. We are called to imitate You. You invited us to serve as You did if we are truly Your disciples.

At the Last Supper when You washed the feet of Your disciples You commanded them to do likewise. Humility is an integral part of the work of proclaiming the Good News. Unless we are willing to get down on our knees ready to serve, show kindness, compassion, mercy, and tenderness we will not attract people to You. We are called to image You, to reflect You, to allow You to shine in and through us. 

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. 
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

1 Peter 5:5B-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17, Mark 16:15-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

FEAST OF ST. MARK, THE EVANGELIST

We proclaim Christ crucified;
he is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 
1 Cor 1:23A-24B


1 Peter 5:5B-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17, 
Mark 16:15-20


1 Peter 5:5B-14


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

In Your Word to me today You assure me that You are with me always. In the first Reading of the Liturgy, St. Peter reminds me how I ought to live in order to be pleasing to You. While it is true that You have already claimed me for Yourself, I am required to be faithful, humble, obedient. You are the Way, the Truth, and Life and I am called, by virtue of being grafted into Your Body, to follow You, to image You, to be holy and perfect as Your Father is holy and perfect.

I must walk in humility always. I must have childlike faith in You and cast all my worries on Your shoulders for You care for me. I am called to be aware that evil is around me waiting to ensnare me but You are my shield and as long as I choose to resist him, You will be right beside me helping me to withstand his wiles and deceit. Faith in You will help me accept whatever suffering comes my way for suffering is a part of life. I can trust You to help me carry my cross every day and grant me grace through Your Holy Spirit to follow You all the days of my life on earth.

Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17, 

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist teaches me that Your praise must be always in my heart and on my lips. In this is true joy. You have poured favor upon favor on me from the moment I was conceived and I, on my part, must have a heart filled with gratitude for all You have done for me. How faithful You are Beloved, You have never abandoned me, not once. It is I who have been unfaithful, it is I who have chosen sin and thus separate myself from You. But when I confessed my sins You forgave me. You washed me clean and drew me once more into Your Sacred Heart.

There is none like You Beloved. Thank You for coming to me each time I receive You in the Holy Eucharist. Thank You for choosing me. Thank You for the hope I have in You.

Mark 16:15-20

Dear Loved, Beloved of my soul,

You chose the Twelve, one of them chose to freely and deliberately walk away from You and in doing so he condemned himself.

In You, there is no condemnation. You knew from the first that Judas would betray You but he didn't know it. The desire to do so came to him and he chose to act on his desire. It is good for us to know that like Judas, every one of the baptized has received the same graces, blessings, gifts, unique privileges that belong to the members of the family of God and are members of the Church. God does not withdraw His favor. His Covenant of Love with us is unbreakable. It is we who walk away when we choose to sin deliberately and willfully.

All the baptized have received this mission that You gave to the Eleven, 

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

At our Baptism the Holy Spirit is given to us and at Confirmation, we are made aware that we are equipped for our mission. We are sent out to preach the Good News boldly in order to rid the world of darkness and sin. Signs will accompany our preaching if we believe and preach with expectant faith. Forgive my timidity thus far Beloved and may I, from this moment on, be unafraid to live my faith publicly so others too may come to know and believe and be saved. 

Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87:1B-7, John 10:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87:1B-7, John 10:22-30

Acts 11:19-26

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

This is why You say all things work for good if we believe. The disciples did not moan and groan because they were being persecuted rather, wherever they went, they took the Good News with them and preached the Gospel in season and out of season. This is how the Word of God spread and the seeds of Christianity were sown. The blood of Stephen indeed was the seed of Christians and so it continues to be. Anyone who is willing to lay down their life for You and for the sake of the Gospel can be assured that many will come to believe because they had the courage to face death without fear. They knew that they would be received into Your Kingdom. They would behold You Face to Face and their joy would be complete.

Antioch became the seat of Christianity in those days and it was here that we, Your followers, were identified as Christians. The number of believers among the Gentiles was growing rapidly and the news of how marvelously God the Holy Spirit was bringing more and more into the nascent Church prompted the Apostles to send Barnabas to see for himself and report if all they had heard was true. What is said of Barnabas must be said of every Christian, that we are good, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith it is when we are all these that God can use us to establish and build His Kingdom.

We are told that Barnabas went looking for Saul in Tarsus and having found him brought him back to Antioch and together the taught and preached to the believers so that their faith would grow strong and they, in turn, would draw many more to believe in the Truth of the Gospel and be saved. 

Psalm 87:1B-7

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Church which You have founded on Peter the Rock, is one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic - there is no other and You have assured us that the gates of hell shall never prevail against her.

You love Your Church, she is Your Bride, she is holy because You make her holy despite the fact that her members are all sinners. Your Holy Spirit dwells in her and is at work to help her grow in holiness one day You will present her to Your Father as Your Bride without wrinkle or stain. It is hard to imagine that this could ever be possible but this is what You have promised, and Your Word is true.

All who are born into the Church through Baptism are grafted into Your Body. We are a new creation filled with grace, power, and strength to put our sinful ways behind us and to keep our gaze fixed on You. Filled with Your Spirit we face the world with confidence knowing that with You we can overcome a sinful world.

John 10:22-30

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The hour is drawing near when You will give Yourself up to the world in order to repair the breach between God and the world. The Jews are watching You as You walk about in the temple and finally the put the question to You, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." After all that they had witnessed, they ought to have believed by this time and if they had not then they never would. 

You answered them saying, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Keep all who belong to Your fold safe until the end Beloved I beg You. Amen.

Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4, John 10:1-10

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me. Jn 10:14


Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4, John 10:1-10


Acts 11:1-18

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

To this day the Pope is attacked by those who are clueless about the true reasons why he says and does some things sometimes. Today we see how our first Pope, Peter was attacked by the Apostles and disciples. Without first asking him why they confronted him about eating with uncircumcised people. It is we who make divisions and play right into the hands of the Enemy.

If only we first paused to pray, to think that perhaps there is a very good reason for what he said or did before we came out guns blazing with a holier than thou approach, full of unrighteous indignation. It is bad enough that the Church, the hierarchy, and Catholics, in general, are bad-mouthed by the world but for us to be guilty of the same is reprehensible.

Only after hearing Peter's explanation as to why he acted as he did we are told, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, "God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too."  

If we have at any time pointed long accusing fingers at the Church and especially our Holy Father let us resolve to do so no more. There must be times when he feels lonely and discouraged when everything he says and does is twisted out of context. Let us not be counted among the Pharisees and Scribes of the day rather let us pray for him every day that the Lord may grant him grace and courage to steer the Bark of St. Peter where He wills and not the world.

Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Grant me the same grace that the psalmist is praying for to thirst for the life-giving waters that flow from Your Sacred Heart. May I long for You every moment of every day like a deer that yearns for running streams in the time of drought. Grant my Beloved that I may live every moment of every day with a desire to so live my life here on earth that at the end of life's journey I will behold Your Face.

With every reception of the glorious Sacraments You instituted my Beloved, may I be filled with Your light and Your Truth. May Your Holy Spirit lead me moment by moment and may I yield completely to His promptings and guidance even though I may be tempted.

Thank You for the Banquet that You lay out for me every day. Whether I come to the table or not it is there for me and all who believe are welcome to eat and drink of their fill and be satisfied. Thank You Beloved for the hope that someday I will eat and drink at the eternal Banquet of the Bridegroom and the Bride in the Kingdom that is to come.

John 10:1-10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

More often than not the hired hand who tends the flock is unfaithful. At the first sign of danger, the sheep are abandoned to the wolves and they are scattered. This is why we have so many denominations among Christians. They have abandoned the Good Shepherd, rejected His teachings, interpreted the Word according to the culture of the day, and many have been led astray. 

What is even more agonizing is that often the enemy is within the sheep-fold. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing and he attacks the sheep from within. Every shepherd must faithfully imitate You, our Good Shepherd. Their voice must be Your Voice, familiar and dear, resonating with Truth and Life.

You have given us a way of knowing who the false prophets are by their fruits. You came to give us peace in a world of conflict and to unite us in love to God and to one another anyone whose work is contrary to this goal is the work of the Enemy. 

Grant us the wisdom Beloved not to be taken in by the wiles of Satan but to stay close to the You, our Good Shepherd, always.

Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me. Jn 10:14


Acts 4:8-12, Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29,
1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18


Acts 4:8-12

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and so are all his successors. It is not up to the members of Your Body, the Church, no matter how high they are in the hierarchy or how low, to undermine the authority of Your Vicar on earth. We know that Your prayer for Your Body is unity, You have also said that work of division is the work of Satan and his minions. 

Today, our first Pope reminds us that every good deed, every miracle, is performed in the power of Your Name. It is this Name above every other that has been given to us by which every man, woman, and child is saved.

You are the Stone rejected by the builders. You continue to be rejected to this day even as You were first rejected by Your own people. We crucified You by our sins and You paid the price by taking our place on the Cross. It is You whom God has raised making You the cornerstone of the Church, of the New Jerusalem, of the Kingdom of God on earth.  

Peter does not mince words when he proclaims to the leaders of the people and elders and to the whole world until the end of the world that, "There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." We are free to accept this truth or reject it such is the gift of free will granted to us by our loving Father. However, we cannot escape the consequences of such a rejection which is eternal separation from God. 

Psalm 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and worship is fitting for hearts that are loyal to You, We ought to be in a constant state of ecstatic praise for You are so gracious, so kind, so merciful.  You have made a place for us in Yourself. We have found our home in Your Heart. We know that anyone who places their trust in You will never be disappointed.


Thank You Beloved for answering every one of my prayers, often not as I may have wished but in a way that was perfect. I am sorry for the many times in my life when I have rejected You. Thank You for not rejecting me and consigning me to hell where I truly belong were it not for grace.

Grant my Beloved that I may always be one with You and that the Holy Spirit may always live in me and I in Him. Keep me safe until You call me home. Thank You.

1 John 3:1-2

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

What a glorious destiny awaits all who believe in You. T

Thank You Holy Spirit for affirming what my Lord and Beloved said to me in His Word to me today.

Thank You Father for loving Me and for adopting me as Your daughter. I know that I do not deserve all You have done for me by creating me and giving me life. I thank You Father that I was born in a Catholic family and that I was given the faith in Baptism and for growing up in the knowledge of Your Son.

Thank You for the inheritance that is mine at the end of my life here on earth and for the glorious destiny that waits for me in Your Kingdom.

John 10:11-18

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

If You were not our Good Shepherd, if You had not laid down Your life for us, we would have perished. Thank You for marking Your sheep with an indelible mark at our Baptism and Confirmation that sealing us in Your Spirit forever. We belong to You and You assure us that not one of those who belong to You will be lost.

Thank You also for Your awesome assurance that all who believe in You will be saved. I have a mission, to bring many more souls along with me to the Kingdom of heaven. Give me an authentic burden to draw as many souls to You. Thank You for the power of Your Resurrection and for the hope that we who are members of Your Body have that we too will receive a share in it on the last day."

Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69


Acts 9:31-42

Dear Lord, Beloved of my soul,

During the reign of King David, Israel was united for a short period of time and enjoyed peace. We now read that wherever the Church was established in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria Christians enjoyed peace. 

Peace is Your gift to all who believe in You. Before You went up to heaven to be with Your Father, You promised to send Your Holy Spirit. True to that promise You did send Him upon Your Church at Pentecost. The Catholic Church is Your Body, and it is in her that peace now makes its home. 

Peter was a new man after Pentecost. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit he went about teaching, preaching, and doing all that You did. This is what You have said - all who believe in You will do even greater things because You will send us the Helper. Peter became a man for others and performed mighty miracles in Your Name. All who witnessed the mighty power of Your Named at work came to believe in You and were saved. Cripples walked, the dead were restored to life and these wonderful signs continued wherever the Apostles preached.

That same power is at work today. However, it is more visible in the spiritual realm where peoples souls are revived and many are brought from certain, and eternal death to new life in You.


Psalm 116:12-17

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist asks how he can repay You for all the wonders of Your loving kindness to him. It is not possible to do so. Nothing we do can outweigh Your generosity, Your kindness, and Your goodness. However, what we can do is to offer to God the Sacrifice of Praise, Adoration, and Thanksgiving that is most pleasing in His Sight. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The Cup of Salvation has the power to restore to God all that is lost through sin. Every worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist transforms the members of Your Body the Church into effective witnesses of our faith. 

Each one of us has made vows, at first in Baptism made on our behalf by our parents and Godparents, then by us at Confirmation and at every Easter vigil. These are the vows that we are called to be faithful to and to keep all the days of our life.

May we never forget for an instant Beloved, that we are the servants of the handmaid of the Lord. Mary is our most loving Mother and we can always count on her intercession for her poor children. Thank You for loosening the bonds of sins in Baptism, thank You for the Holy Eucharist that transforms us more and more into Your image and likeness, drawing the whole world through us to You.


John 6:60-69

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Truly, Love, the road to the Kingdom is hard and narrow and few choose to take it. This Truth about eating Your Flesh and drinking Your Blood proved too much for Your disciples who hitherto followed You. They heard You teach, preach, they witnessed the many miracles that pointed to the Truth that Your power was indeed of God. But this was something that made them recoil. You heard them murmur and grumble and You asked bluntly, "Does this shock you?" Then You proceeded to reveal even greater truths about Yourself.  

What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe."

All Your disciples were unwilling to continue to walk the Way with You, they left and only the Twelve remained. And even among the Twelve, You knew which of them would betray You. Then You revealed an even greater truth, no one can come to You unless the Father draws him or her to You. For this reason Beloved we who believe must be so grateful to the Father for choosing us to believe and to follow You.

How heartbreaking it must have been to see all who had followed You faithfully thus far leave and return to their former way of life that had nothing to offer them. This is another of the many sad lines in the Gospels, "they no longer walked with him."


Turning to Your Apostles You asked them if they wanted to leave as well. It was important for them to make a personal declaration of faith in You and Simon Peter, who generally puts his foot in his mouth was inspired by say, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

He is the one chosen by the Father and appointed by You as the visible head of the Church. It is he and his successors, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who will lead her through the all the storms safely to harbor.