Zephaniah 3:14-18A, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 1:39-56

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed
That what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. 

Lk 1:45

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Zephaniah 3:14-18A, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 1:39-56

Zephaniah 3:14-18A

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today the Church remembers and celebrates the Visitation of our Blessed Mother, Mary to her cousin Elizabeth who was advanced in years and pregnant with her first child.

Mary herself is now the Ark of the New Covenant for she carries within her the Son of God, and as she makes haste to visit her cousin, she makes the first Eucharistic Procession. She is the tabernacle, she the monstrance, for within her body she is the Word of God made incarnate from her flesh. That same Body is to be our Food. The Blood that courses through You is received from her, that precious Blood that is to be our Drink.

This is why the First Daughter of the Father rejoices and we are glad and we exult with her for God has begun this wonderful new thing in her for the world. Through the One whom she has conceived through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High, the world will be redeemed. The world which was infiltrated by Satan and his minions will no longer prevail for the victory will be won, God will triumph, His First Born will remove forever the sting of death and open the gate to the Kingdom of God. No wonder the prophet announces to the children of Israel to shout for joy for God's favor has rested on one of her daughters to bring to fruition His plan for the salvation and redemption of the whole world.

Isaiah 12:2-6

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Prophet Isaiah is the prophet who prophesied accurately all that the world could expect the great, and Holy One of Israel would come in our midst. 

The people of Israel were given new hope, they were encouraged to live in joyful expectation for the wondrous plan of God that would soon be fulfilled. A Savior would be sent who would wipe away our tears, who would lead us to streams of Living Water and quench our thirst. 

No longer would we need to fear for God Himself has become Emmanuel, God with us. 

Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank You, Mother Mary, for the joy we now possess because Mary said yes.

Luke 1:39-56

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Mary was sinless and this is why she was a mirror that reflected God and God alone. This is why she said yes even though she did not fully understand all that that yes encompassed. Having received the message from the Angel that she was to bear God's Son and that her aged cousin Elizabeth was with child, she goes in haste to be of service to her, to encourage her, to share the Good News. 

The evangelist tells us that the moment the sound of Mary's voice in greeting reached Elizabeth the baby in her own womb recognized that he was in the Presence of God and leaped with joy. At that moment he was filled with the Spirit of God for the great mission that would be entrusted to him.

When Elizabeth, who through the power of the Holy Spirit returned Mary's greeting with the words, 

"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."

Mary responded with the Song of Songs as she praises God for the new thing that He has begun in her for the salvation and redemption of the world. It is a Song that has been sung through the ages and all who sing it also contemplate with Mary the wonderful things God has done for us through her yes to His plan.

This Song is the Song of the Church You founded with Mary as her Mother, You as her Bridegroom, God Himself as her Father and the Holy Spirit who empowers her and makes her a beacon of light set high on a hilltop. It is to her that the people of the world can ascend and find in her the fullness of joy, love, peace, and fulfillment for our own lives. 

Mary teaches us how to be a true disciple, a perfect model of faith that we can emulate. Loving Mary and imitating her we can be certain that we can reach the Kingdom of God surely and safely.

May we sing and exult with Mary as we too join in her hymn of praise, the Magnificat:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."

1 Peter 1:18-25, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Mark 10:32-45

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Son of Man came to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mk 10:45


1 Peter 1:18-25, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, 
Mark 10:32-45



1 Peter 1:18-25

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Peter reminds us in his letter today who we are in You. Our infinite value as children of God who have been ransomed by the Blood of the spotless, unblemished Lamb. You, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, have lived in a union of love eternally. However, in the fullness of time, God sent You into the world so we who have placed our faith and hope in You will glorify God by loving each other sincerely.

We who are baptized have been born again this time not in the flesh but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for:

"All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like the flower of the field;
the grass withers,
and the flower wilts;
but the word of the Lord remains forever."

We are alive on earth for just a span, and in the end, like all that is of the world, our mortal lives will end but our soul, created from imperishable seed, will live forever. We, each one of us, will determine our eternal destiny through the gift of free will that is given to us. 


Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You have ordained that I be born in a Catholic home.  I was born with a huge advantage unlike those who were born into homes with other faiths and beliefs. You bestowed the gift of faith to me at my baptism making it easy, through grace to believe and live the truths of the Catholic faith. Now my children believe as well and as You have assured me this faith will be handed to all the generations that will follow for You have blessed my children. The bars of the gates of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church are impregnable and within her, we are safe and secure. 

You who are the Eternal Word of God make Your home in her. Peace is Your gift to her. She is fed with Your Body and Your Blood and she is guided in all things by Your Word and abides by it faithfully. Your Word sustains her, Your Word upholds her, Your Word is alive in her and is the source of her life. 

All who believe can enter her for she welcomes all, and all will find a home in her.

Mark 10:32-45

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Why is it that despite telling Your disciples over and over again all that would happen to You in Jerusalem and describing the sequence of events that would occur accurately, did they flounder, fear, and run away? One would imagine that having been prepared for the terrible things that would soon take place they would have been able to stand firm especially since You assured them that You would rise again on the third day.  It seems quite baffling that not one of them could recall what You had said during the terrible hours that followed Your arrest culminating in Your passion, death, and burial. 

In fact, when You were telling them what awaited You in Jerusalem they were too afraid to question You. Come to think of it Beloved, I am no different. I too don't like dwelling on unpleasant but necessary things. I'd rather act like that they don't exist. 

Side by side with this incident we are told about James and John coming to You and requesting places of honor at Your right and left in the Kingdom of God. 

To enter the Kingdom we have to drink deep of Your Cup of Suffering we have to enter death before we can rise again in Your Resurrection. You remind us that we ought not to concern ourselves with places of honor, rather, we are to serve one another in imitation of You who came not to be served but to serve and to give Yourself up as a ransom for many. 

1 Peter 1:10-16, Psalm 98:1-4, Mark 10:28-31

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

1 Peter 1:10-16, Psalm 98:1-4, Mark 10:28-31


1 Peter 1:10-16


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Peter knew You intimately, he loved You more than the other Apostles hence, we must pay close attention to his words for he heard them from Your lips. May Your Holy Spirit enlighten my mind and open my heart to understand the wisdom and the beauty of the truths of Your Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

Beloved, the Old Testament prophecies pointed to You and it was the Holy Spirit that revealed all that was to come to them. God began by choosing Abram, revealing Himself and His plan to him, and from his seed He made a nation for Himself. 

We know from the prophets of old that from the line of David God would come a King whose reign will be eternal. From the writings of the prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah, as well as the psalmist we learn that this King will be unlike any other for He will be a Servant King who will suffer in order to heal and restore all mankind and the world. Just as sin entered the world through one man so would our justification come from One Man, the Son of the God, eternally begotten through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Angels look in awe at both You and Your Mother for they see to what lengths God was prepared to go in saving His children born of Adam. 

We are invited to fix our gaze on eternal things, imperishable things and not on the world and all its passing fancies. You have made it possible for us to receive grace in abundance through the Sacraments that You instituted. You know that we are weak and without help, it would be impossible for us to ever draw near to God.

Obedience is key to pleasing God. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, He will ensure that we grow in holiness. 

Psalm 98:1-4

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him, 
his holy arm.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations, he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

Mark 10:28-31

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is natural like Peter for us to wonder if our sacrifices are worth it. The Apostles had given up all to follow You and Peter was not afraid to come to You and speak of his concerns. They had left behind everything in order to respond to Your call to discipleship. 

It is good he asked the question that bothered him in order that he could have the answer which answers our fears and worries as well.

You assure Peter and every other disciple who will come after the 12 that any sacrifice we make for the sake of the Gospel and for the Kingdom will be rewarded in a way that we cannot even begin to comprehend. No one can outdo God in generosity and when He gives, He gives all. However, let us not forget that along with Your assurances comes a warning as well: 

"Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10, Mark 10:17-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.2 Cor 9-9

1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10, Mark 10:17-28


1 Peter 1:3-9

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There is no way we can ever thank the Father enough for what He has done for us through You. We can, however, give Him all glory for doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. Because He sent You into the world and because in perfect obedience You accepted His will and gave Yourself up for loves' sake, we have the hope of an eternal, imperishable, inheritance.

Beloved, my transgressions, my deliberate disobedience, deserves eternal punishment but because of what You have done for Me for love of Your Father, I have a joyful hope. May I endure all the trials and sufferings in this life with grace for it tests my faith and strengthens it. 

Beloved, I thank the Father for making His love visible in You. We know how precious we are in His sight for He did not withhold His Son, His only Son but gave Him up in order to reconcile us all back to Himself once more.

Psalm 111:1-2, 5-6, 9-10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You are the Father's eternal covenant of love with us. We thank You for the Holy Eucharist where Your people assemble to offer to the Father the most, holy, perfect, and pleasing Sacrifice that has redeemed every soul from the snare of the Enemy.

Thank You for the Bread of Angels, thank You for Your everlasting Covenant, thank You for the work of Salvation completed on the Cross at Calvary, thank You for sharing Your glorious inheritance so generously with Your adopted brothers and sisters.

May we always praise You Beloved from the rising of the sun to its setting until You come again in glory. Amen.


Mark 10:17-28

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I WALKED AWAY - MARK 10:17-28

Walking up to Jesus,

One lovely summer day,

I joined the throng to listen,

To what He had to say.

The children pressed around Him,

He held one on His knee.

Young and old alike were listening

To Him solemnly.

I wanted to be near Him

To never leave His side

So I exclaimed, “Good Master

I seek eternal life”.

He beckoned me and tenderly

Took me by the hand,

“Do all the law requires

Follow God’s commands”.

“I have paid heed to all of them

Since I was but a child”.

He looked at me with love and said,

“This then is my advice.

“There is one thing that you can do,

Sell all you have and then,

Give the money to the poor

And follow Me, my friend”.

I looked at Him and felt a pain

Ripping me apart,

I thought of all the worldly things

That held my foolish heart.

I walked away from Jesus

To where my treasures lay.

I kept my wealth but lost my life

That long, sad summer’s day.

MYRA D’SOUZA / 15.10.2000

James 5:13-20, Psalm 141:1-3, 8, Mark 10-13-16

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 Saint Philip Neri, Priest

James 5:13-20, Psalm 141:1-3, 8, Mark 10-13-16

James 5:13-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. James reminds us that in life or in death we are yours hence we ought to be giving praise and thanks in all circumstances. Whether we suffer from ill-health or are strong and happy either way we should have a song in our heart and praise on our lips.

The Church administers the Sacraments of healing from which grace streams into our souls. This is why he urges us when we are sick to call the priest who will anoint us with sacred oils, hear our confession, forgive our sins and strengthen us both in body and soul and if our hour has arrived that we are prepared for eternal life with You in glory.

He reminds us also of the power of intercession - we are all members of one body and if one member is strong and well so is the whole body, if one is weak and sick so are all the members affected. This is why we ought to help one another, pray for each other with faith knowing that God always hears our prayers.

We are not to be diffident in calling out the sins of another it could make the difference between that person being saved or being damned forever. We must be bold yet gentle, we must not be afraid to call sin by its name despite the world's insistence that nothing is sinful. You have written Your law into every heart and we know instinctively what is wrong, however, the world seeks to deceive us using clever words to camouflage the lies they propagate. The results of such deceit are moral decay and the terrible state of the world we find ourselves in today.

When we stand up for the truth, fight on the side of truth, and save those who would otherwise be lost, we will be forgiven much for caring enough to bring the sinner back home to You.

Psalm 141:1-3, 8

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Each time I come before You in prayer hear me, Lord. Accept my praise and thanksgiving every morning and through the day, until the evening is upon me, and may it be like fragrant incense rising to Your throne in the highest heavens. Who do who I have but You my Lord? Who can I run to but you My Beloved? I have no one to turn to and I have found in my distress, each time I have come to you, You have heard me and consoled me. You have wiped away my tears and filled me with joy once more. Thank You for helping me avoid sin and when I have succumbed to temptation thank You for granting me the grace of repentance and contrition. You have not abandoned me to wallow in my iniquity but have gently, insistently, wooed me back to Yourself. 

You are my refuge, my life, and my strength, grant that I may never yield to the wiles of the enemy and so be lost forever. Never forget Beloved the price You paid to save me and grant that I may never forget as well.


Mark 10-13-16

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Only a few instances of Your indignation are recorded in the Bible. Once such incident is mentioned in today's Gospel reading. You would not permit the disciple to prevent the children from coming to You and You rebuked them for highhandedly doing so. This is why we are told constantly that we must have childlike hearts and spirits for to such as these belongs the Kingdom of God.

Today the world is at great pains to rob children of their innocence. It is a crime of such great magnitude that we cannot treat such blatant wickedness lightly when adults, no matter who they may be, use their authority and their power to take by force the right to innocence, of a child. It is better, You say for such people to put a millstone around their necks and drown themselves rather than commit such a heinous sin against Your little ones.

Let us take the words of the Gospel today to heart and work to ensure that the innocence of children is preserved and protected for to them belongs the Kingdom of Heaven. Your hands are always raised in blessings over them and they are closest to Your Sacred Heart.

Give me a childlike heart Beloved and a contrite spirit so I too may nestle in You all the days of my life.

James 5:9-12, Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12, Mark 10:1-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth. Jn 17: 17B, 17A

James 5:9-12, Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12, Mark 10:1-12


James 5:9-12


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank You for St. James who has spoken plainly about some difficult subjects and he has done so without apology. Many of us are guilty of trying our hardest to make the unvarnished truth palatable and so we water it down hoping it will cause the least discomfort. Truth is a Person, Truth is the Second  Person of the Holy Trinity so our attempts to try and water it down are ludicrous. We cannot allow our brothers and sisters to go to hell because we have been too worried about hurting their feelings.

Perseverance in the face of persecutions and patience in the face of hardship is the best witness we can give to the world. Let us not lose heart Beloved when it seems that no matter how hard we try we are unable to win over those who prefer to delude themselves into believing the truth lies and lies truth. In such circumstances let us leave all judgment to You for You are full of mercy and compassion and You know best how to draw souls to Yourself. All we need to remember is that our lives must reflect the unwavering Truth we profess always.

Psalm 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I am called to bless Your Name with every breath I breathe all the days of my life. For You my Beloved have been exceedingly gracious to me, Your compassion and mercy have known no bounds. No matter how deep I was in the mire of sin, no matter how far I deliberately wandered from You and desired to sin rather than discipline myself and turn away from temptation, You continued to be patient with me and did not abandon me as I deserved.

Beloved, I need to show the same kindness, compassion, and mercy that You have always shown me. I have a tendency to be hard and narrow sometimes, forgetful of my own sinful past. Help me keep in mind always the depths of my own iniquities over and over and again and it will keep me humble and patient with my sisters and brothers.

Mark 10:1-12

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

When we look at our world today we see what a mockery we have made of marriage. It is no longer viewed as a union between man and woman for as long as they live, welcoming children with love and generosity and raising them up to be godly, holy, men and women.

If our children stray it is because the parents have strayed abandoning them so completely that they are rootless, they are without an anchor, they have grown up among weeds and rocks and have been choked, stunted, and blighted.

You do not mince words but said very clearly, 

How long Beloved before we wake up and realize that marriage is not an institution into which we enter lightly. We live in a world where there is no longer any wonder, and awe at the beauty of a man and a woman coming together in love in order to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship of friendship, respect, honor, and an openness to all that such a relationship entails. Marriage is attacked ferociously by the world today and those who do the attacking are quite ignorant of the fact that they are the pawns of Satan who is fully aware that if he strikes at marriage and the family he strikes the very foundations of goodness, truth, and beauty and weakens all the members of the society. How much longer Beloved, before wisdom prevails?

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,

she commits adultery."

James 5:1-6, Psalm 49:14-20, Mark 9:41-50

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God. 1 Thes 2:13

James 5:1-6, Psalm 49:14-20, Mark 9:41-50


James 5:1-6


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We live in a world that kowtows before the rich, the influential, the powerful, and the famous. They do little that raises the plight of the poor, rather they exploit them and ride on their backs in order to gain wealth. St. James warns that there will be a time of terrible reckoning for them. They live today as if there are no consequences to what they do. They brush aside all the is divine and refuse to believe that in the end all die and will be judged. It is then that retribution will be terrible but it will be too late.

We are invited to store up for ourselves that which does not corrode or destroy so on the day of judgment when we stand before You we need not tremble with fear but rejoice that at last, we behold You my Beloved, face to face.

Psalm 49:14-20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You came to reveal the truths and the values of the Kingdom of God. It is a place where all who know and love You will finally find their resting place. It is to the little ones that You pledge a place will reserved but not for the haughty, the boastful and the proud. Those who trust You, who hide in You, who know that of themselves can do nothing, it is they who will be blessed in eternity when they behold the beatific vision. To the little ones is promised and assured a share in Your glory.

Mark 9:41-50

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

We are called to be of service to Your anointed, our Bishops and our priests. Theirs is a hard life often made even more difficult by the demands made on them constantly and the barrage of criticism that they face. The spend themselves for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel and are often lonely and unappreciated. 

They are called by You to help us and yet we take them for granted today You remind them and us that if we are kind and helpful and give them the honor they have a right to expect, You will not forget it. In serving them, in loving them, in being kind to them we are being kind to You.

Here is another warning for the world Beloved. The world is bending over to strip Your littlest one of all innocence. They are being systematically and purposefully robbed of all purity and they are made caricatures of adults while still babes. All those in the world who use their influence and power to enforce evil laws robbing children of their right to be children and causing them to sin are warned that it would be better for them to drown themselves in the sea. 

We have to be vigilant over the members of our body and if we find that there is a tendency in us that leads us to sin it would be better for us to do violence against ourselves rather than have our whole body cast into the flames of hell that never go out and the worms that do not die.

We are called to be the salt of the earth that flavors the world with the Truth revealed by You. If we lose our savor we become worthless. What is the remedy to restore the flavor of God in us? Staying close to the Church and receiving the Sacraments is a sure way of keeping the salt in us and living in harmony with each other.

James 4:13-17, Psalm 49:2-3, 6-11, Mark 9:38-40

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6

James 4:13-17, Psalm 49:2-3, 6-11, Mark 9:38-40


James 4:13-17


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. James reminds us that we are Your creatures and the days of our lives are already numbered. Before we make any plans we must surrender them to the will of God for we do not know at what hour or day we will be summoned home to eternity. We are so consumed with the things of the world and the flesh. We are so consumed at having a good time and pandering to the clamor of the senses that we forget that life as we know it will pass away. 

We are so fragile and as ephemeral as a puff of smoke and yet we take ourselves so seriously. It is time to come to our senses and to yield wholly to the Spirit of God who is given to us as a Gift. Without the power of the Spirit at work in us, we would not know how to please You. We are called to clothe ourselves with humility if we are to conform our lives to Yours. We cannot claim ignorance for the sins we deliberately choose to commit for there is no legitimate excuse for us to continue to remain in ignorance. Once we are aware of what is right and wrong, our knowledge of the Truth condemns us especially when we bend over backward to conform to the worldly idea of the truth which is really a lie. 

Psalm 49:2-3, 6-11

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

There is nothing hidden about the Kingdom for You have made all things known to us in accordance with the Father's will. You taught us the Kingdom values. Your life was a living blueprint of how we ought to live our lives.

To be poor in spirit is to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that of ourselves we can do nothing. We cannot save ourselves. We have no personal resources that can help us choose the right, the true, the good, the beautiful - all is grace. 

When we put our trust in You we are saved. When we put our trust in material things and in people we will always be disappointed for they will fail us. The psalmist reminds us that no one redeems themselves - we are redeemed by You. This is why when we confess with our lips and believe in our hearts that You are Lord, the Kingdom of Heaven is ours.

Mark 9:38-40

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is possible to have a vision that is so narrow that we zealously, jealously, and selfishly discourage others to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are generously given to all who believe. We look askance at those who do not belong to our groups or associations but who nevertheless are doing God's work effectively, preaching the Good News, and bringing souls to You. We cannot restrict the Holy Spirit who blows where He wills. Rather, You remind us to rejoice that anyone who preaches, teaches and performs mighty deeds in Your Name can only help to build Your Body not tear it down. It is good to remember this Beloved and it is important to rejoice and be glad that they too are working to bring the Kingdom of God among us.

James 4:1-10, Psalm 55:7-11, 23, Mark 9:30-37

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Gal 6:14

James 4:1-10, Psalm 55:7-11, 23,  Mark 9:30-37


James 4:1-10

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Apostle James reminds us that if we belong to the world filled with longings for the things of the world and the demands of the flesh, we cannot expect to receive the pearl of great price when our life here comes to a close.

We live in a world of division, confusion, and hatred warring constantly with each other because we have not put to death within us the things that draw us away from You and from Your Holy Spirit. We do not pray as we ought. We do not receive what we ask for in prayer because we ask for things that would imperil our soul rather than asking for things that would draw us out of the mire of sin.

While it may seem on the surface that the proud and haughty of this world are happy and fulfilled, this is not true for their lives are empty. God draws close to the little ones. Those who know that they are nothing and depend on You for every breath we breathe. Thank You Beloved for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for only those with clean hands and pure hearts can approach You with confidence. Thank You for grace received through the Sacraments that provides us with the strength to resist the wiles of the devil. The meek and humble of heart You will not spurn. 

Psalm 55:7-11, 23

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist reminds me that I can trust You always. All I need to do is throw myself without abandon into Your loving arms and Your merciful heart will pity me and save me. Keep me close to You always. Do not permit a false sense of humility or shame to keep me separated from You, rather, let me have the wisdom to know that You love me and nothing can separate a contrite, repentant heart from receiving Your forgiveness in full measure.

When the tempter attempts to ensnare me let me flee to Your Sacred Heart and find a refuge in it. Keep me safe in the shadow of Your Wings until the danger has passed. Fill me with the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit that I may discern Your will for my life and choose always what is right, good, true, pure, noble, and beautiful. Amen.

Mark 9:30-37

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

You taught Your disciples that it was necessary to withdraw from the noise and bustle of the world periodically in order to be taught by You and Your Spirit. 

Some truths are unpalatable this is why You spoke about Your impending death often so when the time arrived they would be prepared. Unfortunately, this was not so. We see this from the reaction of the Apostles and disciples on several occasions after Your death and Resurrection. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were completely discouraged and defeated by the turn of events; their grief so overwhelmed them that it rendered them unable to recollect that You had warned them of the events that were to take place.

It is no wonder that they had forgotten because they did not quite believe it could be possible - instead, they squabbled like children about who was the greatest. You knew they would forget. How often You must have just shaken Your beautiful head often as You watched Your foolish friends lose sight of what was truly important. You were giving them hope to hold on to when the terrible events occurred, 

"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men 
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise." 

But they did not understand what You were saying as the evangelist Mark tells us, and they were afraid to question You. It is so with us too Beloved. We are afraid of the answer and so we do not ask the question.

You know all things and You knew exactly what the Twelve were arguing about it was then You called them, sat them down, and gave them a very important truth about the values of the Kingdom of God which is imperative for all who are Your disciples to follow, 

"If anyone wishes to be first, 
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." 
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, 
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."

Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7, John 19:25-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 

Mother of the Church

O happy Virgin, you gave birth to the Lord;
O blessed mother of the Church,
you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3:9-15, 20, Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7, John 19:25-34

Genesis 3:9-15, 20

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Adam and Eve were given a very clear command, just one, and they were expected to obey. They had the freedom to eat of the plentiful fruit of the trees in the garden but the fruit of this particular tree was forbidden. 

To this day Beloved, our fallen human race is riveted to the things that we ought not to do and we revolt from doing the things we ought; in this lies our tragedy.

You are constantly in search of the sinner. You never abandon us no matter how gravely and grievously we sin. "Where are you?" It is most comforting to know my Lord that as long as I have breath in my body You will come looking for me no matter how hard I try to hide from You and strive to cover my nakedness from You.

I am a sinner, there is no escaping that fact. This is why it is a good thing to quickly acknowledge my offenses and make reparation for my sins. Because of Eve, I will always be weak because of Mary I will always have hope. Thank You, my Lord and my God for saving and redeeming the world in perfect obedience to the will of Your Father thus restoring what Adam had lost irrevocably but for You.

Psalm 87:1-3, 5-7

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I cannot thank You enough that I was born in the embrace of Holy Mother Church, the Church You founded of which You are its Head and You its Cornerstone. She was birthed at the foot of the Cross and Mary went through the birth pangs making her its Mother. Thus she who conceived and gave birth to the Son of the Most High, was also given spiritual maternity of Your brothers and sisters when You entrusted her to the beloved disciple and the beloved disciple to her.

The Church is Holy because You, her Head, is holy. We receive through You all that is necessary to help us become like You. Thank You for our Holy Father and for all our Bishops and the Clergy. Thank You for all holy men and women and may every baptized Catholic be counted among them for we are all attached to You Beloved and we have eternal life flowing into us from You. We have an eternal and glorious destiny in and through Your Church because You make Your Sanctuary in us and among us.

John 19:25-34

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for entrusting me to Your Mother, thank You for thirsting for my love, thank You for accomplishing the work of salvation on the Cross and opening the gate to the Kingdom of God so I may enter. 

Grant me this grace Beloved to ensure that Your Mother who is our Mother too may be revered, loved, honored, respected, and highly venerated in our home.

Thank You for the sword of love that pierced through Your Sacred Heart and for the life-giving waters that continue to flow from it over Your Church and over every one who has received the Sacrament of Baptism. Stay with me Lord until the evening of my life arrives and receive my soul into Yourself. Amen.