Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13, Matthew 13:36-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest


Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13, 
Matthew 13:36-43

Jeremiah 14:17-22

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Jeremiah's lament is as appropriate today as it was when it was written. All good people, all who follow the God of Truth, must weep and mourn when we look at the crown of His Creation. We have given up wisdom and good sense and have made our dwelling place Sodom and Gomorrah. What God did to them we deserve as well my Lord. Not only have Christian nations forsaken their roots but in its place evil sits in the highest places. Those who perceive tremble in fear for we know that we have done this to ourselves.

Our children are growing up in despair and they do not know which way to go for no one has taught them Truth. No one has sown Your Word in their heart. 

Father, for the sake of Jesus Your Son do not cast us off completely. For the sake of His Passion and the Blood that was shed for the salvation of the world relent. Bring us back. True we have lived and continue to live loathsome lives but You are God and with You all things are possible. For the sake of Your remnant Father who cling to Jesus have pity, have mercy, grant us pardon and fill us with Your peace. Help us to turn away from the road that leads to eternal damnation and draw us back to Jesus, Your Son who has the power to save the whole world. Amen.Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Church unites her voice with the psalmist and pleads with You, her Bridegroom to come to our help and deliver us from the snares of the Enemy:

Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.

Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name's sake.

Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations, we will declare your praise.

Matthew 13:36-43

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

There are crowds and then there are those who are are Your friends. The crowds You dismiss every time after ministering to both their spiritual and physical needs. Those in the crowd can choose to remain part of the crowd or become a follower and a disciple.

To those who choose to remain with You, You reveal the secrets of the Kingdom of God. The ask for wisdom and understanding and You grant it to them. They are prepared to give up the world in order to remain by Your side. 

Today they ask You to explain to them the parable You just told the crowds - the Parable of the Seed and the Sower. The power of the Word is that it is alive. The Holy Spirit can always reveal new insights in the Word we may have read many, many times before.

You are the Sower who sows only good seed - the good seed are those who belong to the Kingdom of God who have been entrusted with a sacred mission to go into the world and labor untiringly in the mission field. The weeds which sprout everywhere are those who belong to the Evil One - they are an infestation sown by the Devil. However, he does not have the last word. You have overcome Satan. He has fallen like lightning from the sky. Despite his lies, we know the end of the story.

At the end of time You will destroy evil and the good You will draw to Yourself and give us a share of the Kingdom of God. Those who have deliberately lead scandalous lives and led others to do so as well will receive the punishment that You will give them. We must never forget that while it is true that You are a God of Love You are also a God of Justice.

The wicked will perish those who are saved will remain with You eternally.

Jeremiah 13:1-11, Deuteronomy 32:18-21, Matthew 13:31-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Jas 1:18
Jeremiah 13:1-11, Deuteronomy 32:18-21,
Matthew 13:31-35


Jeremiah 13:1-11

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Just as God formed a people for Himself when He chose Abraham and his descendants out of every nation to be His own, so too have I been chosen to belong to You. By virtue of my baptism, I am grafted on to Your Body as a member. I have been given every grace, privilege, and blessing to live a life as a child of God. I belong to the household of God. Yet, I have sinned and I continue to sin. Despite the fact that I am aware of how abhorrent sin is to You, I continue to allow give in to my weaknesses. Oftentimes with little or no struggle on my part, I permit myself to be taken over by temptation.

When I sin I distance myself from You. Help me Beloved. Too often I put myself in harm's way and I wound myself. Help me to make a thorough examination of conscience and then enable me to make a good confession. Wash away my iniquities and cleanse me from all my sins that I may walk once more in Your Presence bathed in Your Light and strengthened by grace to sin no more.

Deuteronomy 32:18-21

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Forgive me. I have sinned. I beg for Your mercy and for grace to turn away from the paths that lead me to temptation. I am Yours. I have been claimed by You and yet I choose to walk away over and over again. O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. I need Your help I can do nothing on my own. Deliver me from my own concupiscence. Keep me close beside You and help me so that armed with grace and aided by Your angels I am able to battle with my sinful tendencies victoriously. Stay with me Beloved, I beg You, lest I be tempted beyond my strength to resist and be lost forever. Amen.
Matthew 13:31-35

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Over two thousand years ago, the Father sent You, His Son into the world to reveal His love for us. You revealed the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven to the people that He first claimed for Himself. When they rejected You, the Good News was preached to us. God is the Father of us all and He desires that all are saved and come to the knowledge of Truth.

The Truth about the Kingdom that was given to the world was like the mustard seed and the yeast that You spoke about in Your parables. Your Bride, the Church, has faithfully contemplated on the Word of Truth. She meditates on it just as Your Mother did and it continues to put down roots deep in You. The Holy Spirit gives her grace to bear an abundance of fruit for the life of the world. She has grown strong and provides shade for all who come to her. All are welcome. For as long as time lasts she will continue to understand more clearly her mission in drawing all to her so that there will be but one flock and one Shepherd.

2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

A great prophet has risen in our midst.
God has visited his people. Lk 7:16
2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18, 
Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15


2 Kings 4:42-44

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

We see in today's multiplication of the loaves a foreshadowing of the Holy Eucharist. The Gospel accounts will narrate two incidents when You too fed the people only there were larger crowds, all ate till they were satisfied, and there was plenty leftover. 

When You give us Your Flesh to eat in the Holy Eucharist when we consume the Bread of Life, there is enough for all, and all who eat are satisfied.

We thank You Father for this heavenly meal at every Eucharist. Thank you for making provision for Your children not only for the bread that satisfies our physical hunger but also for the more substantial Bread that satisfies and nurtures our soul.

Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Psalmist today offers grateful thanks to our heavenly Father for providing us all we need. His is an open hand and He gives to all from His bounty.

No one who approaches the Banquet Table wearing the wedding garment will be denied. Thank You Beloved for the Sacrament of Baptism which opens the door to Your faithful to receive all the other Sacraments as well. Thank You for satisfying the desires of our hungry heart and our thirsting spirit of all who come to You.

Ephesians 4:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

For those who are baptized, those who believe, those who have accepted Your call to be Your followers and Your disciples, we must always live in such a way that we are never an object for scandal in the Church. We do not deserve all the favors that we have been privileged to receive as members of Your Body the Church but it has been God's good pleasure to grant us the free gift of faith.

We are called to a light to the world and salt to the earth this call is not optional. We are called to emulate You, our Master always. You have revealed to us the love of the Father, You have poured Your Spirit into our hearts, You have given us the Sacraments as food for the journey and strength to help us all the way. Thank You, Lord. 

John 6:1-15

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Nothing that we have and nothing we can give out of the poverty of our own resources can ever satisfy the hunger of our neighbor. Philip's response to You makes that amply clear. "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." Nothing in the material world can ever be enough to feed the hunger of our brothers and sisters. God must intervene and supply what we cannot.

The Gospel writer tells us that the Jewish feast of Passover was near. He tells us this important fact before he writes about the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. This is because later on when You will institute the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, it will be on the Jewish Feast of Passover when this Sacrament of Sacraments will supersede and take precedence for all time, the Passover celebrated in the Old Testament and until that moment in time.

Andrew had noticed the boy with the five loaves and two fish. One person had something for himself alone and was as five thousand which did not include the women and children.  But with God all things are possible. We can offer You the less than nothing that we possess and You can work marvels with it. All we need to have is a generous disposition.

You took the boy's lunch, gave thanks to Your Father in heaven, and distributed it to those who were there. They ate till they were satisfied. You instructed the disciples to collect the leftovers so nothing would be wasted. They picked up the fragments of bread and filled 12 baskets. You are a God of abundance. The Church will always have all we need to feed us when we approach the Eucharist.

Jeremiah 3:4-17, Jeremiah 31:10-13, Mathew 13:18-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance. Lk 8:15

Jeremiah 3:4-17, Jeremiah 31:10-13, 
Mathew 13:18-23


Jeremiah 3:4-17

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Truly all are called but only a few will hear and respond to Your call. Those who do have formed Your new people, Your new Jerusalem, the beacon on the hilltop. All can see her light but only those who love the light will ascend the mountain of the Lord.

Here is another prophecy Beloved that has been fulfilled in You and in the Church, the New Jerusalem, that You have founded in Your own Body. You are the Head of the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church You have founded. You gave her birth on Calvary and she was wholly possessed by Your Spirit at Pentecost. 

While it is true that her members are sinful Beloved, it is You who clothe her in garments of righteousness, You make Your home and Your sanctuary in her and she gives You glory, honor, worship, praise, adoration in the offering of the one, holy, perfect, Sacrifice that she offers to the Father from the rising of the sun to its setting. This is why she will remain clothed in Your glory and Your majesty for she is Your Bride.
Jeremiah 31:10-13

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Although Your Church suffers persecution on every side yet, she remains unvanquished because You are her Shepherd. You gather Your flock tenderly as a mother hen gathers her chicks. You console and strengthen her for she walks in the valley of tears. Sorrow, suffering, and sacrifice are her lot for she is not greater than her Master. But we know that streams of life-giving water flow from You through her through the Sacraments. 

You have ransomed her from the powers of darkness, death, iniquity, and slavery and You have set her up high on a hilltop to be a light to the nations.

All who belong to her rejoice and are glad for they know that Your mark is upon them and they belong to You forever.
Mathew 13:18-23

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You explain succinctly how people receive the Word of God and respond to it. God is the Sower, the seed is Your Word, the different types of soil represents the hearts of those who hear the Word.

The seed that falls on the path are the hearts of those who are indifferent to You. They do not know You and do not wish to do so. Their hearts are a thoroughfare for all kinds of traffic so nothing can make an impact on them. 

The seed that falls on rocky ground are the hearts of those who are easily excitable. They respond to anything that is novel but they lose interest almost instantly and so the Word is unable to put down deep roots in them.

And finally, there are those on whom the seed falls and they receive Your Word joyfully, like Mary, they contemplate it, meditate on it, live it, find life in it, and they bear an abundant harvest for the glory of God.

Grant me a heart that is receptive to Your Word always like good soil and may I bring forth an abundant harvest with the help of Your grace and mercy. Amen.

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13, Psalm 36:6-11, Matthew 13:10-17

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 Sts. Joachim and Anne - Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13, Psalm 36:6-11, 
Matthew 13:10-17

Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-1

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Jeremiah's lament over the people of Israel is Your lament over Your people then and now. Yes, we were once faithful. Yes, there were godly nations but not more. We now have only the faithful remnant. The people of this age do not know You and do not wish to know You. Many have rejected You and Your Word for they know the Truth - their lives are sinful and if they accepted You then they would have to turn away from their sins. This they do not wish to do. They have been ensnared by their own evil desires which have now become addictions which they lack the strength to give up.

We have turned our back from the Source of Living Water that streams from Your Sacred Heart and instead we are trying to slake our thirst from muddy, broken cisterns that are not fit for drinking. The world is sick in heart, body, mind, spirit, and soul and yet it lacks the will to return to You.

Have mercy on us O Lord. Hear the cries of Your faithful remnant and draw us back to Yourself. Amen.

Psalm 36:6-11

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

In contrast with the first reading from the Book of Jeremiah which lacked hope the psalm is full of joy as the psalmist sings of God's mercy, and faithfulness that are never-ending.

Yes, Lord, we are sinners. There is not one among us who can claim to be sinless except the Virgin. We thank You for forgiveness of sins. We thank You for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We thank You that we can come to the streams of Living Water that flow from You and we can be washed, cleansed, and our thirst slaked. Thank You for the hope we have in You. Thank You for assuring us of the hope we have in You of Your everlasting goodness, mercy, and love.

Matthew 13:10-17

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The disciples wanted to know why You spoke to the crowd in parables. In answer, You said, that it is not given to all to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. However, this grace is granted to those who believe in You and the One who sent You through the power of the Holy Spirit.

You once said that we ought not to throw pearls before swine because they are clueless as to their worth. In the same way, those who have closed their minds to You would never be able to comprehend the things of God and of the Kingdom. But You assure those who believe that they will granted the ability to understand, believe, and live the Gospel values in season and out of season and to these will be given the riches of the Kingdom of God.

You spoke truly when You said to Your disciples,

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

This is true my Love for all who hear Your Word and believe. While the disciples may have been privileged to know You, walk with You, listen to You, touch You, talk to You, and live with You witnessing the marvel of Your Works and Your actions, we have received the greater privilege for You have said, "Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe." We have not seen You with our physical eyes my Lord and my God but we do believe because we see You through the eyes of faith.

2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Matthew 20:20-28

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 St. James, Apostle,

2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126:1-6, 
Matthew 20:20-28

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

If we only understood, if I only understood the great power given me through the Sacraments and that I carry within me I would walk boldly in the faith. I would live the faith unafraid of political correctness that constrains us to whitewash the truth. If I truly understood who I am as Your follower and Your disciple I would be unafraid of the world that persecutes, imprisons, punishes, and even puts to death those who preach the Gospel. I would keep ever before me and experience in me the power and the glory of the Cross.

St Paul understood what it meant to stand up boldly for the Truth for he was aware that souls were at stake and how important it was that not one of Your little ones should perish. St. James was martyred for the sake of the Gospel and so was St. Paul and countless others. Let me not be afraid of present temporary suffering but keep ever before me the glory of the Resurrection, giving You thanks always for the destiny that belongs to those who are called by Your Name.

Psalm 126:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

After every good Confession, we are like the captives of Zion returning home joyfully to our Father's House. 

Sin estranges us from God. We put barriers so grace is unable to work in us. We become heartsick, and sick in body and soul. Our lives become bleak and burdensome. God knew that we cannot bear the blight to our soul when we turn away from Him and follow the desires of our flesh when we are captivated by the pleasures and distractions of the world that draw us away for all that is good and true. 

Tears are the lot of those who are ensnared by sin and are unable to extricate themselves from its bondage. Thank You Beloved for the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation when we can once more be cleansed and are clothed again with grace and peace. Thank You for the joy that fills the soul after a good Confession. Grant me the grace to take advantage of this gift often. 

Matthew 20:20-28

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is the way of the world to jockey for the best places. This is the desire of parents as well for their children. We do all in our power to make sure we are first, noticed, acknowledged, praised, made much of. We like to be put before others. It was the same with the mother of James and John. 

She was looking for the most advantageous places for her two sons and they wanted it as well. You took this opportunity to teach them and us the way of the Kingdom of God which is in total contrast to the way of the world.

The Kingdom values teach us that the first is last and the last is first. Those who have nothing have everything. Those who lose their lives for the sake of the Gospel receive it in abundance.

We are not called to imbibe the ways of the world but the way of the Cross. We are called to serve and not to be served in imitation of You, Your Mother, and all the great saints who have gone before us.

We are called to give without counting the cost in order to gain all things in union with You.

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Psalm 85:2-8, Matthew 12:46-50

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him. Jn 14:23
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20, Psalm 85:2-8, 
Matthew 12:46-50


Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

How can I thank You enough for all the reassurance You give me today that although I am a sinner I belong to You. I  belong to Your flock and You are my Shepherd. You lead me and with Your staff, You guide me to keep me on the right path.  You ensure that I am fed with the finest wheat and the sweetest honey. You set me free from slavery to my own weaknesses to which I succumb so often. You do not get angry with me but you will chastise me gently and strengthen me.

Along with the prophet Micah I rejoice and sing Your praises,

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.

Thank You, my Lord and my God for not abandoning me but loving me back into Your fold. Amen
Psalm 85:2-8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for revealing Your mercy and love over and over again despite the fact that I am constantly falling short of all that I ought to be. Thank You for never abandoning me at the trough feeding on husks and covered in the grime of my offenses. Thank You for taking away my guilt every time I approach You with a repentant heart and a contrite spirit. Thank You for not direct Your just and burning wrath against me although I know You would be right in doing so. Thank You for Your everlasting love, mercy, and compassion and thank You for seeking and saving me. Amen. 

Matthew 12:46-50

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The open secret for those who wish to belong to You closely with bonds that are as intimate as those of immediate family members is to discern the will of the Father in all things and to do it. To do God's will once we know it, promptly and joyfully, is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven.

You once said to Your Apostles that doing the will of Your Father was food and drink to You. Mother Mary, when invited to collaborate with God and become Your Mother said, "May it be done to me according to Your Word." To do the will of God was food and drink to her as well. This is why she has been raised above all creatures and is seated at Your right hand.

To those who would interpret Your words as not giving Your Mother any undue importance by placing those who seek to do the will of God in better standing with You than her, do You a great disservice. They have not understood the great compliment You were paying her in public. You recognized before the crowd that she most perfectly had every right to be acknowledged as Your Mother for no creature ever did God's will more completely and perfectly as she did.

Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. Ps 95:8
Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23,
Matthew 12:38-42


Micah 6:1-4, 6-8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

What has God not done for the human beings that He created in love? He has given us all that we need and every one of His awesome gifts is undeserved and unmerited.

We ought to spend our whole lives prostrate before the Living God for His mercies and yet we spend all our waking hours consumed by frivolities. We have the Old Testament prophets who have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to foretell what was to come. How God would visit His people and redeem them by sending a King from the line of David to pay the ransom for our sins. A King more powerful than David ever was, an eternal King who would establish His rule forever.

On our part, all that is required is humility and to strive to do all that God wills always. 

Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

From the rising of the sun to its setting the Church offers God a pleasing, fragrant, and most acceptable Sacrifice. The Sacrifice of Calvary.  The sacrifice of all the sheep and bulls in the world cannot atone for a single sin and all we would be offering would be that which belongs to God already. All that lives is His.

God does not require our meaningless prayers if they are not offered with a truly contrite and repentant heart. A heart that strives constantly to turn away from wrongdoing and pursues holiness and perfection in all things.

Grant O Lord that we will never stop offering to the Father that which pleases Him best - the Sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God which glorifies Him and celebrates His love for His creatures.
Matthew 12:38-42

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The greatest sign of all has been given to us and yet we seek for more signs all the time just like the scribes and Pharisees. We want to be titillated, we crave for miracles, and we constantly ask God to deliver these signs to prove His love for us. We are insatiable and if we have not believed yet, the greatest Sign of all, we never will no matter what. 

The only sign that matters is the Sign of the Cross, the passion, and death of the Son of God leading up to Your glorious Resurrection from the dead. For it is God alone who gives life and takes it away for all life comes from Him. Those who do not believe or choose deliberately to cut themselves off from the source of Life will die separated eternally from the Most High.

Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:13-18, Mark 6:30-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27
Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:13-18,
Mark 6:30-34


Jeremiah 23:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The sinner who often is weak, easily tempted, frail, unable to get up and begin anew with a greater resolve not to sin again, contrite of heart, is afraid and can easily be lost forever if the one who is called to minister to him or her is cold, hard, unkind, and unapproachable. So many souls are lost forever because they have been rejected and cast out by those very people who are called to counsel, encourage, and help.

Sin is sin Beloved, and You never condoned it at any time but You loved the sinner. To the sinner, You always showed mercy, tenderness, compassion, forgiveness but You also always said, "Sin no more."

However, Beloved this does not mean that the sinner will actually not sin anymore. He or she will because we are the children of Adam.  This is why You are so stern with those whom You have appointed as shepherds who have failed to gently lead Your flock to pasture, bind their wounds, feed them, quench their thirst and love them into wholeness and health.

And not only the hierarchy in the Church Beloved, but each of us has a mission to do our part in healing the brokenhearted. You have given us an example of how to be a Good Shepherd - we need to imitate You.

Psalm 23:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I want to begin by offering You grateful thanks for all the times that this psalm has comforted me, renewed my spirit, refreshed me, and enabled me to begin again.

Truly, I have found out over and over again that because You are my Shepherd, I lack nothing, I want nothing, for having You I have all things.

Thank You, Beloved, for all that You do for me every day from moment to moment. I know that until I draw my last breath You will be beside me gently leading me along. 

Truly Beloved, You, My Lord are my Shepherd and there is nothing, nothing I shall want. Having You I have everything.

Ephesians 2:13-18

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Through the power of the Cross and Your most precious Blood, You have crushed the head of Satan and delivered us from the snares of the devil. Being aware of sin only condemned us and that is why all the burnt offerings for sin could do nothing to take away the consequences of sin which is death. The unbridgeable chasm between God and man could only be united by the Cross.  This is the Good News that we are called to sing from the rooftops so those who are in ignorance can hear, believe, and be saved. 

Mark 6:30-34

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Even though You and the apostles needed to retreat and rest You still put the needs of the crowd before theirs and Your own.

You teach us today that there will be times when we will be justified in withdrawing and resting, however, the needs of those who are hurting will always take priority over our own. We are called to be sensitive and generous always.

Isaiah 10:5-7, 13B-16, Psalm 94:9-10, 14-15, Matthew 11:25-27

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


Isaiah 10:5-7, 13B-16, Psalm 94:9-10, 14-15, 
Matthew 11:25-27 



Isaiah 10:5-7, 13B-16

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You will protect mightily those who belong to You. No hand raised against those who are called by Your Name will prevail or prosper. You will crush the devourer and strike at the Enemy and You will save those who make their home in You.

Thank You Beloved for Your powerful word today that assures us that although it may seem that the wicked have the last word it is not so. You have the last word and that Word is victory and triumph over sin and death.

Thank You Beloved for the hope we have in You.

Thus says the LORD:

Psalm 94:9-10, 14-15

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

We belong to You. We are called by Your Name. We are covered with Your Blood. We are fed with Your Body. We are cleansed by the water that flows from Your side. We receive Your Life. We are alive because it is Your Life in us that sustains us. This is why Beloved, the Enemy cannot prevail. 

No matter how strong those who raise their hands against us may seem they will not be able to crush us for You fight the battle on our behalf. Victory is Yours and we share in Your victory and triumph over sin.

Matthew 11:25-27 

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for Your assurance that those with childlike hearts will see God and understand the ways of God which are beyond the comprehension of those who are in the world and are ruled by its standards.

Thank You, Beloved, for making in Your Heart a refuge for those who make their home in it. Thank You, Beloved, that although the world may laugh us to scorn because we believe we know in whom we have placed our faith, hope, and trust. Our God never fails, He never slumbers. To those who believe has been given the power to know the things of God.

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Isaiah 7:1-9, Psalm 48:2-8, Matthew 11:20-24

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts. Ps 95:8


Isaiah 7:1-9, Psalm 48:2-8, Matthew 11:20-24


Isaiah 7:1-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

We have Your word through the mouth of Your prophet Isaiah that no harm will come to God's people if they keep the faith. No matter how frightening and powerful the enemy may seem he is as nothing before God who crushes the devourer under His heel. Those who have placed all their hope and trust in You as a child trusts his father has nothing to fear. God stands by His people and they are invincible.

Beloved, the measure, and quality of our faith will determine how strong we will be in the face of the enemy's threats. All authority comes from God and will stand or fall at God's command. Those who trust in You will remain firm and unbowed no matter of fierce the enemy seems or how frightening his threats may be. With God we are victorious.

Let us remember Your word through the lips of the prophet: 

Unless your faith is firm
you shall not be firm!
Psalm 48:2-8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

In the responsorial psalm, You repeat Your promise that You will uphold those who belong to You not just today but forever.

Our lips and our hearts must always be filled with praise for God for He is great and deserves our praise always and everywhere.

One place where our God dwells in His fullness is in the Church He founded and over whom You placed Peter as its visible head.

On this Holy Mountain You dwell. It is here that Your people climb from every nation, every race, speaking every language. It is here that God meets His people, here God accepts every prayer, and it is here that God comes to us as food for our soul giving us strength for the journey from this life to the next.

Every one of her enemies, everyone who has ever sought to destroy her or has even planned her destruction have themselves been long forgotten - she alone remains, the unblemished spouse of the Son of God. On her, You shed Your radiance. She reflects Your glory. Kings, queens, princes, and heads of nations come to her, bow before her, and pay her homage for they know that she belongs to You irrevocably.

All those institutions established be men no matter how strong they seem will perish; only those who come into her arms and claim her as their Mother will be saved. This is the will of God.
Matthew 11:20-24

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The world and its people must tremble for almost all have heard of You but they refuse to believe because of the cost. They would rather pretend that You are not who You say You are because if they did then they would have to give up their sinful ways and change their lives. They believe that such a thing is too hard. They mistakenly believe that it is impossible to turn away from evil and embrace good. They believe that they do not have the strength of will to do it. They also believe it to be impossible. So they would rather drown in their misery and in the blackness of their soul rather than take a leap of faith in You.

Many have and have found that You are always there with Your arms wide open to receive the repentant sinner. They have found joy they have never thought possible once they have turned away from their sinful lifestyle. Yet, the majority of the people in the world would rather stop their ears with raucous sounds of earthly pleasure, blind their eyes to the pure, and deaden their senses to the things of heaven because they are afraid of their own terrible propensity to drag themselves down into the miry depths of iniquity. They believe it is impossible for them to be saved and so they are defiant. Yet, Beloved, if they only looked at You they would discover that You are a God of mercy and tender compassion, slow to anger and ready to forgive.

Grant me the grace my Lord to do my part in helping the sinner find You and be saved. 

Zechariah 2:15-17, Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55, Matthew 12:46-50

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

 
Blessed are they who hear the word of God
and observe it. Lk 11:28


Zechariah 2:15-17, 
Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55, 
Matthew 12:46-50

Zechariah 2:14-17

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Through Mary, Your Mother and our because You gave her to us as ours as well, God sent You into the world. We rejoice with heaven as we praise her for yielding to the will and work of God. Your first dwelling was in the womb of Mary and after Your birth, her heart was Your dwelling place.

She is the disciple par excellence and we learn from her how to be pleasing to God always.

Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, pray to Jesus for us that we too may rejoice with You someday in heaven when our earthly sojourn comes to an end. Amen.

Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55
The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

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

Matthew 12:46-50

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

In today's Gospel passage, as we honor Mary, our Mother under her title, Mother of Carmel, we see how highly You compliment her as our Model. Who better than Your Mother fulfilled to perfection the will of the Father? From the moment of her conception, she was guarded by the Holy Spirit, she was hidden in a garden enclosed by God Himself, Satan had no power over her, in fact, she petrified him for he knew that her Son would crush his head under His heel.

Where You are Beloved, Mary is present. Who better to present our needs to You than the Mother You so graciously gave us as at Calvary. A mother's heart is wrapped around her weakest children and we are her weak, sinful, children, for whom she makes intercession incessantly before You. 

You will always hear her prayers on our behalf for Your response to her is always a resounding yes.

Amos 7:12-15, Psalm 85:9-14, Ephesians 3:1-10, Mark 6:7-13

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that
belongs to our call. Eph 1:17-18
Amos 7:12-15, Psalm 85:9-14, Ephesians 3:1-10,
Mark 6:7-13


Amos 7:12-15

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is You who call us, it is You who send us. You take us from where we are, the people and surroundings we love and that are familiar to us, and You send us to do Your work in a new place. We know no one, we do not know how they will receive us but there is nothing we can do but trust You to show us the way because it is where You have called us to be. 

There may be rejection, or not, we don't know but as long as we follow Your call and are obedient we can be at peace.
Psalm 85:9-14

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Those who love You, those who have put all their hope and trust in You will lack for nothing. You are gracious and kind and with You is mercy always.

Thank You Beloved for faith in You that saves me. Thank You for Your Word that sustains me. Thank You for the hope I have in You that gives me strength each day to go on. Thank You for grace that You make available to me through the Sacraments without which it would be impossible for me to choose to do what is right.

Thank You most of all Beloved for united me to Yourself in every way so I am not apart from You but one with You.
Ephesians 3:1-10

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

God, our Father, has withheld nothing from me in You and through You - this is true from the beginning before time. God chose me. God created me. God desired that I know You, believe in You, love You, be saved by You. God has blessed me in You with every grace and blessing, holding nothing back but lavishing on me rich graces, more than my poor heart can hold.

Your Blood saved all humanity but not all humanity knows this truth; I do. This knowledge of You Beloved enables me to see how good, gracious, kind, and loving my God is. Even when I rejected You in the past You never abandoned me. I know my Lord that I could have died in my sins and been lost forever but You did not permit it. Thank You for ensuring that the one lost sheep was found and saved. Thank You for coming for sinners and for heaven that rejoices when the sinner comes home.
Mark 6:7-13

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Twelve, which included Judas Iscariot, were called, empowered, and given authority. You shared with them what was Yours. You did not send them ill-equipped for the mission but have them power so they could do the work entrusted to them.

So it is with us who are called to different vocations.  You have given each a work to do and You have given us the means to do it. Whether or not we believe this to be true, we have been given all we need to do the work entrusted to us. If we step out in faith, act in faith, we too will see Satan fall like lightning.

There are instructions that we must follow just as the apostles. If we are obedient then we will see the power of God at work in and through us. We are to trust in You rather than in ourselves or what we have. Power comes from You. The work is Yours we are only Your instruments.

Hosea 14:2-10, Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17, Matthew 10:16-23

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you to all truth
and remind you of all I told you. Jn 16:13A, 14:26D

Hosea 14:2-10, Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17, 
Matthew 10:16-23


Hosea 14:2-10

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The prophet Hosea gives us a clear picture of how we live despite the fact that we have a God who loves infinitely.  How is it that we who should spend every waking moment in humble thanksgiving and praise, worship and adoration; instead we give in to every weakness. We are so easily distracted by the world and follow paths that lead to darkness. The world makes the same errors over and over and again. We walk in darkness when we refuse to live by the Light of Truth and only when we find ourselves stripped, and enslaved do we cry out to You and crawl back begging for mercy and forgiveness and You never fail to do so.

What wonderful promises You make to the people through the prophet despite the fact that Israel acted like a harlot. The same promises are made to us as well.

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I was created to praise and glorify You as long as I lived here on earth and to praise and worship You more perfectly in heaven. But I have been a sinner ever since I can remember. I was born with sin. But in Your great goodness, kindness, compassion, and mercy, You have forgiven me over and over again even when I did not deserve it.

Thank You Beloved for showing me the Way that leads to Life. Thank You for providing me with grace that makes it possible for me to always choose what is right. Thank You for Your precious blood that washes away all my sins. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who helps me to pray and to strive after what is pleasing to You. Thank You for the Wisdom that I have been given through the indwelling of Your Spirit. Thank You for the Sacraments especially that of Confession and Communion.

Stay with me Beloved and never leave me lest I fall into the abyss in a moment of stupidity. Thank You.

Matthew 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles:“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”