Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14, Luke 13:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes 2:14

Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14, Luke 13:22-30


Ephesians 6:1-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Obedience to those with legitimate authority over us is pleasing to You. We are called to live in peace and harmony with each other beginning in our homes, in the church, with our brothers and sisters who are members with us of the household of God. We are called to obey legitimate laws and those who govern us, rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God, the things of God as You rightly pointed out.

We are called to obey with fear and trembling because we belong to You, we love You, and we desire never to offend You.  And we are called to treat those who we serve us with kindness and generosity because we all belong to God. 

Psalm 145:10-14

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

If we were always aware of Your goodness, kindness, love, and compassion, we would give You praise and thanks with every breath we breathe. You are faithful to every one of Your promises even when we are not. You stoop lovingly over us and help us when we are unable to help ourselves. You encourage us and give us all the help we need. Before a cry escapes from my lips You are at my side to lift me up and strengthen me. Thank You.

Luke 13:22-30

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The flesh craves a life of ease. The flesh desires to avoid discomfort, discipline, sacrifice, suffering, pain but these are the things that build us up, refine us, and strengthen us for the journey. When we choose the broad road we are unable to resist temptation we grow steadily weaker until we find ourselves wallowing in sin and can do nothing to help ourselves. 

Thank You for reminding us that merely paying lips service to our faith in You will not save us. We can be present in body but far away in spirit and You who know all things will refuse to acknowledge us when we beg You to let us into Your Presence. 

Let us never presume that our works alone will save us. Our works mean nothing unless they flow out of our love for You. Keep me humble and obedient Beloved to the end for it is the little ones who were least in the world who will find a place with You in eternity.

Ephesians 4:32---5:8, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 13:10-17

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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

Ephesians 4:32---5:8, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 13:10-17


Ephesians 4:32---5:8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You were unfailingly kind, loving, attentive, compassionate, and sensitive to those in need. And I am called to imitate You. Why? Because I have been forgiven much and for this reason alone I must be patient with all whom I encounter each day. 

I am called to imitate God who is holy and perfect. I am called to love as You loved - my life must be a self-oblation, uniting my poor, sinful life with all its sorrows and joys to Your one, holy and perfect, Sacrifice to the Father. The sacrifice of my life, united with Your Fragrant Sacrifice wholly pleasing to God, will also find favor with Him.

St. Paul is very clear about how we must live our lives - we must be pure in thought, word, and deed. Immorality has no place in the lives of those who are children of the Light. Anyone who is a child of the world has no place in the Kingdom of God; this is why we must set aside what the world touts as wisdom, for it is immoral, sinful, depraved, and devoid of all life and hope. A child of the world will not have a share in Your inheritance.

The world is full of those who can use words cleverly to misconstrue the Truth. They use devious arguments that are meant to confuse and obfuscate the truth. God is Light and those who walk in Truth walk in the Light and Love of God and are children of the Most High.
Psalm 1:1-4, 6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

All that St. Paul has said in today's reading echoes the Psalmist.

We laugh, concur,  or stay silent even when we are uncomfortable in the presence of the wicked who are liars if they are rich, powerful, and influential. We are cowardly because we lack the integrity to act as we ought. Let our displeasure be seen and walk away. When we keep company with sinners who delight in their sinful ways, then we deny You just as Peter did. 

The one who is truly wise knows that life and light come from keeping company with those who love the truth.  Wisdom is ours when we meditate on Your Word, allow it to take root in our lives and are guided by it.

Only when we are planted beside the streams of Living Water can we bear fruit in every season. We will not die but live and everything we do will be pleasing to You.

The world believes that they are invincible but they are unaware that they are dying and the stench of death so fills their lives that are no longer able to recognize it. The day of reckoning will come. The Judge is appointed and we will all be called to give a strict account of the talents that were entrusted to us by a gracious God.

Luke 13:10-17

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You were not afraid to confront Your enemies even though You knew that in the end, they would allow their hate for You to consume them and they would not rest until they succeeded in their wicked plot to murder You and they would not rest until they carried it out. 

You were teaching in the synagogue and You noticed that poor crippled woman who had suffered for eighteen years. You compassion set her free with a word, "Woman, you are set free of your infirmity." You laid Your hands on her, touched her, and she stood up straight and tall and gave glory to God. 

THE CRIPPLE LK 13:10-13

There will always be those who stick the letter of the law sucking from it every trace of humanity and compassion just as the leader of the synagogue demonstrated that day. When in a loud, sanctimonious voice he said angrily, "There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day."

Instead of rejoicing that the poor woman was healed he decided to split hairs. He was so obtuse that he did not recognize that he was acknowledging the fact that You cured, healed, You performed miracles. Instead, he chose to harp on the fact that it was the Sabbath and according to his interpretation of the law healing the sick was not permitted on that day.

You called him a hypocrite in front of the crowd and gave the self-righteous leaders of the synagogue a true interpretation of the Sabbath. 

Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126:1-6, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel. 2 Tim 1:10
Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126:1-6, Hebrews 5:1-6, 
Mark 10:46-52


Jeremiah 31:7-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Ever since we lost paradise God has sought to restore more than sin destroyed. God revealed to His sinful creatures, totally unworthy of His love, the extent that He would go to reveal to them His love. It is unfathomable that the Father was willing to send You, His only Son, to become like us and take upon Yourself our shame, our iniquity, our punishment. 

God has indeed delivered His people. We are the New Israel. He has brought us back to Himself. He will gather us up from every corner of the globe. 

You heal us of all our infirmities, You cleanse us of all our sins, You feed us with Your Body, and Your Blood and You make us members of Your Body, the Church, Your Bride. You have taught us to call the Most High, Father. Grafted to You, His Son, we are indeed His children and co-heirs with You to the Kingdom.

Psalm 126:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Truly we ought to exult all the days of our life because You have saved us. You have restored all that our first parents lost through original sin. We who were captives of sin and have been set free and we are made welcome once again in the household of God.

We who had lost everything and faced eternal death have now become members of the family of God. You have revealed the Face of the Father and His infinite and unfathomable love for His unworthy creatures.

Truly God has done the unthinkable, the unimaginable, when He sent You into the world to become the means by which we are all saved. You have restored a hundred-fold all that we had lost. Thank You for the Sacraments that provide the grace to enable us to work our salvation with fear and trembling with the help that they provide. We cannot be holy and perfect on our own strength. Thank You for giving us the means through which we can draw grace from the springs of Living Water.

Hebrews 5:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for reminding us that every priest is invited by God to represent His people as He offers to the Father the only Sacrifice that is pleasing to Him. From the rising of the sun to its setting the pleasing fragrance of this Sacrifice makes atonement for our sins and the sins of the whole world. 

Our corrupt world would have long ago been annihilated and vaporized out of memory were it not for the Holy Mass that is offered continually to the glory of God. It is You who alone takes away the sins of the world. It is You who makes intercession night and day before the Throne of the Father. 

You did not come into the world but were sent by God as our High Priest without stain or blemish. Pure and Perfect and pleasing to the Father in every way. Just as God sent You, in the same way, it is God who calls men to be priests. This is why we must respect them, pray for them, encourage them, love and support them and help them to be true to their calling. 

Mark 10:46-52

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You healed many, too numerous to count or to name but there are some miracles recounted by the evangelists where they give some details of the person healed. 

The evangelist Mark in his account of the miracle makes the scene come alive. It is vibrant with sound, with pain, with hope. Bartimaeus must have been a familiar sight to regular travelers on that road that is why perhaps they knew that he was the son of Timaeus. Most of them must have dropped coins in the blind man's begging bowl as they walked past him. Some of them may have mentioned You to him and the miracles You were performing everywhere You went. It is no wonder then that he was practically trembling with anticipation when he found out that You were to pass that way. This was perhaps his only chance for a miracle and he was not about to let the opportunity slip by.

He heard the crowd get louder as they drew nearer. He shouted as loud as his lungs would let him, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

There are many people in the world who get uncomfortable when people draw attention to themselves. There were many like them in this particular crowd who rebuked the blind beggar and urged him to be quiet. But he would have none of it. The more they scolded him the louder he shouted. Until he was heard. Of course, You heard. You knew he was there and You would bless his faith in You.

When You called to him to approach You, the crowd changed their tune and said, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." That was all the invitation he needed. He threw aside his cloak, sprang up and almost sprinted to You. I love what You said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?"  It was obvious what he wanted but You desire us to make our needs known to You even though You know what is in our hearts. You want us to open our mouths and express all that we desire. The blind man made known to You his deepest need, "Master, I want to see." That's all it took for the miracle to take place. "Go your way; your faith has saved you." He received his sight and his joy was so great he did not go back but followed You.

This is the conversion story of everyone who has been blind to the Good News but upon being given the gift of faith, leaves behind the old way of living, and follows You.

Ephesians 4:7-16, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 13:1-9

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion that he may live. Ez 33:11

Ephesians 4:7-16, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 13:1-9

Ephesians 4:7-16

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, has been given an understanding of heavenly things so we poor creatures can grasp to some extent, what it means to be members of Your Body. How greatly privileged we are that grace has been poured upon us so we can strive after holiness and perfection. Nothing unclean could ever be a part of You but without You, we would wither and die. You have given us the Sacraments through which You remain with us and assist us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

God, our Father, has through You and the power of the Holy Spirit, made it possible for all to know You and come to the knowledge of Truth. The Good News is this, that salvation comes from You alone, there is no other way by which we can be saved.  You have made every provision for us to help us. You have not left us orphans but have poured Your Own Holy Spirit upon us. You have taught us to know and love God as Father. You have given us Your peace so that we can live in unity with one another in the Church You established.  

Through the ages, You have given us great minds in the Church who have spent their whole lives contemplating Your Word. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they have left behind a lasting legacy for us to read, study, and know what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ. We each have a function and only in heaven will we fully understand who we were and how well we played our role in  God's plan to establish His Kingdom on earth.

The world is full of trickery and we have to be on our guard against the Father of lies. Keep my gaze ever upon You and keep my hand firmly in Yours lest I take away my gaze from You and be lost.

Psalm 122:1-5

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for establishing the Church. Thank You for Peter, the rock upon which the Church stands. Thank You for Your assurance that the gates of hell will never prevail against it.

Thank You for inviting us to ascend the Mountain with You and there to feast at the Banquet of the Lord's Supper. Thank You for the Holy Eucharist. Thank You for the Sacraments.

Above all, Beloved, thank You for the glorious destiny that is mine because God desires that where You are someday I too will be.

Keep me faithful to the end. Thank You.

Luke 13:1-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

It is often the mistaken belief that when calamities strike it is because those who have been smitten is because they have sinned. You disabuse us once and for all of such a notion. Death comes to us in many ways and no matter how cruelly, or suddenly our lives may come to an end, it does not mean that they were greater sinners than we are. 

How we die is not important, how we live our lives determines whether or not we will enter heaven.

The parable of the fig tree reminds us that as long as we live we are called to live lives that bear fruit that will last. God created for a purpose and if we do not fulfill God's plan there will be a reckoning.

Ephesians 4:1-6, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 12:54-59

DAILY HOLY MASS READING

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. 

Mt 11:25
Ephesians 4:1-6, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 12:54-59


Ephesians 4:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

True love, the kind of love that You have for us is the kind of love we too must have for each other. Only then can we live as St. Paul asks us to live. Only then will be unfailingly humble, gentle, kind, at peace with each other with the help that You make available through the grace granted to us by Your Holy Spirit. In Baptism we have all been made one body in You and call God our Father who lives and reigns in us with You and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 24:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The psalmist reminds us that only those without sin can come into Your Presence. Sin is a barrier that will always separate us from You this is why You call all those who love you to strive to live holy lives. To put to death those habits that lead us away from You. Lord, You know that I love You but it is a love that is weak, only with Your help can I hope to do what pleases You. Only with You doing battle on my behalf can I hope to receive a share in the Kingdom of God.

Luke 12:54-59


My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Once again You remind us that there are consequences to all our actions whether good or bad. No act whether sinful or not goes unnoticed. Every evil act is punished and every good deed rewarded whether we believe it or not. You condemn the crowds for reading the signs in nature and knowing what will follow but they are in total ignorance of the things in the spiritual realm. 

We are all capable of judging whether an act is good or evil and as long as we are alive we have time to make reparation here on earth before it is too late. For once life here is at an end we can do nothing to help ourselves. We will face You as Judge and You will decide whether or not we will suffer in purgatory until we have settled the complete debt we owe.

Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:39-48

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come. 

Mat 24:42A, 44
Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:39-48


Ephesians 3:2-12

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

If every baptized Christian understood even partly what St. Paul speaks of here, each one of us would be on fire to preach the Gospel just as he and the Apostles were and so many who came after him, to the present day. Paul gave his whole life to preaching the Good News to the Gentiles who God also desired to bring to full knowledge of the Truth in You, His Son. All who are baptized into Your Body are co-heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. This is indeed Good News and if we truly love our brothers and sisters we would be on fire to preach the Gospel from the rooftops, in season and out of season so all can be saved.  

St. Paul assures us just as You did, that if we take our mission seriously You will equip us with all that we need to preach the Good News boldly and with power. To each is given a mission field and we will be called to account when we come before You. Grant, my Beloved, that with the help of Your Holy Spirit that I may be faithful to this call.

Isaiah 12:2-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Those who believe receive Living Water so we will never be thirsty. If we put our roots deep in You we will bear fruit in every season. Joy will be ours no matter what our circumstances. You give us strength and courage for the journey from this life to the next through the Sacraments. You equip us with every grace and blessing to face any challenge. 

My Beloved, may I never fail to give You all glory and honor, to praise and thank You for Your many blessings and to gratefully and humbly acknowledge that were it not for You, I would be lost forever. Thank You for Your Presence with us in all the tabernacles of the world and most especially when You come to us in the Holy Eucharist. Truly Beloved, the Kingdom of Heaven is already in our midst. Thank You.

Luke 12:39-48


My Love, Beloved of my soul,

We do know that You are coming, but we do not know when this is why You caution us to be prepared always so we will not be taken by surprise or be dismayed if we have been napping.

To each is given a work to do already planned by God and we are called to be faithful to our vocation. All of us are given charge, some to a greater extent than others. Each will have to give a strict account of how we have discharged our duties. Beginning from the greatest to the least. 

We cannot permit ourselves to be distracted by the world, by the culture that preaches lies, by those in authority and power who water down the truth and create confusion. The Truth has been revealed. The fullness of Truth is in the Church and the Church bears the full responsibility of preaching and teaching the Good News just as she has received it, without compromise. Each of us is a member of the Church, individuals in the Church may fail, grant my Lord that we do not with the help of Your grace. Amen.

Ephesians 2:12-22, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 12:35-38

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Be vigilant at all times and pray
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. 

Lk 21:36

Ephesians 2:12-22, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 12:35-38


Ephesians 2:12-22

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

What Paul said to the people of Ephesus before their conversion holds true to this day for those who are ignorant of You. They are strangers to the Covenant made by the Father in You to all who believe. God dwells in unapproachable light but God who is love and who created us in love longed to bridge the chasm that existed between us. The chasm caused by sin. No one in the flesh can come in God's Presence and live. Yet, God longed to restore the relationship that was lost forever. Only one like us, but without sin, could become the mediator between God and man and so He sent You into the world to destroy once and for all the barrier erected by sin. You have reconciled us with God through Your death on the Cross and set us free from the stranglehold that sin had upon us.

Paul found great joy in establishing Your Church wherever he went so that all could become fellow citizens and members of God's household. I too have a grave responsibility to make You known in my own little way, so that all may come to the knowledge of Truth and be saved. 

Psalm 85:9-14

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Never has our world been as divided as it is today. We are at war on so many levels. Our culture is one that is divisive for it is a culture steeped in immorality and those who reject it are mocked and pilloried and subjected to all kinds of persecution. The voices raised are strident, raucous, harsh, ugly, hate-filled, and vulgar. Where is the peace that You came to give Beloved? 

The psalmist reminds us that God is close to His people and that salvation is granted to those that know and fear God who is all good. You are Prince and Peace and justice has indeed been met on the Cross. 

Peace is here we need to reach out and grasp it. We can either walk in ignorance or we can walk in the Light of Truth that the Son of God came down to earth and has redeemed the world.

Luke 12:35-38

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Today You tell us how we ought to prepare and to remain vigilant always. Over two thousand years have passed since You came into the world and people today have drifted so far away from the faith that they now believe their own tailor-made version of the truth. The culture preaches a lifestyle that morphs favorably into whatever lies those in the world wish to embrace.

However, Truth is Truth and only those who walk in the Light of Truth will be ready when the Master arrives. 

No matter when You come Beloved, even if be thousands of years from now, You are ever-present with us in the Holy Eucharist, in the Sacraments, and in Your Living Word. You are close to us for You are not restricted by space or time. You will keep those who believe safe to the end.

Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 12:13-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Mt 5:3
Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 100:1-5, Luke 12:13-21


Ephesians 2:1-10

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Paul reminds me today that I have been a creature of the flesh for too long a time and that I was dead in my disobedience to Your Will and alive to the dictates of my willful, selfish desires completely lacking in self-control. You would have been justified to let me die in my iniquity and be lost eternally. But God our Father who is Love would not permit it. Through You, Beloved of my soul, He called me out of darkness into Your marvelous light. You have saved Me. You have forgiven all my transgressions. You have washed me in Your Blood, and restored the grace that I had once squandered so foolishly. Thank You, Father, for loving me infinitely through Your Son, thank You, Beloved, for the Gift of Your Spirit, thank You Holy Spirit for helping me to strive constantly to live a life pleasing to God.

Psalm 100:1-5

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Psalmist captures beautifully all that my heart wants to say.

The Lord made us, we belong to him.

Because I am Your my heart must give You praise and thanks in all that I do and say all the days of my life. There must be a song of praise always on lips. I am under the mighty protection of the One who created me and His watchful Presence in within me and surrounds me. I belong to You Beloved completely, I desire to hold nothing back but to freely give You all of myself. Do with me just as You will. Teach me to respond to Your love with an answering love. Help me to be faithful because of Your unwavering faithfulness to me. Grant that I may love You until I breathe my last breath on earth so I may take the next in Your Holy Presence there to remain with You forever. Amen.

Luke 12:13-21

‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself
but is not rich in what matters to God.”

“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Isaiah 53:10-11, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mk 10:45
Isaiah 53:10-11, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22,
Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45


Isaiah 53:10-11

My soul, Beloved of my soul,

Like grapes in a winepress, so were crushed by the weight of sins of the world and through Your holy sacrifice on the Cross, You have redeemed the world. The tragedy of those who die refusing to believe is that they lose the only chance of true and lasting joy both in this life and in the next.

Thank You, Beloved, for teaching us how to suffer even to the point of death. Thank You for laying down Your life for us so all who believe can become children of God and heirs to the Kingdom. Thank You for taking upon Yourself the burden of my sins and for making atonement to the Father on my behalf. Thank You for freeing me from my guilt and for drawing me into Your own marvelous light. Thank You for keeping all Your promises.

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank God, our Father, for giving us a Savior like You who are worthy of all my trust and all my love. Thank You for all the kindnesses that You have shown to me and to all those I love. Thank You for teaching me that to love You means that I must always be on my guard against sin for it is the one thing that will separate us. Thank You for keeping Your eyes always upon me, watching over me, and protecting me. Thank You for teaching me through all the circumstances of my life that I can trust You for You are faithful. Grant that I too remain faithful until my last breath. Amen.
Hebrews 4:14-16

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

While it is true that in becoming Man You understand the human condition, and that You sympathize with our weaknesses, some of which have even developed into addictions in so many, yet, You also have taught us that we can resist temptation. Of course, we cannot do it on our own, but grace is always available to those who ask for it. Grace is poured upon us through the worthy reception of the Sacraments, especially that of Reconciliation when, no matter how far we have fallen into the abyss of sin, we are forgiven and can begin anew. 

Lord Jesus, I beg You, no matter how grave my sins grant me the grace to never be so ashamed that I keep myself away from the Sacrament of Confession. Grant me a true spirit of humility and complete confidence that I can approach You as a child and know that You will always forgive a repentant sinner.
Mark 10:35-45

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

There are some very important lessons we can learn from today's Gospel reading.

Human beings have a natural tendency to push their way to the top. Some do it ruthlessly without caring who is in their path. James and John knew that they belonged to the inner circle and believed that they had a right to be given places of prominence at Your right and left in the Kingdom of God. It was presumptuous. But which of us at some point in our lives has not assumed that we deserved to be given special treatment, received special recognition?  

However, You teach us that the values of the Kingdom are contradictory to the valued of the world. All Christians are called to lay down their lives and drink to the dregs the bitter cup of suffering in imitation of You. The kind of reward we receive is entirely up to God.

The other disciples, when they got wind of the shenanigans of the two, were indignant at their jockeying for power. You took them aside and taught them another contradiction of the Kingdom of God

"Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all."

 We are called to imitate You in Your life and in Your death just as You remind us today:

"For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

As servants, it is our duty to spend our lives in loving service. 

Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13, Luke 12:1-7

DAILY HOLY MASS READING

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us;
who have put our hope in you. Ps 33:22

Ephesians 1:11-14, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13,
Luke 12:1-7

Ephesians 1:11-14

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I have been created for a purpose - to know You, to love You, to seek to know Your will in all the circumstances of my life, to glory in Your love for me and to praise, adore, and worship You with my whole heart, my whole soul, all my strength and my being. For this glorious purpose and destiny, I have been created. I have been born into the family of God as a cradle Catholic. I have been given the gift of faith. The Holy Spirit has come upon me in the Sacrament of Confirmation and God Himself is my Food and Drink. I have already tasted heaven here on earth and I will taste it in fullness in the life to come. How truly blessed I am. Thank You, my Lord and my God.

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I exult with the Psalmist as I glory in the truth that I have been chosen to belong to God. I am a member of Your Body, the Church. Pour Your Spirit upon me that I may praise You all the days of my life and never cease to worship You. Thank You for Your promises and for Your Word which saves. Thank You for watching over me and for sealing me in Your Love and in Your Spirit. In Your great mercy and compassion, keep me faithful to You till the end.

Luke 12:1-7

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Luke tells us that the crowds who came to listen to You were so great that they were literally trampling each other. Yet, how many of them truly believed in You and followed You? How many in that crowd also joined the mob, in the end, demanding that You be crucified? Many of us have itching ears as St. Paul remarked, ready to run after every new guru and every new fad. How many of us experience real and lasting conversion? This is why You warn Your disciples to be on their guard against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who rigidly practice the letter of the law and forget its spirit.

Very often, those in positions of power and authority, believe that they can get away with anything. They are like ostriches who hide their head in the sand believing that no one sees what they do. They forget that God cannot be fooled and all they have done in secret will be brought into the clear light of day. Those who have used their power to subjugate the poor, the marginalized, the weak, will be judged - and will find both their body and soul cast into the everlasting fire that does not consume nor can be put out.

Thank You Beloved for reminding us that the poor whom the world chooses not to see are seen and known by You. Thank You for assuring us that we need not be afraid because Your eye is always upon us and that You care for us.

Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows."

2 Timothy 4:10-17B, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, Luke 10:1-9

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. Luke, Evangelist

2 Timothy 4:10-17B, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, 
Luke 10:1-9


2 Timothy 4:10-17B

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Paul is speaking of several people here, some of them have helped him others have done him harm. Demas has been with him and has helped him in his ministry but the siren call of the world proved too much for him. This can happen if we are not vigilant. Luke, the evangelist, whose feast day the Church keeps today is also one of his companions. 

Luke is a doctor who is also a believer and has been inspired by the Holy Spirit to write all that he has come to know and believe. 

This is a personal letter to Timothy in which Paul gives him several instructions. He writes candidly about having being harmed by Alexander and warns Timothy to be on guard with him. It is obvious that Paul needs to vent to a trusted friend and companion about people who could have stood up for him in his trials but didn't. These are very human feelings and we can relate to them. However, frustrated and disappointed as Paul is, he holds no grudges but leaves everyone to Your judgment and mercy. And finally, he recognizes that although men have failed him, You never did. You gave him the strength he needed to carry on his work of evangelizing to the Gentiles. There is much we can learn from him when it comes to dealing with fellow workers who labor with us in Your vineyard.

Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Luke was privileged to come to know You and all about You through the Apostles and Your Mother Mary. It made such an impact on him and his life that not only did he come to believe, but he wrote a faithful account of all that You said and did. Through his writing of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, many have also come to know You and to believe in You.

We give glory to God and thanks to You, our Lord Jesus Christ for establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. We thank You for the evangelist, and especially Luke, who inspired by the Holy Spirit has written a faithful account of the Good News so that we who read it may come to believe in You and be saved.
Luke 10:1-9


My Love, Beloved of my soul,

From the Gospel of Luke, we have an account of the mission on which You sent the seventy-two disciples. We know of the instructions they were given. The disciples were sent in pairs as a vanguard to prepare the way for You who would visit these towns later. 

You made them aware that there was a harvest ready reaping but could be lost because of a lack of laborers to bring it in. You made them aware of the dangers they could face because the enemy like a pack of wolves is always on the prowl to devour. 

They were to carry nothing with them - no money, no extra tunic, or sandals. All they needed was to trust in Divine Providence who would supply all their needs. They were to go in peace and bestow a blessing of peace on all who welcomed them into their homes. They were to make no demands but eat and drink whatever was offered to them. The blessing of peace would be withdrawn from those who rejected them. And finally, they were to announce the coming of the Kingdom of God through the miracles they performed so the people of those towns might know and believe that God had indeed visited His people.

Galatians 5:18-25, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 11:42-46

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

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


Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 
Bishop and Martyr


Galatians 5:18-25, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 11:42-46

Galatians 5:18-25

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The Spirit of the Lord is the Spirit of Love which emanates from both the Father the Son. It is the same Spirit that gave birth to the Church. All who are born of the Spirit walk in Your light and are filled with grace. The Gifts of the Spirit are poured upon all the members of Your Body and we are each called to fulfill God's purpose and plan in the world, God created me for a specific purpose and mission and has equipped me to do it. I can choose to be guided by Your Spirit or to be led by the spirit of the world, which will take me away for the path that Wisdom directs. My Lord and my God, You are aware of my weaknesses and how easy it is for me to give in to the desires of my flesh, You know how hard it is for me to deny myself, to take up my cross daily and follow You. I need your help without it I will never be able to choose the narrow way that leads to life and to the Kingdom of God. Help me!

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

One who is righteous strives always after holiness and perfection. The Way of Life is the narrow way which few choose because it is hard. The way of sin is easy, broad has no bumps and is filled with every attraction that deceives and lures us away from Truth. Satan is the father of lies and strikes where we are weakest to trap and ensnare us. This is why we are called to battle unceasingly against the world, the flesh and the devil who will not rest until we are well on the way to hell and eternal damnation. But thanks be to You, Beloved, for equipping us with all we need to do battle. Thank You for my Guardian Angel who I sadly ignore more often than not but who never fails me. Thank You for the Cross, for Your Blood, and Your Flesh in the Holy Eucharist which gives life and grace. Thank You for the Sacrament of Reconciliation which enables me to begin anew each time I confess my sins and receive Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your Word in Sacred Scripture which gives me wisdom and renews my desire to follow You more faithfully. Thank You.

Luke 11:42-46

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You were so tender and merciful to the poor, and those who were sick in mind, body, and spirit. The repentant sinner found healing, forgiveness and wholeness in You. All You needed to do was speak a word or reach out and touch and healing, strength, and joy followed. You came for the sick, You came for the lost, You came to bring hope to a weary world. But to the arrogant, the worldly wise, the boastful, those who lust for power and riches, those who prey on the weak, the pious hypocrite, You are merciless in Your criticism. If there is one thing that You will not stand it is those who wish to fool the world by their outward deeds and outward show of goodness and generosity. You tell them plainly that they may deceive men but they cannot deceive God. The scholar who whined that You were insulting them when You insulted the Pharisees was not spared a tongue lashing either:

"Woe also to you scholars of the law!
You impose on people burdens hard to carry,
but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them."

I am called to be my brother's keeper. I am called to be Your light in the world. Grant my Beloved, that I am shed my tiny spark as brightly as I can always and faithfully to the end. Amen.

Galatians 5:1-6, Psalm 119:41, 43-45, 47-48, Luke 11:37-41

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Heb 4:12
Galatians 5:1-6, Psalm 119:41, 43-45, 47-48,
Luke 11:37-41


Galatians 5:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

True freedom is ours in You. Those who reject You believe that faith in You will curtail their liberty to do as they wish when they wish it. They are unaware that they are willingly enslaving themselves to sin. 

Nothing in all the world save faith in You can liberate us. Only through grace and with grace are we able to combat the world, the flesh, and the devil. The law is powerless to save because it is impossible to obey the law on human strength alone. The law condemns, You condemn no one. Anyone who puts their faith in anything other than You will be judged and condemned but faith in You alone can save.
Psalm 119:41, 43-45, 47-48

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The entire law is summed up in two commandments. One is to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and being, and the other is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we obey these two commandments we will lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.

Grant O Lord that Your command to love be the rule by which I live my life. In Your mercy come to my aid and help me to choose to love and to be guided by Love always.

Luke 11:37-41

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

What was the real reason that the Pharisee invited you to dine at his home? Was he jealous of Your growing popularity with the crowds? He was aware that the many things You taught and did went directly against the Law of Moses and he was certain that You would say or do something that would give him an opportunity to belittle You before his other guests?

Being God You knew the real reason for his invitation and You played along. You took Your seat at the table without performing the prescribed ritual of washing Your hands. The Pharisee, showing no respect for the fact that You were a guest in his home, immediately called You out before everyone for not following the tradition which was a big mistake on his part. He got the setting down of his life and I am sure that not only did he not forget what You said, but it also kindled such great hatred for You in his heart that he was probably part of the horde that instigated the Sanhedrin to find a way to put You to death.

You were never afraid to call out hypocrites and hypocrisy wherever You found it and You did so again in no uncertain terms.  

 "Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,
inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms,
and behold, everything will be clean for you."

Help me to keep my heart and my soul clean and to always be generous in thought, word, and deed.