Friday, February 8, 2019

Hebrews 13:1-8, Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9, Mark 6:14-29

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


Hebrews 13:1-8, Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9, Mark 6:14-29


Hebrews 13:1-8

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

The saddest thing in all the world is that so many of us who call ourselves Christians are so consumed with our own selfish needs and desires, so obsessed about holding fast to all we possess, that we are blind and deaf to those who need what we so greedily cling to.

We are so afraid to share even though we know that the joy of giving is beautiful. We have seen examples in the past and in our own time how the generosity and charity of one person can transform many lives. The more we have the more selfish and closed in we become.

Today we are reminded not only to be generous but also to be pure and holy. We are reminded not to be anxious or afraid about anything for You will never forsake or abandon us for You are our Helper. 

We are also reminded to imitate the faith of holy men and women who lived the Word of God and taught and preached not only with words but by example.


Psalm 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You are my light and my salvation. I shall fear nothing for You walk with me and You have made a Covenant of Love with me that is everlasting.  Your Word of Truth lights my path. No harm shall come to me, evil will not approach me for You have spread Your mantle of love and protection over me. Thank You.


Mark 6:14-29

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

In the verses taken from the Letter to the Hebrews in today's First Reading, the writer warns us not to defile the marriage bed. This is what Herod and Herodias had done and John the Baptist was not afraid to tell them that they were guilty of breaking the Law of God. 

There are two ways to respond when we have sinned one is to repent and be forgiven and the other is to refuse to acknowledge our guilt. Herod was prepared to commit murder by beheading John the Baptist in order to keep the frivolous oath he swore to a frivolous, foolish young girl who was led astray by her own mother.

Wickedness has a way of multiplying wickedness whereas repentance halts it in its tracks and enables us to find our way back home like the prodigal son.

Grant me grace O Lord always to acknowledge when I have sinned, to confess it with sorrow and resolve to sin no more. Amen.

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