DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. JN 10:14
ACTS 2:14A, 36-41
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
When I read or hear the Word of God am I cut to the heart, or do I take it for granted and remain unmoved by its power to heal and to change? The immediate response of those who heard Peter was, "What are we to do, my brothers?"
Peter said that they needed to repent of their sins and be baptized and they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the promise You make Beloved, to the whole world. For the Father desires that all His children be saved through Your work of salvation on the Cross.
PSALM 23:1-6
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
These are dark and difficult times, yes, but these are also hopeful and blessed times for those who seek to draw closer to You.
Never, in our living memory, has God presented the world with an opportunity to take stock of and to examine our lives. We were much to busy with selfish, frivolous pastimes, and with accumulating things. We had no time for family and definitely no time for You. We pursued a hedonistic lifestyle with no thought of the consequence either on us, those we loved or on the world.
As day follows day, and week follows week, we see clearly that life will no longer be as we once knew it at least for some time. Will we use this interlude as a gift given to us to re-discover the purpose for which we were created or will we continue to feed at the trough of selfish and vain desires? Walk in the dark valley of fear and despair? And continue to muck around in the filthy mire of sin?
Once again You stretch forth Your hand to us and invite us to follow You as our Shepherd. To rest in You. To love and be loved generously, passionately, and purely. Will we reach out and take Your hand and be saved or return like dogs to our vomit?
Grant us the courage to take the path that leads to fullness of joy and life.
1 PETER 2:20B-25
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
Now is the time of our re-awakening. We have been blinded too long by the world and its tawdry pastimes. Too great a price has been paid for our salvation for us and we can no longer turn our back on the only Way that offers salvation and new life. If we do, then we will call upon ourselves even greater tribulation than the one we are currently experiencing.
This is the time to lift our gaze to the Cross. This is a time of great grace. You offer us an opportunity to return to a simpler life, a more authentic life, a life that gives You pride of place not only in our hearts but in our homes as well.
We are reminded by Peter today, that You bore our sins in order that we may be free from a chastisement that was ours. We are healed of our transgressions and we, who had gone astray, are now invited to return to You our Good Shepherd and guardian of our souls.
JOHN 10:1-10
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
How You love us? How greatly You care for us and for our salvation? You are the only Way and the only Gate through which we enter the Kingdom of the Father. All who believe in You and are baptized are saved.
There is only one flock and there is only one Shepherd but You warn us that there are many false shepherds in the world. You call us unceasingly so we can hear Your voice above all the other discordant voices, and recognizing it, follow You alone. In You alone, we will find perfect joy and abundant life.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. JN 10:14
ACTS 2:14A, 36-41
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
When I read or hear the Word of God am I cut to the heart, or do I take it for granted and remain unmoved by its power to heal and to change? The immediate response of those who heard Peter was, "What are we to do, my brothers?"
Peter said that they needed to repent of their sins and be baptized and they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the promise You make Beloved, to the whole world. For the Father desires that all His children be saved through Your work of salvation on the Cross.
PSALM 23:1-6
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
These are dark and difficult times, yes, but these are also hopeful and blessed times for those who seek to draw closer to You.
Never, in our living memory, has God presented the world with an opportunity to take stock of and to examine our lives. We were much to busy with selfish, frivolous pastimes, and with accumulating things. We had no time for family and definitely no time for You. We pursued a hedonistic lifestyle with no thought of the consequence either on us, those we loved or on the world.
As day follows day, and week follows week, we see clearly that life will no longer be as we once knew it at least for some time. Will we use this interlude as a gift given to us to re-discover the purpose for which we were created or will we continue to feed at the trough of selfish and vain desires? Walk in the dark valley of fear and despair? And continue to muck around in the filthy mire of sin?
Once again You stretch forth Your hand to us and invite us to follow You as our Shepherd. To rest in You. To love and be loved generously, passionately, and purely. Will we reach out and take Your hand and be saved or return like dogs to our vomit?
Grant us the courage to take the path that leads to fullness of joy and life.
1 PETER 2:20B-25
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
Now is the time of our re-awakening. We have been blinded too long by the world and its tawdry pastimes. Too great a price has been paid for our salvation for us and we can no longer turn our back on the only Way that offers salvation and new life. If we do, then we will call upon ourselves even greater tribulation than the one we are currently experiencing.
This is the time to lift our gaze to the Cross. This is a time of great grace. You offer us an opportunity to return to a simpler life, a more authentic life, a life that gives You pride of place not only in our hearts but in our homes as well.
We are reminded by Peter today, that You bore our sins in order that we may be free from a chastisement that was ours. We are healed of our transgressions and we, who had gone astray, are now invited to return to You our Good Shepherd and guardian of our souls.
JOHN 10:1-10
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
How You love us? How greatly You care for us and for our salvation? You are the only Way and the only Gate through which we enter the Kingdom of the Father. All who believe in You and are baptized are saved.
There is only one flock and there is only one Shepherd but You warn us that there are many false shepherds in the world. You call us unceasingly so we can hear Your voice above all the other discordant voices, and recognizing it, follow You alone. In You alone, we will find perfect joy and abundant life.
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