FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2020

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS



Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory. LK 24:46, 26


ACTS 18:9-19

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, was a man of towering faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. He did nothing and went nowhere unless the Spirit spoke to him and guided him. We too would spare ourselves much grief if we placed our whole life at the command and disposal of the Spirit of God.

Paul's strength and courage came from You. He was rooted in You and Your life. He is an icon of what is possible when we allow the Holy Spirit to do with us as He wills. Grant O Lord, that we who are called by Your Name, always live in the power of the Holy Spirit only then can we draw others to know You, love You, and follow You.   

PSALM 47:2-7

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

You are our Inheritance, You are our Prize, You who are the King of Kings, Lord of Lord, and Ruler of all that is seen and unseen, and You are our Friend, our Brother, our Love. 

All that is was created at Your Word. We exist, we live, we move, and we have our being, in the Word that sustains us. We are sinners, unworthy of Your love, we are often willful, disobedient, and selfish, and our loyalty and love are lukewarm and wayward, yet You love us with an everlasting love. You never cease to pour out Your gifts on us. Thank You, Beloved, for coming down from heaven for us and thank You for going up to heaven and for Your assurance that where You are someday we too will be.

JOHN 16:20-23

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

Like Your Apostles and disciple, when we grieve and mourn we are so consumed with our own terrible sorrow we too forget all Your promises to us. But once the gnawing pain within begins to subside we look to You and to Your promises for comfort and You never fail to bring healing to our brokenness.

Death is vanquished. The victory is won. And while we journey from this life to the next we have Your enduring Presence in the Eucharist. We eat Your Body and drink Your Blood and we receive Your life in us - the same life that we will enjoy in perfect union with You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in the Kingdom of God.