Wednesday, September 9, 2020

MEMORIAL OF ST. PETER CLAVER, PRIEST - 2020

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS




Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said,
God’s love comes to perfection in him. 

1JN 2:5






1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-31

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

The present culture treats celibacy and virginity as unnatural, they strenuously propagate the myth that it is detrimental to one's health to be chaste. This is a lie. There have always been men and women who have chosen to be celibate for different reasons. It is a choice that many have made and continue to make as do Christians who desire to serve You and follow You closely and single-mindedly.  You Yourself said, 'Let anyone accept this if they can' and St. Paul echoes the same sentiment.

He does not condemn marriage, however, he states that anyone who has been married will testify that marriage has its own set of challenges and restrictions. The unmarried person is free to offer himself or herself wholly in Your service.

Not only in this matter but in all things we are directed to keep our mind on the things that are eternal. No one knows when will death come - to some, it arrives sooner rather than later this is why we must always be ready to render an account of our lives.

PSALM 45:11-12, 14-17

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

We are called to always be receptive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The Church is Your Bride. You adorn her with all the virtues. You feed her on the choicest wheat and the sweetest honey. Your words are life and she must abide by Your Word so she may live.

Her beauty, her radiance, her joy, all come from You. The more she reflects You the greater her light. She lives to honor, worship, adore, and revere You. She has a glorious destiny and You prepare her for it by Your constant vigilance that keeps her safe from the wiles of the Enemy. She waits with longing for the day when You will return in glory, to claim her for Yourself, and present her to Your Father as Your Bride to reign with You and share Your joy for all eternity.

LUKE 6:20-26

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

The Beatitudes are a blueprint for Christian living in this world. It was a blueprint for the way You lived and every faithful disciple is invited to do the same. It is challenging to live in a world that constantly entices us to desire all that is opposed to the Kingdom of God. 

Excess in all things is the mantra of the world, whereas the Beatitudes challenge us to be small, little, poor, gentle, childlike, humble, meek, forgiving, generous, empathetic. We are called to give all in order to receive all, to die in order to live and to lose the world in order to gain a Kingdom.

It is not easy, Beloved, but You do not ask us to attempt to do it on our own instead You invite us to, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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