SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2020

 DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children. MT 11:25

JOB 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

The book of Job teaches us how to understand suffering, especially the suffering of the innocent. In our fallen world, the sin of abortion causes the greatest suffering to the most innocent of us all. Good people suffer all the time and the question everyone asks is, 'If God is good why does He permit suffering?'

Often, it is through our free will and the choices we make, that cause our own suffering and the sufferings of others. I impact the life of my brother and sister by my selfishness, personal indifference, apathy, and greed.

Another error we make is to look at suffering as something to be abhorred and avoided at all costs. But You have shown us that the greatest good was accomplished by Your suffering, passion, crucifixion, and death on the Cross. We are invited to unite our suffering with Yours - through redemptive suffering we are refined and purified. God has the power to draw the greatest good even from the greatest evil.

Like Job, we are called to be patient when we undergo trials trusting God through it all. We are all too eager to share in the joy of the resurrection but we flee from the cross but we cannot have a resurrection without first undergoing suffering and death. 

PSALM 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

We know from experience that often it is after undergoing severe testing that we emerge stronger. We learn from it if we endure it in the right spirit, and don't allow it to make us bitter.

When we suffer, Beloved, You are closer to us than at any other time in our life. We pray more fervently, we cling to You more ardently, and we beg You for strength to help us get through our affliction.

If we are familiar with Your Word, if we frequent the Sacraments, if we have faith that no cross or burden is given to us without the help and grace we need to bear it, then we will be able to embrace whatever suffering is sent to us. Thank You for not asking us to endure anything that You did not first endure Yourself. 

LUKE 10:17-24

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

While it is true that the Apostles and disciples knew You personally, I believe we who are baptized and belong to the Church You founded on Peter, are at a greater advantage than they. You planted a mustard seed and in the two thousand years that have since passed we see how mightily that seed has flourished.

Holy Mother Church has brought forth the greatest martyrs, saints, holy men, women, holy youth, and children as well who are a great witness to the power of God, the glory of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit who resides in her in fullness and truth.

When we are discouraged let us remember Your Covenant to remain with Your Bride always and Your assurance that the gates of hell will never prevail against her. Those of the world reject You but we who are in the world not of it have the privilege of intimate union and communion with You. We are grafted to You. We are members of Your Body, and receive Your life through the Sacraments You instituted. 

Many long for the faith we have in You but faith is a gift that God bestows on whomever He wills. May we who have received it never take it for granted but cherish it, nurture it, mature in it, and be transformed by it. Let us rejoice that we who are called by Your Name have our names also written in heaven, for they are written on the palm of Your hand.