DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
ROMANS 10:9-18
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
The very first step on the incredible journey to the kingdom of God is faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please You and faith is a gift. It is by faith that we proclaim You are Lord and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
The gift of faith is available to all who desire it - from the greatest to the least. In the kingdom of God, all are His children, all belong to His family, all have a share in Your riches for You are our Brother, the First Born. For Your sake, the Father saves all who call on Your Name - the Name that is above all other.
You have given all Your disciples the mandate, to go to the uttermost ends of the earth and to share the Good News that sets all of humanity free. St. Paul echoes the words of the prophet who said, 'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Unless we who believe preach and teach the Good News no one will hear it, and if no one hears it no one can believe in it, and if no one believes in it they cannot be saved. We thank You, Lord, for the Apostles and all who follow in their footsteps in preaching and teaching the Good News of our salvation, 'Their voice has gone out through all the earth, and their message to the ends of the world.'
PSALM 19:2-5
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
The whole of creation has God's imprint on it - it speaks of His power, His wisdom, His majesty, His goodness, His immensity, and above all His providential love for the crown of His creation - His children. From the rising of the sun to its setting all creation resounds with praise to the Creator and announces to all who look on the works of His hands that He is God.
Abba Father, do not permit anyone to deliberately close off their senses to Your supernatural presence in Your creation. Though their hearts are closed to the Gospel may the beauty of Your works awaken their spirit to Your Spirit so they may believe in You and the one whom You sent and believing they will be saved.
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
MATTHEW 4:18-22
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
It is always You who come looking for us just as You walked on the Sea of Galilee looking for Simon and his brother Andrew whose feast day the Church celebrates today. You found them busy with the business of their trade, You stopped and watched them preparing their nets to cast them into the sea for a catch, they looked up and saw Your intent gaze on them, and they heard You say, 'Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’ In the next verse, we are told that they left their nets at once and followed You. There was no hesitation, no discussion, they did as You bid them to.
Walking further down the shore You extended the same invitation to James and John, sons of Zebedee. They with their father were mending their nets but on hearing Your call they like Peter and Andrew left their boat and their father at once and followed You.
There are many who hear Your call and follow You immediately. Others hear You and find many obstacles and make many excuses but eventually, they heed Your call. Finally, there are those who hear Your invitation but categorically refuse to follow You. Which category do I fall in? O Lord, grant me a listening heart, and a willing spirit to hear Your call and do all You ask me at once, without delay, and without procrastination.
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