FRIDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2020

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS 

Stand erect, hold your heads high,
because your liberation is near at hand. LK 21:28

REVELATION 20:1-4, 11-21:2

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

This is what John saw at the end of the age when time and space will be no more and what he saw he recorded for our encouragement, to give us hope, courage, and determination to walk in the way of truth and love. 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband.

Evil was vanquished on the Cross. Satan was rendered impotent. He had done his worst with the old Adam. You, the new Adam, had him completely and irreversibly defeated. Now he and the fallen angels prowl through the world seeking to plunder, devour, and destroy the weak but he is powerless against those who believe. 

Yes, there will be the judgment of all the living and dead for both love and justice demand it. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged. Evil men and women, evil cabals who have preyed upon the innocent, the weak, the poor, and the defenseless will render an account of their deeds. This is not makebelieve but a word of truth. We will be judged according to the way in which he had lived. 

Now, while it is still today, we have time to do the good that God has planned for us to do from our conception if not, we will be numbered among who will be separated from God eternally.

PSALM 83:3-6, 8

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

The soul that surrenders to the love of God and yields to You in all things is privileged to experience the joy of union with You while still in this life. It is a special delight to be drawn deeper each day into a greater response to Your conditional, and perfect love. The longing, the yearning the straining of the soul to give itself up wholly to You consumes it more and more each day. 

The more we know You the deeper our love for You. The greater our ignorance of You the easier it is for us to get lost in the dizzying trifles that the world offers, drawing us ever deeper into the pit of loneliness, frustration, and emptiness. But the child of God asks nothing more than to nestle like a sparrow under Your wings.

Our soul is Your dwelling place, My Lord. It is Your temple, Your sanctuary, the place where You delight to make Your home. A place where You long to find a joyous welcome. Those who know You love You and strive each day to conform more closely to Your will. The soul that discovers the joy of being Your disciple lives in perfect peace for You are truly Emmanuel, God with us, to those who are Yours. 

LUKE 21:29-33

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

We are forewarned. It is time to wake up the time for slumber, for procrastination, for dabbling with evil, and flirting with sin is over. Now is the time to arise and to take our stand for Truth, for Beauty, for Wisdom, for Love which is found in fullness in You, our Lord, and our God. 

We know when a healthy tree will bud, flower, bloom, and we know the season when it will bear fruit. In the same way, You ask us to read the signs of the times and to prepare ourselves for the kingdom of God.

You are Truth and Your Word is Truth and to us, You say, 'Let those who have ears listen'. Grant us the wisdom, the courage, and the grace to hear and obey before it is too late.