DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
because you do not know the hour
when the Son of Man is coming. MT 24:42, 44
REVELATION 14:1-5
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
We are called by virtue of our Baptism, by virtue of belonging to the family of God, by virtue of being redeemed and ransomed by the blood of the Lamb to strive to be holy and pure just as our Father in heaven is all holy and all pure.
Many respond to Your invitation to dedicate their entire lives in consecration to You - to these are given a great spiritual reward in this life and a share in Your honor and glory in the life to come.
Anyone who lives a life of heroic virtue and strives to do Your will in all things receives the privilege of union with You in this life and perfect eternal union with You in the next.
PSALM 24:1-6
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
We live all our days on earth as pilgrims journeying to their heavenly home. We are aliens, foreigners, we are marked for the Kingdom of God and there can be no rest for us in anything or anyone in the world but You.
All belongs to You and we are Yours as well for You have saved us, ransomed us, redeemed us, sealed us in Your Blood. We joyfully submit to You in all things for Your yoke is a burden that is both sweet and light.
As children of God, we journey upwards and onwards to Mt. Zion, the New Jerusalem where we offer the Father true worship, the only worship which is acceptable and pleasing to Him. Through the Sacraments, we approach You with clean hands and pure hearts. To us is given the assurance of eternal life and a place that has been prepared for us when You laid the foundations of the earth. Keep us safe O Lord to the end.
LUKE 21:1-4
My Beloved, Soul of my soul,
You always notice what we do - no good thought, word, or deed is too small, too insignificant, or unworthy of Your notice. Every act of generosity, no matter how humble, is given its true value because You see it with the eyes of divinity.
This beautiful little incident recorded by St. Luke and given to us today for reflection reveals the tenderness of the heart and mind of God who considers not the value of the gift but the disposition of the giver. Too often we give of our excess, our giving does not hurt us for it deprives us of nothing. Too often we give with strings attached, we give in order to receive. Too often our giving is polluted with self-interest.
You noticed the poverty-stricken widow, You watched as she put her tiny, insignificant little offering of two small coins into the treasury and You drew the attention of those around You to notice her as well. Her action would have gone unobserved, no one would have known the tremendous sacrifice she made that day in giving all she had to live on, but You did and You praised her for great heart and spirit of generosity that cast a shade on all the offerings of the rich.
She gave her all - and we are called to do the same. True giving costs us something if it does not, it holds very little value in Your eyes.
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