TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT - 2020

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come, Lord! Do not delay.
Forgive the sins of your people.

ZEPHANIAH 3:1-2,9-13

My Soul's Beloved, 

All through the world's troubled history, there have been evil kings and evil leaders who were tyrants, warmongers, deceivers, pillagers, looters, murderers, thieves, who preyed on fear. We continue to live in troubled times and once again we hear Your call inviting us to listen to the voice of wisdom, to trust Your Word, and to draw near to You as You draw near to us.

Only in service, humility, kindness, gentleness, and love will we discover true peace. Under the yoke of servant leadership, we will build God's Kingdom on earth. We labored having no hope of forgiveness or reconciliation until You came into the world to take away the terrible burden of sin. Because You brought us salvation, we can now come before You with clean hands, and pure hearts for You have washed away our iniquity and cleansed us from all our sins. Grace now abounds for You have poured the fragrant oil of anointing over our heads.

Only the humble, the poor in spirit, the simple and childlike of heart will find in You their refuge, home, and hiding place. They will be fed by You on the finest wheat and the sweetest honey. You will lead all who are called by Your Name to Your holy mountain, the sacred sanctuary, where You dwell and there we will offer to God the one, holy, acceptable Sacrifice of true praise, worship, and thanksgiving that takes away the sins of the world. Happy are all who are invited to the Supper of the Lamb, for they receive life in all its fullness.

On God's holy mountain His people:

will do no wrong,

will tell no lies;
and the perjured tongue will no longer
be found in their mouths.
But they will be able to graze and rest
with no one to disturb them.

PSALM 34:2-3,6-7,16,18-19,23

My Soul's Beloved,

Grant O Lord, that I strive with all the fervor of my soul to be counted among Your little ones. The truly poor in spirit who know without a doubt that they are nothing without You. It is to such as these that You delight in bestowing Your richest graces and blessings. 

The little one like a happy child rejoices in everything - and finds in all things occasions to praise and bless You. They have the wisdom to attribute all that is good, holy, and praiseworthy in them, to You, for You alone are the giver of every good gift.

To such as these Your mouth is against theirs, breathing in them the breath of life, Your ears hear every sigh, Your heart is bound to theirs and their delight is in You alone. But You reject the proud, the haughty, the vainglorious, the shallow. The willfully wicked and stubbornly disobedient will be wiped from the face of the earth. But the little ones You will protect and keep safe under Your wings.

Beloved, may we never forget that in the times of our greatest distress, heartaches, wretchedness, and soul-crushing sorrow and pain, You are closest to us. You comfort and strengthen us and heal our wounded spirit. Thank You for this blessed assurance that all who take refuge in You will not be condemned,

MATTHEW 21:28-32

My Soul's Beloved,

All sinners, no matter how grave and how many their sins, can take great comfort in today's Gospel reading. The gates of the kingdom are thrown wide open to all repentant sinners who confess their sins and receive Your unconditional forgiveness.

Addressing the chief priests and the elders of the people You narrate a parable about a father and his two sons. The father approached each separately requesting them to go and work in his vineyard - the first one said, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. He represents the tax collectors and the prostitutes. The father made the same request to his second son who represents the chief priests, the scribes, and all who pay lip service to God, who replied with alacrity, 'Certainly, sir,' but did not go. You then pose the question, 'Which of the two did the father’s will?’ They answered rightly, ‘The first.’ And You said to them, 'I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.'

It is well for us to remember Your words, ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven.'