FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children. MT11:25

HEBREWS 10:32-39

My Soul's Beloved,

Truly, Your Word in Sacred Scripture, is food and drink to all who desire it. Christians continue to suffer discrimination and persecution to this day in every nation. It is either overt or covert but it is there. Sometimes the persecution is subtle and at other times it is unashamedly blatant and bold. 

So called developed nations, and nations that were once governed by basic Christian principles are now governed by the principles of mammon. We live in a world that is in a downward spiral having lost every vestige of common sense and common decency.  

Anyone who desires to follow You is laughed at, mocked, scorned, because secretly those in authority, are afraid of the power of the One in whom we believe. So while the world is given up to folly for the present, we must remain firm in our faith. Deliverance will come. Weeping will last through the night but joy will come in the morning, and so we rejoice in hope,  are patient in suffering, and will persevere in prayer. 

Only a little while now, a very little while,
and the one that is coming will have come; he will not delay.
The righteous man will live by faith,
but if he draws back, my soul will take no pleasure in him.

The author of this letter to the Hebrews assures us, we are the sort who keep faithful until our souls are saved.

PSALM 37:3-6,23-24,39-40 

My Beloved, Soul of my soul,

You are our hope, You are our joy, You are our salvation. In You, we have placed faith and we are confident that we will not be disappointed.

As long as we live we will have to make choices and as long as we strive to live righteous, holy, lives we will receive the graces we need to stand firm. True joy comes from doing Your will in all circumstances no matter the outcome. To seek Your will in all things is to abide in perfect peace. The one who delights in walking in the Way of Your Word will be given all the graces and help they need to walk in the Way of Truth leading to Life.

In a world where shady dealings, shady lives, and shady principles are the norm, those who give their lives to You will walk in justice and truth. The Holy Spirit will be their guide and they will radiate Your Light in a world growing increasingly dark with sin. 

Thank You for Your assurance, that anyone who has Truth as their guide, although they stumble will not fall, for You hold their hand to keep them from falling.

We are saved. We are sanctified. We are delivered from the hands of the Enemy. No evil can touch us for we are safe and secure in You who are our refuge, our stronghold, and our hiding place.

MARK 4:26-34

My Soul's Beloved,

The Seed of Your Word contains within it the kingdom of God. You have sown it generously. The Holy Spirit is at work constantly in the hearts of all who receive it so the Word, embedded in us will eventually take root. God provides all the help the soul needs to assist the seed to sprout, grow, and bear fruit for His glory. 

You are like the little mustard seed sown in the Church You founded and two thousand years later it has grown, spreading its large and shady branches everywhere, inviting all to come and shelter in it. The missionary work of the Apostles flourished despite great trials and persecutions. Wherever they went they made disciples throughout the world and the zeal with which the Good News was preached continues to this day as many more come to believe in You every day. 

You spoke to the crowds in parables - many who heard it did not fully grasp their deeper message. But You explained them to Your disciples so they could understand. They have handed down these truths to us not only in Sacred Scripture but also in Sacred Apostolic Tradition. This is why the fullness of Truth can only be found in the Church You founded. The work of Satan, the author of lies, is division, but You prayed for unity and that prayer for unity will someday be answered for the Father always listens to You.