WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me. Jn10:27

HEBREWS 2:14-18

My Soul's Beloved,

When Adam and Eve sinned the devil won and from that moment on we were captives of sin. Choosing to disobey God we were tainted and inherited death. Unable to save ourselves we lost forever the company of God and His angels. The God of love could not bear the loss of His creatures and so He sent You, His Son, to save us.  

You took on the human condition and were subject to all our human limitations. You took on a body that suffered all human privations. Born in obscurity and poverty,  rejected, persecuted, ridiculed, mocked, and finally arrested tortured, and crucified, no one can say that You do not understand what we suffer. You do know, You do understand, You do empathize and sympathize for You have suffered in every way that we do. You were tempted in every way that we are tempted the only difference being that You never gave in and You never sinned.  

The writer of this letter to the Hebrews says, "It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins."

Thank You, for saying 'yes' to the Father's plan to save us. Thank You for restoring what we had lost through sin. Thank You for loving us most when we least deserve to be love. Grant us the grace to love You more every day. 

PSALM 105:1-4,6-9

My Soul's Beloved,

As long as time lasts, the work of salvation on Calvary remains ever before God and before us, reminding the Father of His Covenant with us, and reminding us of the price that God paid in order to seal that Covenant in Your Blood and Your Spirit.

A true Christian is one who is joyful always, never fails to give You thanks, and makes known to all how You saved us. Our faith grows stronger and greater when we contemplate Your goodness and testify to it.  

Thank You, Beloved, for giving us Your Name, thank You for the privilege and joy of coming into Your Presence night or day. Each time we seek Your Face we find You in the sanctuary of our soul where You delight to dwell. 

We thank God our Father for appointing You as our judge, for You understand human frailty and You judge with mercy and compassion.

God's Covenant embraces all the descendants of Abraham just as He promised when He swore an oath to him to extend it forever and for a thousand generations. You are God's awesome Covenant with us. Grafted to You we are now truly children of God and co-heirs with You to the Kingdom of God. Thank You.

MARK 1:29-39

My Soul's Belove,d

Today's passage from Mark's gospel continues revealing what You said and did from the moment You began Your public ministry. Yesterday we heard how You entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed a man possessed by an evil spirit. You then left with James and John and went directly to the house of Simon and Andrew. 

Immediately upon entering the house You are told that Simon's mother-in-law is in bed with a fever. You go straight to her, You take her by the hand, and raise her up. The fever leaves her and she waits on You and those who were with You.

You could have commanded the fever to leave her and it would have been done instead You take her by the hand. It is the touch of tenderness, of mercy, of compassion, of love, that brings immediate healing and consolation, strength and fortitude. Made whole again we must not spend time lingering in bed but rise up at once and render You and those who accompany You, joyful service. This is what happens to the repentant and contrite of heart in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

In the evening, as word of Your presence spread in the area, crowds came to the door bringing all who were sick in body, soul, and spirit and You cured many of them. You healed and cast out evil spirits - the hour of darkness cast by the sin of Adam was coming to a close, victory was at hand. The Light of the World had come and would soon cast out the darkness forever.   

After an exhausting day, You woke up before dawn and leaving the house went to pray alone, far from the crowds. Your disciples came looking for You and said that the crowds were once again asking for You, but it was time to move on. Others needed You too. The time was short and there was much You had to accomplish before Your hour arrived.