FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Man does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. MT 4:4

ACTS 5:34-42 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

You will always have friends and admirers in the most 
unlikeliest of places and the Holy Spirit will use them to further the work of the Kingdom of God as He did with Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a respected member of the Sanhedrin and the people. He stood up, addressed the Sanhedrin, and spoke words of wisdom that was able to change the hearts of those who were inclined to have Peter and John put to death. 

All that comes from God is indestructible and will grow and thrive just as You assured Your disciples. The Kingdom of God is here in our midst and it flourishes despite her enemies within and without who constantly plot to bring her down.

However, how many are there among us who are prepared to suffer persecution, humiliation, and suffering for Your sake and the sake of the Gospel? Peter and John were flogged and ordered not to speak in Your Name, the Name that Your enemies fear in every generation, but they rejoiced considering an honor to suffer humiliation for Your Sake and for the sake of the Gospel.   

The Church in most countries, cowed and bullied into submission, has gone into hiding during the pandemic. Grant, O Lord, that the Good News be preached without interruption and that those with authority in the Church, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, fearlessly put the needs of their flock before the diktats of bullies. Right now many have been only too ready to kowtow obsequiously before worldly powers. Have mercy on Your people Lord, and on the whole world.

PSALM 27:1,4,13-14 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The words of the psalmist echo the longing of every heart that
loves You, desires You, hungers and thirsts for You, and pants for You.

I thank You for the power of faith that strengthens us in the face of so much confusion, fear, and despair in the world. We know You, have You, we have Your assurance that we are Yours. You will never forsake those who belong to You.

There is only one thing that the members of Your Body need to live, to flourish, and to be fruitful, and this is to remain in You. Be nourished by You, to gaze on You, and to experience the sweetness of Your Presence in the sanctuary of our soul.

Thank You, for this assurance, this hope of an eternal future of living in Your Presence. We hold on firmly to this Truth in our heart that someday, when the days of our lives on earth come to a close, You will call us by name and we will fly to Your bosom to live with You in perfect bliss forever.

JOHN 6:1-15 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

John chapter 6 is what makes life on earth worth living. How is
it that those who are familiar with the Sacred texts are blind to the wonder of it and are not absolutely awestruck by what You propose to do for us?

The feeding of the five thousand is just a  preview of what is to come. At every celebration of the Eucharist, especially on the Lord's Day, this scene has played out in every corner of the world even to the ends of the earth. In obscure villages, in towns and big cities, and even where it is forbidden by the enemies of the Church, this miracle continues to take place and so it will be until You return in glory and Your love for Your Bride will be finally and eternally consummated at the Supper of the Lamb in the Kingdom of God. 

As long as we live we are invited to bring the little we have to You in faith and You will gladly receive the paucity of our offerings and You will multiply it infinitely so everyone is satisfied and there is a great deal left over. You deal with us not according to our lack but according to the magnanimity of Your Spirit and love. 

The crowds wanted to crown You King because You provided them with bread and fish - they wanted to eat this earthly food without toiling for it. But You came to give us the Bread of Life that wells up to eternal joy in us and that would only take place when You were lifted high, impaled on the Cross. Crowned with thorns, Your lacerated flesh hanging in ribbons on Your Body, and Your Sacred Heart pierced with a lance only then would You would become the only and eternal King, Lord of Lords and Ruler of all that is seen and unseen. The price of Your eternal Kingship was the sacrifice of Your life for the life of the world. Thank You.