FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I call you friends, says the Lord,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father. JN 15:15

ACTS 15:22-31 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Numerous incidents narrated in the Acts of the Apostles

reveal how the Church has always permitted the Holy Spirit to instruct and direct her life and her teaching. She keeps You, the Eternal Word, alive in her for You are her Spouse and life-giver. Evil in every form from within and without seek tirelessly to weaken and tear her down but to no avail. No power can prevail over the mighty force of the Holy Spirit and the Church who allows Him full and free rein has nothing to fear. The powers of darkness will never overcome her or triumph over her.

The Mother Church from the very earliest ensured that Your teachings were handed over to Your disciples in its fullness. The Truth was not watered down and it never will be. However, like a good mother, she will take care of all her children according to their particular needs. However, she will always ensure that in all matters of faith and morals the truth will not be watered down. 

To this day the Church sends letters to all her children instructing them, exhorting them, encouraging them, and keeping her children united.  

We are truly grateful for the Church You founded, Beloved, and we know that when we obey her and submit to her in humility we obey You. 

PSALM 57:8-12 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Give me a grateful heart. A heart that is always aware of Your any blessings, the graces You lavish on me, and for Your mighty protection and I will always have a song of praise in my heart and on my lips.

Keep my eyes open to recognize the gifts You lavish on me in the beauty that surrounds me in people and in nature. There is so much to be grateful for every moment of every day. Grant that I may always seek the light in all things and shun the darkness. When difficult times come, as they must and will, let me cling to You, as long as I hold on to You I will be safe.

Thank You for the hope I have in Your everlasting love.

JOHN 15:12-17 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Once again I am overwhelmed by Your love. You chose Me to be born into a Catholic home and into the fullness of faith and truth. These gifts are not given to all and I am one of those who are counted among the blessed.

I am born in a country where we are a minority and I can never be grateful enough to be one among them. But along with this great and marvelous privilege comes responsibilities, duties, and perfect obedience to Your commandment. 

All Your followers are commanded to love - by our love for one another we are to be recognized as Your disciples. We are called to image You in all things - You have said that we can have no greater love than to lay down our lives for one another just as You did. We call You Friend, Spouse, Beloved, Brother, these are only empty words if we do not obey You and submit to You in all things.

Thank You for raising us up to the dignity of friends - we are neither slaves nor servants but children of God and heirs to the Kingdom of heaven. Thank You for revealing to us all that the Father asked You. Nothing is hidden but You have made plain to us the way to the Father's house and You have shown us how we can get there in safety. 

Life is short and this is why we have to spend our lives in loving service to You and to one another. Soon time will run out for us - for some earlier than for others and when we stand before You we will have to reveal the fruit that our labor has produced. We will not come before You empty-handed if we love one another as You have loved us.