WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth. JN 17:17

ACTS 20:28-38 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Paul's farewell address to his fellow workers who toiled with him in Your vineyard touches prophetically on many truths which are relevant to this day. Neither the Church nor her members can drop their guard for if they do she becomes vulnerable to evil predators seeking her destruction. 

A Church filled with the Holy Spirit of God is a Church that is alive, on fire, and impenetrable to the forces of darkness. But when her shepherds are neglectful ravenous wolves lie in wait to descend on her and and devour her flock. This is all too true in our world and in the Church today. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. 

This is the time for prayer, fasting, penance, and vigilance. This is the time to cling to You in faith believing in Your promises that You will never permit the gates of hell to prevail against Your Church. As we go through trials, persecutions, and face the threat of schism let us hold fiercely and with hope to this truth - the Church is Yours, You will keep her safe until the time of Your return in glory.

PSALM 68:29-30,33-36 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Every morning the dawn breaks forth faithfully on the horizon, the sun rises and the day arrives. The birds awake while the world is yet asleep to fill the earth with beautiful songs of praise. A refreshing breeze like the sweet, gentle Spirit of God moves over the face of the earth and over His faithful who rise with the dawn to welcome the Sun of Justice. 

Every evening as the world prepares to cease from toil the sun sets and in her wake, she paints the sky in glorious colors as she takes leave of the day. Birds sing their evening song of praise before they too settle to rest. While You press Your ear to the heart of Your faithful remnant and listen to their prayers as they thank You for the day before they too lie down to sleep confident of Your everlasting love. 

The psalmist has experienced Your glorious faithfulness and love and this is why he praises You in all the circumstances of his life. You are God and we can trust You despite all the difficulties and trials we might face in life. You never leave us You never forsake us. We might make the most horrific mistakes, we may depart far away from You when we choose to sin, but You will seek us and will find us and You will restore us back to the fold. No power can wrest from You those who are marked by Your Spirit and sealed in Your Blood.

JOHN 17:11-19 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You for this beautiful, farewell prayer to Your Father for all of us who belong to You. We are Yours irrevocably, and because we are,  we need be afraid of nothing. Not pandemics, not evil governments, not despots, dictators, the powers of darkness that make their home in evil hearts for the children of God who are marked by Your Spirit, washed in Your Blood, and called by Your Name are kept safe for eternal life. Even though we walk in the valley of the shadow of death we will be unafraid for You are with us.

We are going through very difficult times. Chaos reigns. The wicked flourish. The weak are crushed. The poor are neglected. Selfishness reigns. Horror abounds as we see the extent to which we have lost all sense of our common humanity. 

Through all these difficulties may we hold on steadfastly to this truth - You will never leave nor forsake those who are true to Your Name. You watch over us and You will ensure that not one of Your faithful will be lost.

Thank You for the Church You established and for all who belong to it. Thank You for the successor to Peter whom You assist and empower - with Your help, he will see guide the Church safely through these difficult times. 

We are consecrated to You and to Your Word which is alive and does all that You command it to do. With Your Word O Lord to feed us, nourish us, strengthen us, and empower us we will survive these dark times and with Your grace and help emerge the better for it.