MONDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord. PS 94:8

EXODUS 14:5-18 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

If we are coerced into doing something good but our motives for doing it are suspect we will soon begin to have regrets when reason tells us how much we stand to lose much like Pharoah. Despite all that he himself and the Egyptians had suffered he was still was determined to bring the Israelites back to slavery. 

We cannot break our bondage to sin unless we make a clean break from the past. The flesh tempts us constantly but grace and the Holy Spirit will help us overcome. We do not fight alone You will fight for us if we ask You to.

Fear paralyzes, we ought never to give in to it, if we do then like the Israelites who saw the Egyptian army gaining on them, we complain and whine instead of trusting in God. They had witnessed the mighty power of God and yet although they had suffered greatly under the yoke of slavery, they were prepared to go back, telling themselves that it was better to be slaves than to die in the wilderness. 

In moments like these may we hear the voice of God speaking to us as You spoke through Moses, assuring us to, 'Have no fear! Stand firm, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today.'

Every day we see how mightily You bless us in every way, so instead of complaining and whining grant us the grace to look for the blessing hidden in everything and we will find it and glorify You. 

PSALM EXODUS 15:1-6 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

In every life, there are times of turmoil and turbulence it is important during these moments in our lives to cling ever more closely to You. We must trust You and trust Your Word for You are Truth and You never fail.  

Every crushing sorrow under whose weight we thought we would be annihilated has instead made us better and stronger. We become more compassionate and empathetic of others who suffer as we have and we are able to encourage them. 

Our song of victory is far more glorious than the triumphant song of Moses and the people of Israel for You have won the battle against evil, sin, the flesh, the world, and Satan. You have overcome and we share in Your victory. 

Your right hand, Lord, glorious in its power,
your right hand, Lord, has shattered the enemy.

MATTHEW 12:38-42 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We do not have to ask for signs of God's passionate love for us for it is imprinted everywhere and we will see them if we look for them. Often, they, like the Pharisees, are not really asking for them in order that their faith may be strengthened, for people such as these You say, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign!' 

The greatest sign of God's unconditional, unfathomable, unwavering, and unmerited love is the Sign of the Cross. It is the only sign we need to believe and believing we are saved.