SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH IN ORDINARY TIME - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death
and he has proclaimed life through the Good News. 2 TIM 1:10

ZECHARIAH 2:5-9,14-15 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Your Church, Your bride, is hinted at and spoken of by the prophets - we see her dimly through the writings of the prophets who speak of Jerusalem, the holy city, and how God Himself will surround her and protect her.

Jerusalem and the Temple came crumbling down but Your Temple in the New Jerusalem is eternal. The words that the angel spoke are fulfilled in the Church You founded, for You are her Bridegroom.

 “Jerusalem is to remain unwalled, because of the great number of men and cattle there will be in her. But I – it is the Lord who speaks – I will be a wall of fire for her all round her, and I will be her glory in the midst of her.”

You came to us to dwell among us as Emmanuel, and the people of every nation will stream to her, and together we will rejoice and exult at so glorious a Lord, King, Messiah, Savior, and Beloved. She is Yours because Your favor rests with her forever. 

JEREMIAH 31:10-12,13 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

These beautiful verses from the prophet give us hope just as they gave hope to God's people long, long ago. The world is in chaos, the babble of voices has reached a crescendo and wisdom has fled. Evil seems to be having its day as we see sin abound and violence, hate, and discord increase. In these uncertain times, fear rules, and Your Voice is drowned out in the cacophony of harsh sounds blaring around us and feeding into our fears and anxieties. 

In these trying times, the words of Jeremiah are like soothing balm to our souls. You are our Good Shepherd who will guard us. You will seek those who are lost and You will bring safely them back to the fold. 

You paid the ransom and delivered all who have been enslaved and they will return to the House of the Lord with great rejoicing, blessing the Name of the Lord with praise, worship, and thanksgiving. 

You alone have the power to turn our mourning into joy because Your love for us is everlasting. 

LUKE 9:43-45 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

In this world, we are exiles because our home is with You in the Kingdom of God. You never lost sight of Your mission for a moment. You did not allow Yourself to get caught up in the transient adulation of those who admired You for the wondrous signs You performed. They understood that You had power and that God was with You for no one could do what You were doing and not be from God. For Your disciples, though it was a different matter, they enjoyed basking in Your reflected glory so You told them what was to come, and what to expect in time.  

‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: “The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men.”’ Luke, the evangelist tells us, 'But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.' How often we too wish to flee from sorrow, from grief, from heartache and heartbreak, from suffering. We desire life to be an endless summer of sunshine but that is not the way of a disciple. Today we are reminded that we must live in the shadow of the Cross, embrace it, and keep our gaze fixed on the Kingdom of God. We were not created for the world but for heaven, and it is a prize that is won only when we are prepared to follow You from Gethsamane, to Golgotha, to the tomb before we can receive a share in the glory of Your resurrection.