MEMORIAL OF ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, RELIGIOUS - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord. JN 15:16

2 MACCABEES 7:1,20-31 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The rulers of the world indoctrinate the ignorant to indulge the flesh, to cater to the needs of one's self over those of others, and to have a disdain for all that is chaste, holy, and godly.

This remarkable story in the 2nd Book of Maccabees teaches us the power, strength, wisdom, and courage that a mother displays in the face of tyranny. If mothers today possessed even a sliver of the courage of this mother the children of this generation would not be as adrift in the sea of relativism as they are today.

This mother had raised her seven sons to love the Law of God and to obey it. When their faith was tested they had the strength to withstand the wiles of the wicked. It was their mother who stood by bravely and encourage her sons to remain steadfast and she watched each one put to death before her eyes.

Very few parents today display sterling virtues and by their personal witness teach their children the same. Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, for Your Church, for the Teaching Authority of the Church, and for those in the Church who remain faithful to Your teachings and teach their children to do the same as well. As long as we have a few who are willing to swim against the tide there is yet hope for the world. 

PSALM 17:1,5-6,8,15 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

There are still valiant souls in the world who have courage and are prepared, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to withstand the onslaught of wicked tyranny that rules in almost every part of the globe.

Hear the cries of Your faithful O Lord, who raise up holy hands and hearts filled with praise and thanksgiving for Your goodness and mercy and plead for the salvation of sinners. Thank You for monks, priests, religious, cloistered convents hidden from the world who make constant intercession for those who are struggling to remain godly in an ungodly world.

Because of the prayers of a valiant few many will be saved.

Strengthen those of us who are in the world and who strive daily to live lives that are pleasing to You, who desire to align their will to Yours, and who are doing the best they can despite the culture war raging in the world. Keep our feet firmly in your paths so our steps do not falter. May our prayers be ever before You. Strengthen us every moment of every day and remain with us always.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings
As for me, in my justice I shall see your face
and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.

LUKE 19:11-28 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Today's parable teaches us how to view the end times and prepare ourselves even as doomsday prophets predict that the end of the world is imminent.  

The Kingdom of God, You tell us is like a nobleman who travels to a distant country and before leaving gives each of his servants' charge of a portion of his wealth and instructs them to transact business on his behalf. On his return, he expects to see that they have used his money well, increased the capital entrusted to them, and made a profit as well for their master. The parable adds that the nobleman was to be appointed king upon his return. His people detested and rejected him as their king and plotted against him.

It is only now, as we read the Gospels we see how clearly this parable points to You, to Your enemies who constantly plotted against You, rejected You as their Messiah, and succeeded in putting You to death. What they did not count on was Your Resurrection, how could they when they did not believe in You.

The nobleman in the parable does return as king and his servants are called in one by one to give an account of how they used their Master's money. As we read this parable You tell us very clearly how You will deal with us when You return in glory to judge the living and the dead.