You, O Christ, are the faithful witness,
the First-born from the dead,
you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. REV 1:5
ACTS 13:13-25 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
Ever since the fall, God has used each of our missteps as a starting point to begin anew. God who is our Creator and our Father was not going to give up on us at any stage of our life's journey no matter how foolish, stubborn, hard-headed, and hard-hearted we are.
As Paul, who is invited to speak in the synagogue re-tells the story of salvation history to the Jews who were present, he makes known to them that at no stage did God abandon His people but remained steadfast. When they were faithless time and time again God was ever faithful to each of His promises. God kept His covenant with them then and continues to keep His covenant with us now.
We are living in the third millennium since You entered time and space to redeem us we do not know, Lord, when You will return in glory to claim for Yourself all creation and establish Your Kingdom on earth but we are called to be prepared always. No one knows the day or the hour but You will return at a time when no one expects it and then we will face judgment. Grant O Lord that we will not be afraid to stand before You but face You calmly knowing that You are a merciful judge.
We long for Your return O Lord. Come quickly! Do not delay.
JOHN 13:16-20 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
What a great privilege is accorded to those whom You call to serve You as priests and religious. They, in a special way, are called to be light and salt in the world. They are invited to live irreproachable lives and give comfort and succor to the weak, the sick, the sinner, the outcast, the widow, the orphan, and those whom the world either ignores or victimizes.
Service is the hallmark of the truly great. You came to serve and to give Your life for the salvation of the world. You revealed clearly to the Apostles exactly what was about to unfold. You were aware of who would betray You and who would deny You. You knew that every one of Your friends, those who loved You and were closest to You would abandon You and in the end, You would have to face Your enemies alone. It was the hour of evil and evil would have its way with You in order for it to be crushed and rendered impotent.
You knew all that was to take place. You knew exactly how events would unfold. You were aware of every sin, every evil thought word and deed for its punishments would be laid on You. You would be scourged to the bone and Your skin would be torn to bloody purple ribbons. The physical anguish would be great but not as great as the spiritual anguish that You suffered knowing that many would not believe in You and would perish.
Lord God, may we welcome Peter's successors, and all bishops, priests, and religious whom You send to us in Your Name for You assure us that when we do we welcome not only You but the Father who sent You.
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