THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed
that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. LK 1:45

ZEPHANIAH 3:14-18 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Mary, the daughter of Zion, having understood that of all the women of Israel, she was the one chosen by God to bear in her virginal womb the Son of God, said, 'Yes'. At her conception she was redeemed by the Son she would conceive in her womb, her Savior and the Savior of the world, for with God nothing is impossible. 

Mary's whole life was one uninterrupted 'yes' to the will of God. Her total surrender to God's plan for our redemption would result in her heart being pierced not once but often because her Son and the Son of God who received His flesh and blood from her was born to die for the salvation of the world. 

Her song of exultation at the Magnificat was inspired by the Holy Spirit and by the songs of all the holy women in the Old Testament who conceived and gave birth to sons with a great mission. But her Son as the Messiah was to carry out the greatest mission of all time.  

Because Mary said yes, even without understanding fully what that yes entailed, the Son of God entered time and space. The Son of God lived among us. The Invisible God was made visible for a while becoming like us in all things save sin.

This is why we have hope even though we are crushed on all sides by the evil that seems to have its hour in our demonic culture right now. But You, O Lord, have won the day, You have won eternally for the Father every human soul wrested from the very jaws of death. 

Today, we exult with Mary, with Elizabeth as we leap with joy as John the Baptist leaped in his mother's womb when through the power of the Holy Spirit he encountered the Living God in the womb of Mary, Your Mother and ours. 

Grant us this grace, Beloved, that we will not lose heart, we will not become discouraged or anxious or sad because we have placed all our hope in You and this hope cannot and will not disappoint.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a victorious warrior.
He will exult with joy over you,
he will renew you by his love;
he will dance with shouts of joy for you
as on a day of festival.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM - ISAIAH 12 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Grant me a greater faith O Lord. I have no reason at all to become downcast and yet

I do and I am sorry. Forgive me. What have I to fear, my Lord, when You have claimed me eternally to be Your possession.

I am a member of Your Body, the Church. I am redeemed and sanctified and a glorious inheritance awaits me. Through the Sacraments instituted by You and administered by the successors of Peter and the Apostles who share the fullness of Your High Priestly ministry, I am made a child of God. I feed on the Flesh and Blood of the Son of God and receive divine life. When I sin gravely, hope is not lost, even though I cut myself off from the Vine You make it possible in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be forgiven completely and united once again in Your Body.

Thank You for Your abiding Presence in us through the Holy Spirit and for Your Presence in all the tabernacles in the world. You keep Your Word - You have not left us, orphans You are here, You are God with us, Emmanuel, and only because Mary said 'YES'.

Grant O Lord that we may always be grateful to her for her fiat and always grateful to You for giving us Your Mother to be our Mother as well.

TUESDAY OF WEEK 8 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Blessed are you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom
to mere children. MT 11:25

ECCLESIASTICUS 35:2-15 ©

My Soul's Beloved.

At every celebration of the Holy Mass, the priest re-presents to the Father the one, holy, and perfect Sacrifice that You offered to the Father on the Cross at Calvary in atonement for the sins of the whole world. You, the Firstborn Son of the Living God, one in being with the Father, became the Lamb of Sacrifice holy and unblemished to redeem the children of Adam and Eve. Had You not offered Yourself to God as an atoning sacrifice purchasing with Your Blood the lives of all mankind and redeeming us from the clutches of Evil, we were doomed to eternal death. 

In today's First Reading, the author offers some powerful insights on how we are to prepare ourselves even before we come for Holy Mass and the gifts we are required to offer along with Your perfect, once-for-all Sacrifice.

1. We keep the commandments
2. We make an offering of our own lives in gratitude for the life we have received.
3. We give alms as a sacrifice of praise for all that we have received.
4. We resolve to separate ourselves from this sinful and temporary world where we have no lasting home. We live in it but are not of it. 
5. We do not come empty but offer to the Lord in union with Your Sacrifice the poverty of our own lives and all that we are the good, the bad, the ugly, the downright disgusting. God desires us to give all of ourselves imperfect though we are - humbly, and with faith, and in exchange He gives us Himself.
6. Our prayers offered as one Body united with the Head make pleasing and acceptable our praise, thanksgiving, and worship to the Triune God.
7. We give generously and cheerfully all that we have even from the depths of our poverty for God loves a cheerful giver. Any offering when united with Yours O Lord, will rise up as a pleasing fragrance to the heavens before the Almighty God and be acceptable to Him.  

A virtuous man’s sacrifice is acceptable,
its memorial will not be forgotten.
Honour the Lord with generosity,
do not stint the first-fruits you bring.
Add a smiling face to all your gifts,
and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously as your means can afford;
for the Lord is a good rewarder,
he will reward you seven times over.

MARK 10:28-31 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Peter's concern about what he and the other disciples will receive for having given up all to follow You is also a concern of many. They too ask, ‘What about us? We have left everything and followed you.’ And You, O Lord, take the question very seriously responding to them as well as to everyone who gives up anything or gives up everything for You and for the Gospel: 

‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land – not without persecutions – now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.’ But this comes with a caveat - we must be prepared to suffer persecution, imprisonment, loss of livelihood, loss of family members, ostracism, false accusations, and all manner of torture physical and mental. We must be prepared to lose everything including our lives but it is worth the Prize - which is eternal life and the beatific vision. 

My Soul's Beloved, may I never be guilty of the sin of presumption but place all my trust in Your great mercy to save me. ‘Many who are first will be last, and the last first.’

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Happy are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise,
for from you arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

GENESIS 3:9-15,20 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Adam and Eve were created sinless. Each day God walked with them in the cool of the evening and they delighted in His Presence, their gaze fixed with wonder and awe at the Creator. Once they sinned, however, their attention shifted to themselves and they discovered to their shame that they were naked. 

Sin makes us morbid, and self-centered, and leads to despair. But if we have a childlike trust in Your infinite goodness and mercy we will run to You, confess our sins, beg for forgiveness and You will restore all we had lost through our sins. No matter how often we sin or how grave they may be, Your mercy is always far greater. 

When we sin we must humbly confess them, ''Through my fault, through my fault, through my own grievous fault' rather than looking for a scapegoat like Adam and Eve did when questioned:

 ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

There are always consequences to sin, without exception and the price of sin is eternal separation from God. Thanks be to God, our Father and Creator, You willingly offered Yourself as the Divine Scapegoat. You took our place as the Lamb of Sacrifice. You offered Yourself mute and uncomplaining and made atonement for our sins. This was only possible because the New Eve consented to give You Your Body. Through the Incarnation in her Virginal womb, You took on flesh, and in the flesh, You died and rose again so we may die to sin with You and rise again in glory through the power of Your Resurrection.

God promised us a New Eve, she was to be the Mother of the Son of God and the Mother of all the children of God who are grafted to Him. 

PSALM 86(87) ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church is the City of God, it is here that the Holy Spirit dwells in fullness. In her are also the fullness of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. You O Lord, are the Head of Your Holy Church and since the Church is Your Body, Your Mother is Mother of the Church as well.

We thank You for the privilege of being members of Your Body through the Sacraments You instituted and receive grace upon grace. Your Father is our Father as well. We are the children of God just as You are the Son of God and for Your Sake, unworthy though we are, we are made heirs and sharers of Your glory and Your Kingdom.

Thank You, Lord.

JOHN 19:25-34 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Today the Church celebrates Your Mother as the Mother of the Church which was formed from Your pierced side: ‘For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the “wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.’ As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.” CCC766

At the foot of the Cross was the New Eve on the Cross was the New Adam and from an impossible situation our God does the impossible. Before You gave up Your Spirit You entrusted us to Your Mother and Your Mother to us. Just as the disciple You loved made a place for her in his home so too do we make a home for her in our own homes and in our lives, but she is given a preeminent place and role in the Church after God.

After You had fulfilled everything perfectly according to Scripture and the will of the Father, You cried out, 'I AM thirsty.' You were aware that despite all the atrocities You suffered at the hands of sinful men many would still choose to refuse the salvation that was won at so great a price. You drank to its dregs the cup of suffering and died.

St. John tells us, When the soldiers came to break  Your legs as they had done with the other two men who were crucified with You, they found You were already dead, and so instead of breaking Your legs one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately there came out blood and water, unaware that yet another prophecy was fulfilled. Thank You, Beloved, of the Life-giving Eucharist which is Your Body and Blood. You died so I could live. Thank You.

PENTECOST - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

ACTS 2:1-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Amazement and astonishment is the reaction of those who see the Holy Spirit alive and at work in Your people and Your Church for we live in the shelter and shadow of the Lord, our God. It is when the Holy Spirit comes upon Your Bride and the power of the Most High overshadows her that we conceive You, the Son of the Living God and we bring You forth into a world that is filled with the darkness and death which is the terrible consequence of sin. 

As the Church, Your Bride, celebrates the Feast of Pentecost, grant us a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit so we, Your people, the sheep of Your flock, can set the world on fire with love. May the witness of our lives in every season, cause the whole world to be awestruck at the marvels of God.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3-7,12-13 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Grant us the wisdom to recognize that as members of Your Body, we all have different functions and each is necessary - some are called to a more visible role while others work silently, humbly, obediently, and tirelessly without being noticed or receiving any recognition. All glory to the Holy Spirit who is at work in us all endowing us with the gifts necessary to enable us to carry out faithfully whatever task is entrusted to us by God.

Let us not envy the gifts given to us but recognize our own and use them diligently as we labor in the Lord's vineyard and bring in the harvest. 

JOHN 20:19-23 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost which is also the birthday of Your Church we are truly grateful for Your gift of Peace. It is a peace that the world cannot give. It is a peace that is unwavering no matter how strong the winds that buffet the Bark of Peter and the great waves that threaten to capsize her and drown all who are in it.  We have Your assurance that the gates of hell shall never prevail against her and this fills us with a joy that nothing can steal. 

Trials, troubles, and difficulties, both great and small are a necessary part of our lives, they purify us. Persecutions strengthen us. The power and presence of the Holy Spirit make us invincible warriors. If God be for us who can be against us. Who can withstand the power of God, the gentleness of God, the mercy of God, the overwhelming goodness and love of our God who redeemed us with His Blood and now sanctifies us with Your Own Holy Spirit so we can make this journey fraught with pain, and misery, and tears, and with His help reach the safe harbor where eternal life in Your glorious presence awaits us.

Thank You for Your Church, thank You for the Sacraments, and for the ministers of these Sacraments. Without the life-giving power of the Sacraments, we would wither and die.

‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’

SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I will send you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will lead you to the complete truth. JN 16:7, 13

ACTS 28:16-20,30-31 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

No one has power over us who keep Your Word, follow Your commands, and live in Your Presence as is so clearly seen in the life of St. Paul. No one can touch a hair on our head unless You permit it. 

There is much we can learn from the example of Paul. It was You who instructed him to go to Rome and to preach and teach the Gospel. Taking advantage of the circumstances created by the Jews and Sadducees to have him imprisoned he saw an opportunity to do as You asked him and invoking his Roman rights as a citizen he demanded to be tried in Rome. If we desire to do Your will in all things You will always make a way for us to accomplish all You ask.

Paul was allowed to stay in relative freedom in his own lodgings. He prayed for three days relying on the Holy Spirit before he called the leading Jews in order to lay to rest any rumors they may have heard about him and to assure them that the reason he was in chains was on account of the hope of Israel. 

He spent two years tirelessly spreading the Gospel not letting his circumstances restrict his zeal in accomplishing the mission entrusted to him. Welcoming all who came to him while You made it possible for him to do so with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone. When You entrust us with a task we can trust You to also equip us to carry it out. 

Grant O Lord that wherever You have placed us we cooperate with Your grace to be the light and salt of the world. Amen.

PSALM 10(11):4-5,7 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The psalmist says that You O Lord are in Your holy Temple? Where is Your Temple? It is within us for the Holy Spirit dwells in us. You are closer to us than our breath yet most of us live from infancy through all the stages of our lives until old age with heedless disregard for the Treasure we carry in our mortal bodies. 

We are too caught up and distracted by the hypnotic baubles that the world dangles before us. Thank You, Lord, for not abandoning us even though we abandon You, are thoughtless and thankless for all You have done for us. Thank You for Your love that pursues us relentlessly and for not hesitating to whack us on the head when in order to get our attention. The stakes are high - eternal life with You or eternal damnation and You, divine Savior, desire that all come to know You, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and be saved. Too great a price was paid for our redemption. You will not permit anyone to be lost except those who actively desire it. The upright shall see your face, O Lord.

JOHN 21:20-25 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We must guard against useless curiosity. You stopped Peter in his tracks when he was questioning You about things that he did not require to know and were not necessary for him to know either. It had nothing to do with the great mission entrusted to him. 

Too often many of us get sidetracked by inanities and superficialities, and when the Holy Spirit convicts us of this we must train ourselves and ask for the grace to keep our focus on the great commission lest we waste time and are filled with regret at all the wasted opportunities that were given to us to spread the Gospel.

What God will for my neighbor concerns God and my neighbor, not me. When I get caught up with foolish distractions like Peter You say to me what You said to him, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ I must follow You with single-minded devotion. I must fix my gaze on You. You are my lodestar if I follow You I will reach my destination, my heavenly home, my place of eternal rest in Your Kingdom.

St. John, as well as the other evangelists, have recorded all that is necessary for our salvation let us focus on what is written, on Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and not waste time in foolish and unnecessary speculation, There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written. The time is short and we know neither the day of the hour of Your return let us always be prepared for Your coming and while we wait let us pray, Maranatha Lord Jesus, Maranatha!

FRIDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you. JN 14:26

ACTS 25:13-21 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

There is no power on earth that can snatch us from You, nor can anyone change the course of the destiny that God has willed for us from the foundations of the world.

Here we have earthly rulers discussing the case of St. Paul who was accused by fellow Jews and was due to be tried and sentenced. While the governor wanted to send him to Jerusalem, thinking they were more qualified to understand the case since he was accused of false teaching on doctrinal matters concerning the faith. However, You, my Lord, had already told him that he was to go to Rome. So despite what Festus had planned to do, Paul demanded, as a citizen of Rome to put his case before Caesar. Festus had no choice but to comply.

Let us never forget, Beloved, that if we have childlike trust in You all things will work according to Your will and plan for our lives. Paul was destined to preach, teach, and ultimately be martyred, shedding his blood as so many Christians did at that time. Thank You for their courage, Beloved, may we too be ready to lay down our lives rather than deny You and the faith we have in You. Thank You for the rivers of blood of martyrs that have been shed through the ages for their blood is undoubtedly the seed of Christians.

PSALM 102(103):1-2,11-12,19-20 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The most effective way to grow in faith, hope, and love is to have a grateful heart. When we recall all Your goodness, Your mercy, and all the favors You have granted us even when we have been least deserving of them our hearts will swell and overflow with love and thanksgiving. May I never ever forget the abundance of Your blessings on me and my family and may my heart offer You songs of uninterrupted praise as long as I live and have breath in my body. 

After the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the greatest gift that You have given the Church. In this glorious Sacrament, we are washed clean of every sin no matter their gravity or their number. Each time we approach You with a contrite and humble heart determined with Your help to avoid every occasion of sin, You gladly forgive us and restore our souls to their baptismal innocence.

Thank You for the confidence that we have in You, the faithful, Eternal Word of the Father who in the power of the Holy Spirit fulfills all the promises You have made to us. The Word of God does not issue forth from Him without accomplishing all that God sets out to do for His people. 

The Lord has set his sway in heaven
and his kingdom is ruling over all.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels,
mighty in power, fulfilling his word.

JOHN 21:15-19 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The Church, from its inception, has recognized the primacy of Peter. At various times we see how You singled him out and made it clear to the rest of the Apostles that it was Peter on whom You would build Your Church. Peter was not better than the rest nor was he more qualified than the others. He was flawed, he lacked courage when it mattered most, he was headstrong, he was impulsive but none of that mattered - God chose him. The matter rests there. 

In today's Gospel passage, we reflect on Your dialogue with Peter in the company of the rest of the Apostles. You restore his dignity with loving-kindness, compassion, and tenderness, as You give him an opportunity to make a public, triple confession of his love forgiving once and for all his triple denial of You. And once again confirm the special ministry You have conferred on him as Your Vicar on earth. 

When for the third time You put the question to Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ the heartbroken Peter who loves You more than the rest, responds, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ You say to him for the third time, ‘Feed my sheep.’ You then go on to tell him that he would, like his Master, also be put to death and the manner in which he would die as well. And then You say to him as You say to us all who are Your disciples, ‘Follow me.’

Beloved, keep me faithful to the end. Amen.

WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2023

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,

If only the shepherds appointed as overseers to feed us, the members of the Church of God were as tender a father as St. Paul we would not be undergoing the spiritual crisis that we, Your Body, find ourselves in.  Because of the indifference, the tepidity, giving in to creature comforts, the desire to people please, and a propensity for soft living by some in the hierarchy the Church is weakened. 

Grant this grace O Lord to our shepherd, that after the example of St. Paul and many great Popes, Bishops, priests, and religious a sacrificial love for the people of God. The Church is being attacked on every side and her enemies are legion. We need strong leadership, constant vigilance, and constant care to keep the wolves at bay, by teaching and preaching sound doctrine, by sacrifice, and a willingness by our shepherds to die to themselves for the love of their flock. 

This is prophetic from the lips of St. Paul: 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. 

If our shepherds are tender, compassionate, and filled with Your love and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit the sheep will grow in faith and in confidence under their vigilant care. We will then be able to face the attacks of the Enemy and with Your help vanquish him. May we, the faithful, stand shoulder to shoulder with our shepherd loving them, supporting them, praying for them, and always aware of Your Word that,“There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’

Give us leaders like St. Paul for whom we can have great affection and respect just like his. 

When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

TUESDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I shall ask the Father,

and he will give you another Advocate

to be with you for ever. JN 14:16

ACTS 20:17-27 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

If every one who is in authority in the hierarchy of the Church which You founded on the Apostles could speak with the conviction of Paul about his life and his witness to Your Gospel the whole world would become Christian. Sadly, the scandalous lives of many bishops and priests through the years deface her horrendously. So many with weak faith, so many who have been wounded by her ministers, so many whose innocence has been robbed by those who were meant to be fathers have wrinkled and stained Your Bride, the Church. While the Church is holy her members are most assuredly not. We are all children of Adam, we are all wounded by original sin. Concupiscence is the legacy of our first parents. Thanks be to God, however, and Your salvific work of redemption there are many, many good and holy bishops and priests in the Church who suffer greatly because of the evil done by some.

We pray today, Beloved Jesus our High Priest, that You grant us a new Pentecost. May the Fire of the Holy Spirit purge the Church from all evil. Give us many holy vocations to the priesthood and religious life so the Church and all her members will be renewed and transformed so we can be living stones that preach and witness to the Good News by the sanctity of our lives.

Let not persecution or hardships, or trials, or threats of violence deter us from being powerful witnesses to Your Love and to the Gospel that saves. At the end of life's journey may our conscience not trouble us but may we look forward eagerly to coming home to You and to rest in You eternally.

‘But life to me is not a thing to waste words on, provided that when I finish my race I have carried out the mission the Lord Jesus gave me – and that was to bear witness to the Good News of God’s grace.’

PSALM 67(68):10-11,20-21 ©

My Soul's Beloved

Thank You for Your tender assurance that You bear our burdens daily. You are our God, our Savior, You are the God who saves. You hold the keys that open the door of death to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

May all the nations of the earth come to know You, love You, adore and worship You, and acknowledge that You alone O Lord are God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

May every breath I breathe bless Your Holy Name and give You praise.  

May the Lord be blessed day after day.
He bears our burdens, God our saviour.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
The Lord our God holds the keys of death.

JOHN 17:1-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Your final discourse with Your disciples and the prayer You make to Your Father in their presence is one which we must read over and over again. 

The verses chosen for our reflection in today's Gospel focuses on the prayer to Your Father, it is an ardent, faith-filled prayer. You are One with the Father and this is palpable in every word You address to Him. It is a perfect prayer made with utmost confidence to Your Dad, Your Abba, who delights in You and in whom You delight.

You completed the mission entrusted to You by Your Dad. You made known the incomprehensible love of the Father for us, His sinful creatures. You made visible the invisible God. You took on a body like ours, a body subject to corruption and death because of sin and You redeemed it. Taking upon Yourself the punishment that was ours due to our sins and making reparation on our behalf, You vanquished the devil, sin, and death and opened the gates of paradise for us.

We now know the true God, the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. Thank You.

We are sealed with Your Blood and with the Holy Spirit and we are Yours in time and in eternity.

MONDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ,
you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is,
sitting at God’s right hand. COL 3:1

ACTS 19:1-8 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who makes our poor, sin-filled, frail bodies His holy temple, His sanctuary. Sadly, all too often, I live as if I am an orphan and a widow when I know that God is my Father and that as a member of Your Body, I am espoused to You and the love of God empowers me. 

Thank You, Lord, for powerful teachers, and preachers like Paul and Apollos in Your Church, and among the laity who evangelize boldly to the truth that saves. Salvation is found in You alone. Faith is Your gift which is freely given to anyone You will. Believing in You we are saved. Thank You for the gifts of the Sacraments that nurture us and provide all the graces we need as we journey from this life to the life that is to come.

PSALM 67(68):2-7

My Soul's Beloved,

I am praying earnestly for several intentions some of which require a miracle. Thank You for Your assurance in these verses that You are a Living God and that God our Father always provides His children with all they need for He is a good and loving Dad.

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,

such is God in his holy place.
God gives the lonely a home to live in;
he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.

May my soul sing hymns of praise and thanksgiving while I wait humbly for an answer to all my petitions and prayers at an hour and at a time of Your choosing my Lord and my God. 

JOHN 16:29-33 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

In Your farewell discourse with Your beloved disciples, You made known to them all that was in Your Heart. They would forget everything just as You prophesied the instant that trouble approached and You would need them the most they would scatter leaving You alone and friendless.

‘Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone’.

However, You let them know that even if they desert You, You are never alone. Your Father is always with You. We know that we are members of Your Body so if the Father is always with You, since we are in You, the Father is always with us too. 

Even when Your soul is heavy with all You will endure in expiation of the sins of the whole world, You are still thinking of them and how terrible they will feel once they realize that they abandoned You just as You said they would.

Just as they fell we too fall over and over again and You, You reassure us, my Beloved, that in You we will always find peace. You give rest to our souls when we draw near to You. Thank You for the confident faith and hope we have in You, they are Your gift to us. Thank You also for warning us that in the world we will have trouble. The servants are not greater than their Master and what the world did to You it will do to us too. Let us never lose heart but rejoice to be considered worthy of suffering for You and for the Good News.

You assure us that we are already victorious, we are already triumphant for You O Lord have conquered the world, sin, and death. You have crushed the head of Satan.

‘In the world you will have trouble,

but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Go, make disciples of all the nations.
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. MT 29:19, 20

ACTS 1:1-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

This is our glorious hope, that while we live in this valley of tears, while we yet travail in this world where we are but exiles and pilgrims we wait with expectant faith for Your glorious return. The Apostles' eyes were fixed upward as You ascended into heaven and there they might have stayed had not the two angels in white suddenly appeared and standing near them reminded them of the urgency of the mandate You had already given to them, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

The mission is clear - it is unchanging, the same mission entrusted to the Apostles, the disciples is also entrusted to all the baptized. We are messengers given a clear and urgent mandate, we are to be Your ‘witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’ We cannot be navel-gazing but we are to rise up and go where the Holy Spirit sends us. But first, we need to wait and pray for the Helper, the Comforter, the Guide, the Paraclete for without Him all our endeavors will be fruitless.

Through Baptism, we have received the Holy Spirit, through Confirmation we acknowledge that we have received Him and we accept the divine command to go out and preach the Good News through our lives. Help us not to get stuck on useless issues nor to be morbidly curious, rather, filled with the Holy Spirit and guided by Him may we live from moment to moment, day to day, until the end of our journey as we wait in joyful hope to be united with You eternally. 

 PSALM 46(47):2-3,6-9 ©

My Soul Beloved,

Praise is what fuels us and energizes us. When we are mindful of all that God has accomplished for us sinners in and through You and what is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit our whole being will thrill to Your love, Your goodness, Your mercy, and tender compassion.

Keep us ever alive in the Holy Spirit, Beloved, so nothing will seem impossible for us for it is He who will help us, encourage us, inspire us, strengthen us, and provide all the help and grace we need for the journey to the Kingdom of God.

God is king of all the earth,
sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations;
God reigns on his holy throne.

God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

EPHESIANS 1:17-23 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We thrill at the wonderful truths of our faith revealed by the Holy Spirit to Paul, the great Apostle of faith. We need the Holy Spirit and this is why You had to go to the Father and sent Him to us. Why do we need Him? Because with His help we will be able to understand the great mysteries of our faith and what God has done for us in and through You. Every promise, every prophecy is fulfilled in You and because He is given to us we believe. We are able to acknowledge that You are Lord only because of faith which is His gift to us.

We make the prayer of St. Paul to the Holy Spirit our own today, 'May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers'. 

You, O Lord, are now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. All things are under Your feet, You are the ruler of everything, You are the head of the Church and we the members of Your body receive the same fullness of the Holy Spirit that fills the whole creation. In the Spirit, You are in us, and we are in You. Alleluia!

MATTHEW 28:16-20 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You for the mission given to the Church, to all the baptized, and to me individually as well. Grant me all the grace I need through the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit dwelling in me. I give Him complete autonomy over my life. I submit to His rule, His dominion, and His power over me in every way and in all things. 

You abide in me and I in You. With You in me and I in You I am unconquerable.

‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

SATURDAY BEFORE ASCENSION SUNDAY - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree,
has risen from the tomb.

ACTS 18:23-28 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Faith in You and Your salvific work of redemption for the human race ignites a burning zeal to evangelize so all may come to know and believe in You and be saved. This is the mission of all the baptized. Today's First Reading speaks of an Alexandrian Jew, Apollos. Although he preached eloquently and had a sound knowledge of the scriptures, had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord, and preached accurately in all the details concerning You and with great spiritual earnestness he had only experienced the baptism of John. 

This is important for us to take note of and understand. There are a great many preachers and teachers like Apollos outside the Catholic Church You founded. They are indeed full of the love of God, on fire with love for the Gospel, and fearless in teaching and preaching. They study Scripture diligently and prayerfully, however, without further instructions in the Way that You Yourself have given us and without the Sacraments that You instituted and are administered by Holy Mother Church they lack the fullness of Truth. Priscilla and Aquila understood this and gave him further instruction so he would not teach error and his preaching would be more sound.

Apollos was humble and because he submitted to the disciples You were able to use his gift of eloquence to teach and preach the Good News of our salvation and bring many to the knowledge of the Truth which has the power to save.

JOHN 16:23-28 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

May all who read today's Gospel text, and may all who preach on it convey its message so effectively that all who hear it believe and are consoled that God always hears and answers all our prayers. 

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you most solemnly,
anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.
Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.’

We are living in the final age in the reign of the Holy Spirit. We are living in a world that is dark and the culture is getting more and more demonic each day. Families are under threat. The innocence of children is being attacked. God has been banned from public life. The conscience of many has dulled and become desensitized to Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. 

The faithful remnant recognizes that we are living in a time when evil has been given its hour but we are aware that the victory is won. The Cross has triumphed and we pray with hope knowing with certainty that the God of all Hope has saved us.

We thank You for Your loving assurance to pray believing that 

‘When that day comes you will ask in my name;

and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you,
because the Father himself loves you for loving me
and believing that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world
and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’

Thank You for faith in You, hope in You, and trust in Your everlasting promises.

FRIDAY BEFORE ASCENSION SUNDAY - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Christ has risen, he who created all things,
and has granted his mercy to men.

ACTS 18:9-18 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Your Word, O Lord, is Truth. You assured Paul in a vision not to be afraid to speak because not only were You with him but there were many who believed in You in the city of Corinth. You assured him that no one would even attempt to hurt You. And it was just as You promised. For eighteen months he was unmolested. But the enemies of Truth do not rest. They brought Paul before the tribunal and accused him of breaking the Law. True to Your promise, You preserved him from the malice of his accusers.

Grant me this immense grace O Lord, to take You at Your Word, rest with confidence in it, and not permit the Enemy to rob me of the peace which is Your gift to me. 

PSALM 46(47):2-7 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Keep me attentive to all the promises God has made in His Word and which have been fulfilled fully in You. 

Give me a spirit that rejoices always and in all circumstances for You have saved me, redeemed me, claimed me for Your Own, and are attentive to all my needs. You always, always hear and answer me when I call to You for help. Let this increase my faith, hope, and love in You steadily every day.

You have crushed the Enemy. You are victorious and triumphant. You grant me a share in Your victory because You love me.

The Ascension is a foretaste of the everlasting joy that I will receive when You come again in glory to claim all who belong to You and we will remain with You in bliss eternally. Thank You, Lord, for the hope we have in You.

JOHN 16:20-23 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You, Lord, for revealing to us what we can expect in this world from the enemies of Truth, the enemies of Life, and the enemies of Light and Love.

Everywhere, in all nations, Christians are being persecuted overtly and covertly. They are being beaten, falsely accused, and imprisoned. They are being robbed, Altars in churches are being desecrated, and the law turns a blind eye to the blatant cruelty, violence, and palpable and visible hatred. They act with impunity knowing that they will go scot-free. 

It is hard not to be despondent when we see the grave injustices and violence against Your faithful. The vile lies that spew from the lips of those who hatefully and cruelly oppose Your faithful ones.

Thank You, also for Your assurance that all who remain faithful to the end will be filled with eternal joy. You will come again in glory. You will take us with You to remain in the beatific vision eternally. Grant us the grace to endure with courage until the end. Hasten Your coming Lord. Maranatha!

THURSDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. JN 14:18

ACTS 18:1-8

My Soul's Beloved,

There is so much to learn and emulate as we read how Paul lived and carried out his mission from the First Reading of today. 

Paul met fellow Jews, a couple, who had recently come to live in Corinth from Italy. They practiced a similar trade as they were tentmakers. Paul stayed and worked with them until his companions Silas and Timothy joined him. Until that time he only went every sabbath to the synagogue and engaged in discussions with both Jews and Greeks about the Good News that he believed in and professed. We too like Paul must make use of any opportunity to gently, wisely, and prudently lead our conversations to matters of faith relying wholly on the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

The work of converting hearts and minds to You, Lord, is Yours, all we are required to do is to witness to the Word of God through our lives. We carry Your Light in us and this light must radiate brightly so people are drawn to You through it. If people are hostile and they oppose and persecute us it is not us they reject but You, we can leave with a clear conscience entrusting them to Your mercy. All You ask us is to faithfully preach and teach the results we entrust to You.

However, if we are steadfast and zealous, if we keep our gaze on You and not focus on our own inadequacies but make ourselves available, we will see grace at work in the most unlikely people for it is the Holy Spirit who prepares hearts and minds to receive with faith the Gospel of Truth, Light, and Life.

Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord
along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians
who heard believed and were baptized.

PSALM 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

My Soul's Beloved,

God has made Himself known to us since the foundations of the world. We do not grope in the dark. God speaks and we can hear Him. The invisible God makes Himself visible, tangible, and accessible in You, His Son. The power of the Spirit of God is given to us in Baptism and we receive the fullness of His life through the Sacraments administered by the Church You founded on the Rock of Peter.

This is why we are a people of praise and thanksgiving. 'We are a Resurrection People,' as St. Pope John Paul II declared, and 'Alleluia is our song.' 

You destroyed death. You crushed the head of the Enemy. You have triumphed over sin. You are victorious and triumphant and all who believe in You share in Your victory and triumph. Thank You, for laying down Your life for us, dying for us, and saving us while we were yet sinners because God is good, kind, and faithful. Grant us this grace of being always aware of what it cost God to redeem us and give thanks and praise to You always.

JOHN 16:16-20

My Soul's Beloved,

This phrase in today's Gospel passage is so reassuring and comforting,  'Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him.' You always know but You desire us to be open with You like little children. You desire us to have a childlike faith, trust, and confidence in Your love for us. To know that You will always hear us, always answer us, always comfort and reassure us and You will give us exactly what we need when we need it, and the manner in which we need it. Thank You.

As we reflect on Your final farewell discourse with Your Apostles and disciples, we take great comfort in what You say to them. You had to leave for Your salvific work of redemption was complete - it was now time for You to send us Your Holy Spirit who would lead us into the whole Truth giving us wisdom and understanding and all the other gifts necessary to live a life of grace. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to believe, to have faith, to live out that faith with courage, to be bold, to realize our weaknesses, and our brokenness, leaning on Him to help us as we make our way from this valley of tears into the everlasting life that awaits us in Your Kingdom.