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.