THURSDAY OF WEEK SIXTEEN 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

EXODUS 19:1-2,9-11,16-20 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The description of God meeting His people has a hint of Your Second Coming in glory and majesty. God desires to make Himself known to the people He chose and whom He liberated from slavery. Moses is a type of Christ. God chose him to lead His people from slavery to liberation. He stood in the breach like You stand in the breech only You O Lord are the Son of the Living God.  Moses mediated between God and God's people. You are the only mediator between God and the whole human race. 

Beloved, You desire to take us into the wilderness, to pitch our tent with You, and there You desire to meet us away from all distractions. When we give You our wholehearted attention, when we focus our entire being on You and Your love, You make Yourself known to us in ways that are not possible when we are in the midst of the world. 

Beloved, God instructed Moses to inform the people to get ready to meet Him. It reminds us that nothing unholy can enter Your Presence. Thank You for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that washes away our sins and restores the purity of our baptismal garment. Thank You for the graces that flow from the Sacraments and the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to stand in readiness for Your coming. Thank You for reminding us that it is always You who stoop to us, You descend to us in humility while we in turn are privileged to ascend up to You and encounter You in the Holy of Holies at every celebration of the Holy Mass.

DANIEL 3:52-56 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Grant me and mine, this wonderful grace O Lord, to give You praise and glory with every breath I breathe, with every word I utter, with every heartbeat, every pulsebeat. Grant me this grace O Lord my God to glorify Your glorious Name in time and in eternity.

MATTHEW 13:10-17 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Your Word is Truth, Your Word gives Life, and Your Word sheds light that illumines the Way from this life to the glorious life that awaits us in the Kingdom of Heaven. You O Lord are the Way, the Truth, and the Life there is no other way to Father except through You.

The disciples wanted to know why You spoke to the people in parables but You spoke plainly to them so they could understand what You said when You made known to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. You responded by quoting the prophet Isaiah. What good would it be to reveal the treasures of heaven to those who have no intention to enter it? Who although they understand refuse to accept the invitation to live a life of grace in the Holy Spirit? To the worldly wise, the wisdom of God is foolish and hence their minds are dull, their ears are closed but it is the childlike whom  You draw close to You and embrace.

The grace of conversion is available to all but there are those who refuse it but You will increase the capacity of those who receive Your Word, embrace it, and live their lives based on Gospel principles and values. 

Grant O Lord that we will be numbered among those who hear the Word of God and receive it with an open heart and a generous spirit that You may bless us all the days of our lives.