SATURDAY OF WEEK TWENTY IN ORDINARY TIME - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

You have only one Father,
and he is in heaven;
you have only one Teacher,
the Christ. MT 23: 9, 10

RUTH 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The book of Ruth is so comforting to those who mistakenly believe that they are alone. God sees us all. God loves us all. He has a beautiful plan for our lives and He takes us by the hand safely home. Yes, Lord, we must pick up our cross daily, as You taught us to, and to follow You. Suffering is necessary - You took on Yourself the suffering of the whole human race and redeemed us and we are given a little taste of that suffering to purify and strengthen us. To teach us that we need to lean on You always and to trust You to provide for all our needs just as God looked out for Ruth and Naomi and sent Boaz into her life to protect her, love her, and provide for her and her mother-in-law. 

Your eye is on us always Beloved, You are aware of all that we do. You hear our prayers and You always answer generously giving us all we need in this life to prepare us for the fullness of life that we will enjoy in God's presence eternally. 

MATTHEW 23:1-12 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Today You remind us that we must always submit to the authority of the Church, believe in the doctrines of our faith that she teaches and upholds, and we must strive to live holy lives. Even if our shepherds live less than exemplary lives, even if they do not model You, the Eternal High Priest, even though they give cause for scandal, we must always remember that they are anointed and consecrated to serve Your people. They make You present to us in the Sacraments. Without priests, the Church would no longer exist. Instead of criticizing them let us pray for them. 

Let us strive always to see ourselves as we are and to be humble and grateful for all that You have done for us. Thank You for laying down Your life for us and grant us the grace to lay down our own lives in service to each other in the Church and in the world. 'The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.'