THURSDAY OF WEEK 32 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty,
says the Lord. JN 15:5

WISDOM 7:22-8:1 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The Wisdom of God is all light, all holy, all pure, all joy, all serene, all good and it is in Wisdom that God created all things in heaven and on earth. Divine Wisdom animates all, illumines, and imbues all things. Wisdom is pure spirit, knows all, and cuts through and penetrates all. Nothing is hidden from Wisdom. Wisdom cannot be sullied and nothing unholy can enter Wisdom. 

Wisdom is the reflection of the eternal light of God and can never be dimmed nor can the power of Wisdom decrease for she is the mirror that reflects all the attributes of God. Wisdom has the power to make all things new. Wisdom is God's gift to those who desire her. It is His gift to His sons and daughters who are members of Your mystical body.

Only in the measure that we desire to empty ourselves can we be filled with the love of God and receive this unparalleled gift of Wisdom which will help us navigate safely through the snares and traps that the enemy sets for us. Wisdom is given to all God's friends who desire nothing more than to love You, serve You, adore You, worship You, and lay down our lives for our sisters and brothers in imitation of You.

In each generation she passes into holy souls,
she makes them friends of God and prophets;
for God loves only the man who lives with Wisdom.
She is indeed more splendid than the sun,
she outshines all the constellations;
compared with light, she takes first place,
for light must yield to night,
but over Wisdom evil can never triumph.

PSALM 118(119):89-91,130,135,175 ©

Your word, O Lord, forever
stands firm in the heavens:
your truth lasts from age to age,
like the earth you created.

By your decree it endures to this day;

for all things serve you.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.

Let your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Give life to my soul that I may praise you.
Let your decrees give me help.

Your word, O Lord, stands forever.

LUKE 17:20-25 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

As the liturgical year draws to a close the Church reminds us every day that time will cease and the eternal day will come when the Sun of Justice will never set and the Eternal Day Star will shine forever. It is so easy to get caught up with our temporal lives and all its demands that we seldom pause to give serious thought to the things that are eternal. This is why the Church in her wisdom gives us the liturgical seasons in the year. Every season urges us to pay attention to what God is asking of us as His children. The glorious mysteries of our faith can be taken for granted if the Church did not draw the attention of her children to them in each of these seasons. 

The Kingdom of God is already among us. The King of Kings already reigns in our hearts. We already receive here and now a taste of the heavenly banquet in the Holy Eucharist. Divinity is already present in us and makes a home in our immortal souls. So let us never be fooled by false prophets even if they call themselves Christian. The greatest sign given to the world is the Sign of the Cross. Love became incarnate in order to redeem us and Love will return to claim us for God eternally. Until then, Beloved, let us prepare ourselves diligently for Your return. Nothing is hidden, Lord, You have given us the Church and in her and from her we receive all that is necessary to strengthen and nourish us, to heal and restore us, and keep us safe from all evil for You dwell in her and in us in truth and in love. 

We long for the day of Your return in glory but until that day comes remain with us until our own passing and our own personal judgment so we will receive the crown of salvation that You have obtained for us.