ST. LUCY, VIRGIN & MARTYR, WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT - 2023

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Look, the Lord will come to save his people.
Blessed those who are ready to meet him.

ISAIAH 40:25-31 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You for the comfort that Your Word gives me today. Thank You for reminding me that You know me. You who know the names of the innumerable stars and who respond to You when You call them love me with everlasting love. 

Today, Beloved, You remind me that I belong to you. You know me intimately. You knew me before the foundations of the world - you loved me into existence. You planned my life. My destiny is to be with You eternally.

‘How can you say, Jacob,

how can you insist, Israel,
‘My destiny is hidden from the Lord,
my rights are ignored by my God’?
Did you not know?
Had you not heard?

I grow weary easily my Lord, I grow tired and discouraged and I am truly grateful for Your timely reminder today that You do not grow tired or weary. That it is You who strengthen us by the power of Your Word and by the power of Your Sacraments. Yes, Lord, I will place all my hope in You and You O Lord will renew my strength. In the power of Your love and Your Holy Spirit, I shall rise up again no matter how many times I may stumble or fall for You O Lord never weary from raising me up. You will provide all I need so when I run I will not grow weary and when I walk I will not get tired for You O Lord are Emmanuel, You are Jesus, the Christ - the Son of the Living God and the Bridegroom of my soul.

PSALM 102(103):1-4,8,10 ©

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
and never forget all his blessings.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord is compassion and love,

slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins
nor repay us according to our faults.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord.

MATTHEW 11:28-30 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Thank You once again for the power of Your Word that consoles, strengthens, renews, and gives life to the weary, the fainthearted, the sinner, the lost, the sick in heart, mind, soul, and spirit.

Thank You for knowing us and how weak and broken we are due to the wound inflicted on us by the sin of our first parents. The world weighs us down, Lord. Almost everyone in power and having authority in all the nations of the world is godless and shameless. They promote the selfish interests of a few at the expense of the many. As for the poor - they are invisible. Sins in all their ugliness are promoted and depravity is celebrated and those who refuse to give in are punished viciously.

Your Word comes to us today as a balm for our souls. We hear Your invitation, Lord, and we are comforted, consoled and our hearts are filled with peace. 

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’