06 JANUARY, FEAST OF ST. ANDRE BESETTE (2024)

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’

1 JOHN 1 5:5-13 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Who can overcome the world? 

Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came by water and blood - the Holy Spirit and the Virgin. The Water of Baptism and the Blood of the Sacrifice that is now our food in the Eucharist.

Unless we believe - unless we get right the truth of who You are my Lord and my God, there is no hope of salvation. The world today is inching further and further away from revealed truth. Leaders of different Christian denominations have watered down the truth to so great an extent that it bears little resemblance to the Gospel that was handed down to us through the Apostles and the early Church. Where Peter is there is the Church is a truth that is rejected by many. Many religious groups call themselves Christian but deny that You are the Son of God and the only Way by which we can enter the Father's House. 

Beloved, the Church You founded has thus far held on to the Truth in all its pristine beauty and You have assured Your Bride, that You will remain with her until the end of time and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. It is true O Lord, that there are many agents of the devil within her and a multitude without her who tirelessly work to destroy her but they will not succeed. The Church was born from Your pierced side and she is sustained by You, by the Holy Spirit, and the Sacraments that You instituted and we know that You will keep her safe until You return again in glory to present her without wrinkle or stain to Your Father. Maranatha! Lord Jesus, Maranatha. 

PSALM 147:12-15,19-20 ©

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.

He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.

He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

MARK 1:6-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

John the Baptist was in awe of You. He recognized how unworthy he was for He knew who You were - the Son of the Most High. Even before You approached him to be baptized by him in the river Jordan, he announced, ‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

Yet, O Lord, Your humility knows no limits - we take You for granted. We approach You to receive You in the Holy Eucharist so carelessly. Not only do we come with hearts stained with sins so many of us are distracted and barely aware of who it is that we open our hands and our mouths to receive in Holy Communion. Many commit sacrilege when they receive You because they have sinned gravely and have not approached the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving You. Our whole demeanor lacks respect. We are so casual. The angelic throngs that surround the altar must gasp in horror and weep in sorrow at our profound lack of faith, wonder, and awe. 

You are the Son of God who when You were baptised the heavens were torn asunder and the evangelist says, the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’

Have mercy on us for our unpardonable apathy and carelessness when we come to receive You, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Eternal Word of the Father, the Light of the World, the Son of God, without proper preparation, awareness, attention, and above all love, awe, and respect. Illumine us by the power of Your Holy Spirit O Lord so we may not offend God when we come to eat Your Body and drink Your Blood and invite damnation to our souls.