MONDAY OF WEEK SIX IN ORDINARY TIME - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;
No one can come to the Father except through me. JN 14:6

JAMES 1:1-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

If we desire wisdom all we need to do is ask with faith for You desire to give us all that is necessary to help us on our pilgrim journey from this world to the next. It is so easy to lose heart and to become sad and discouraged when we face trials and the greater the trial the greater our distress. We lose peace and joy when we are unable to look beyond our difficulties to gaze on You who teach us that suffering is necessary and when we suffer in the right spirit we grow in virtue.

We tend to believe that those who have wealth live a life of ease and free of trouble and while this may be true in some instances we must also remember that whether we are rich or poor death comes to us all. In fact, Lord, You have said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. It is something to ponder on for the goal of every soul is to spend eternity with You.

Lord Jesus, I have had to carry heavy crosses at various stages in my life and some have been heavier than others. Sometimes I have had to carry the cross for long periods of time and currently, I carry several. The ones I now carry perhaps I have to carry until my life here comes to an end. Help me to lean on You always and to become more and more like You through suffering. 

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours. 

PSALM 118(119):67-68,71-72,75-76 ©

Before I was afflicted I strayed

but now I keep your word.
You are good and your deeds are good;
teach me your statutes.

It was good for me to be afflicted,

to learn your statutes.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.

Lord, I know that your decrees are right,

that you afflicted me justly.
Let your love be ready to console me
by your promise to your servant.

Let your love come to me and I shall live.

MARK 8:11-13 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We are constantly demanding that You give us signs from heaven like the Pharisees even though signs of God's loving and abiding Presence abound everywhere. It is our lack of faith or a weak faith that demands miracles. The fact that we are alive and draw breath is a miracle.  The beauty of created things declares the presence of the Creator. Life teems around us. But the greatest sign of all is that God became Man entering the human condition and making us, fallen human beings, children of the living God. 

We need no greater sign, no greater proof of God's love for us than the Sign of the Cross. We are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and the Spirit of God is given to all who believe in You. Thank You, Lord, for calling us from darkness into Your own marvelous light and making us one with You and in and through You one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.