EASTER MONDAY - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

This day was made by the Lord:
we rejoice and are glad. PS 117:24

ACTS 2:14,22-33 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The fact that the Apostles were Eleven instead of the Twelve for a time is a constant reminder that we are human, we are sinners, and even those who enjoy the closest most intimate relationship with You may fail and fall like Judas Iscariot. 

The rest, however, after Pentecost became powerful witnesses to the Resurrection that the fire of the Holy Spirit spread across the face of the earth. Nothing would hold them back not even persecution, imprisonment, torture, and death. With their gaze fixed on You, they walked the Way of Suffering, the Way of Calvary, the only, and sure way to eternal life.

Having been baptized and confirmed we are sent forth as disciples to preach the Gospel by our lives. We are to be living scripture so that others who see us must recognize You in us and they will love You and desire to follow You as disciples too. 

Beloved, every child of God, created by Him is potentially saved by Your Blood what a tragedy it is if any is lost because there was not one to tell them about You and about God's love. No sin is so grave that it is beyond God's mercy to forgive. When we truly repent and ask for God's mercy He will never refuse forgiveness to anyone for Your Blood has redeemed us. 

You O Lord, are David's descendant and he prophesied about You succeeding him on the throne and that You would be given authority, power, and dominion from everlasting to everlasting.

PSALM 15(16):1-2,5,7-11 ©

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.’

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.

Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.

MATTHEW 28:8-15 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

After every good confession, we see You again and are filled with joy. It does not matter if we failed You miserably, whether we betrayed or denied You, whether we ran away from You and hid, You make Yourself known to us and assure us that we will see You, be forgiven and reconciled with You, and fellowship with You again.

You constantly reassure and console us, "Do not be afraid?" It is natural to feel apprehensive after we have deliberately and wantonly chosen to sin but You are as sweetly tender in Your love for us as a mother. Thank You, Lord.

We pray for all those within and without the Church who relentlessly and unceasingly spew lies about God, about divine revelation. Often persons in high places pay great sums of money to suppress the truth, fudge it, or tell blatant lies. They barter their eternal salvation by siding with the Father of Lies, they are prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to keep the deceit alive rather than admit they were wrong and lose their stranglehold over the masses. 

In our own culture, we see how governments, dictators, and those with extraordinary wealth and power choose to use every available means as well as the media to relentlessly spread misinformation. Bombarded with blatant lies, half-truths, and misuse of power they carry out their work of deception. No one is spared not even infants and children. By the power of Your Blood, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, by the power of the Most High come to our aid O Lord, and grant us justice and victory. 

While they were on their way, some of the guard went off into the city to tell the chief priests all that had happened. These held a meeting with the elders and, after some discussion, handed a considerable sum of money to the soldiers with these instructions, ‘This is what you must say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And should the governor come to hear of this, we undertake to put things right with him ourselves and to see that you do not get into trouble.’ The soldiers took the money and carried out their instructions, and to this day that is the story among the Jews.