FRIDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you JN 14:26

ACTS 25:13-21 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

In life and in death we belong to You. The rulers of the earth think they have authority over Your people, they do only in so far as You permit them. They can go only as far as You allow and no further. You use all things whether or not we perceive them as good or bad, that happens to us, to bring about Your purpose and Your will. If we embrace it we will abide in perfect peace and serenity.

You revealed to St. Paul that he was to bear witness to You in Rome. Events unfolded in such a way that eventually he was sent as a prisoner to Rome to be tried there since he was a citizen of Rome. Both Peter and Paul came to the Eternal City to claim for You the country that believed that Caeser was ruler and the master of the world and of the people chosen by God. 

This is why, Lord, we must never be afraid when we are faced with trials for we know that in all things Your perfect will and purpose for our lives will unfold for the greater glory of God. 

When the cross gets particularly wearying, O Lord, grant me the grace to recall that through all the crooked lines in my life and in my brokenness, You work all things for my good and for Your glory. May I embrace Your holy will in all things with serenity and joy.  Thank You, Lord.

PSALM 102(103):1-2,11-12,19-20 ©

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.

For as the heavens are high above the earth
so strong is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west
so far does he remove our sins.

The Lord has set his sway in heaven
and his kingdom is ruling over all.
Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels,
mighty in power, fulfilling his word.

The Lord has set his sway in heaven.

JOHN 21:15-19 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

You love us so tenderly. You knew that the disciples were fishing all night and had caught nothing so You prepared breakfast for them after performing yet another miracle and they hauled in a great catch of fish. Only after they had eaten did You address Simon and with other Apostles as witnesses, You led him to make a threefold act of contrition and sorrow for having denied You three times, and after each confession of his love for You, You entrusted to him alone the role of Chief Shepherd of Your Church.   

‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 

A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ 

Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’

Thank You, Beloved, that no sin is greater than Your love and mercy. May we never permit shame to hold us back from coming humbly before You, acknowledging our sins. The joy and peace we receive after making a good, sacramental confession are tremendous. Let us not deny ourselves the graces that are ours if only we approach the priest with true sorrow for our sins and a firm resolve to sin no more and avoid the near occasion of sin.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the authority of St. Peter and the Magisterium which keeps us united with You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The Church is the Sign of Your abiding Presence in the world. We thank You for Your assurance that the gates of hell shall never prevail against her. In the bosom of Holy Mother Church, all God's children are safe. 

Grant us the grace to follow You faithfully all the days of our life.