THURSDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

With them in you and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me,
says the Lord. JN 17:21

ACTS 22:30,23:6-11 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

You will never desert anyone who is persecuted for Your Sake and the sake of the Gospel. Your Holy Spirit abiding in us will inspire us with words of Wisdom to refute those who seek to destroy us as is apparent with Paul who was brought before the Sanhedrin to be put on trial.

You have sent us Your Holy Spirit and He abides not only in the Church but in us who are baptized and grafted to Your Body. As the Church prepares to celebrate the glorious feast of Pentecost we ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit on the Church and on us. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit produce an abundance of fruit in us so we may be filled with courage to make a bold defense of our faith no matter what it may cost us. 

‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’

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.

JOHN 17:20-26 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Only in the abiding love of God for us can we remain united to You. Sin kills, destroys, and ruins but the love of God raises us to life and makes us fruitful in love. Beloved, before Your passion and death You prayed as High Priest to Your Father that we may be one in You. Your prayer was heard for Your Father always hears and answers You. 

Lord, You prayed not just for us but for the whole world. The Father delights in granting Your prayer for it is His dearest desire that not one of His little ones is lost. He wishes to save even those who do not yet belong to Your fold are saved by the sacrifice of Your life for we are all His creatures created for a joyous, eternal destiny in His loving presence. 

In times when my cross weighs heavily on Me, Beloved, remind me of Your passionate love for Me. In moments of these, may I recall the price paid for my salvation and the salvation of those I love so dearly.

‘Father, I want those you have given me

to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.’