Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 5:5-11, John 6:37-40

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS)

Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Mt. 24:34

Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 5:5-11, John 6:37-40

Wisdom 3:1-9

My soul's beloved, how comforting these verses are. We need not grieve for those whom we have lost as if we are separated from them forever and will never see them again.. You assure us in Your Word today that the souls of the just are in Your hands. In the hands of God and they are in peace. The souls in purgatory go through a chastisement to render them as pure as gold in the furnace. They have been judged and after they are purified will be rendered worthy to join the company of angels and saints in heaven to adore You, worship You and exult in Your Presence. You have been appointed as King of Kings and Ruler of the Universe and we, Your faithful, belong to You, we are the sheep of Your flock whom You have not abandoned in life and will certainly not abandon us in death. Whether we live or die we are Yours in time and in eternity. 

Psalm 23:1-6

My soul's beloved, of all the psalms this is one that is most comforting, the one that gives us great hope, and consolation. You have told us what a good shepherd and how he cares for, protects and looks out for his sheep. You want us to know that You are our Good Shepherd and You will lay down Your life for us rather than permit wolves to seize us or the terrors of darkness and death to overwhelm us.You will walk with us all the days of our life and as we journey through the valley of death Your accompany us gently leading, protecting, guarding, guiding and encouraging us. Should we stray, You come in search of us, if we are injured You carry us, You are our God and we belong to You not one who is sealed in Your Blood will ever be lost.

Romans 5:5-11

My soul's beloved, what a glorious hope is ours. Hope that does not, and will never disappoint. The punishment for sin is death. We were condemned to an eternal death but the righteous judgment of God was satisfied because You willingly took our place and by Your death satisfied the justice of God. While we were yet sinners You came into the world to save us. You plunged into our death so we may share in newness of life with You in Your glorious resurrection. We are saved and we are reconciled to God through the Sacrifice that paid the penalty for our sins and redeemed us. We thank You Lord that even if we die without having made proper reparation we are given an opportunity to be purified in the great and fiery furnace of God's  mercy. 

John 6:37-40

My soul's beloved, I believe, and because I believe I am saved. The Father has delighted in appointing You as Judge and has given You all authority, rule and dominion because You became the Lam of Sacrifice that takes away our sins, in perfect submission and obedience to His will. You came down from heaven and did all that the Father willed You to do and so He has given You a Name that is higher than every other name. He sent You into the world so that His children may not be lost but saved by You and all who are saved by You and believe in You belong to You and You will ensure that not one little soul that is Yours will be lost. Our hope in You, our faith in You our love for You guarantees that we will be raised to life when You come again to judge the living and the dead all who believe will be received into Your Kingdom and be granted a share Your glorious inheritance.

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14, Psalm 24: 1-6, 1 John 1:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12a

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Come to me all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Mt 11:28

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14, Psalm 24: 1-6, 1 John 1:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12a

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14

My soul's beloved, the Church reminds us today of those who have being in Your Blood, have heard the Gospel, have believed in it, have lived it, have preached it, and have obeyed Your command to establish Your Kingdom in the four corners of the earth. Many have left all that was familiar and dear to them behind and traveled to strange  and dangerous places, and armed with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit they boldly preached the Gospel and many came to the knowledge of Truth, believed and were saved. Saints are people just like us they became great because they followed You, they took up their cross every day and walked in Your footsteps. They did not rely on their strength , but on grace and wisdom supplied by You. You equipped them, You walked with them, You inspired them, they burdened with a holy zeal because the had themselves experienced the power of the Gospel.

As the world becomes more and more hostile to You my Lord those who believe in You are increasingly aware of the need to hold fast to the Truth, to live it in season and out of season, to teach it and preach it even if they have to lose their lives and many do. But to such as these belongs the Kingdom of God. Help me as well, my Lord to be faithful and to shed the light of Truth to those around  me even if I am rejected.

Psalm 24: 1-6

My soul's beloved, everyone who is baptized desires to see You face to face. Those who live a life of grace in the Spirit will ascend the mountain of the Lord, will be permitted to enter the Holy Place, for their sins have been washed away in the Blood of the Lamb, and they have served You faithfully. They have been prepared to suffer abuse, persecution, ridicule and loss and have even laid down their life in order that the Good News may be preached and many may come to believe in You  and be saved. This is the mission that we have received grant that we too may be faithful in carrying the treasure we hold in pots of clay to be shared with the world.

1 John 1:1-3

My soul's beloved, I have been called by the Father to know You, love You, serve You and to be happy with You someday forever in the Kingdom of God. I am a daughter of the Most High, I have been created in love. God ordained that I be born into a Catholic home and receive the fullness of faith. How blessed I am. How great is the debt I owe for all I have received has been granted to me as a free gift. I live a life of grace granted to me by virtue of my baptism. Faith is the Father's gift to me. I believe and because I believe I am saved. Thank You for the promised of eternal life in You. Thank You for making me a co-heir with You. Thank You for the unquenchable hope I have in You that someday where You are I too will be forever and ever.

Matthew 5:1-12a

My soul's beloved, the way to the Kingdom of God is not a secret, it is not hidden, but You have told us clearly how we can get there. You ask nothing of us that You were not prepared to do Yourself. You are God's perfect Son - and You are the perfect Man. The way to perfection is to imitate You as we live the Beatitudes. Every grace and blessing will be ours as we put into practice the teachings You preached in Your Sermon on the Mount.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”