Philippians 1:18B-26, Psalm 42:2-3, 5, Luke 14:1, 7-11

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart. Mt 11:29AB
Philippians 1:18B-26, Psalm 42:2-3, 5, Luke 14:1, 7-11


Philippians 1:18B-26

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Paul was a true father to the people in all the mission lands where he preached You and the Gospel. He labored untiringly for souls and rejoiced when they were good and was heartbroken when they became lukewarm or if some of them were being led astray by false teaching. He cajoled, he pleaded, he scolded, he threatened because he loved them so much and desired that all of them grow into mature Christians. The more You were proclaimed by those who came to believe in You the greater his joy and this be our experience as well though sadly it is not because we are not on fire with the Holy Spirit, we are not zealous for souls.

Any disciple worthy of the name would rather die and be with You but the greater need is to live and to sow the seed of the Gospel so that many may come to know You and be saved. We are called to imitate You always and we have the example of so many wonderful men and women who have gone before us who show us that it is possible to strive after holiness and perfection.

Help me, my Lord and my God, to shine my own little light which is in truth Your light so that I may illumine the way of those whom I encounter each day even if for a moment. Thank You.

Psalm 42:2-3, 5

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

This is the kind of love that I must have for God. It is the kind of love that You have taught us to have for the Father. My whole being must yearn for You and must be inconsolable until I receive You, am one with You, hear You as I am heard by You. 

All the days of my life in this valley of tears must be as that of a pilgrim who cannot rest until she reaches her true home. My home must be You Beloved. I must nestle in Your Sacred Heart. I must make my dwelling place in You always. 

Thank You, Beloved, for calling us at least once a week to come together as God's people to worship and praise in our Sunday Liturgy. Thank You for the life-giving Sacraments. Thank You for coming to us in the Holy Eucharist and for enabling us to have a taste of the intimacy we will experience with God in the life to come.

Thank You.

Luke 14:1, 7-11

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

There will always be people who look at you with one desire alone and that is to find fault so they can feel superior to everyone else. The Pharisees were like this and You knew them only too well. Being the perfect human being You know all our faults, our foibles, our weaknesses, our propensity for power, honor, glory. To be singled out, praised, and to lobby for the choicest place. 

You were invited to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees and everyone present had their gaze fixed on You. As always, You never lost a good teaching moment. You had their attention and You would use it to show them a better way please God. The way of humility. It is a timeless lesson and one that every disciple worthy of the name must follow.

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 4:5-11, John 6:37-40

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Commemoration of All 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 25:34

Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 4:5-11,

John 6:37-40

Wisdom 3:1-9

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

I thank and praise God for the eternal destiny of my soul and all faithful souls who have gone on before us. You are faithful, kind, merciful, and compassionate, and You are true to Your promises. Heaven is granted to those who in their lifetime struggled again the flesh, the world, and the devil, and with Your help have won the victory.

To all who believe God has given the power to be called children of God. Many foolishly believe that after this life there is nothing else but we know that the Kingdom of Heaven in our inheritance because we are sons and daughters of God and co-heirs with You. This is the love of God and this is the plan of God for His little ones. Yes, we will need further purification after we die because we know that all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God and nothing unclean could ever enter Your Presence for You are holy and pure. Thank You Beloved for the hope we have in You and grant that we may never forget those who are still in Purgatory and longing for the beatific vision. 

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light fall upon them. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

Psalm 23:1-6

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Thank You for Your constant assurance that You are my Good Shepherd and that You are with me every step of the way. If I stay close beside You, if I do not stray from the flock, I will be safe. But even if I am foolish enough to get lost, You will come looking for me. You will save me from my own stupidity and foolishness because You know that I am weak. You will find me, pick me up, place me on Your shoulders and bring me back home.

You feed me in the Holy Eucharist. In the waters of Baptism, You have washed me clean and made me a child of God. You give me rest each time I come to You in prayer. You refresh my soul. Even in the darkest night with my hand in Yours, I shall not be afraid for You have assured me that You will remain with me to the end of my days. Thank You. 

Romans 4:5-11

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Faith, hope, and Love are Your gifts to us in Baptism. We need these as long as we sojourn on earth. Faith in You keeps us alive. Our hope of eternal life with You give us strength to go on - it is a light that illumines our way when the journey gets rough. And without the love of God which is poured into our hearts, we would never make it to journey's end.

You had to die in order that we may live. Death comes to us all but for those who believe in You, it is only the gateway to eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. No one comes to the Father except through You. Thank You for entering into our death in order for us to enter and receive Your life.
John 6:37-40

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

You reveal that it is the Father who decides who will receive the gift and the privilege to come to You and You assure us that You will not reject those who do. This is the Father's will. This is why He sent You into the world - to fulfill His plan of salvation for His children that were lost to Him because of the sin of their first parents.  We have Your assurance that all whom the Father has given You will not be lost but will be kept safe in You and will be raised by You on the last day. All who believe in You will be saved. Thank You, Father, for the gift of faith. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping me on my journey to heaven. Thank You my most Beloved for opening the gates of heaven so I may enter and take my place that God has prepared for me since the foundations of the world.