MEMORIAL OF ST. AGATHA, VIRGIN & MARTHA - 2022

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me. - Jn10:27

1 KINGS 3:4-13 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

As a young king, Solomon was aware of God's graciousness towards him as He was to his father, David. He knew that the reason for all his father's successes was because God was with him. David had sinned grievously but he also repented sincerely and God, in turn, forgave him and was gracious and kind to him. 

When God said to Solomon, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ He could have asked for anything but he had the prudence to ask for the one thing he knew he needed most, 'Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ God not only gave him unmatched wisdom but riches and glory as well. 

Beloved, when we ask for the spiritual gifts we know we need so desperately, it pleases You to give us all we ask for and more for You are a generous God who gives us not only according to our need but out of Your abundance.

PSALM 119:9-14 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

The psalmist asks the question, 'How shall the young remain sinless?' and he responds, 'By obeying your word.' The youth in our world are ignorant of Your Word and this is the reason why our world is in shambles. Grant us the wisdom O Lord, to return to the path of truth, to seek You once again with all our heart, and to obey all Your commands lest we will fall into the abyss and be lost forever. 

You did not leave us orphans to muddle on our own and to blindly seek salvation but You have shown us the Way, You have revealed the Truth, and You have given us Your Life. Today, Lord, we ask You for the wisdom to study Your Word and obey it and we will be saved. True joy comes from knowing Your will and doing it just as You did Your Father's will to perfection, this O Lord is true wisdom. 

MARK 6:30-34 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We thank and praise You for the wealth of wisdom in Your Word today. Just as the apostles told You all they had done and taught, we are invited to share everything with You. You never tire of hearing all that we have to say. Grant me the grace to make it a habit of talking to You all the time and sharing everything with You in humble and childlike simplicity. 

You planned to take Your apostles to a quiet place so they could rest and be refreshed in mind, body, and spirit. This is what they needed but when You stepped out of the boat and saw the crowds that had gathered eager to be with You and listen to You, You readily gave up Your plans in order to feed the hungry crowd with the riches of Your Word.

Grant me this grace as well not to cling tightly to my plans but to be ready to give them up in order to serve. Teach me to how to be open to and recognize the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Give me a heart like Yours, loving, kind, tender, compassionate, and always sensitive to the needs of others.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

At various times in the past
and in various different ways,
God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
but in our own time, the last days,
he has spoken to us through his Son. HEB 1:1-2

NUMBERS 6:22-27 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

God does not change His mind - He created us for Himself, He created us for eternal joy in His presence. We destroyed the relationship He always intended to have with us as our Father. The prayer that He asked Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to pray over the people He chose to be His own is proof that our Father desired to bless us in an eternal Covenant of love and benediction:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”

PSALM 67:2-3,5,6,8 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

All we mortals can do is render praise to God with every breath we breathe and to make Your will the rule of our lives. There is no better way to show our gratitude to the God of love who loved us so much He gave up His only Son to become the means by which we are all saved.

We need God's blessings upon us every moment of every day. Take away our breath which is the breath of the Spirit and we will die. We need to be constantly aware of Your benevolence in dealing with us weak creatures and the Your open-handed generosity is granting us grace upon grace.

Grant O Lord, God, that Your faithful remnant shines enough light in the darkness to slowly but surely lead all back to You and so enjoy once again the peace that You came to give us.