Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15

Acts 4:13-21

The Elders in today's first reading are so much like the elitists in our day and age.  They are wonder struck to see that God uses who He wills to accomplish His work.  He does not choose the ones that are qualified in the eyes of the world but He seeks out and uses the least in order to work marvels so it is clear that it is He and His power that are at work.  In the face of the obvious, the Elders are helpless and all they can do is bluster and threaten dire consequences if Peter and John continue to preach You whom they thought they had rid themselves of for good. Now they see how miserably wrong they were.  The Truth speaks for itself.  The man who was healed is a witness to the fact of the power in the Name of the One they had crucified.  

If we lived by the same rule as as Peter and John who said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's eyes for us to obey You rather than God." Beloved, grant me the grace, strength and courage to witness to You in every area of my life in secret and in public Amen!

Psalm 118:1, 14-21

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His loving kindness endures forever.

My Beloved, God has raised You up.  You tasted vinegar, gall and death for our sake so we could be spared the punishment that was rightly ours.  God has raised You and with You we too enter into life.  Thank You my Lord and my God for having rescued from eternal death and granted us the promise of eternal life.

Mark 16:9-15

My Beloved,Mary Magdalene is proof that no matter ho greatly we may have sinned, with Your help we can be counted among the saints and we can live in sweet intimacy with You.  Se, a sinner, was the first reported witness to Your resurrection from the dead, she was the one chosen to give the glad tidings to the men who had failed so miserably a a time when their love and friendship would have meant so much to You.

How difficult it is for them to believe that You would choose to reveal Yourself to her rather than to them.  It is only when You appeared to them as well that they believed - but the fact that it was Mary Magdalene to whom You first appeared is cause for joy for all who have sinned and have been forgiven.  In You my Beloved there is no condemnation not even for the friends who deserted You, there is only mercy, compassion forgiveness and love. 

I am glad You reproached them for not believing my Lord and I am glad that is is recorded that You did.  We cannot take You for granted.  Shame for our sinful past together with a healthy dose of humility is powerful medicine.  We too who call ourselves Your followers and disciples have received the same mission.  Grant us a full measure of Your Holy Spirit who will equip us to carry it out faithfully.

Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2a, b 5-9, Luke 24:35-48

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2a, b 5-9, Luke 24:35-48

Acts 3:11-26

My Beloved, the Father has glorified You and has handed to You all power.  All glory is Yours and all that lives rightly gives You praise, honor and worship.  Your Name is higher than any other.  At Your Name demons tremble, heaven rejoices and every knee in heaven and on earth bend and every tongue professes to the glory of God the marvels He has accomplished for u,s through Your humble and willing submission in perfect obedience to the Cross.  

We are saved through Your Name. We live because You died.  Our sins are forgiven if we repent because You atoned for hem.  We are counted among the living because You vanquished death.  ALLELUIA!!!

Psalm 8:2a, b & 5-9

Great is Your Name Beloved, all power all glory and all honor belong to You whom God has raised high above all others.  All that is created and all that lives is subject to You - kings, thrones, princes, kingdoms and principalities bow down and submit to Your Lordship.  At Your Name demons tremble for the power of Your Name renders evil impotent and death loses its power to sting.  Your Name calls forth life, healing and wholeness and in the power of Your Name sinners find forgiveness, mercy and new life.

Luke 24:35-48

My Beloved, I am called to be a witness to all that God has accomplished through You.  Scripture has spoken plainly of Your beginning with the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.  Ever since our first parents sinned God promised us a Savior who would restore all things as God intended it to be when He first created nature and man.  In fulfilling the Old Testament promises You shine Your light and make visible the plan of God from the beginning.

My Beloved, we encounter You each day in the breaking of bread at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  You give us Your own peace so even when turmoil rages around us, we rest in Your glorious peace.  When the world becomes too much for us all we need to do is look at Your hands, feet and side an all fear will vanish.  Your wounds are a sign of victory and proof of God's unending love for us.

I have a mission Beloved, send Your Holy Spirit afresh on me so I can labor faithfully in Your vineyard.