Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, John 13:16-20

Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27, John 13:16-20

Acts 13:13-25

My Beloved, we ought never to forget that God is at the head of human affairs. He is the Creator and it is He who commands and orders all things according to His Providence. As long as we are led by His Spirit and by His Eternal Word, as long as we remain docile and childlike, we will enjoy peace and plenty even in the midst of turmoil, tribulation and want, for God never abandons His own.

We see in these verses as Paul speaks in the synagogue how it is God  who always takes the first step. God chose a people, God led them out of slavery by the most powerful signs, God fed His people for 40 years in the desert, God destroyed nations in order to give the land as an inheritance to the people He chose. God gave them prophets to rule them and when they asked for a king, God gave them kings and from among them was David of whom He said, "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all I want him to do." These are words more aptly applied to You my Lord, for from the line of David we received the Son of God made Incarnate by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Your Virgin Mother, Mary. In You Beloved, every prophecy ever made is fulfilled.

Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 & 27

My Beloved, we the faithful who belong to the Church You established, who have experienced Your love and unwavering faithfulness, ought to sing your praises always. We thank You for our Holy Father Pope Francis Your Vicar on earth, whom You have chosen and anointed and on whom Your favor rests. Your hand has made Him firm and we have Your powerful assurance that nothing will every harm your Church or prevail over her. Despite all the turbulence in the world You vow to keep her steady over perilous water. You are truly our Rock, our God, our Savior and our Help.

John 13:16-20

My Beloved, Your Word is clear to those who believe. The Truth is this, "Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.” Christians today are divided into a multitude of denominations because they  cherry pick those passages in the Bible that suits them. The Gospel they preach is more often than not according to their own human interpretation rather than the interpretation handed down by Your anointed Apostles to the Church who with the powerful help of the Holy Spirit, guards this Sacred Deposit of faith .  

In verses 16 & 17 You say, "Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him. Understand this, and blessed are you if you put it into practice." Here You tell us plainly that we are the servants and this is most especially true of the Ministers of Your Church. You are our Master. 

In verse 18 You tell us that it is You who have chosen the ones to whom the Good News is entrusted, "I am not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen and the Scripture has to be fulfilled that says, 'The one who shared my table has risen against me.'"  Those who belong to the Church You have founded are blessed for they are preserved by every one of Your promises.

Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-5a, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8, John 12:44-50

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-5a, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8, John 12:44-50

Acts 12:24-25, 13:1-5a

My Beloved, the disciples did not chalk out a plan for the mission to which they were called neither did they choose their team members. We see clearly how they carried out their mission which was to preach the Word of God that You had entrusted to the Apostles. They knew each other, they visited the churches that were already established in the area. In the church were prophets and teachers who came from all walks of life. They prayed and fasted which is an important element of the spiritual life if one truly desires to discern God's will. Through prayer and fasting they were attentive to the Voice of God and when God's will was revealed, they carried it out boldly and with conviction. The Apostles sent out disciples by praying, fasting and laying hands on the ones chosen and sent by God.  Prayer, fasting and the Holy Spirit are an unbeatable way if one seriously desires to live and grow in the way of the Lord which is the Way of Truth.

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

My Beloved, a Christian must be easily recognized by the love of God and the favor of God which rests on him and illumines his whole being. A Christian is one who walks unhesitatingly in the Way of the Lord which is the narrow way. Christian nations must be characterised by their unquenchable joy that is contagious. Rulers of Christian nations ought to be an example to the world for they govern as servants and rule with justice for all. Praise ought to flow constantly and unceasingly from Your anointed and God, our God must be worshipped, honored and revered through the ends of the earth only then will the Kingdom of God be in our midst.

John 12:44-50

My Beloved, the Father sent You in order to make Himself visible to us in You. It was the Father's love that longed to restore the broken and wounded relationship that had created a chasm between God and His creatures a chasm that only You could bridge by becoming the means through which  man, made one with You through Your incarnation, passion, death and resurrection could once more become one with the Father. You revealed only that which the Father instructed You to reveal and we carry on the mission revealing to the world the same instructions that were entrusted to You, that eternal life is possible and available to all through You who are the visible image of the invisible God. Anyone who believes walks in the light of truth. If we deny You we deny the Father and in doing so we condemn ourselves to a life of darkness.

Thank You my Beloved for coming into the world for saving us and entrusting to us the awesome message and mission to which our whole lives must be conformed thus making us witnesses of the Light and the Truth.

Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87: 1-7, John 10:22-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87: 1-7, John 10:22-30

Acts 11:19-26

My Beloved, we see how persecution of Christians led to the spread of the faith. As the believers went to neighboring places taking the Good News with them they made new disciples just as You had commanded.  When we ourselves are persecuted, let us not look at it negatively but allow God's work to be fulfilled through us.

The Church in Antioch would soon flourish as new disciples came to know the one, true God and You whom He had sent. One sure sign that a church is validly founded is when it is united to Holy Mother Church. The Apostles sent Barnabas to find out if all the wonderful stories they heard from Antioch were true and it was. 

What a fine testimonial of character to have as the one Barnabas had. Verse 24 says of him, "he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith." He and Paul who once was Saul and a great enemy of the Church formed a great team as they preached the Good News and spread the Kingdom of God wherever they went.

Psalm 87: 1-7

All God's children are born in Holy Mother Church. They are fed by her, instructed by her, are sent out into the world from her with the same mission - to preach the Bridegroom and the Good News that He has saved us and won for us eternal life..

John 10:22-30

My Beloved, it is almost 3 years since your public ministry and still the Jews doubt. This is why You said that they were not Your sheep. Those who believe are the ones that recognize You because they belong to You. Your voice is dear and familiar to those whom You call by name and they follow You wherever You may lead. They may not know where You are leading them but it is enough that You are ahead of them. Eternal life is Your promise to Your sheep. No harm will come to those who belong to You for they have been entrusted to You by the Father Himself.

You are One with the Father and we are one in You and so we too are one in  You with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20, John 6:44-51

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20, John 6:44-51

Acts 8:26-40

My Beloved, the soul of the Ethiopian like good soil was prepared to receive the seed of the Word. Every Christian disciple must be attentive to the Holy Spirit and prepared to act in obedience when the Spirit reveals God's will. Like Philip, when we obey we will have the joy of bearing witness to the Good News.  Relying on the wisdom of God we will be able to speak God's Word with such clarity and power that like the Ethiopian those who desire to know You will be open to receiving the Good News of Salvation.

Where the Spirit is there is always joy when we are ready to be guided by Him. On our journey through life there will be many Ethiopians and God will send His Spirit to guide us to them. May we be ready to obey no matter what obstacles come our way.

Psalm 66:8-9, 6-17, 20

God has never failed me. I praise Him and rejoice in His love and faithfulness to me. He has forgiven my sins and renewed my spirit. He has given me grace and strength to avoid temptation and has always answered me. Every time I cried out to Him for help He reached out in loving kindness to save me.

John 6:44-51

My Beloved, Philip would never have evangelized  the Ethiopian had he not been prompted by the Holy Spirit and the Ethiopian would never have known You unless God, our Father, had not drawn him to You. Those who hear and believe and those who because they believe, witness to You by preaching the Good News will be raised by You in the end. 

It is always the Father who moves, plans, who accomplishes and who sets in motion all the events that will bring about the fulfillment of His perfect will if only we are attentive and obedient. 

The Father desires that we know Him and so He sent You into the world for no one knows Him but You. The Father desires that we receive spiritual sustenance so we do not perish by the wayside as we journey towards the Kingdom so He gave us the Bread of Life. The Father gives us Your Flesh as food and Your Blood as drink so that by eating and drinking the Flesh and Blood of the Son of Man, we become like Him. In this is perfect bliss.

Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-29

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-29


Acts 6:8-15

My Beloved it would seem that not much has changed between those who believe in You and those who are opposed to you. The good news is that we can count on the Holy Spirit to grant us the wisdom and the words to refute our enemies and confound them just as You promised. St. Stephen the first martyr worked signs and wonders in Your Name. Filled with the grace and power of Your Spirit he worked zealously to spread the Kingdom of God but the devil never tires of working against Your anointed servants and so they conspired by foul means to discredit him with the authorities with lies false witness and testiony he was accused. Evil continues to work against those who live out the faith against all odds and persecution. Our faith sustains us for Your Word and Your promises are true.

Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30

My Beloved, more and more clearly we see how the world works against Christianity. There is a strong opposition because the Church upholds the divine and natural law which are both ordained by God. Those who preach the Good News both by word and example are persecuted and many lives are destroyed simply because they refuse to denounce their faith. But the light of Truth is our delight and the source of our strength.

John 6:22-29

My Beloved, even to this day men pursue food that will perish with a kind of fevered frenzy that consumes all their waking moments. They keep seeking to sate the flesh which is insatiable and so they are never satisfied. After the miracle of the loaves the people were prepared to go to any lengths to find You and the disciples so they could have more of it failing to see, as You put it so well, the sign behind the miracle. The power of God at work in You.

You remind us to seek the things that are of God which will last forever and not sweat and toil for that which will give only momentary satisfaction. Only You can give food that guarantees everlasting life according to the will and plan of the Father. To the world who pose the same question, You give the same answer as in verse 29, “The work God wants is this: that you believe in the One whom God has sent.”

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19, Psalm 4:2, 4, 7, 9, 1 John2:1-5a, Luke 24:35-48

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19, Psalm 4:2, 4, 7, 9, 1 John2:1-5a, 

Luke 24:35-48

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

My Beloved, when man committed Deicide , when they crucified You, one would have imagined that it would be end of the story of our relationship with God. But God does not think like man He began a new chapter in our history. From the foundations of the world God saw what we would do to You and sought a way to save us and in doing so to demonstrate His great love for us.

As St.Peter says, the people acted out of ignorance - had they known who You were, they would not have demanded that You be executed and a known murderer be released. You took the place of a  convicted felon while he was set free. In fact the crowds demanded that Barabbas be set free while they  bayed for Your Blood, the same Blood that would wipe away the sins of all mankind and restore the inheritance we had lost. Scripture had to be fulfilled and now every time we sin we can repent and begin anew through Your act of salvation. Thank You. 

Psalm 4:2, 4, 7, 9

Who do we have but You my Lord, You answer when we call. You console when we are in distress, You forgive our sins, You grant us Your peace. We can count on Your mercy and compassion always and in You we find shelter from the storms that would otherwise destroy us.

1 John 2:1-5a

My Beloved, You are the eternal Word of the Living God. When the Word makes His dwelling place in us, when we keep the Word and obey It, we are united with God our Father and to You through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

All sin is displeasing to God and because we have such a loving Father we ought never to sin but we are frail, weak creatures this is why You became the Sacrificial Lamb that bore our sins and redeemed the world. 

Grant us the grace my Lord to witness to Your love for us by obeying Your command to love God above and before all and our neighbor as ourselves.

Luke 24:35-48

My Beloved, we are called always to witness to all that You do in our lives. The joy of knowing You and being loved by You is the source of our deepest peace and confidence. We must share with others what we ourselves have experienced. The joy of the Eucharist, the source of our strength, is the Food we receive at the Eucharistic table where we become one with God and our neighbor which is a foretaste of our eternal union in heaven.

Peace is Your gift to us - a peace that we have even in the midst of turmoil and difficulty for we trust in You. We touch You, we eat You, You make Your dwelling place in us what more could we desire my Lord and my God - we have everything when we have You.

Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20, John 3:31-36

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20, John 3:31-36

Acts 5:27-33

My Beloved, the truth is often unpalatable because the revelation of our sins displays us in a most unsavory light. This is why dishonest people react with such hatred and violence when their true self is unveiled and put on display for all to see. In order to hide under a camouflage of deceit they try to repress those who unflinchingly stand up for the truth. They ban, they make unjust laws, and enforce them by foul and violent means. The truth on the hand cannot be hidden - by its very nature it rises and shines brightly and all who testify to the Truth live in its light and grace as the Apostles and early Christians and Christians down the ages have done.

Peter, our first Pope spoke wisely when he said, "It is better for us to obey God than men". He proceeded to speak boldly of the crime that they had all colluded together to commit, Your cruel crucifixion and death but the power of God continues to draw the most powerful good through it - the salvation and redemption of the whole world. It got the same response that is elicited to this day, demonic rage with a murderous desire to kill those who stand for You who we profess to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20

I will bless the Lord all my days;

his praise will be ever on my lips.

Oh, see and taste the goodness of the Lord!

Blessed is the one who finds shelter in him!

The Lord hears the cry of the righteous

and rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves the distraught.

Many are the troubles of the just,

but the Lord delivers them from all.

John 3:31-36

My Beloved, God sent you into the world so that whoever believes in you will be born again through water and the Holy Spirit. We have a share in your life - the life of God and the Holy Spirit.  To the children of men has been revealed the secrets of the Kingdom of God and believing in these divine truths, revealed by You who are one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, we too come to the knowledge of the truth.

We accept Your testimony witnessed to us through Your life, passion, death and glorious resurrection.  We believe You were sent by God and after returning to Him You have poured upon Your Church the fullness of Your Holy Spirit who is Your Gift to us.  To You the Father has given all, entrusting to You all that is, was and ever shall be, the visible and invisible, thrones,, dominions and principalities are all Your to reign over and command for this is the Father's good pleasure.  All who are privileged to believe receive eternal life.

Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34-29, John 3:16-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34-29, John 3:16-21

Acts 5:17-26

My Beloved, when we are jealous of those who do good and put obstacles in their way or restrict them in any way because their lives are a contradiction to our own we are prepared to go to any lengths to silence them. Hate and envy make us blind to the truth. The High Priest and his cohorts thought they had won when they put You to death but they discovered to their dismay that You had grown even more powerful in death through the bold and fearless preaching of men who were recently so frightened they fled and deserted You.

They arrested the Apostles but there is no prison strong enough to stand against the power of the Almighty. Your Angel released them and they continued to preach the Good News in the temple  The message has not been silenced in over 2000 ears and we have Your guarantee that despite persecution, the gates of hell shall not prevail. So the mission goes on. The Gospel is preached to the ends of the earth despite persecution, imprisonment, flogging, and bloodshed. The greater the persecution the more bright does the Light of the Gospel shine illuminating the whole world with its message of love and peace.

Psalm 34-29

MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME - Psalm 34

Let’s magnify the Lord together,

Come join me as we glorify His Name,

In distress I called to Him to save me,

He came in haste and took away my shame.

Let’s  celebrate His never ending mercy,

We’ll clap and sing aloud in grateful praise,

Reflecting the radiance of  His beauty

Our joyful hearts will stream abundant grace.

He commands His angels to surround us,

They guard us so we never need know fear,

God stoops low so we can taste His goodness,

He shelters in His heart those He holds dear.

Seek the Lord and You will lack for nothing,

He alone can satisfy your soul,

He is the Living Bread that comes from heaven,

To  sanctify, to nourish and make whole.

If you desire life in all its fullness,

Seal your lips from falsehood and deceit,

Turn away from every form of evil,

Take refuge in His love and pursue peace.

Myra D’Souza / 27^th June 2012

John 3:16-21

My Beloved, evil flourishes in the shadows and in the dark. The most dastardly deeds are often done under cover of the night. Evil doers mistakenly believe that they are unseen but there is no darkness that cannot be penetrated by the Light of God and nothing is hidden before Him. 

God loved the world and so He sent You to save it. In You there is no condemnation - we condemn ourselves when we refuse Your love and salvation.  In You we have eternal life, Yours is the Name there is no other by which we can be saved. We who believe and have received the gift of faith are children who walk in the light of truth and grace and all that we do is pleasing in Your sight.

Acts 4:32-37, Psalm 93:1-2, 5, John 3:7b-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 4:32-37, Psalm 93:1-2, 5, John 3:7b-15

Acts 4:32-37

My Beloved, it is You who taught that in unity lies our strength and this truth was lived out perfectly among the Christians in the early Church. How far we have drifted from the ideal. We are products of our age greedy, selfish, proud, restless, dissatisfied and bored with everything. We live lives that are closed in upon ourselves and there is no room for anyone else. The early Church lived in an age of exceptional grace as verse 33 states because their lives in both word and deed testified to the power of the Resurrection.

We are each called to be our brother's keeper so there is no needy person in our community however, we prefer to live in isolation and ignorance of the plight of those in pain who are all around us lest we are called upon to do something about it, to share what we have fearful that if we do perhaps we will have less for ourselves.

Psalm 93:1-2, 5

My Beloved, we live in the age of the Resurrection and yet if we look at the world around us nothing seems further than this truth. We have a King who is seated at the right hand of God the Father robed in power, strength, glory and majesty. Your Word sustains all things seen and unseen. Your rule is everlasting, Your Law is worthy of obedience and trust because it is the law of love. Holiness is wrapped around You and flows from You and we who are members of Your Body wherein You make Your dwelling place ought to be holy too.  Have mercy on our world Beloved and save us by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

John 3:7b-15

My Beloved, to all who believe You say what You said to Nicodemus, "You must be born from above." Unless I yield to the life and power of the Holy Spirit in me I am unable to please You nor will I lead any one to You. It is only through he power of the Holy Spirit that I will be able to bear witness to the Good News that has saved me and saved the world.

Holy Spirit of God granted to me by the will of the Father and poured into me through the Beloved who desires to make my poor sinful body His temple, help me, lead me, teach me, enlighten me, grant me wisdom and the simplicity of a child so I may allow You to live and move in me always. Amen

Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4,6-9, Luke 24:13-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4,6-9, Luke 24:13-35

Acts 3:1-10

My Beloved, when people exercise their faith those who witness its power will always be astonished and amazed. At the hour of prayer, the hour of divine mercy, those who plead for sinners no matter how crippled they may be with sin, will find that God who is generous and full of kindness and love, will hear and answer.  So often sinners do not know how to get out of the bondage of sin and look to You for help in moments like these we are called to put our faith into action certain that God will work mightily in the only Name in heaven and on earth that has the power to save.

My Beloved when sinners experience your power that continues to work mightily through your disciples they jump leap and walk praising God for His awesome power to heal and save.

Psalm 105:1-4,6-9

My Beloved, no Christian who has experienced the joy of knowing and loving You can be silent. Just like the cripple in the Gospel we too walk, jump leap and praise God. Thank You for Your abiding Presence with us in the Holy Eucharist. Thank You for being Emmanuel for us.  I thank You for Your faithfulness and the constancy of Your immense love to all who belong to You.  Thank You for Your generosity in pouring out Your grace and blessings on those who will come after us. Truly You are gracious, merciful and kind.

Luke 24:13-35

My Beloved, this has got to be one of the most moving and thrilling passages in Scripture. The writer describes the whole event most vividly. The gloom and dejection of the disciples is palpable as they walk in gloomy silence away from Jerusalem wrapped in their own thoughts all hope has gone out of their lives. They can barely comprehend the terrible tragedy they have witnessed and the dark days of the recent past. How swiftly their joy and hope had turned into abject misery. They were witness to the most awesome miracles worked by You, they had lived with You and they believed they would be part of the new era that You would usher in as the Messiah who had come to save them and establish the Kingdom of God.How dramatically things had changed - they saw You arrested like a common criminal, treated with disrespect, subjected to humiliation and directed such vile hatred toward You and You gave Yourself up silently, like a lamb before its shearers.

They could make no sense of it all. They were bewildered and grief stricken to and horrified a the cruelty  
You had been subjected to and suddenly a Stranger is in their midst they do no recognize You but You them through the Scriptures and You draw them out slowly but surely from darkness to light and finally when they persuaded You to stay the night with them, You sat at table with them and at the familiar gesture of taking the bread, saying the blessing and breaking it they recognize You and You were gone. From this moment on we need only the eyes of faith to see You in the Eucharist where You will remain us until You come again in glory.

Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69:8-10, 21bcd-22, 31, 33-34, Matthew 26:14-25

Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69:8-10, 21bcd-22, 31, 33-34, Matthew 26:14-25

Isaiah 50:4-9

My Beloved, You willingly gave yourself up into the hands of wicked men. You always knew exactly what You would have to suffer - every lash, every fall, every jeer, it was all prophesied in detail. In addition to what Scripture had foretold, as God You knew the price that You were called to pay. While just a drop of Your Blood would have been enough to save the world, how could suffering humanity identify with You if You were not tried tested and humiliated as so many in the word are. We can bear our burdens when we recall that You suffered a well and You understand. With this knowledge comes grace to bear the burden because we are yoked to You and suddenly it is not so heavy for we have the joy of Your companionship on our way of the Cross to Calvary and beyond. Thank You.

Psalm 69:8-10, 21bcd-22, 31, 33-34

I am held in contempt for your sake, and shame has covered my face.
I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s sons.
Zeal for your house consumes me as fire and those who insult you insult me as well.
Dishonor has driven me to despair; I looked for sympathy and there was none, for comforters and there was no one.
They gave me poison for food and vinegar to drink.
I will praise the name of God in song; I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

Let the lowly witness this and be glad. You who seek God, may your hearts be revived.
For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise those in captivity.

Matthew 26:14-25

My Beloved, how often we betray You in exchange for what will perish. How often we have sold our integrity because we lacked the courage to stand up for the truth.How readily excuses for our bad behaviour slither from our lips as we try to justify our sins. We keep selling You over and over again for 30 pieces of silver and in doing so we turn our backs on You.

You were aware that one of Your own was aiding and abetting those who plotted to take Your life. The true Passover was about to be celebrated You were to pass from death to life and before You left, You were preparing to give us the greatest treasure of all, that sustains us until You come again.It was both agony and ecstasy for despite the horror of what awaited You it was still a meal of celebration which would become a commemoration of Your life, death and resurrection.

My Beloved, preserve my soul from grave sin. May I never make a mockery of the fact that I am a member of Your Body, break Bread with You and then go out into the night of evil and betray You.