Sunday, October 25, 2015

Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126:1-6, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126:1-6, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52



Jeremiah 31:7-9



My Beloved, we ought to be a people of exultant praise to our God who never tire of proclaiming all the wonderful things that God our Father has done for us in and through You. Every promise that He made through the mouths of the prophets in the Old Testament has been fulfilled in You. All that was hinted at, all that was veiled in oaths, promises and Covenants find their perfect expression in this amazing and awesome truth. The Father loved us so much that He sent You into the world to be our Savior. Sin made us exiles and orphans but we rejoice because You healed the breach created by sin and You won for us mercy, forgiveness and pardon.



You have restored our sight, You have gathered us from every corner of the globe, You have healed our wounds and our spiritual disabilities. You have saved us. You give us living water that never runs dry and You take us by the hand and walk with us every step of the way as You lead us in the Way that will take us to the Kingdom of God. Thank You.



Psalm 126:1-6



My Beloved, as Your followers, Your disciples, as people who are called Christians because we belong to the One anointed by the Father and sent into the world to redeem us we must be joyful always. Despite suffering, hardship and whatever cross the Lord sees fit and necessary to lay one us we must never lose sight of this truth – that we are created by God to know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with Him not only in the hereafter but in this life as well.



This is possible because You give Yourself to us as Food in the Holy Eucharist. You grant us forgiveness of all our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You have given us the Gift of the Holy Spirit to enable us to do what would otherwise be impossible on our own strength  - strive to live holy lives with His help and the grace that He channels into our hearts.



We are the people of God who rejoice always because we have been saved.



Hebrews 5:1-6



It will do us well to always remember my Beloved, that we are called. We do nothing of our own accord. Whoever we may be, all the baptized are given a mission. God has a plan for each one of us some are called to have greater responsibility to lead, preach, teach and serve but all of us are part of the mission to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Each according to our vocation is priest, prophet and king although we are sinners and we have the sinless High Priest who redeemed us as our example. We must fix our gaze on You always and follow in obedience where You lead no matter where it make take us.



Mark 10:46-52



My Beloved, we are told that You were leaving Jericho to go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival and a large crowd along with Your disciples were with You. What was the motive of those in the crowd who accompanied You? Some would have been there only because being part of a large group would ensure that they were safe from thieves and robbers who often lay in wait for pilgrims. Some would have been there because they had heard about You and were curious. Still others may have been there because they were attracted to Your message and wanted to follow You. But I am sure it is safe to say that many were only there because it was convenient to make the journey from Jericho to Jerusalem in a large group.



Jericho represents the place that we are at as sinners and Jerusalem represents the place where we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for our neighbor as You did. Bartimaeus represents every sinner who genuinely repents of his sins and desires to encounter God. He is prepared to rid himself of every attachment that holds him back from truly embracing God’s will just as Bartimaeus who jumped up when he was told that You called him, threw his cloak and ran joyfully to You. You asked him what he wanted You to do for him just as You ask all who seek You not for Your sake but for ours since You are God and know all things. We need to know what we truly want and then in all humility, faith, hope, and trust ask for it. “Master, that I may see.” Bartimaeus yearned for more than physical sight. He recognized You as the Messiah when he called out, “Son of David have pity on me.” He wanted to know You and have a personal relationship with You. He wanted to be Your disciple and this is why, once You granted him his sight he followed You.



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