1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18

1 John 2:18-21

My Beloved, we know that You are the embodiment of truth. Truth is not just a virtue that we embrace it is a Person with a Name that is above every other name – Jesus, the Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God. Knowing You and believing in You the Truth makes His home in us. Truth is alive in the Holy Spirit and in Your Word – the Word of the Father, the Eternal Word that living and active and sharper than a double edged sword.

The Apostle of Love, St. John the Evangelist, reminds us that we are living in the last hour, the last watch of the night and that many will come who are against You. Anyone who denies the Truth is a liar, a deceiver, the antichrist and there have been many antichrists who are spawns of Evil. 

You are the Holy One of God, begotten by the Father from all ages, true God from true God and in You dwells the Wisdom of God. We who believe know the Truth and Truth sets us free.

Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13

The psalmist invites us to exult, to sing new songs of praise to the living God for we are redeemed. Our God reigns, He has triumphed over sin and death, He has overcome the world, He has crushed the head of Satan and ground him into the dust with his heel. God has made Himself known to us. He has saved us. Redeemed by the sinless Blood of the Lamb we have been washed in His Blood. 
Heaven and earth rejoices. All that lives and breathes worships Him unceasingly. The devil condemns us night and day but we have no reason to fear for You have come to rule and to judge with mercy, fairness and truth. All who are on the side of Truth will live. 

John 1:1-18

My Beloved, I do not believe that anything so beautiful has been or will ever be written at any time or in any age. This is divine revelation and St. John the Evangelist, imbued with the wisdom granted to him by the Holy Spirit was able to express himself so profoundly and powerfully when he picked up his writing instrument to write of You and about You. 

The most profound truths, the most wonderful truths, the life-giving truth is revealed here and all who believe You empower through Your Holy Spirit to become children of God. Wow!

Darkness can never overcome light. There is only one Light and when we receive Light from the Light of the world each one of us in turn is called to keep the flame alive no matter how small it may be. We receive from the Light that is brighter than a thousand suns a share in of light some to a greater extent than others according to the work God calls us to do. It does not matter what that call may be even it is just to shine enough light for someone to put one foot safely before the other one step at a time.

The Light of Truth enlightens the world. Every created thing has its origin in the Light of Life and we human beings are given the singular honor and privilege to become daughters and sons of the Most High through our faith and belief in You, the Light of the World. God sent You my Beloved into the world. His only Son in order that You could reveal the Love of God to us. In pitching Your Tent among us You reveal the fullness of truth and the loving kindness of the heart of God our Father. It is from this fullness that is in You that we receive grace upon grace from the moment of our conception and until our last breath.

The law of Moses revealed the sin in us for which there was no remedy until You came into the world as the only acceptable redeeming sacrifice.  Truth throws light on fact that we are sinners; the loving kindness of God saves us by laying down His life for us. This is why although no one has ever sees God; we have seen Him in You, God the Only Son who makes known to us the Father God. Thank You.

1 John 2:12-17, Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:36-40

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
1 John 2:12-17, Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:36-40
1 John 2:12-17

My Beloved, John, the Apostle of love, the disciple who rested against Your breast with the ease of a child reminds us of who we are. Redeemed by Your atoning sacrifice, washed from the sin inherited from our first parents in baptism we are children of the Father. He reminds us that we know the Father because You revealed Him to us. He reminds us that if we know You we know the Father as well for You and the Father are one.

In this world there is much that can ensnare and trap us. The flesh clamors to be satisfied. The world is constantly luring us with baubles that distract and lure us away from You and from the unique mission given to each of us to know You and to make You known.  It does not take any effort on our part to give in to temptation our concupiscence to sin make it easy to sinfully desire what our eyes see and lusts for. Every new trinket that is dangled before us by the world as a must have robs us of time that ought to be spent with You. The world and the things of the world are passing by swiftly and dizzyingly and every created thing in the world along with the flesh will perish in the end what will determine if we have everlasting life is if we have been faithful in seeking Your will and doing it.

Psalm 96:7-10

My Beloved, God created us to know Him, love Him, serve Him and to be happy with Him here on earth and forever in heaven. This our purpose for living. Worship, praise and thanksgiving must be like the very breath that keeps us alive for this is what keeps our soul alive. The more I glorify God, the more I worship Him and acknowledge His goodness, His greatness and His majesty the greater will be my joy and my peace. I am called to celebrate God’s love along with the Church, the community of believers and together we are to bless His Holy Name in the company of the angels and saints. When earth is in tune with heaven as we celebrate Your love Beloved, we are made one in You and one in each other. Love of God and love of neighbor and making known that love and celebrating it is my only mission as long as I live on earth.

Luke 2:36-40

My Beloved, Anna, the widow in today’s Gospel passage reminds us that if we are faithful that God is ever mindful of His promises and will reward as generously as only God, who is our loving Father can. Anna was widowed after seven brief years of marriage; instead of bewailing her lot, complaining to God and to anyone who would listen, and setting her cap for another husband, she turned to the God of all consolation. She made her home in His temple and instead of spending her time on frivolities chose to spend her days in fasting and prayer.  She was now 84 years old and was recognized as a prophetess. Her faithful commitment to serve God wholeheartedly was to be wonderfully rewarded. She was granted the privilege to see You, the Infant King  and praised God telling everyone she spoke to of having beheld the One who would deliver His people.

Mary and Joseph we are told, after faithfully fulfilling all that the law of God required returned home to Nazareth and there lived a simple holy life of domesticity as a family. Under the watchful, paternal gaze of St. Joseph and the loving, tender care of Mother Mary, You my Beloved grew in stature, strength filled with divine wisdom for You were eternal was one with the Father and the Spirit.

1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6, Luke 2:22-35

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6, Luke 2:22-35

1 John 2:3-11

My Beloved, I am reminded today that if I truly desire to have perfect union with You in this world then I must keep You commandments. If I do not keep Your commandments then the light of revealed Truth is not in me and I walk in darkness for the Light in me has gone and Your Life is no longer found in me.

There is only one commandment and if we keep it we will always walk in the light of love and darkness will flee from us for darkness abhors the light. The one sure way of being certain that I am in union with You my Beloved, is to love everyone I encounter each day. I must see You in those whom are in my life or those who touch it through the hours of the day. If I do not love those I see then I cannot profess to love You. If I do I am a liar and darkness envelops me. There is no life in me. Life is truly more than food and drink – it is living in the light of revealed Truth- Truth that sets me free.

Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6

My Beloved, You have renewed the face of the earth at Your coming into the world. Heaven and earth rejoices and all that is in it. You have brought hope and peace to all who believe in You and we now live in the age of revelation. God revealed Himself to us in the Flesh. Love became incarnate for us so that we may touch Him, taste Him, gaze upon Him even while we live our days here on earth.

Thank You Father for the Gift of the Holy Eucharist. Thank You Holy Spirit of God for the power of Love between the Father and the Son that generates the Fount of Love. Thank You Beloved, for the Gift of the Holy Spirit who makes it possible to love Your commandments and obey them through the grace He provides and which are channeled through the Sacraments. Truly my Lord both heaven and earth have cause to sing and rejoice as we wait for Your second coming. Marantha Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

Luke 2:22-35

My Beloved, how wonderful it would be if it could be said of all Christian men that they were upright and devout like Simeon and St Joseph too. In fact this is not a call to men only but to Christian women as well. If we are upright and devout we can be sure that the Holy Spirit will make His home in us and we will be guided and led by Him just as Simeon was.

In the opening verses we are told that the day had come for the purification according to the law of Moses.  There is a time for everything and when that day comes we must do all that God requires of us faithfully exactly as He desires. Mary and Joseph did all that the law required; they fulfilled all the demands of their Jewish faith not holding themselves above the law even though they knew that You were the Son of God. They offered the sacrifice of the poor - a pair of turtle doves.

The old man Simeon approached Mary and Joseph, took You in his arms and he knew that God had fulfilled His promise to him. His eyes beheld the Savior of the world and he was at peace. Simeon saw what the people did not – the Messiah was born who would be a light to the nations, and bringing the world back to God. He prophesied that You would be the glory of the people of God and Mary and Joseph gazed at Simeon wondering what were these things that he said concerning You. You were to be a sign of  contradiction and looking at Mary, Your Mother, he said that a sword would pierce her soul. As great as her joy was in living in close intimacy with You, flesh of her flesh, loving you with the fervor of her whole being she was also to suffer all that You suffered in Your own Body and Spirit although her wounds would though not physical but spiritual would nevertheless be just as intense as Your Own for You my Beloved who are God was also her Boy, her Baby, her Son.

1 John 1:5-2:2, Psalm 124:2-5, 7CD-8, Matthew 2:13-18

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 1:5-2:2, Psalm 124:2-5, 7CD-8, Matthew 2:13-18

1 John 1:5-2:2

My Beloved, the Apostle and Evangelist John, the Apostle of Love speaks eloquently of the Love of God made manifest in You. He announces Your message of Light, Life and Love all of which have their source in You. We have received the message of Life and so we walk in fellowship with You and with all who believe. Sin is abhorrent to You and if we deliberately continue to choose darkness over light then we choose lies over the Truth revealed to us in You. St. John tells us if we choose to walk in the light of truth we become children of God and we are purified from all our sins which are washed away by Your precious Blood.

All of us are sinners and only when we confess that we have sinned and that we need a Redeemer, a Savior, the Christ who is Lord and One who saves only then can we be washed clean and made whole. And even when we sin because we are weak all is not lost. Our hope in You and confidence in Your mercy will through Your intercession with the Father will restore all that sin had robbed us of for You  took upon Yourself the sins of the whole world and became the Sacrificial Victim pleasing and acceptable to the Father who for Your sakes forgives us every time we come in repentance.

Thank You.

Psalm 124:2-5, 7CD-8

My Beloved, because You are Emmanuel, God with us we are confident that nothing can overpower us neither storm, or flood can overwhelm us for You, Our Lord are with us. Were it not for You and Your mighty protection ever since our conception, we would long ago have perished.  There were times it may have seemed that You had forgotten us and that we were doomed to suffer and die having lost everything but You set us free from the snares of the enemy. We were trapped and You came to our rescue and delivered us. Sin no longer has the last word. You make infinite grace constantly available to us making it possible to choose good over evil, right over wrong, and to align our will to Yours no matter how hard the struggle. In the end, trusting in You, we are more than conquerors.

Matthew 2:13-18

My Beloved, truly St. Joseph is an icon of obedience and humility perfectly attuned to the voice of God and therefore able to hear and do exactly as the Lord commanded. To Joseph was given the tremendous responsibility to guard, protect and provide for the Son of God and the Mother of God. God chose well in choosing Joseph. Once he understood that it was God’s will for him to take Mary as his wife for the child in her womb was conceived by the power of God he did not question. Not a word escaped his lips. It was enough for him that this was God’s will and he obeyed. 

When the Angel warned him about Herod’s treacherous plans and asked him to make haste and flee to Egypt. He took Mother and Child and make the long, arduous journey to Egypt and there the Holy Family stayed as refugees and aliens in a foreign land until God said it was safe to return.

Herod was outraged at what he deemed as treachery of the Magi overlooking his own treachery in desiring to know the holy Child’s whereabouts only to murder Him. Many infants lost their lives and many mothers grieved and mourned the loss of their sons. Their blood stained the earth in order to protect the Babe and one day His Blood would stain the earth in order to obtain eternal salvation for them and for all who believed.

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14 &16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29, Luke 1:67-69

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14 &16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29, Luke 1:67-69

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14 &16

My Beloved, David, the great of Israel whom God showed great favor was a prefigurement  of Your coming into the world. He wanted to build God a fitting dwelling place instead God said I will come and dwell with my people. I will make a home for Myself in their heart. I, whom the heavens cannot contain and for whom earth is but a footstool; will in obedience to My Father, become finite, wrapped in human flesh and become a human being in all things save sin.

I will come into the world to establish peace; peace that the world cannot give for it will be a peace that nothing but willful sin can destroy. It will not be based or subject to things that decay and pass but on that which is eternal. Those who believe in You will be raised to the dignity of sons and daughters of God because You will draw us to Yourself, make us one with You and thus one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. You will share Your inheritance with us in the everlasting Kingdom where You my Beloved are the Sun.

Psalm 89:2-5, 27 & 29

My Beloved, the Father has made an irrevocable Covenant of Love with us in You. He revealed His incomprehensible love for us sinners when He sent You into the world to become the Lamb of Sacrifice who would once and for all offer the only acceptable Sacrifice to Him that would restore our broken, wounded relationship with Him. In and through You we now are children of the living God and You gladly and generously share Your inheritance with us who accept You as our Lord and Savior. You came into the world to reveal the marvelous love of God we in turn adore and worship You and we will sing Your praises and the praises of God as long as we have breath. Praise You Lord! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and forever Amen!

Luke 1:67-69

My Beloved, without the Holy Spirit we can know nothing about God for He reveals to us things too marvelous for human beings to fathom. Moved by the power of the Holy Spirit Zechariah prophecies all that his son, Your forerunner, and the last of the prophets who would prepare the world for a new dawn, a new beginning, a new epiphany will do to prepare the way for Your arrival. While he prepared the people waiting in joyful anticipation for You to reveal Yourself, You lived a normal, quiet life with Your Mother Mary and Your foster father St. Joseph learning his trade and working alongside him. Waiting on the time ordained and appointed by the Father to make Yourself known to chosen people of God.

As we celebrate Your Birth this Christmas season we wait in joyful hope for Your second coming my Beloved when You will come to judge the living and the dead and establish Your everlasting rule as promised by God. Marantha! Lord Jesus, Maranatha!