Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, Mark 5:21-43

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15, 

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, 

Mark 5:21-43

Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24

My Beloved, the God of Life created us for life but the envy of Satan caused us to fall, destroying our relationship with God. Our souls which were immortal though would be condemned to eternal separation from the Creator. The God of Love could not bear the separation and evil can never have the last word over God who is supreme over all. Your Father sent You to redeem what we had lost through foolishness, pride and falsehood. The magnitude of our sins demanded that the justice of God be satisfied. We could not do it but Someone could. One whom the Father loved, His Perfect and well beloved only Son would be able to restore what we had so wantonly lost.

My Beloved, the love of God ensures that all are saved except those who refuse to His gift of salvation.

2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15

My Beloved, Paul's words are inspired by Divine Wisdom. Baptized and grafted to our Body we have a share in Your gifts. However, they are given to us in order that we may use them for Your glory.  We are reminded that no one can out do You in generosity for You give all, even to laying down Your life we we may be released from death and receive new life. It is imperative that we share; a life of selfishness is a life that will eventually wither and die. The one who gives and the one who receives are equally blessed and both are equally satisfied for this is how God's law operated.

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

My Beloved, we were created for life. We rejoice that You broke the chains that had snared us and was dragging us into the abyss. No matter how dreadfully we sin, You wait for us with all the ardor of a lover waiting for the beloved's return.  You bathe us with Your precious Blood, You restore us to life and You heal all our wounds and cure all our diseases.. Neither death nor sin has power over us for we are set free by Your Blood. We now have You for our Savior and Redeemer. You have wiped away our tears, You have clothed us in joy and gladness.We will sing of Your goodness and Your glory all the days of our life on earth and eternally in Your Presence in heaven.

Mark 5:21-43

TOSSING IN THE WIND - Jesus Asleep in the Boat

The dark clouds look forbidding,
As they fill a sullen sky,
The keening winds are wailing,
The waves are riding high.

The angry sea is frothing,
Tossing up my boat,
I’m hunkered down and wondering,
How long I’ll stay afloat.

I clench my knuckles grimly,
Head pressing on my knees,
My heart is pounding in my chest,
The rain begins to freeze.

I hear the sound of breathing,
I thought I was alone,
Crawling down the galley,
Cold, sore, wet to the bone.

I find the Master sleeping.,
His hand under His head,
Lying on a pillow,
His cloak around Him spread.

I smile and drawing closer,
I snuggle at His feet,
And though the storm is raging,
I too fall asleep.

In a dazzling flash of lightening,
I am suddenly aware,
That despite the raging storms,
God is always there.

Myra D’Souza/4th August 2009

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16, Psalm 106:1-5, Matthew 7:21-29

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16

My Beloved, it is easy to get discouraged when it seems that we are waiting forever for Your promises to be fulfilled but we are called to wait patiently in faith and hope, certain that You are true to Your Word. When we waiver and decide to take matters into our own hands we will have to instead of trusting in

2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 34:8-13, Matthew 6:24-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 34:8-13, 

Matthew 6:24-34

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

My Beloved, we do not boast, because we have received all through grace and Your merits. As St. Paul rightly says, we boast only of our weaknesses because these are ours and they enable us to realize how great is our need of You. If we have any virtues it is because You give them to us.

We know from the lives of the Saints that the greater their humility, the more powerfully they were able to do the works of God accompanied by signs and wonders. St. Paul tells us to glory in our weaknesses and praise You for them, for they keep us humble and keenly aware of our total dependency on You always. When I am weak then I am strong - help me to always remember these words of wisdom.

Psalm 34:8-13

My Beloved, eternal life and a share in Your inheritance as You have promised us, is only possible when we hear, listen, and obey Your commands. Those who live in Your shadow will never now want, for You provide them with all they need. 

You have commanded angels to surround us and protect us, no harm can come to us because You keep us safe. We taste Your goodness because we feast on You at every Eucharist. You bless us and we praise You.

Matthew 6:24-34

My Beloved, it is You who teach us to live in the present moment. We are called to live in the now in love, trust, and hope in You because when we look into the future, we become engulfed in anxiety. In these verses You give us a blueprint on how to live a stress free life. We live in an age where even young children are anxious and worried.

We have only one Master, You, and if we serve You as we ought, then we can trust You to provide for all our needs both spiritual and temporal. We only have to look at creation around us, the birds in the air, the flowers in the fields, and we know that God who lavishes such care on things that perish, will hold nothing back in providing His children all they need in this life and eternal life with You in the next.

2 Corinthians 11:1-11, Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8, Matthew 6:7-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 11:1-11, Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8, 

Matthew 6:7-15

2 Corinthians 11:1-11

My Beloved we have been redeemed at too great a price for it all to be for naught. The Father will neither permit nor tolerate anyone who steals those who belong to You and You alone. We are grafted into Your Body. We are members of God's family. We are children of the Most High purchased at the cost of Your Most Precious Blood, and we have been promised in betrothal to You. Espoused to You, we are Yours. Grant to Your Church the wisdom to be like You in all things. Keep us humble and obedient, loving all as we love ourselves, and You above and before all.

The world belongs to You and we who are in the world belong to You.  Alleluia!

Psalm 111:1-4, 7-8

My Beloved, we give praise to God almighty, Your Father and ours, for all He has done for us through Your work of redemption. We thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who enables us to live the Christian life with courage ad truth.  We thank You for giving us Your Memorial of Love which reminds us each day of Your saving work. You are merciful, loving and kind. We see Your awesome work everywhere but most especially in our own lives. Yes we rejoice because You are faithful, just and worthy of trust always.

Matthew 6:7-15

My Beloved, You are wonderful. Thank You for assuring us that our Father knows what we need even before we ask Him. Thank You for teaching us to pray. God our Father who created the heavens and the earth and who created us in love, deserves our praise, worship, honor and obedience always, seeking His will alone in all things. He who provides for us as He provides for all living things, desires that we forgive as we have been forgiven.  We ask for His mighty protection against the evil one who wants to strike us where we are weakest and most vulnerable and steal our inheritance.

Thank You for reminding us that our forgiveness is conditional and depends on our forgiving those who have anything against us. This is the Father's will so let us make haste and forgive all injuries quickly so that we may live in His love and in Your Presence all the days of our life.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Psalm 112:1-4, 9, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Psalm 112:1-4, 9, 

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

My Beloved, every Christian is challenged to imitate you in generosity. You love those who give joyously, promptly, willingly and generously. It is in Your nature to give back not measure for measure but full, shaken together and running over. The more we give of what we have freely received of time, talents, love, patience, kindness, forgiveness and all the other virtues, the more we will receive of all we have given; and over and above what we never anticipated or expected.  

Kindness and generosity to the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, those whom the world prefers to ignore and forget will be rewarded abundantly, for You consider any kindness we do as done to Yourself.

Every Christian living the Christian faith in all its richness and perfection gives glory to You on earth.

Psalm 112:1-4, 9

St. Paul echoes what the psalmist has said in the verses of this Psalm.

Those who love You and fear You will gladly obey your command to love. You in turn will look kindly and bless them and their children. You will bless us and pour grace upon grace upon us. When we train ourselves to live always according to your will in all circumstances we will teach others do do the same. The genuine practice of our faith is a powerful witness to those who seek Truth. No one can bless and reward as magnificently as You.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

My Beloved, You who are the Son of the Living God, taught us by example how to be humble. Your whole life was a study in humility. Beginning with the Incarnation, and until your death and final burial in the sepulcher, You never missed an opportunity to practice humility. You were not afraid to call out and put down the proud, the haughty and the hypocrite with the harshest possible words. You were stern with those who chose to lord it over the less fortunate and who made a show of their piety and generosity.

In these verses You make plain to us what is pleasing to God. We are called to live holy, righteous lives following God's command to love, pray, fast and give alms quietly and unobtrusively, without calling attention to ourselves or to our actions.

Whatever we do must done in secret so no one but God sees and He will reward us as only He can - magnificently, always.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Psalm 146:2, 5-9, Matthew 5:43-48

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Psalm 146:2, 5-9, 

Matthew 5:43-48

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

My Beloved, very often it is those with the least who are open to giving the most. They do so generously and without any prompting. Their own hardships make them sensitive to the needs of those who like themselves suffer deprivation.

It is those with means who are often greedy and acquisitive. They hoard and worry that should they give, they may not have enough for themselves. Like those who stored the manna despite being assured that they would receive it each morning, only to find that it had spoiled and was filled with worms. Let us imitate the Christians in the Churches in Macedonia whom Paul praises so eloquently by giving freely for we ourselves have received all as a free gift from You.

You are the true Giver and we in turn are called to imitate You. The generosity of the poor should stir up in us a sense of gratitude and prompt us to also share what we have received.

Psalm 146:2, 5-9

My Beloved, our heart should sing a song of thanksgiving the live long day because we have been saved by You. The God of all creation is our Father, You His Son are our Savior and the Holy Spirit enables us to be pleasing to God in all things. 

You are faithful and loving, Your hands are always open pouring Your gifts upon us freely and magnanimously. You set us free from the slavery of sin, You heal our wounds in mind, body and spirit and make us whole. You feed and protect us, You watch over us and enable us to live holy lives pleasing to God. We receive all from You may we in turn give as we have been given, with open, loving and generous hearts.

Matthew 5:43-48

My Beloved, it is precisely because I am Your follower and disciple that am invited into a relationship with God. He is our Father and we are called to be righteous and just like Him.

We do not live nor are we guided by the principles of the world which calls for justice commensurate to the crime. Rather, we are called to repay hatred with love, we are called to pray for those who plot evil against us and persecute us. Why? Because we are all children of the same Father and He loves us all the same.

We are not to be selective about whom we love, rather we must look at every man, woman and child as our brother and sister and treat all with the same respect and dignity that we demand for ourselves.

Truly the ways of God are not the ways of the world.

2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Psalm 98:1-4, Matthew 5:38-42

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Psalm 98:1-4, Matthew 5:38-42

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

My Beloved, the words of St. Paul in reference to himself, and to those who help in spreading the Good News, must be the reference for each and every Christian. At a favorable time, at a time of your choosing, You called us from darkness into Your own glorious light. It was Your grace that enabled us to choose Your free gift of salvation. 

As Your followers we have an obligation not to give anyone reason to criticize us, or cause others to falter in the faith, despite any difficulty we may face. Because we are Christians we are called to have courage and continue boldly to live our faith despite any negative consequences.

When people in the world look at us they must see that we are bearers of Your light, wisdom and truth. We are called to always be kind and gentle, patient and upright even in the face of grave injustice.  It ought not to matter whether we are praised or insulted, honored or ignored, if we have plenty or are in want. In all things You are the reason for our joy and peace and so we rejoice.

Psalm 98:1-4

My Beloved, we are called to be a people of joyful praise. God has revealed His love to us. He has saved us. He gave us a Savior, a Redeemer, who paid the price. The justice of God demanded that the penalty of sin be paid but we could never it and so we were lost to our Creator forever. 

But God found a way - You are the Way that brought us back to the Father, reconciling us to Him and making it possible once again, to live in the freedom that You have purchased for us on the Cross. All nations have seen Gods work of salvation; the power of God that broke the chains of slavery and set us free, making us children of God.

Matthew 5:38-42

My Beloved, You gave Your disciples a radical new way of living. The world demands a justice that requires payment for wrongs done, in like manner but You put an end to the kind of justice meted out in the world. 

You command us to seek justice in a new way - no longer an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth, rather, we are to pay hatred with love. If someone strikes us we are not to return blow for blow but offer the other cheek which stops the violence. To give more than we are expected to and never to refuse to give what is asked for. In this way we witness to the world that we are peace makers and children of the Light. 

Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16, Mark 4:26-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 

Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16, 

Mark 4:26-34

Ezekiel 17:22-24

My Beloved, there is one thing the Lord God finds abhorrent above all others, it is the proud, the haughty the one filled with vainglory - these the Lord is sure to rip out and cast off. No matter how splendid a show they might make for the world, the Lord who sees the heart is not deceived. 

The lowly, the humble, the one who knows that they can do nothing without You; they are the little ones, the meek ones that You will carry in Your bosom, plant in Your shadow, feed with Your Body and Blood, and fill with Your Holy Spirit. They will be fruitful. They will attract souls to You because they are powerful witnesses of what You can do with those who surrender their lives to You without reserve.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

My Beloved, while we inhabit our mortal bodies we are full of courage because You have overcome the world, the flesh and the devil and You have prepared a place for us with You in heaven.  All who are baptized are Your followers. We believe all that has been revealed to us by the Apostles through faith which is Your gift to us. We have not seen yet we believe and believing we are saved.

We long to be with You but we have a journey to complete, a mission to fulfill, God's plan for  our lives to be accomplished. We are given all we need and more to be faithful to our call to be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. At the end of this life when You call us home, we will each receive the reward or punishment we deserve.

Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16

My Beloved, those who walk in Your shadow are covered by Your shade. They walk in the way of truth who put all their trust in You. They will flourish, they will grow strong and be fruitful all their days. You will feed them. You will be their shelter and they will thrive in Your Presence. Planted upon You their Rock, they will never fail for they receive life from You.

Mark 4:26-34

My Beloved, looking at the world today on one hand we see the horror being perpetrated by evil men and women who think nothing of savage cruelty against men, women and children, and on the other we see the carnal depravity of a world hell bent on making a mockery of every natural and divine law. One wonders why You are silent. Yet the work of God goes on silently, patiently, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. When the time is right You will send Your angels to reap and bring in the harvest. You are a tender loving God slow to anger and rich in mercy You are a God who saves.

Teach us to be humble, little, small for the greatest work is accomplished in those who forgetful of self. They allow You to have total control of their lives as they surrender it to You without reserve.

Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours. Amen.

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9, Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19, Isaiah 12:2-6, John 19:31-37

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9, Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19, 

Isaiah 12:2-6, John 19:31-37

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9

My  Beloved, how tenderly our God and Father loves us. All though the pages of Scripture we read how He led the people He chose from slavery to freedom. It was the Lord God who taught us how to love and how to be pleasing to Him and to each other. It was He who showed us that love is the only way to live fruitful and happy lives.

He did not think it either absurd or scandalous to send You, His only beloved Son, into the world, to reveal to us that genuine love is prepared to give all, and without reserve. This is what You, my Beloved, did for us. You permitted Your heart to be pierced and Your sacred blood spilled sanctifying the earth, the world and everything in it. We were set free from sin and death so we could return to the Father's house.

Thank You Beloved. We worship, praise, adore and honor Your Sacred Heart that has loved us always beyond human comprehension.

Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19

My Beloved, St. Paul recognizes that You chose him, the least likely of all people. He who once savagely and brutally persecuted Your Body, the Church was chosen to be the one to announce to the Gentile world Your immeasurable riches. From the dawn of creation and until You were sent into the world by the Father He was preparing us for the New Covenant that He was to make between Him and us through You. 

What was hidden and only hinted at, what was concealed in smoke and shadow, became clear once the world and those chosen to witness Your incarnation, life, public ministry, your arrest like a common criminal and the horrendous torture of the crucifixion, culminating in Your death Your glorious Resurrection and ascension into glory; the Old Testament began to take on meaning, it became luminous with understanding as we see how You fulfilled every prophecy and promise made by God. 

The Church has not exhausted the inexhaustible treasures of Wisdom as she continues to contemplate with the help of the Holy Spirit who throws light, facet by facet on the wonders of God's love for us.

Through You, my Lord, we receive all that the Father has to give, which is infinite, so we can become what God always intended His children to be for He created us in the image and likeness of the Triune God. 

Isaiah 12:2-6

My Beloved, salvation comes to us from You alone there is no other. We trust in You and though life can be hard, painful and difficult sometimes we are not afraid, for You are with us - Emmanuel. 

Thank You for Your free gift of salvation. Thank You for throwing open the gates of heaven so we can enter into glory with You and share in Your inheritance forever.

John 19:31-37

My Beloved, for those who say that You are myth and that faith is a crutch for the weak, we have here the sworn testimony of Your disciple who witnessed  Your crucifixion and who saw the soldier pierce Your sacred side with a lance. He saw the blood and water that came forth from Your Heart. This is neither myth nor legend - this is just what God intended. Love pierced the Heart of the Son of God that anyone who so desires might enter it and there find joy beyond imagining.

We continue to look on You whom we have pierced with our sins each time we lift our gaze to a Crucifix or an image of Your Sacred Heart, and we are reminded again of the length, breadth, height and depth of God's immeasurable love for us, revealed through You my Beloved, my Lord and my God.

Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my hope and trust in You.

Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Psalm 98:1-6, Matthew 10:7-13

FEAST OF ST. BARNABAS

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3, Psalm 98:1-6, Matthew 10:7-13

Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3

My Beloved, the evidence that You are with us and that we are doing Your work is the visible fruit that flourishes from the mission entrusted to us. So it is in the Church in Antioch, through the Good News preached by Your disciples according to Your command, a great number believed and were saved and a large, flourishing community was established.

The Mother Church is always watching over her members to ensure that they are not being led astray, so she sends Barnabas to see for himself, if the good reports they had heard were true. The church in Antioch would be encouraged and strengthened by his visit. 

The wonderful character reference given to Barnabas is one that should be made of all disciples. We are told that he was a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and faith this is why large crowds came to know the Lord. 

We also see here how fasting must accompany our celebration of the Eucharist. It helps us to be keenly attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit so we can discern what You desire of Your disciples. Prayer and fasting are an unbeatable combination if we truly desire to know God's will for our lives and to do it. 

Psalm 98:1-6

My Beloved, this psalm praises God for what will take place in the future. It is a prophecy of Your coming into the world. It speaks of God's awesome love and faithfulness in remembering His children. He will give us a Savior who will be victorious over evil, sin, and death, and the world and all its people will rejoice at all that He will do in order to save and redeem the people of God.

Matthew 10:7-13

My Beloved, Your command to Your disciples and the mission entrusted to them remains unchanged. Every one who believes in You, all who are baptized are called without exception. No matter who we are or what our station in life is, no matter how great or small we perceive ourselves to be, or how weak or powerful; each in their own way must shine Your light of truth in the world.

We who are called are given clear instructions and we are equipped with everything we will need to carry it out. We must proclaim the message that the Kingdom of God is here. Together with this message verses 8-10 tells us that we we are called to, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep."

We are called to use our judgement in choosing those who will help us and once they open their homes to us we will leave Your blessings and peace on everyone who welcomes us for Your sake. 

2 Corinthians 3:4-11, Psalm 99:5-9, Matthew 5:17-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 3:4-11,  Psalm 99:5-9, Matthew 5:17-19

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

My Beloved, we cannot grasp in full measure what a marvellous relationship God has with His creatures through You. The commandments given to Moses, made known God's law, which if broken brought death. Now, we have a New Covenant, ratified between God and His people in Your Blood. A Covenant of Love, which brings life and hope, and is written on our hearts by Your Holy Spirit. We begin to live in glory while still on earth and we will live it in its fullness in eternity.

Psalm 99:5-9

My Beloved, during every Eucharistic celebration we ascend Your Holy Mountain to offer to the Father the worship that is acceptable and pleasing to Him. Just as God called Moses, Aaron and Samuel, He calls His anointed, our consecrated priests, to offer prayers, thanksgiving and supplication on our behalf. While the Old Covenant law brought knowledge of sin and punishment for wrongdoing, the New Covenant heals our wounds, forgives transgressions, and makes us one with the Father and the Holy Spirit through You.

Thank You Beloved.

Matthew 5:17-19

My Beloved, all was veiled and in shadow from the time of Abraham up to Your coming into the world. The sacrifice for sin, purification from sin, worship of God were done according to lengthy rituals and animal sacrifices. When You entered into human history, everything found clarity, meaning and purpose in Your life, the manner of Your death and Your glorious resurrection to heaven. You struck a deathblow to sin, triumphed over evil and gave us all hope in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

The only law that can condemn us or give us life if we keep it, is the commandment to love God above and before all else, and  our neighbor as ourselves. If we keep these and teach others to do the same, we will receive the inheritance that has been prepared for us in eternity.

2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Psalm 119:129-133, 135, Matthew 5:13-16

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Psalm 119:129-133, 135, 

Matthew 5:13-16

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

My Beloved there is mystery but no contradiction in the faith. Your Word is clear and those who preach must do so without compromising the truth. Your Word is either 'Yes' or 'No,' it cannot be both. We are not to sow confusion but are called to witness to the truth with clarity. 

In You my Beloved the YES and AMEN of the Father and the Holy Spirit are made visible. Anointed by the Spirit and strengthened by the Sacraments we are called to serve You wholeheartedly and without reserve. Sealed in Your Spirit through Baptism You have given us a share in Your inheritance making us co-heirs with You to the Kingdom. Thank You.

Psalm 119:129-133, 135

Truly, my Beloved, one needs an open childlike spirit to accept the wonder of Your promises. They are so glorious and so unfathomable that only one who is meek and humble will believe and obey. You are gracious and kind You do not force us to do Your will even though it is for our good, rather You desire that we freely seek to do it always. We are fully alive and happy when we keep Your commands.

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives in me and guides and directs my life. Thank You for Your watchful and loving gaze on me always protecting me and keep me from all evil.

Matthew 5:13-16

My Beloved, we are called to be salt and light in the world. We are to bring the flavor or Christ in this sin laden word. We are to shine Your light in a world that is getting hideously dark through sin.  I cannot call myself Your disciple if I do not make myself available to those around me. You have given me freely of Your love and kindness these I must give to others so they too can know and love You. 

There is no greater joy than this to know and love You. This joy is made perfect when we are able to teach others to know and love You as well, so together we can all praise our Father in heaven, for the Gift of Salvation freely given to all through You, His most beloved Son.

2 Corinthians 1:1-7, Psalm 34:2-9, Mark 5:1-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

2 Corinthians 1:1-7, Psalm 34:2-9, Mark 5:1-12

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

My Beloved, without the grace that flows to us through the Sacraments we can never know peace. It is through them, administered to us through Your anointed in the Church, that we are encouraged and strengthened. 

All whom You call must be prepared to face hardship and persecution. We have been forewarned that if You were treated shamefully despite being the Son of Man and the Son of God we can expect no less. However, we can also expect to receive consolation that comes from knowing that You are with us. 

You love us and  in doing all You ask of us the whole Church is encouraged, consoled, and comforted. Thank You for being our ever present help in all our difficulties.

Psalm 34:2-9

Truly my Beloved, You put praise in our hearts and a song on our lips. You are the God of love and of all consolations. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship. Thank You for hearing and answering us each time we cry out to You  for help.  Thank You for consoling us and wiping away our tears. Thank You for saving us. We look at You Lord in Your sanctuary and we are radiant with joy. For the Lord our God is with us. He makes His dwelling place among us.

You keep us safe from the enemy and in You the faithful find refuge, shelter and help.

Mark 5:1-12

My Beloved, in this miracle You demonstrate Your power over the spiritual realm. This poor man was possessed by a legion of evil spirits. He was ostracised as a danger to his family and community and most of all to himself. Satan had bound him and he lived among the dead. Tormented he could do nothing to help and save himself.

Sin has this menacing power to hold us in chains and we can do nothing to break free from its fetters. Sin isolates us from You and the more isolated we become from You the more desperate and hopeless our situation becomes. 

People generally want nothing to do with those who are burdensome and a nuisance. But You my Beloved came to seek and save the sinner. You came to the region of the Gerasenes in order to set this poor man free. The evil spirits recognized You, they knew that they did not stand a chance and so they asked that you send them into the pigs. You did, and they hurled themselves headlong into the sea, setting the man totally free. 

Neither sin nor evil can remain in Your Presence and if we cling to You we will be safe.

Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI - 

THE BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, 

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18, 

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Exodus 24:3-8

My Beloved, the Covenant of God's love for us is ratified is Your Blood. Our response to this unfathomable love of the Father, made visible in the sacrificial offering of Yourself as the perfect victim for our sins, must be one of complete obedience to Your will. 

We know Your will for You reveal it to us in the two commandments that embrace all the ten. Love for God above and before all, and love for neighbor in the measure that we love ourselves. Everything You ask of us we do because we love. Our obedience must be joyful, prompt, and total always. In this alone is perfect peace and joy.

Hebrews 9:11-15

The Son of God, the Beloved, through the power of the Holy Spirit, made the love of God visible by becoming incarnate of the Virgin Mary. Taking from her His flesh unblemished and unsullied by sin He become the willing and only acceptable Victim for the sins of us all from the first to the last.

He who is God became Man to save us poor, unworthy sinners because He loves us. Now set free from the bondage and slavery of sin, we are called to serve Him in love.

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18

My Beloved, the Eucharistic Sacrifice is a thanksgiving meal of praise, worship, and adoration acceptable and pleasing to God. We will offer this sacrifice  for the life of the world until You come again. 

Thank You for becoming like us in order to save us. Thank You for setting us free. We offer You our lives and our obedience to Your will in gratitude for all You have done for us. Help us to shine the light of Your life and truth always and everywhere.

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Unbeknownst to the people of Jerusalem the true Passover Lamb was instituting the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Passover Festival with unleavened bread which was to become His Body and the wine made from the crushing of grapes was to become His Blood. There were to be offered to us as food and drink for our souls.  Soon His Body would be splayed on the Altar of the Cross. It would become a holocaust through the furnace of bitter suffering and the Blood to the last drop would be poured out in expiation for our sins.

Before the Bloody sacrifice was to occur we have the unbloody Sacrifice which established the final New Covenant ratified in His Blood.  We have His promise that He will drink it anew with us once again in the Kingdom of God when He will come to claim us for Himself to remain with Him forever.

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20, Tobit 13:2,6-8, Mark 12:38-44

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20, Tobit 13:2,6-8, Mark 12:38-44

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20

My Beloved, the advise that the Angel Raphael gives Tobit and Tobias is applicable to all God's people. All are called to acknowledge all the wonderful things God continually does for us and to give Him thanks both in private prayer and in public. To exalt the Name of the Lord God and give Him all the glory and honor that is due to Him. To make known His goodness, His kindness, His mercy and His saving help.

Our prayers are more effective, the Angels says, when they are accompanied by fasting and alms giving. All we do must be with a sincere heart and with honorable intentions and God will surely bless us.

Tobit13:2,6-8

My Beloved, when we sin and go astray, we need never be afraid to come back to you if we are truly repentant and contrite. God loves the sinner and there is always a welcome when a repentant sinner comes home. Thank You my Beloved for the awesome Sacrament of Reconciliation where the door to God's mercy is always open wide.

Mark 12:38-44

My Beloved, God's judgement is quite different from ours. God sees the heart, God sees the intention and God judges accordingly. We look at the outward signs. God alone can see into the soul We curry favor with the rich and the powerful, even if they are sinners. We ignore or worse excuse their hypocrisies and we laud their well publicised good deeds paraded before the world.

Our giving has to be sincere and no matter how humble our offering may be, like the widow who gave her all, God who rewards, will give us in return full measure, shaken together, and spilling over, for we cannot out our God in generosity.

http://bridegroomofmysoul.blogspot.com/search?q=True+Giving

Tobit 6:10-11, 7:1, 9-17, 8:4-9, Psalm 128:1-5, Mark 12:28-34

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Tobit 6:10-11, 7:1, 9-17, 8:4-9, Psalm 128:1-5, 

Mark 12:28-34

Tobit 6:10-11, 7:1, 9-17, 8:4-9

My Beloved, if we only approached marriage the way Tobias did the world would be a more joyful place, women would be respected and children welcomed as gifts from God. Marriage gives us reason for hope. It strengthens love and teaches wisdom. Love in marriage is never selfish but self giving. It is respectful of the other and seeks only the good of the other. All this is possible when we include You and seek Your will above our own selfish interests and desires. A husband loves his wife and prays for her and for himself and she joins in his prayer for God's blessings upon them and their lives together. Their whole lives must be an Amen to God and to each other.

Psalm 128:1-5

My Beloved, when a man fears the Lord not as one fears an enemy but as one who knows that because He loves His Creator, he dare not do anything that would cause him grief or disappointment, who knows he owes God everything beginning with his very breath, such a man will receive every good and perfect from God. He and his family will be blessed all their days and these blessing will overflow to their descendants as well. For God is good always and His mercies are everlasting.

Mark 12:28-34

My Beloved, we live to love God there is no other reason for being. In loving God we become the person God created us to be. The conviction born of faith that love of God, above and before all, with all the fervor of heart, mind, soul, body, and spirit, gives us the grace and courage needed to wake up each morning with praise on our lips, and to go to bed at night with thanksgiving in our heart. 

We are on our way to God and this life is only a passing from this world to the next. All we do and all we are flows from this truth giving meaning and purpose to everything else. Loving our neighbor is not an option. It makes visible and concrete the love for God that is in our hearts. 

I love You my Lord and my God.

Tobit 3:1-10, 16-17, Psalm 25:2-9, Mark 12:18-27

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Tobit 3:1-10, 16-17, Psalm 25:2-9, Mark 12:18-27

Tobit 3:1-10, 16-17

This we must always believe Lord, that You are just and merciful, and all that You do is prompted by love. You do not punish us for our sins, rather, taking upon Yourself our punishment You redeemed us. If we suffer it is because we have not been faithful and choose to walk in ways where You do not lead.

Here I am my Beloved, along with Tobit I say, "Do with me as You will. Do not leave me or forsake me, but remain with me always."

Just as You heard the pleadings and the cries of Tobit and Sara so also hear me when I pray and answer me.

Thank You.

Psalm 25:2-9

Jesus, my Lord and my God, teach me humility. Teach me to walk in Your ways and to be led by divine Truth. Give me the desire and the will to do what is right and pleasing to You always. Never let me stray from the path of life. Let the light of Your Word be a lamp to guide and strengthen me. I place all my hope and trust in You my Lord for I know that in You alone is my peace and joy.

Mark 12:18-27

My Beloved, it is easy to quibble about revealed truths and to bend it to suit our own interpretation or to make light of it by ridiculing it. Truth demands that it be accepted for what it reveals and to abide it. By making light of it one clearly desires not to take it seriously for if one did then it would demand that we accept it and live by it.

You certainly set the Sadducees straight when they tried to trivialise the resurrection and eternal life. Our God is a God of the living and not of the dead. when we are called from this life to the next, we will be one with You in spirit and in truth and we will have need of nothing for You will complete us in Your love.

Tobit 2:9-14, Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9, Mark 12:13-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Tobit 2:9-14, Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9, Mark 12:13-12

Tobit 2:9-14

My Beloved, Tobit is a good man. He lies in accordance with God's law. He is kind and givens generously event though he himself does not have much. One would think that he would be abundantly blessed however this was not the case. He gets blind and doctors cannot help him. He has to rely on his brothers to look after him and his wife has to work in order to support them.

Her bitterness becomes apparent when she throws Tobit's good deeds in his face. Instead of admiring her husband because he is a man of integrity she resents him. Poor Tobit.

When we are tried ourselves it is good to remember Tobit and understand that trials are part of life. Our faith increases and through them God teaches us much.

Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9

My Beloved, once again we are reminded today that those who love You and keep Your Word will receive blessings which will also spill over to their children. Those who trust you are not afraid for their hope rests in You. We must remember to share what we have with those less fortunate and we can count on You to repay any kindness a hundred fold for any kindness done to anyone You consider done to Yourself.

Mark 12:13-12

My Beloved, these sworn enemies of each other the Pharisees and the Herodians come together only because they hate You more and wish to destroy You. They use flattery to lull You before they ensnare You. Any answer given to their question was guaranteed to discredit You either before the Jews or the Romans and You would be condemned. However, they were unaware that they were dealing with Divine Wisdom, God Himself and once again Your answer was so clever and the logic irrefutable their jaws dropped in amazement. "Render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which belongs to God." 

It will do us all good to remember these salutary words of advise and abide by them.

Tobit 1:3, 2:1-8, Psalm 112:1-6, Mark 12:1-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Tobit 1:3, 2:1-8, Psalm 112:1-6, Mark 12:1-12

Tobit 1:3, 2:1-8

My Beloved, Tobit is a man who is faithful to God despite the difficulties he has to face. He fears God, he obeys the law, he is not afraid to do what he knows is right even though he is mocked by those around him. He shares what he has with the poor and has a kind, compassionate and generous heart.

The life of Tobias is one that is pleasing to God and there is much we can learn from him, especially to be faithful to our calling despite any hardships we may face.

Psalm 112:1-6

My Beloved, how wonderfully these verses describe Tobit and the Lord's never failing kindness and faithfulness to him. These are Your promises to all who keep Your commandments, are kind, loving and generous, who share gladly all they have, who fulfill their duties, and who walk in the light of truth, integrity and justice.

These verses gladden the heart and give us confidence. Your blessings will flow not only to those who trust in You and Your Word but will be poured out on their children as well.

Mark 12:1-12

My Beloved, in this parable you speak to the people and the nation that God chose, the prophets that He sent to them time and time again who were abused, persecuted, treated shamefully and killed. Finally, the Father sent You, and You prophesied to Your hearers what You would face as well - rejection and an ignominious death, at the hands of the very people and nation that God had chosen for Himself.

Coming back to the present time Beloved, nothing has changed. You and Your law of love and wisdom continue to be rejected. Those who witness to the Light of Truth are persecuted, imprisoned, silenced and even killed. They are mistreated and marginalized and discriminated against. They are denied justice and the rule of the godless prevails.

But Light cannot be put out. It will prevail and the darkness that threatens to cover the world can never extinguish Your Light. We have Your Word. The victory is won and the triumph is Yours.