Hebrews 8:6-13, Psalm 85:8, 10-14, Mark 3:13-19

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Hebrews 8:6-13, Psalm 85:8, 10-14, Mark 3:13-19

Hebrews 8:6-13

My Beloved, You are the New Covenant that God our Father makes with His people sealed in Your Blood in this way You have now become the only acceptable Mediator between God and man - there is no other. For this is the will of God that all are saved by You, that all are brought to perfection through Your Holy Spirit and that in You and through You alone we will attain eternal life.  The Old Covenant was made between God and sinful man it could never accomplish Scythian lasting because it was made with sinners who constantly forgot that they were chosen from all nations to be the people of God.

In You who are the New Covenant that unites man to God , it is Your Holy Spirit in us that enable God to write His law of love in our hearts so we will never forget what God has done for us in making You the bridge that enables us gain access to the Father.

Psalm 85:8, 10-14

My Beloved, when we look at the world today there seems to be only evil, conflict, greed and hate. The future looks bleak because all that is true and good seems to be lost in this culture of hedonism and violence that we live in.  But the Word of God is true and what God has accomplished and established with man through You to ensure our salvation makes everything that we around us at evil's last stand.

When the Father sent You into the world it was because as the God of Justice when He stooped down low from the heavens He wanted to meet goodness and faithfulness to Your Law so His righteous justice would be satisfied.  The God of Love sent Love to earth so Faithful Filial Love would meet Fatherly Love and bring about peace through the merits that You have won on our behalf by becoming life in us and offering Your Life in exchange for ours. In You we receive all that is good, perfect and eternal and we live in Your peace - a peace the world cannot give.

Mark 3:13-19

My Beloved, the one true thing to remember always is that it is You who call and those who receive the call must leave everything as the apostles did and follow You. It is not always easy for many reasons one of them surely being that one is not capable or perhaps not really sure that they can commit but when it becomes clear that You indeed desire to entrust us with a special mission, the loving and obedient response is always, "Here I a Lord, I come to do Your will."

The twelve You chose were from all walks of life, simple people. Some were called to play a more visible, more prominent role than the others. What each was entrusted with is not as important as that they each did exactly what You wished them to do. They were faithful, loyal, available and willing. Make me an apostle with the heart, mind and will of the men You chose Beloved even though the task that You entrust me with be small for I am only Your little nothing.

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17, Psalm 110:1-4, Mark 3:1-6

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17

My Beloved, here we have this mysterious Melchizedek King of Salem who is a priest of the Most High God.  He appeared to Abraham out of nowhere.  He is a king yet it does not say of which nation, there is no mention of who was king before him and whom will come after him.

Salem means peace and Melchizedek means justice and once we know these two details we can identify this king and High Priest - the King of Peace, the King of Justice is the Son of God who was born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God begotten not made consubstantial with the Father.  You received Your priesthood and Your mission as the Messiah from the Father and through you humble submission and perfect obedience in fulfilling this mission, You have won for Yourself people of all time and of every generation.  All acclaim You as their King and Lord.

Psalm 110:1-4

My Beloved, it was always the Father's intention when He created man that this creature made in the image and likeness of God, once redeemed by You would love, adore, worship and above all, belong to You so intimately that we formed one body inseparably united with You.  You have crushed the Enemy on the Cross and You once every evil power already subject to You is overcome, You will take Your place at the Father's right hand and all dominion authority and power will be subject to You and will worship You alone.

In the Nicene Creed we profess that You are begotten not made consubstantial with the Father vs 7b Like dew from the womb of the dawn  so You are of the Father. Our Eternal High Priest who offers to the Father the only sacrifice pleasing to Him - that of Himself, the Lamb of God, Victim for our sins that purifies us and makes us acceptable to the Father for the sake of His Son.

Mark 3:1-6

My Beloved, it was the Sabbath, you entered the synagogue and the man with the withered hand was already there.  Had he heard of Your miracles of healing and hoped for a miracle himself? Did others bring him knowing that You would heal him and it being the Sabbath they waited with eager, malicious expectation to trap and accuse of doing what was unlawful on the Sabbath?

What irony Beloved they were certain You could and would heal but they were oblivious to the fact that You manifested such awesome power. Their narrow, insular minds could only focus on the fact that a law was broken - a cold meaningless law that would rather desire death than life. You were going to heal the man exactly as they had anticipated - but You were not going to play their silly game.  You called the man, asked him to stand in the centre, made sure every gaze was on both him and on You and then You asked them a pertinent question. If they were honest , if they knew the spirit and the heart of the law, they would have spoken up and agreed that it is always lawful to do good rather than harm, to save rather than kill. But they stubbornly refused to answer for then their duplicity would be exposed. 

You saw their hard hearts, their lack of compassion and You were both angry and sad. How often we too feel this Lord when we look at the world. Help us not to get frustrated or become cynical, rather let us continue to repay good for evil and love for hatred thus living out our faith just as fearlessly and courageously as You did.

Hebrews 2:14-18, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Mark 1:29-39

Hebrews 2:14-18, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Mark 1:29-39

Hebrews 2:14-18

You my Beloved, have wrested from Satan the only power he had - death. Taking upon Yourself our human nature in order to into into humanity, You willingly made the only sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to the Father until You come again. The only sacrifice that has the power to free us from the fear of death, the bondage of sin and break the shackles of addiction to sin. Our fears confine - Your sacrificial love makes of Yourself the only and perfect victim that can restore to God that which He had created for His glory.

Verse 16 reminds that You came into the world to take by the hand, not the angels but the human race. You became like us in every way save sin in order to take our lace before God and offer to Him Your Body and Blood in atonement for the sins of the world.

Having drunk deep of the cup of suffering You alone can bring healing and comfort to a sin stricken suffering world.

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9

My Beloved, the whole purpose of my life on earth is to thank You for the gift of life that has been given to me.  A life that is eternal which began in the mind and heart of God, was born into the world and at the end of it brief sojourn on earth will return to God.  This is my glorious destiny made more glorious because of what You have done.  Death entered the world through Satan but we receive life through You.  Our strength and our joy comes from our knowledge of all God has done for us thorough You.

You are the song we sing, Your Name is the praise on our lips.  We look to You as You make Yourself present on our altars and in our tabernacles so we can as verse 4 says look to the Lord and be strong as we seek Your face.

Thank You for the eternal covenant You have made with man.  Thank You for Your everlasting promises that have all been fulfilled in You. 

Mark 1:29-39

My Beloved, You enter the homes of Your disciples and share their daily humdrum lives, and get involved in all their troubles bringing comfort and healing and above all Your saving Presence. You touch all the members of our household those who are sick You take by the hand as You took the hand of Peter's mother-in-law and raised her up bring health, strength and healing.  Joy and enthusiasm are restored and renewed and we continue to work beside You.

Once we accept Your invitation to discipleship You enter our homes and touch ever member of our household we then open our homes, or neighborhood, our town so all can come to You without hindrance and experience Your healing in heart, mind, soul, body and spirit. Having experience You we must allow all whom we know to encounter You as well.  You showed us how we can always be charged and energized it is by frequently and faithfully retiring alone with you to pray and be filled with the power of Your Holy Spirit.

True disciples will always seek You, obey You and follow You. the work of a disciple is never done. We need to go to the ends of the earth so all will have the joy of knowing You and loving You as well. 

Hebrews 2:5-12, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Mark 1:21-28

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Hebrews 2:5-12, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Mark 1:21-28

Hebrews 2:5-12

My Beloved, it was the Father's will that You experience the human condition in all its facets save sin. You were a Man like all men and You experienced all that we experience - poverty, hardship,  deprivation, hunger, thirst, betrayal of friends, the harsh and fierce elements of nature, weariness, anguish, physical pain, loss, persecution, rejection, suspicion, anger and even open hostility and enmity that bayed for Your Blood. Often You had to flee Your enemies who desired to kill You before the time appointed by God.

You did not just suffer but God willed to bring to perfection You who are perfect by lifting the cup of suffering to Your lips and bidding You drink to the last bitter dregs for no one could then dare to say that You did not know what it is to suffer. As always we benefit from Your tribulations. Now our suffering is made sweet and purposeful when we accept it for Your sake and unite it with the sufferings You gladly bore in order that You who became like us might in turn receive holiness and become like You.

For a while You became less than the angels so God could bestow on You You complete dominion over all things seen and unseen and You could grant us the privilege of becoming Your brothers and sisters, sons and daughter of the Most High God.

Psalm 8:2, 5-9

My Beloved, while it is true that God has given man dominion over all created things on earth, the sky and the seas as we can see by the giant scientific and technological advances that are being made, ultimate dominion is given to You who for a little while was made a little lower than the angels when You came as a Babe into the world.

Now seated in radiant splendor, glory and majesty at Your Father's right hand Your Name is so powerful that Satan and his minions tremble when it is uttered and it saves those who believe in it for it is a Name given to us and there is no other by which we can be saved.

Mark 1:21-28

My Beloved, even Satan and the evil spirits know who You are.  They recognize that You are God sent by God and before You they are powerless. You do not desire that we recognize You through the testimony of the devil but that we each discover this wonderful truth for ourselves. We recognize that You are the Son of God by the works You do, by the Words You speak, by the power of Your teaching and preaching. 

We are told that in verses 27-28 that, "All the people were astonished and they wondered, “What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!” And Jesus’ fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee." While it is true that because of the wonderful miracles You worked You were recognized wherever You went yet, they did not shout out that You were indeed the Holy One of God.  In proclaiming this truth we will be required to align our life and our will to Yours and so we would rather deny, reject and crucify You than accept that You are our Lord and our God. 

Hebrews 1:1-6, Psalm 96:1-2, 6-7 & 9, Mark 1:14-20

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Hebrews 1:1-6, Psalm 96:1-2, 6-7 & 9, Mark 1:14-20

Hebrews 1:1-6

My Beloved, throughout the Old Testament and woven through the psalms we have this almost now you see it now you don't kind of impression of God's plans to save man. There are hints, promises, covenants, oaths sworn by God about all the wonderful things He is about to do. Patriarchs, prophets, kings bore a faint foreshadow of the One whose coming was imminent. The whole Old Testament is a sigh of longing for the One whom God would send.

When the time had finally come, the Eternal Word who had reposed in the bosom of the Father could no longer be contained and there was this awesome explosion of such glorious magnitude when that plan was revealed to a young virgin. The Son of God left the bosom of God the Father and stooped low in obedience and humility to enter the womb of Mary who was chosen to be Your Mother. Through the Presence and Overshadowing of the Father and the Holy Spirit and this overwhelming explosion of love we move to sublime and sacred silence for God is both glorious and majestic as well as humble and meek.

God created man because although each of the Persons in the Trinity needs nothing that can add or take away from the perfection of the love One for the Other, the Father wanted to draw us into the perfection of diving live. He knew we would stray but He also knew that Your love would have the power to save. Were it not for You my Beloved, God would have remained invisible and unknown to us and we would have no way of truly knowing and experiencing His love for us. 

Fulfilling all that the Father desired to accomplish through You He received You back to Himself where You now receive the love, adoration and worship of all men who have accepted You as their Lord, Savior and Redeemer. 

Psalm 96:1-2, 6-7 & 9

My Beloved, exalted in glory and majesty in the highest heavens where the Angels and Saints adore You for Your saving work of redemption, man too rejoices and exults in so glorious a Savior who lay down His life for His sheep.

To You has been given a Name above every other.  To You has been given the authority to judge all men and to the faithful who have completed their journey on earth is given the joy of seeing You face to face.  Exalted by the Father above all, we will sing praises to You Beloved all our days on earth and when they come to a close we will praise and adore You eternally in heaven, 

Mark 1:14-20

My Beloved, the mantle of faith is handed down from generation to generation to the next. As the faithful who have completed their journey on earth and return to God to receive their reward those who follow in their footsteps must continue the mission to spread the Good News.

After John the Baptist was arrested You began Your public ministry of bringing about the Kingdom of God in the world.  You announced that it was time to put aside the old ways of thinking and to begin believing in the One whom God had sent. 

Peter, Andrew, James and John were men who had a livelihood to earn and responsibilities to family members. They could have been so focused on these things that they would have missed the divine call or dismissed it as not meant for them. But there was something so compelling about the invitation and the One who called that they left everything and followed You.

In the midst of the mundane, everyday routine of our lives we must be attentive to Your voice and heed Your call to make You known to those around us. We are each called to do our part in building up the Kingdom of God. To those who belong to God's family is granted the privilege of knowing the Son and making Him known. God has no need for hired help when He has us, His adopted children, to work in His vineyard.

Isaiah 55:1-11, 1 John 5:1-9, Isaiah 12:2-6, Mark 1:7-11

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Isaiah 55:1-11, 1 John 5:1-9, Isaiah 12:2-6, Mark 1:7-11

Isaiah 55:1-11

My Beloved, Your invitation is given to all.  In You is an abundance of all that is good and it is given freely to all who ask.  Nothing the world has to offer is comparable to what we receive from You.  When we eat, drink and feast at Your Banqueting table we will never hunger and thirst again. The empty promises of the world offers nothing that satisfies.  In You alone is life and the fullness of life is found in Your Word.

When Your Word issues forth from You it accomplishes all that God wills it to and it contains healing and strength, comfort and joy.  As long as we are alive and we have breath in our body we can seek You and find You and we can find a refuge in You. When we free ourselves of all the baggage we carry we can receive and be filled with the riches that You so long to give us.

The world weighs us down but the Spirit enables us to soar with You to heaven the place where You dwell and where all desire is satisfied.

1 John 5:1-9

My Beloved, faith is Your gift to us at our Baptism when we vow to turn away from the world the flesh and the devil and we are grafted on to You we become members of Your Body, the Church. In Baptism we are born of God and we receive the victory that You won for us on the Cross.

As children of God, we receive grace and blessing making it possible for us to obey God's will.  The will of the Father is that we believe that He sent You into the world so that we who were once dead in sin may receive new life in You.

Through the waters of the Jordan in which You were baptized, through the ignominious death Your suffered and the Blood You shed on the Cross and through the visible Presence of the Holy Spirit who rested over You as the voice of the Father thundered the proclamation that You were His Beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, we receive the undeniable testimony that You have indeed come from God. You now invite us to share in Your Own divine life by being baptized into You, offering the sacrifice of our own lives in union with Yours and in sharing the same Holy Spirit, we now share Your Life as children of God.  We received death through Adam but we receive the fullness of life through You

Isaiah 12:2-6

My Beloved, it is only through Baptism that we receive the gift of faith and are saved.  We die to sin when we plunge into the waters and rise to newness of life in Your Resurrection.  Strengthened by the Bread which is Your Body and receiving from Your Holy Spirit streams of grace that enables us to obey and fulfill God's commands, we receive the joy that the world cannot give.  Our response to such undeserved love freely given to all who receive it we must rebound in glorious praise of You in all the circumstances of our lives.  Our praise purifies our desires and You my Beloved dwell in the midst of our praise.

Mark 1:7-11

My Beloved, just as our pride seals the gates and bars our entrance into heaven so does humility provide they key that will  unfailingly unlock it and permits us to enter in the holy Presence of God.

John knew exactly who he was in the scheme of God's plan and he knew the role he was called to play in it. Although he was a key player as You Yourself said, "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!" But You also affirmed, "Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Mt 11:11) John knew this well and of You he said, "After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. As for me, I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandals.”

Just like John, God has a special mission for each of us; a work that no other can do. It is a work for which God has equipped us giving us all we need to be faithful and fruitful as we fulfill it and do our part in establishing His Kingdom first in our own heart and then in the world.

John recognized You when You came to him to be baptized - the Sinless One clothed in the garment of humility that veiled Your divinity; when You entered our humanity and drank to the dregs the frailty of our human condition, in order that we might share in our glory.

Entering the waters of the Jordan You sanctified the waters of baptism the skies were rend open the Holy Spirit descended on You and earth glimpsed heaven for a brief moment in time as the Father's voice was heard, "You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen."

1 John 5:14-21, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, John 3:22-30

1 John 5:14-21, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, John 3:22-30

1 John 5:14-21

My Beloved, the key here to receiving what we ask for is to ask that which is in accordance with Your will.  You will gladly grant us everything we ask for if what we ask for will help us fulfill the destiny for which we are created - heaven.  We know You always hear us, if You hear us we know we receive what we have asked for.  Born of God in Baptism and living a life of grace helps us avoid serious sin the sin that leads to death.  God's mighty protection covers His children who live in the Light of the Truth revealed in You, His Son.

We know we belong to God, we must have unshakable confidence in this truth.  Yes, we know that You came into the world and You redeemed it and You have poured out Your Holy Spirit  upon us so we can know and recognize the Truth that You are the Son of God the Anointed One sent by God as our Savior in Him alone and through Hm alone we receive eternal life,

Psalm 149:1-6, 9

My Beloved, we exist to praise God as do all created things.  This is our  purpose for being.  As long as we live our hearts must be filled with praise and this praise bubbling in our heart must rise to our lips and be expressed in song and music.  In joyful celebration.  Praising You must be such a force in our lives that we are constantly offering You joyful praise simply because our hearts cannot contain it and so our joy at the wonder of God.  We were created to praise and when we do, God delights to hears us and He grants success to all we do.  No matter how dark the night we will walk in Your Light and night and darkness will not dim our joy in You for we have You and Your Word and having these we are more than conquerors.  Alleluia!

John 3:22-30

Learn from Me to be meek and humble of heart.

Joy, my Beloved, is the mark of a true Christian.  Once again we receive the testimony of St. John the Baptist that he was only the precursor to the Christ, the Messiah the One whose sandals he said he was unworthy to unloose.  Reach of us has our own particular mission and we are called to prepare the way for You so those around us recognize You when You reveal Yourself and they will accept You as the Son of God and the Bridegroom of Your Church.

There must be no rivalry between those who serve God for as verse 27 says, "No one can take on anything except what has been given him from heaven."

From the first St.John made it plain that another, far greater than he was coming and now the he has testified to him and pointed him out it was time for him to decrease so You could increase.

We too must strive to decrease so that Your life in us can increase and fill us to overflowing.

Only the Bridegroom has the Bride, the Church, and she rejoices in belonging to You and being possessed by You.

1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Luke 5:12-16

1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Luke 5:12-16

1 John 5:5-13

My Beloved, how beautifully, powerfully and with such great clarity and simplicity the evangelist writes about eternal truths 

that it is perfectly apparent he was inspired by the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth.  We may be in the world but we who are Yours are not of it.  We are not touched by it because we are touched by Your Holy Spirit and with grace and we are animated by Him.  You have overcome the world and the powers of darkness.  It was for this that the Father sent You into the world as a Man in order that we may become children of God.  Your Baptism in the Jordan cleansed the waters of Baptism, the Blood You shed for us is now the 'Eternal Sacrifice' offered to the Father in expiation of our sins at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the power of the Holy Spirit that was the animating force with which You did all things in perfect accordance with the will of the Father, is the same Spirit that animates us when we are confirmed in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

We receive Your own life this is why we testify that we have received the same eternal life that is Your life in us.  God's favor rests on us who believe because we now belong to You on whom His favor has always rested.

Thank You for the new life we have received because we believe.

Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

My Beloved, because we are grafted to Your Body we are members of Your Church.  You are her gate and no evil power or force can prevail against her for You are her strength and her shield.  You bless all who dwell in her and You give them peace that surpasses all understanding for it is a peace the world does not have and cannot give.

You feed us on the Eucharist which is Your own Body and Blood and You empower us with Your Word which is more powerful and effective than a double edged sword for it cuts right through the heart to the spirit and makes God's will known to us.

We are the city set high on a hilltop shedding Your Light in the world.

Luke 5:12-16

My Beloved, if we want to be effective in our vocation then like You, we must make ample opportunities to withdraw often to a solitary place to pray verse 16 "As for Jesus, he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray." You drew strength spending time alone with Your Father. You were one with Him in prayer and we too experience that same closeness when we pray.

In these verses the evangelist tells us of a leper who approached You for healing. The whole little narrative points clearly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Leprosy represents sin which makes us unclean but when we approach the priest in this Sacrament of Healing, You reach out to us through the priest when we cry out, Lord, if You want to, You can me me clean." And the absolution received from You through Your ordained minister You say always, "Yes, I want it. Be clean." And in an instant we are cleansed and our souls are made whole again. But only when we show ourselves to the priest as You instructed the leper to do as well.

Thank You for this awesome Sacrament of Healing and grace.

1 John 4:19---5:4, Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15 & 17, Luke 4:14-22

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 4:19---5:4, Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15 & 17,  Luke 4:14-22

1 John 4:19---5:4

My Beloved,  love - true love in every instance and circumstance will elicit a response.  It can either be accepted or rejected. But the lover loves the beloved freely and gives all.  The lover delights in pouring out himself without reserve and the beloved in turn returns love for love just as the Father and You love each other.

To love God and neighbour is not an option, it is a commandment.  We cannot love one and not love the other for true love of God makes it possible to loves ones neighbour.

Luke 4:14-22

My Beloved, when we receive the Holy Spirit we must trust Him implicitly to lead us where God wants us to go.  When we open our mouths to speak of You and Your work and life in us, we must open our lips and trust Him to supply the words.

When we speak, we must speak Your Word which is Spirit, Truth and Life.  We must lay claim to the same mission to which the Father sent You for it is our mission as well. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and announce the Lord’s year of mercy.” (Luke 18-19) The world is hungry and thirsty for the message of life that we have received and like St. Paul we must preach it or woe to us, or as the prophet Jeremiah has said,"His word in my heart becomes like a fire burning deep within my bones. I try so hard to hold it in, but I cannot do it."  Your Word when unspoken within us must become a consuming fire that our hearts cannot contain.  

Once You completed in all obedience, humility and perfection the mission the Father had given You He seated You at His right hand.  We too fix our gaze on You for we believe that all You have said is true.

There will always be those who will snidely say, "Who is this but Joseph's son." They think it gives them a plausible excuse to deny the Truth but those who do listen will be lost in wonder and awe and we will be filled as Your listeners were that day with the grace of God. 

1 John 4:11-18, Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13, Mark 6:45-52

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 4:11-18, Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13, Mark 6:45-52

1 John 4:11-18

My Beloved, the word love is used to cover a multitude of sins.  Is is used so loosely and lightly that it is easy to be deceived about the true nature of love it's origin, it's purpose, it's power, it's profound ability to make the greatest sacrifice even the sacrifice of laying down one's life for one's friend. This is God's love for us and love, true love, always evokes a response. It is never indifferent. When one discovers and experiences Your love, when one begins to fathom the greatness of the love of God for His creatures and when we have witnesses like the evangelist John testifying that they have seen Love, walked with Love, touched Love, lived with Love and heard Love speak and listen as He showed them what love is what loving truly means then we gasp in wonder and awe.

How do we know that God loves us?

We know it because He paid the ultimate price for our redemption - the price of the life of His Only Son. How could we not love such a God for deeming us worthy of such love! The best way we can show God we love Him is by loving each other as He desires us to.  If we are filled with the love of God loving our neighbor is easy for we will strive to see the Face of God in him.

How do  we know we have reached perfection in love?  When we are like the Beloved in all things and death holds no fear or dread.  If we cling to life in the world or if we love God out of fear and strive to do His will out of fear of punishment then we have never truly known God or allowed ourselves to experience the splendor of His wondrous love for us.

The surest way I know I love God is when I love my neighbor as I love myself.

Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13

My Beloved, in a world where people are used, abused and discarded like yesterday's news especially the poor in order to support the greed of the powerful, these verses are a timely reminder that the Son of God is the King of Kings.  That all dominion and power belong to You and that in You the poor have a never failing Friend.  Anyone who looks to You for help will receive it and all who put their trust in You will not be disappointed.

Every life is precious in Your sight because Your life was paid as a ransom for each one and it is this that gives it its worth. Anyone who has treated another selfishly and destroyed life with no thought except of self, will have to stand before You when they are called to account as Cain was called to account for the murder of his brother Able.

The Good News is this - Your terrible justice is tempered with infinite mercy. If we are truly sorry for ever having offended You we will be saved.

Mark 6:45-52

Whatever good we do it is because the grace of the power of God is working in us. We do good and we leave. This must be our modus operandi. We do not linger in order to be patted on the back and praised. In fact, if there is any evidence of undue adulation for doing God's work, we must flee in the opposite direction for there is a danger of appropriating for ourselves the glory that is due to God alone.  This is why You sent Your disciples away. You put them into the boar while You Yourself went to be alone with Your Father to pray.  

Our eyes must always be fixed on You knowing that we receive the power to do great things because Your Spirit is at work in us.

Beloved, we are told in verse 45 that You 'made' or in another translation You 'obliged' Your disciples to get into the boat. The boat is a symbol of Your Church. Anyone who believes himself to be a disciple is obliged to get into the Boat - if he refuses he is not a true disciple. 

The reason why You did so is because You saw that the adulation of the crowd could go to their heads although it was undeserved and all glory was to be directed to God alone. You also see that only in the Barque of Peter will be be safe from the winds of evil that toss the world around. The night of sin makes it impossible to see our way. But in the Boat, no matter how dark the night or how terrible the storm, dawn will surely come and with it hope of a new day. The Lord's Day when You will ride the winds and walk victoriously over the turbulent waves and enter the Boat to claim Your Own for Yourself and all evil will be crushed under You heel with just a word of command.

Until now our minds are dull if we truly understood the Gift of God given to us through You and the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, we would strive to sin no more.

Help us Lord as we place all our hope and confidence in You.

1 John 4:7-10, Psalm 72:2-4, 7-8, Mark 6:34-44

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 4:7-10, Psalm 72:2-4, 7-8, Mark 6:34-44

1 John 4:7-10

My Beloved, true and perfect love can only be understood in the context of God's love for us. God who created us in love, who loved us into existence, who did not abandon or destroy us when we sinned because He cannot go against His nature which is Love. Instead He showed us once and for all the depths of His love by sending You into the world to become the perfect sacrifice that would atone for the sins of all men from the first to the last. No matter how grave the sin or how many times we have sinned, if we are truly sorry and turn to You in repentance, Your Blood will cleanse and restore our soul to to is baptismal purity and innocence.

Such is the power of Your Sacrifice offered to the Father in perfect love and obedience. It's value is infinite and available to all. The Eternal Love of the Father for You Yours for the Father has drawn us into the divine life and love of the Trinity and our happy destiny is to live in Eternal Love.

Psalm 72:2-4, 7-8

My Beloved, God has appointed You as Sovereign Ruler over all. No matter how powerful or strong mortal men may appear to be, they are still nothing more than creatures whose life comes from God and who are answerable and accountable to Him.

To You has been given all authority and dominion and You rule with justice. All men look to You to care for them and they have a powerful Friend and Helper in You and Your Holy Spirit. Anyone who causes Your little ones to suffer will answer to You. Your justice is swift and sure. The measure of mercy shown will be in proportion to the mercy that we have shown to others.

No one sins with impunity although they think they do since retribution for their pride has not yet come. But You show pity and mercy to all especially the hardened sinner and all are given time for repentance and conversion but in the end time will run out for all.

We know that Justice and Peace came into the world at Your birth and it is ours to receive if we desire it. For You rule in our midst and make our hearts Your throne.

Mark 6:34-44

These verses bring to mind powerful images of You, Your disciples and the crowd that had left everything behind to listen to You.

Five Loaves + Two Fish = A Miracle

Here is a lesson for us all to learn and imitate. You always teach by example as we see in these verses written by the evangelist Mark. You saw the crowd and had compassion on them. They hungered and thirsted for spiritual bread and so You fed them with the Word. It was late and the disciples, showing concern for the crowds, asked You to send them away so they could go and take care of their needs as they would surely be hungry. It was a concern that had not a shred of personal involvement. They wanted to people to go away and fend for themselves as best they could considering the late hour.

Not so You my Beloved in verse 37 You teach us an unforgettable lesson. To the disciples' request to send the crowds away You say, "You yourselves give them something to eat." You want us to get involved, to get down on our knees and get dirty if necessary. You want us to have Your divine vision not the tunnel vision of the disciples who only saw the problem as vast, hopeless and impossible. God was in their midst but they did not see Him nor did they recognize Him although they walked with Him every day.

You draw our attention to what we already possess even if it is only as little as five loaves and two fish - when we offer it to You in hope and trust, You will take our faith tiny as a mustard seed and with it You can and will do the impossible.

We see here how dramatically faith works. Believing that God will act we must prepare for it expectantly. We must raise our heart to God our Father certain that He will provide and as we distribute and share God's gifts He will increase and multiply them and we will discover that not only have we not run out but there is plenty left over. Such is our God!

1 John 3:22---4:6, Psalm 2:7-8, 10-13, Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

1 John 3:22---4:6, Psalm 2:7-8, 10-13, Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man

1 John 3:22---4:6

My Beloved, You are true to Your promises.  When You ascended into heaven You sent Your Holy Spirit upon Your Apostles so they would recall all that You said and did. We too receive the same Holy Spirit who enables us to grow in faith and love as we receive grace upon  grace to keep the commandments to love God and neighbour.  

Love is the first step we take in response to Your love - because we believe we love and because we love we obey. Our journey from this life to the next can be easy if we yield to You completely or it can be as difficult as the strength of our resistance to the Holy Spirit.

This is Your promise that whatever we ask we shall receive provided we keep Your commands and do what pleases You.  Obedience is easy when we love and loving is easy when we understand that God loved us first. God loved us so much that He sent You to lay down Your life for us in turn Your love for Your Father was so great that You obeyed Him and became the willing Victim for our sins.

We live in a world that is constantly coming at us with all kinds of ideas and ideologies promising instant gratification, instant, quick fix relief and solutions to problems and if we are not grounded in the truth it is easy to go astray and be tossed about by every idea that appeals to our flesh and our senses.

We are called to discern whether any inspiration we receive comes from the Spirit of God or the spirit of the world.  You are the Son of God who came into the world as a Man to save us; this is the foundational truth upon which everything we believe in stands or falls. This is how we know if we are of God or of the world. Anyone who professes to know God listens to Him and is guided by His Holy Spirit.  

The fullness of Truth is found when these two components are present - the Word of God and Apostolic Tradition handed down in an unbroken line to the successors of Peter. This Sacred Deposit of our Faith is found in the Church which has these four marks One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.  

When in doubt go to Peter there You will find the Spirit of Truth.

Psalm 2:7-8, 10-13

My Beloved, begotten by God eternally You are God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. To You has been given all authority, all power and dominion over all that is was and ever shall be.  It is right and fitting that everything on the earth, in the heavens and under the earth bow down before You and acknowledge Your Lordship. All kings, rulers, powers and principalities are subject to Your authority.

We are all called to serve God by serving one another in a spirit of love. All those who do,  have God as their Father, Brother and Spouse.

Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

My Beloved, we find sometimes that those who believe in God can be rigid, narrow minded, self righteous bigots. They try to mold God into their own perceived idea of Him and anyone who do not conform to their way of thought are rejected.  Perhaps this is why You went first to places where You knew the people would be more receptive and open to the grace of God's Presence among them. Not being hidebound by the various religious groups and their concept of who God is and how He involved Himself in the affairs of man, they are able to accept more freely and be amazed when God makes Himself known to them by the works that He does among them.

When You began Your public ministry You went to those who would receive Your message of complete conversion because they saw the work You did and understood that such power must surely be divine.

Those who heard You and saw all You did were so excited that they carried the message of the Good News of the Kingdom eagerly wherever they went and soon people began to bring all those who were sick in mind body soul and spirit to You for healing.  

Our works are the visible fruit and testimony that God's power is in us as we live out the faith we believe in and profess.

Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13, Matthew 2:1-12

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, 
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13, 
Matthew 2:1-12

Isaiah 60:1-6

My Beloved, You are the Light of the World sent by God to dispel the darkness and night, the fear and the shame of sin forever.

700 years before Your coming into the world the prophet Isaiah wrote about You and all the promises of God that would find their fulfillment in You.  You are the Glory of God, this glory would rise like the sun and You will herald a new dawn. Just as the sun sheds its greatest light and covers the whole earth at noonday so will all nations  be bathed in Your radiance.  All will hear Your invitation and all will come to You just like the shepherds and the wise men did.  You will come into he world and in You the Father's infinite love will be revealed, a love that will redeem and save the world.  As we lift up our  hearts to  you we will be filled with the plenitude of God's grace as vast as the sea.  True worship to the one true God will be offered to You from one end of the world to the other as we ascend Your holy mountain to worship You bringing with us our lives as our offering, pleasing and acceptable to You my Beloved, my Lord and my God.

Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

My Beloved, You choose the least likely, the one most unexpected so it is clear that the one chosen is truly sent by You.  Human wisdom will find such a choice unbelievable, impossible, bewildering and bordering on the absurd. 

Who would have ever believed that You would choose the fiercest enemy of the Church, who had made it his life's mission to seek out the followers of the Way in order to persecute, imprison and kill them? But then, You are the God of the impossible. Having chosen Paul and You channelled his burning if misplaced zeal into true apostolic, missionary hunger and thirst for souls. 

How wonderfully God prepared the world to receive You and those who received You in turn have received the awesome mission and challenge of revealing You to those around them until Your light and truth reach the farthest ends of the earth. All receive Your call however we may choose either to accept or reject it. You are the Promise of God and all are invited to take their place prepared by You in the Kingdom of God - this is indeed Good News.

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13

My Beloved, the world has always had its share of the rich, the powerful, the arrogant, the disdainful, the proud, the boastful.  They crush the poor, the weak, the voiceless under their heels.  They are deaf to their whimpering cries, their pain, their suffering, their quivering fear, their tremulous voice for justice that they know they will not receive.  And yet, the Sun of Justice has risen  The Son of God and the Son of man has been endowed by God with power and might He ears every cry and collects every tear of those who have been discarded like refuse and are forgotten.  

You my Beloved are our Deliverer to You we lift up our eyes and seek justice and every sigh will find vindication in You.  Woe to those who gave cause to Your little ones to suffer.  Their punishment will be great.  In the end all will bow before You.

Verse 12-13

He delivers the needy who call on him,

the afflicted with no one to help them.

His mercy is upon the weak and the poor,

he saves the life of the poor.

Matthew 2:1-12

We do not believe in legends, myths or fairy tales.  We know that in the fullness of time, God rend the heavens, piercing the veil of time and space and entered human history.  You were born in Bethlehem in the days when Herod ruled as king.  The Kingdom of God is about to be established.  God sent His Messenger to a young Virgin, Mary to reveal her role in making God's plan of salvation possible.  She was the first to be taken into God's confidence and after her fiat, Joseph was drawn into the inner circles.  Next it was turn Elizabeth and Zechariah and after Your birth it was the shepherds who heard the Good News and finally came the wise men.  This is how it first began.

In our own journey God sends messengers to us, the star is the Church, His Word, His Holy Spirit, as long as we keep these in sight we will not lose our way.  However, if we seek Him in the ways of worldly wisdom, we will lose sight of Him as the wise men lost sight of the star. There are many who pretend to walk on the side of Truth but like Herod they deceive.

When we come back after we have strayed God will gain receive us and reveal Himself to us.  The star will become visible again and will continue to guide us and when we find You Beloved, we will find Your Mama with You.  Anyone who thinks he has found You and does not see Your Mama with You is terribly mistaken.  She who carried You first in her womb and then always in her heart and when we find her she points to You and says, "Do whatever He tells you to do."

Just as the wise men offered gifts so doe we offer ourselves to You and once we do we cannot remain the same.  We cannot haunt the old ways of sin but must be transformed there must a total metanoia that makes possible our journey to God to the end in the Way, the Truth and the Life of Christ.

Act of Consecration - 25 October 2009, Sunday 0515 a.m.

Today I have consecrated and pledged my life to the Holy Spirit.  In the Presence of our Heavenly Father, Jesus my Beloved Brother, Spouse and Friend and the Holy Spirit, I stand at the foot of the Cross with Mama Mary, in the company of the disciple whom Jesus loved and Mary Magdalen  who both represent me, and my Guardian Angel, as well as all the angels and saints in heaven I ask You my Beloved Jesus to appoint the Holy Spirit as my Teacher, Advocate, Paraclete, Guide and Comforter.

Today begins the first step of my journey as Your disciple on the Way to eternity.  My life - all that I am and have I surrender unconditionally to You my God and my Savior in return I ask only for  that which You wish to give me.  Amen.