Whispers – Daily Mass Quotes begins after this Intro.
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Elijah’s Whisper – My Whisper
Then the LORD said (to Elijah), “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD – but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake – but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire – but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
Why are YOU here, beloved?
Was it to discover magnificent colors? Was it to find colorful music or awesome videos? Was it just curiosity? Was it accidental? Were you really looking for God, for Hope, for true LOVE somewhere in this menagerie we call the web?
Or were you just hiding in a cave, waiting on the Lord to Whisper in your ear – a Word – LIFE! Life, it’s in You! And YOU are beautiful in the Eyes of God, no matter what the world may say or think.
You are Loved!!
Every day the Lord whispers in our ears – Words of HOPE, Words of LOVE, and maybe not even words – just His JOY in our hearts.
Let’s follow the Scriptures of our daily Mass and see if we can catch those Words – simple but beautiful – Whispers to the Wind . . .
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10-31-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 31, 2021
(31st Sunday Ordinary Time, B)
Moses spoke to the people, saying: “Fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life. Dt_6:2-6
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my father will love him and we will come to him. Jn_14:23
To the question, “Which is the first of all the commandments,” Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mk_12:28b-34
So let it be asked.
So let it be answered, and done, and lived!
LOVE!
10-30-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 30, 2021
Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lk_14:1,7-11
Quite a stretch from the philosophy of today’s world. But then again there were always those who overly-exalt themselves at the cost of everyone around them. Even in the days of Jesus, we see it with some of those pesky Pharisees. But it truly is not everyone. It’s just that we don’t see the humble ones. They’re the ones who hold the door after themselves when entering a store. They’re the ones who offer to pass the collection baskets at Church. They’re the ones who allow (and even welcome) others to serve with them at Mass, rather than finding the least opportunity to be rid of them. Our challenge, beloved, is to pray for them, rather than curse them when that door slams in our faces. To thank those who offer their services for the sake of “need” instead of exaltation. To accept whatever fate life throws upon us, in the Name of the humility of Jesus, knowing that our reward will one day be forthcoming, and that maybe one day their recognition of others may follow as well.
10-29-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 29, 2021
St. Paul wrote, “I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are children of Israel; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” Rom_9:1-5
You know, sometimes, beloved, we can get all wrapped up in the little things that are just not perfectly OUR way, and we miss, as they say, the forest for the trees. ‘This tree is a little bent over, so let’s cut it down.’ Or ‘this tree has a broken branch way up there, higher than we could ever reach, so let’s climb it and possibly kill ourselves trying to get it down.’ Or ‘this tree is a little outspoken or boisterous or obnoxious to us, so let’s just quit going to Church, because I simply can’t stand listening to them any longer.’
And yet we don’t realize that we have the most beautiful forest in the land. We get shade, even from that broken branch. We get clean air, even from that bent over tree. And maybe one day someone else will straighten up that over zealous, pompous reader, but in the meantime we will not break the least bent reed nor quench that slightest flickering flame. Because in it all we are learning to stretch, to deal, to exercise God’s great gift of patience in us. We really do have this awesome ability to find the best in the world and even to make things better, if we just look to the gifts we have instead of the problems that surmount us. Jesus IS our hope and He is right here, in our Spirits and in our Souls! And we ARE God’s children, with all the gifts and talents and hopes that privilege entails for us!
10-28-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 28, 2021
(Ss. Simon and Jude, Apostles)
Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Eph_2:19-22
When we go to Church, beloved, how do we feel? Do we feel like strangers and sojourners; there for a day, not knowing anyone and no one even saying hello to you. Is it ‘just Jesus and me’ there with all the rest as just background noise? Maybe my family. Maybe not even that!
This Church of ours should be our place of welcome, our “home.” We’re there, not only to be with Jesus, our brother and Lord, but to be together with all of our Catholic, Christian brothers and sisters, as “children” of God our Father. If that’s not the case, maybe it’s time to take stock in just why we’re there. Maybe WE could be the bond of family for all the others who feel the same way. Or maybe we just need to find a place with a little more welcome, ourselves.
Sometimes churches can just get burned out. Sometimes it might be caused by an overworked Pastor or one who simply doesn’t have good people skills. Maybe Covid has had a devastating impact on our Church (but not necessarily on our faith). Maybe half of all of our friends quit coming or died in the year and a half we missed. Whatever it is, Jesus wants us to be “family,” not only with Him, but with one another as well. Maybe it’s time for a little change, beloved. Let’s work on that!
10-27-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 27, 2021
Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ Lk_13:22-30
Jesus IS the narrow gate. In the time He was alive in the flesh of humanity, many people watched and listened to Him with judgment or awe or skepticism and then left. Others were struck with His sense of urgency to follow, to change, to repent and to believe. That faith in Jesus brought them the strength they would need to enter through that narrow gate. Jesus isn’t looking for skeptics or critics or even those who listened with awe and then walked away. He’s looking for those who bought the CD and the t-shirt and joyfully marched on as His followers. And He invites us all, today, in urgency, to follow as well. The question is, when that “last day” does come along, Will He know you???? Maybe it’s time to commit!
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And, oh by the way, that finger wound from a couple days ago did finally stop bleeding and is rapidly healing. Thanks be to God! Thanks be to our Savior, Jesus, and bandaids and loving wives and triple ointment and all your prayers!!!! joe
10-26-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 26, 2021
Jesus said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.” Lk_13:18-21
EXPLOSIVE AWESOMENESS!
That’s what the Kingdom of God is like!
Indescribably: sweet, cool, inclusive, unassuming, non-judgmental, peace-filled, loving, perfect, ………
So, how would you describe YOUR heaven, beloved?
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Our very special Happy Birthday wishes to one of our favorite two Son-in-laws, Doug.
Hope you have an awesome and blessed day!!!
All our love, us.
10-25-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 25, 2021
Brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Rom_8:12-17
St. Paul continues on his discourse concerning the battle between the Spirit and the Flesh. It’s a battle, that as fleshly human beings we have great difficulty with. Because being ‘of the Spirit’ means letting go of ‘our’ control and believing in someone or something other than ourselves. For this Spirit is OF God. And God wants something different from us than our own prideful accomplishments. God wants us to trust in Him and follow HIS Way and not ours. Sometimes, actually most times, letting go is pretty hard to do. But when we do, and then follow the lead of the Spirit within us, God’s Spirit, Jesus’ Spirit, we find so much greater joy in what we can accomplish through Him. It can actually be life-changing! Maybe even the difference between life and death!
10-23-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 23, 2021
(Saint John of Capistrano, Priest)
For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit. The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace. For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Rom_8:1-11
So LIVE, beloved, according to the Spirit of Christ within you. If we have been baptized, we have that Spirit, the Holy Spirit, within. He guides us and protects us. But we must always listen for and to Him. And when the flesh, our mortal nature, tempts you to do or say and be in some way contrary to God’s Truth, then ask the Spirit within to help you find the right way and to avoid all that could do you spiritual harm. For God loves you and never wants to see harm come to you. And so do we, your brothers and sisters in Faith.
10-22-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 22, 2021
(St. John Paul II, Pope)
The War Within and Its Solution
Brothers and sisters: I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom_7:18-25a
THANKS BE TO GOD!
And there is our salvation!
10-21-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 21, 2021
St. Paul wrote, “now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom_6:19-23
A “wage” being something earned, while a gift is something freely given out of love. God loves us, and all we need do is recognize it and accept it! And in that acceptance we are given the gift of eternal life in Christ. What more can we ask for!!! Then the question is, what can we do for God in recompense? Love one another!
10-20-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 20, 2021
(St. Paul of the Cross, Priest)
Brothers and sisters: Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin is not to have any power over you, since you are not under the law but under grace. Rom_6:12-18
In what we watch or listen to. In what we think and say. In all that we do, it’s good to remember this. We are NOT under the law of sin, but of Grace. And the Holy Spirit will always guide us when we’re not sure. Listen to Him!
10-19-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 19, 2021
(Ss John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs)
St. Paul wrote, Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. . . . Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom_5:12,15b,17-19,20b-21
Thus, sin = death, and grace = life, and we are justified for life through Jesus Christ. Now all we need do is live in faith, in belief that this is True. God’s love for us is why Jesus came to be among us. And His presence is what drives us away from sin and into Faith in Him. And the grace we receive as baptized believers is eternal life. What incredibly Good News we have to live and to share in a world that could really use such news!
10-18-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 18, 2021
(St. Luke, Evangelist)
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. . . . After a number of other instructions, He concluded, “Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’” Lk_10:1-9
Maybe it’s in your Bible study group, or in teaching the youth. Maybe it’s with the other women or men you meet in your daily work or home lives. Maybe you are privileged to preach as a deacon or religious. Maybe it’s just in a smile or a nod in the store, or a courtesy driving on the roads. But we have thousands of opportunities to evangelize the love of God in our daily whereabouts. St. Luke tells us how Jesus specifically sent these seventy-two people out to share His message, the Good News of God’s love for all. When we can offer that Good News to others or allow ourselves to receive it from others to brighten our days or lift us out of hardship, no matter how it’s done, by phone or zoom or blog or in person, then we’re fulfilling exactly what Jesus asked of ‘the 72.’ And blessed are we, beloved! For the Kingdom of God is ours!
10-17-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 17, 2021
(29th Sunday Ordinary Time, B)
Isaiah prophesied, “The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” Is_53:10-11
Jesus said, “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mk_10:35-45
There, beloved, from the prophet Isaiah, we have that concept of “justification” again, as we mentioned a couple days ago. We have been justified with God, our sins forgiven, by the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And Jesus tells us that we are not to “lord” this great gift of Faith, this grace of salvation over others, as if we alone and for any merit of OURS are greater than any other sinner alive. We have been justified purely based on the unconditional love of God for us. And for that reason, we consider ourselves as “servants” of Christ, of God, to share that “Good News” with the world around us. For out of OUR love, we want to see ALL of God’s children saved as well, even the lowliest of sinners! Jesus doesn’t want to wallow in our accolades and praises, as much as He wants to see us imitate Him in service to others. This was the message of the suffering servant! Follow me!
10-16-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 16, 2021
(St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin)
Jesus said, “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Lk_12:8-12
With such an incredible adversary, why would anyone ever want to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit? Well, maybe it’s just because they don’t know God yet. So it’s up to us, beloved, to introduce them. I always feel so sorry for the authors and writers of books and movies who have to use the name of the Lord in vain so many times. Maybe it’s their own insecurity. Maybe they truly are possessed by evil and don’t even realize it. Maybe they just don’t know God yet. We need to introduce them! Find the Lord or life, oh you who are so lost. And you will discover that you won’t even have to worry about what to say or write. The Holy Spirit will fill your thoughts and your minds and your writings with such beauty and truth that no one will resist buying, watching or listening to your words! God’s words! Amen? Amen!!!
10-15-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 15, 2012
(St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila), Virgin and Doctor of the Church)
David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.” Rom_4:1-8
Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” Lk_12:1-7
In our First Reading today, St. Paul is in the middle of a heated discourse given to the Jewish converts to Christianity in Rome. They are told that they hold no greater esteem in God’s eyes because of their Heritage, their Law, or their Religious works of Circumcision, than anyone else, because everyone, Jew or Gentile are all sinners.
And he tells them that mankind is ONLY Justified with God through their Faith in Jesus. Paul goes on to give the examples of Abraham and David’s Faith in God. David was an interesting character in light of this, because, as we see in his story, David was constantly on the run from King Saul who wanted to kill him. And yet, in his righteous respect for God, even when given the chance to retaliate, David refused to do the slightest bit of harm against Saul, because Saul was God’s chosen and anointed king. As the story continues, we see this merciful attitude in David because of his intense love for God, and his belief that even his enemies, could one day find God’s love within themselves, as well.
Well, all of this talk about Justification and Faith and Righteousness, prompted me to go back to one of our best sources of information on these topics, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And in re-reading those definitions, which are really quite eloquent, the Holy Spirit inspired me to share that Wisdom with you, even though, I’m sure, you are all well familiar with it. But it would be a good review anyway, and who am I to refuse a request of the Holy Spirit.
Link to JUSTIFICATION, GRACE: CCC 1987 to 1999
Jesus, today, tells His disciples, as they were being persecuted by the Law-fanatic Pharisees, and us, that, like David, we are not to fear Physical Death from them. But we ARE to fear Spiritual Death from the evil temptations of Satan. Temptations and actions that have the power to keep us from our eternal destination with God – BASED on our own Free-will Choice.
You see, we are all precious in God’s eyes,
when by our Faith,
we trust in Jesus and
accept God’s grace
to justify and save us forever!
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As a postscript, St. Paul sums this all up beautifully in the first part of Chapter 5 in his Letter to the Romans. The NAB entitles the Chapter:
Faith, Hope, and Love.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.
Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Rom_5:1-11
10-13-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 13, 2021
“You, O man, are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true. Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?” . . . “But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. There is no partiality with God.” Rom_2:1-11
We might call today’s Scriptures, “umbrella Scriptures” because we would all like to be under the umbrella of righteousness when those “woes” come down from Jesus, from God. But what good is an umbrella if it has holes in it? Or what good is an umbrella against the mighty wind of God. When His final judgment does come, no umbrella will shield us from His wrath, nor save us from being sucked up into heaven (if we so deserve it!) (some people actually do not want heaven!!??). So it’s a good reminder today, a “wake up call,” for us who should know better. We are never to let our guard down, and maybe, instead of umbrella-ing against God’s wrath, we should just keep those umbrellas up for protection against the evil that comes our way. The Holy Spirit will help us and Jesus will be our guide. Trust in Him.
10-12-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 12, 2021
(Our Lady of the Pillar)
Paul wrote, Brothers and sisters: I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live.” Rom_1:16-25
Every Word of life that can be written is right there in our Gospel. Praise God for giving us such an eternal heritage. Praise God for the life and example of Jesus, His only begotten Son. Praise God for the Love He has bestowed on us, His beloved. For we are indeed blessed in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Link to Mass Readings Calendar
Link to Bible Online
10-11-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 11, 2021
(Saint John XXIII, Pope)
Jesus said to the crowd, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. . . . At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.” Lk_11:29-32
We are invited to listen to Jesus, to believe what He said and to follow in His way, just as the Ninevites did at God’s warning to them through the prophet Jonah. Jesus’ sign, just like Jonah’s three days in the belly of a whale, three days in the belly of a burial tomb, shows God’s love in His resurrection and sets an example for us, for eternal redemption – WHEN we believe! Trust in Him, beloved, repent and LOVE!
10-10-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 10, 2021
(28th Sunday Ordinary Time, B)
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mk_10:17-30
First thought, of course, might be, ‘what a creep, not willing to give to the poor.’ But, give EVERYTHING! How many TRUE St. Francises are there out there. I know that I fall pretty far from that tree, though I try.
But the real point is that maybe it not money that’s keeping us from following Jesus completely. Maybe there’s something else on that list. Still hating that boss who fired you? Still loathing the wrong president who was elected, and all the people who elected him as well? Still steeped in nasty books and movies? Still hanging on to something or someone so dear to you that you would kill for them or it? Still lusting for other people, or cars, or houses, or drugs, or food, or whatever, that we’d be willing to steal for?
The list is pretty long, beloved, to be judging anyone else for their imperfections. Maybe it’s time to concentrate on our own sins and work on eliminating them, one item at a time. Sounds like a good Advent plan! The Holy Spirit will be more than willing to help – if we just ask! And, like the man in the story, Jesus loves us despite our shortcomings. All the more reason to keep on trying, for our love of Him!
10-09-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 9, 2021
Jesus said, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Lk_11:27-28
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength” “And love your neighbor as yourself.” We’ve heard. Now it’s time to observe!
10-07-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 7, 2021
(Our Lady of the Rosary)
Jesus said, “I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. . . . What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Lk_11:5-13
God, our Father, help us to recognize Your gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You are Holy, You are true, You are none less than our Eternal Father. We pray for Your guidance and love, though we know that it’s always there. We pray moreover for ourselves. Help us ALL to recognize You in our world, that we may become the world of unity and love that You desire. Blessed are You forever! We ask all this in the Name of Jesus Your Son and our redeemer, Amen!
10-06-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 6, 2021
(Bl. Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin, Religious)
Jesus said to His disciples, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Lk_11:1-4
Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh. . . . But God said to Jonah, should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?” Jon_4:1-11
Besides its brevity, there’s an interesting, but subtle difference between Luke and Matthew’s versions of the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew’s version makes a plea for God’s forgiveness that’s conditional on how WE forgive others. It says, “Forgive us our trespasses – AS we forgive those who trespass against us.” AS, being, “in the same way,” or “to the same extent,” as we forgive. In Luke’s version, our part of that condition is presumed to be already fulfilled. It says, “Forgive us our sins, FOR (or because) we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.
THAT’s a pretty significant difference! And it’s really not something to be taken lightly either. For every time we would say Luke’s version of the Our Father we would have to be pretty firm in our commitment – that we owe absolutely no debt of forgiveness to ANYONE, or else we would be breaking that 8th Commandment, “Thou shalt not lie” every time we pray.
And we can think of that forgiveness from the most minute examples to the most difficult ones: Your professor gave you a B-grade just to break your 4.0 GPA in the very last semester of college.
FORGIVEN!
Your child broke your great-great grandmother’s precious, heirloom vase.
FORGIVEN!
Your Boss, out of the blue, called you into his office and fired you!
FORGIVEN!
Your brothers and sisters and cousins and parents were all enslaved or killed by a nation, whom you know, God is going to forgive anyway.
You see, this was the exact dilemma that Jonah was facing. How deep is my Forgiveness, Jonah thought, especially when I’ll be made to look like the fool, because God’s threat will never be carried out? Jonah was so steeped in anger and depression, because of his unforgiveness and pride that it didn’t take much more than a silly plant to send him into a rage.
You see, brothers and sisters, God doesn’t want us to forgive others to make us feel beaten or lost, defeated or hurt. God wants us to forgive others in order to FREE us from the bonds of anger and hatred, of sin and death.
Jonah was so immersed in unforgiveness that he actually longed for and pined for death himself, just the opposite of everything that God stands for.
Of course behind it all, behind forgiveness, there must always be that underlying tenet of LOVE. And that Love is not something that we can put into a box, any more than we can put God in a box.
You see, it’s not just love of God. And it’s not just love of God and my family, where anything else is unforgivable. And it’s not even just, love of God and my family and my favorite neighbors that God wants of us. Out of those boxes, God’s and our Love – must extend even to those who have hurt us. And we all know, that’s not an easy thing to say or do.
But it’s not forgiveness for the sake of being forgiven, that we’re asking for – from God. It’s forgiveness BECAUSE – that is exactly what LOVE is calling us to do.
Jesus would like nothing more than to see perfection in all of us. But He knows well, that human nature is weak. And He offers us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in that endeavor.
If we can stick with Matthew’s conditional version of the Our Father, “AS we forgive those who trespass against us,” it will continually remind us of our call in this life. Our call to LOVE and to Forgive just as He has done for us!
10-05-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 5, 2021
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him (Jesus) and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Lk_10:38-42
Sometimes, beloved, justice in our own minds is not the same justice that’s in everyone else’s. If you’ve ever sat in the position of Martha, you’d know exactly what I mean. Always the unrecognized hard worker. Always the left-behind. Always the forgotten. And then when you try to seek the justice you deserve, you’re told that it’s not them, it’s YOU who is wrong! “OK, then, let’s just NOT eat!”
You know what, beloved, sometimes the problem IS us. Maybe we’re just trying too hard. Maybe we just care too much. So we have two choices. Either we let it go. Let it slip. And when the axe comes back around our way, like the rest of the world we can just duck and say, “Huh???” “No problem!” “Whatever!” OR, we can simply learn how to continue, move on, and not care what they think or say.
. . . LIFE!!!!
10-04-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 4, 2021
(St. Francis of Assisi)
Jonah was running from the Lord, which is where his troubles did not end, but were just beginning. In the midst of a churned up, stormy sea, his plight was discovered and his shipmates asked, “What shall we do with you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea was growing more and more turbulent. Jonah said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, that it may quiet down for you; since I know it is because of me that this violent storm has come upon you.” Jon_1:1–2:1-2,11
Sometimes, beloved, running is just not the answer. Sometimes we have to suffer a little sacrifice in order to calm the sea around us. And when we do, we just might find a huge fish waiting to save us. Of course, at the time, that fish might seem really scary. But our salvation is not always a cushy, feel-good experience. And from the depths of that pit, from the bottom of that sea, from the most ferocious jungle, there in prayer we will find our salvation. Pray for it, beloved, just as Jonah did and just as Jesus did. And then add a little patient endurance. And we can be sure that God will see us through. Trust in Him. And love with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.
10-03-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 3, 2021
(27th Sunday Ordinary Time, B)
God provided all kinds of living creatures to serve as a helpmate for Adam, but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman, ‘ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh. Gn_2:18-24
Jesus said, “from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Mk_10:2-16
Out of the ONE became two.
Into the TWO becomes one.
God JOINS, not man.
And the UNION becomes ONE flesh.
And the ‘evil one’ wants nothing less than to break that union.
This is the dynamic of life, beloved.
If we can understand this simple dynamic and fully rely upon God to protect us in heart and mind and soul (and that’s OUR choice) then His will be done. And His will is unity, is love, is ONENESS.
Two flesh into ONE in unity with God – Forever!
Let us pray always, beloved, for one another in this regard!
Blessed be God forever!
10-02-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 2, 2021
(Holy Guardian Angels)
Jesus said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Mt_18:1-5,10
The youth, the handicapped, the unemployed, the poor, the other sex, those of other religions, those of other races or nations or cultures – we are not to despise anyone! Jesus tells us that we are all equal in the eyes of God. And He sent angels to guard our thoughts and actions. Are we listening? They’re always there. Seek their help and advice and love, beloved, and they will help guide and protect you against all evil!
Send Me an Angel – Dax Johnson
Whispers to the Wind 