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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11-30-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 30, 2017
(St. Andrew, Apostle)
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news! Rom_10:9-18
As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mt_4:18-22
We ARE Jesus’ fishermen and women, beloved! In how we live our lives, in how we encourage others with God’s love, in how we bring that Good News to life, we, today are those “beautiful feet” creating a world of hope amidst the hopelessness.
Sing His praises, beloved!
And let the sound of LOVE echo in our world!
God loves us, no matter what!
11-29-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 29, 2017
Jesus said, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Lk_21:12-19
Persevere in LOVE, beloved, even when you’re swimming in a lake of hate. Seek the pinlights of love and love will always find you in return!
God’s blessings of peace and love be with you always!
11-28-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 28, 2017
As Jesus was discussing the downfall of the ‘materialism’ of the Temple, His disciples asked, “what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them!” Lk_21:5-11
Isn’t it interesting how many of those doomsayers we’ve already heard in our own lifetimes. Every time there’s an earthquake, or another war, or a change in decades or millennia, there they are again, predicting the end of the world, the rapture, the second coming of Jesus.
Two points can be made from the conversation Jesus was having with His disciples about this. First, everything in the material world will eventually fall apart. Yes, archeologists have found objects that are thousands of years old, but that doesn’t make them indestructible. Once the air and moisture and microbes have access to them, they may not last much longer at all. In general then, we must be very careful not to idolize material objects because they will all fall apart, get stolen, or lost, and then where will we stand?
The second point that Jesus is making is that we must also be very careful with believing everything people say, especially people who have their own agenda in mind; like making money, gaining fame, or greedily taking advantage of others under the guise of helping them. Jesus is the only TRUTH! Don’t worry about tomorrow! Tomorrow will take care of itself. Don’t worry about yesterday! Yesterday is past and gone. And if an apology is necessary for yesterday – do it today and get it done with. Live for the moment. Pray for the needy. Help others where we can. And in every moment, LOVE! Then, when that “day” comes, whether in the next second, or 50-years from now, we’ll be ready, and Jesus’ coming will be a welcome event.
11-27-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 27, 2017
Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.”
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. Dn_1:1-6,8-20
The Vegan’s favorite section of the Bible! Of course, not possible without the blessings of the LORD. You know, beloved, sometimes there really is some wisdom to some of those old practices in the Bible. And yes! Mom was right about eating our veggies all along! Cheers to V8 and the Lord our God!
11-26-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 26, 2017
(The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Mt_25:31-46
Over and over again, Jesus tells us through the Gospels to be prepared, for there will be a judgment when He returns. And how will He find our actions? Were we naughty or nice, selfish or giving, loving or hating?
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ibid
So, Be Prepared, beloved. For when the King of the Universe returns, we would like for Him to say to us: “Well done, my good and faithful servants!” And we will reply “All for Your honor and glory!”
11-25-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 25, 2017
(St. Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr)
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, Most High.
R. I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord. Ps 9
Ahhhh, not much comment needed on this one.
Praise the Lord, as we finish out this Thanksgiving week!
Especially for YOU, beloved!
11-24-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 24, 2017
(Ss. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs)
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words. Lk_19:45-48
The Word of God, beloved, causes us to “hang on.”
When the world is spinning us around and around and we seem to be seeking, searching for something solid, something grounded to hang on to, the Word of life, the Word of love, the Word of hope may be exactly what we need. Jesus gives us that Word. And it’s Him! He’ll clear out the error in us to bring out our true goodness! A goodness that exists in every one of us, no matter how negative we may feel about ourselves, or think others do.
Andrew Dung-Lac found that hope and brought it to his companions, who were searching for an answer. And just as it took the very blood of Jesus to bring about the reality of His Word, it took the blood of martyrs like Andrew and Paul and their companions to bring about the slow change of acceptance of the Faith in Korea.
As we continue in our spirit of Thanksgiving, beloved, let’s keep all the nations of people suffering persecution for their faith in our prayers. And also remember, with thanksgiving, the awesome freedom we have to live our lives in His Word.
11-23-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 23, 2017
(Thanksgiving Day, USA)
And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will! May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; Sir_50:22-24
What glorious blessings we have, beloved! Yes, there may be suffering. There may be sadness. There may be separation and loneliness. But there is so, so much more to be thankful for! Blessed be our God, who loves us immeasurably! Blessed be the goodness, in spite of the hurt. Blessed be our hope for eternal life, without any of what we suffer now! Blessed be Jesus Christ our Lord, who has saved us from it all! Thank God!
11-22-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 22, 2017
(St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr)
Jesus said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ . . .” Lk_19:11-28
Interesting twist of difference between Luke’s version and Matthew’s version of this same parable by Jesus, that we heard last Sunday. Luke puts a little bit more detail on the character of the servant’s master. Here in Luke’s Gospel he’s a King-elect. And it’s noted that many of his subjects really don’t like him very much. That puts a little more meat on why the one servant hid his money rather than risk losing it. Unfortunately his honesty in telling the (now King) that he thinks him a tyrant, doesn’t bid him very fair consideration by the one who holds his very life in his hands. Not that the servant should have lied. But the King DID have a point (as was mentioned in both parable versions) that he could have, at least put the money in the bank.
Sometimes we just have to take our chances, beloved. And if we don’t, it may cost us more in doing nothing than if we actually lost it. This goes for our very lives. Apparently God will count it of greater value if we lose our lives working to build His kingdom than if we cautiously grow old, happy and healthy, never sharing the love of our God who brings that happiness in the first place.
One of our several Mass dismissals goes like this: “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord!” As we respond, “Thanks be to God!”
Thanks be to God that we have the ability to Go and . . .
Now we better make good on the last part.
It IS the most important!
11-21-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 21, 2017
(The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” Lk_19:1-10
Are you lost, beloved? Or do you know someone who is?
There is always hope!
Zacchaeus was a hated tax collector. He was hated because he was a Jew who placed the burden of the Roman taxes on his own people. And those tax collectors were known for their dishonesty. Beyond the taxes they had to remit back to the Romans they pocketed huge amounts for themselves, out of the pockets of their poor brothers and sisters. And whether they all did that or not, it really didn’t matter, because they were all clumped into that same category of “dishonest tax collectors,” much like lawyers are categorized today.
So whether Zacchaeus was actually one of the dishonest ones or not, something caused him to have a pretty keen interest in Jesus. And Jesus sensed this and wanted to get to know him a little better. In the process, Zacchaeus turned his whole life over to Jesus. He just may have been lost before, but now he found the hope of Jesus, the light of salvation, and his life had a whole new mission. We call it kerygma or the proclamation of the “Good News.”
Whether it is we ourselves or someone else who is lost, EVERYONE needs to know that Good News – that God LOVES us, no matter what we may have done in the past. All we need to do is turn to Him and allow Him to turn us inside out. From lost to found, from hatred to love, from death to life, from self centeredness to compassion for everyone, even those who may still be lost!
What awesome HOPE there is in Jesus!
11-20-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 20, 2017
But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. 1_Mc_1:10-63
As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, Lk_18:35-43
Obedience, usually, can do two things for us. It can keep us out of trouble, and sometimes it can actually bring us reward as well. And yet obedience also requires a certain amount of discernment.
A child might be ordered by his parents to stay in to do his homework. While at the same time he might be ordered by an older sibling to go out and play ball. Playing ball would be fun compared to doing homework. But not doing homework might get the child in worse trouble with his parents and his teachers than not playing ball.
So he has to discern which order he should be obedient to. If he chooses wisely, even though the disappointment of his older brother might hurt him in the short-run, his obedience to his parent’s and his teacher’s orders, would, in the long-run, bring him the greater reward. It’s not always an easy decision for a kid.
As adults we’re called to make this kind of discernment every day. And sometimes, like the child in our example, those decisions can be pretty tough.
Today we hear two examples of obedience decisions. The blind man in the Gospel, knew in his heart that Jesus had the ability to heal him. He also knew that it would take some courage, and a loud voice, to get the attention of Jesus. And yet, there was that other order: “To be quiet!”
Did he follow his gut instinct, knowing that this might be a once in a lifetime chance to be healed? Or did he obediently, quiet himself down?
You know, sometimes obedience to our faith takes quite a bit of courage. And sometimes, we might even get a little mud in our faces. But the reward for following God’s orders will always outweigh the alternatives. And for the blind man, gaining his sight was a good example of being rewarded for the right choice.
Then, on the other hand, all week we will hear the stories of a different kind of obedience in our Readings from the Book of Maccabees. Here, it wasn’t the parents, nor the teachers who were in the right. Here it was the older brother . . .
Because the authorities, the wicked King Antiochus Epiphanes and the world, who seemed to be following him, were making orders that were plainly set against the Orders of God.
And the faithful Jews, who refused to follow the Kings’ orders, for obedience to God instead, were suffering and dying for their right choice.
Sometimes obedience just doesn’t come easy, brothers and sisters. It didn’t for Jesus. And it doesn’t for us!
But the Reward is well worth it!
And the strength to make those tough choices comes from our prayers for one another and our Love for our God.
Today, let’s make a point to keep each other in prayer and never forget the strength that the Holy Spirit will give us as we obediently follow the Light of Jesus.
11-19-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 19, 2017
(33rd Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Jesus said, “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mt_25:14-30
The more one has, the more one can give away. But the less one has the more that one wants for himself. Greed will lead one to ruin, but generosity to heavenly wealth!
And this goes not only for money, but for knowledge, talents, clothes, food, love, everything . . .
Never fear the consequences, beloved, of being a generous giver!
__________
(First Annual World Day of the Poor)
11-18-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 18, 2017
(The Beatification of Fr. Solanus Casey (OFM, Cap))
Jesus said, “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Lk_18:1-8
Sometimes, beloved, it seems we pray and pray and pray and nothing ever happens. Maybe the happening is really happening inside of us, instead of to whomever or whatever we’re praying for. If we keep persistent in our prayer, if we don’t give up, if we maintain the faith that God will one day answer us, maybe it really is we who are growing, and the answer has been there all along. And that transformation in us can be huge. And then, Jesus WILL find faith on earth, at least in us!
Did you ever want something so badly, but you just couldn’t afford it. And so you saved and saved and saved and after maybe years of saving, you finally had enough money to actually buy it. But by then you realized that it was not really worth buying in the first place. And there you were, all the more rich for the saving!
Maybe God wants us to save and save and save for our own LIVES. But that saving isn’t measured in money. It’s measured in our prayers. Keep on praying beloved. And one day you’ll find that the treasure just might not be found out there, because it’s been growing inside of you all along!
“You are worth far more than many sparrows.” Mt 10:29-31
Believe it!
11-17-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 17, 2017
(St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious)
All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan; Wis_13:1-9
Jesus said, “I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left.” They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather.” Lk_17:26-37
Sometimes we are blanketed with the solace of blessings from the Scripture Readings, and other times there are some pretty scary warnings. Today is just one of those days.
You know, this morning I was standing in front of our Church, admiring a beautiful, pre-sunrise sky, with a bright, crescent moon and the beautiful appearance of Venus and Jupiter right next to it.
We have a fall-bare birch tree in the landscaped circle at our Church entrance, and those astronomical wonders stood just to the right of that tree.
As the sun began to brighten the dark night sky; just to the Left of the tree, there were several contrails from passing jets.
And the whole scene just reminded me of: the Glory of God’s Creation to the right and the revulsion of mankind’s inventiveness to the left, with the “Tree of good and evil” or maybe, the “Tree of everlasting life,” standing there, in the middle, behind a large wooden cross.
The Wisdom writer warns us today to be very careful with our interpretations of those signs. Yes, God created the beauty of nature, in the moon and the stars and the trees to bring us the solace of their presence. But they were never meant to replace or to be a substitute for His own magnificence; a magnificence far beyond, even the most magnificent of things that we’ve ever experienced, here in the flesh.
A fact that we must never forget: God IS the Creator, and all of this is just His handiwork.
And yes, mankind has constructed and done some pretty harmful things, like burning dirty fuels, though they do warm our homes and allow us to travel more easily. Like building bombs and concocting harmful chemicals, though they have protected us from enemies, and pests, and diseases.
But WE are, really not that bad.
It’s just that in some of our works, we have been a little careless with not thinking them through to the end, for the sake of speed or wealth.
And some of our works have been done without even thinking of God our Creator, or the awesome home He has given us.
Jesus said, “whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it, will save it.”
That means, beloved, that True Life is not about this temporary existence in the flesh. True life is about an Eternal, Spiritual Existence with God our Father, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit.
But that doesn’t mean that we should seek death. It means, instead, that we have a very short time here to be the very best disciples we can; to enjoy God’s Creation, to take care of it and share its beauty and its resources with everyone in need, without clinging to anything that’s material, even to the extent of our own bodies.
When we can become SO enamored, so dependent, so in Love with our God; and when we can love this life, that He’s given us, enough to be willing to give it up for Him, then we will have saved our True Lives forever.
And in the process, we will discover that we are actually living His Kingdom – right here and now. Which is exactly where He wants us to be!
11-16-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 16, 2017
(St. Margaret of Scotland)
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” Lk_17:20-25
How can one describe the indescribable? How can one explain the inexplainable? The Kingdom of God is within and we’ll know it whenever the goodness of God’s love emanates through our actions and our thoughts. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And all we have to do is look for it!
11-15-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 15, 2017
(St. Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus healed ten lepers and only one came back to give thanks to God. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.” Lk_17:11-19
Do we have the faith enough, beloved, to recognize where every good gift comes from? Yes, we have a little part in all good works, but, were it not for the Love of our Father and Creator, no good would be possible. Give thanks to God for every breath we take. And praise Jesus for teaching us about the meaning of that Love!
11-14-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 14, 2017
the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. . . . the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. Wis_2:23–3:9
When we give ourselves over to God, beloved, when we trust in Jesus with all our hearts, we will be those just, those elect of His. And we will be free!
11-13-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 13, 2017
(St. Frances Cabrini, Virgin)
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast. Ps 139
The omnipresence of the Lord. There is nowhere He is not. Seek Him beloved, and He will guide you and lead you to exactly where HE wants YOU to be!
11-12-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 12, 2017
(32nd Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. . . . For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; Wis_6:12-16
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Response to Ps_63
When we ponder, beloved, on God. On all His ways and His Creations. When we strive to know His Wisdom, His grace, His glory, all that we seek will be found. And that wisdom will perfect us in holiness. And we will be at peace!
The peace of Jesus!
11-11-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 11, 2017
(St. Martin of Tours, Bishop)
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2_Cor_8:9
Jesus said, “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Lk_16:9-15
So, yes, there is a difference between Spiritual wealth and worldly wealth. We can be poor in finances, poor in health, poor in fame, but we can at the same time be rich in God. When we can discern the difference, beloved, then we’re beginning to see where our Kingdom lies. True wealth lies beyond the self!
11-10-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 10, 2017
(St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church)
I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another. Rom_15:14-21
TRUTH!
11-09-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 9, 2017
(Dedication of the Lateran Basilica)
St. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.” 1_Cor_3:9c-11,16-17
And from that temple within you, will flow a river . . .
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine. Ez_47:1-2,8-9,12
And we become the doctors of humanity. We become the nourishment of the world. We become the hands and feet of Jesus – if we just let Him!
11-08-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 8, 2017
St. Paul said, “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Rom_13:8-10
Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. . . .
… everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.” Lk_14:25-33
We find in life that any endeavor that’s truly worth undertaking, requires a certain amount of dedication, perseverance, and obedience to the best practices of those who had come before us. This goes from figure skating to quilting, from mountain climbing, to marriage.
We make agreements of non-competition in employment contracts. We make agreements of fidelity in our marriage vows and promises of repayment of home mortgages. And in all those cases, if we want to be true to those endeavors, those professions, those vocations, if we want to keep ourselves from suffering the consequences of broken promises, we must have the integrity of dedication.
And it’s no different with our faith!
Jesus tells us that if we want to BE His disciples, we must have dedication, perseverance and obedience.
The obedience comes in our keeping of the “thou shalt not” Commandments of Moses, which St. Paul sums up, as Jesus did, with the single word, Love.
Love God, love your neighbor
and love yourself.
Because even if we might think that no-one on this planet cares about us, we know that God and every disciple of Jesus – does care. They care enough to call it – Love.
And that Love is more than just an emotion. It’s a deep, heartfelt BOND. A holy Communion. An Obedience to the Will of God.
To THAT Obedience we must be Dedicated, because just as laziness or shortcuts might plague the figure skater from doing her absolute best, so anger, jealousy and hatred will plague our Commitment to Love.
And against all of these and other temptations, even insidious competition for that love by relatives, or material keepsakes, or bodily comfort, we must Persevere in our Love for Jesus, if our goal is the eternal salvation that He promises; if we are to BE His disciples.
And to put all of that in a nutshell, Jesus’ exaggeration of hating parents and renouncing possessions, that people like St. Francis took to heart, simply meant: that we prioritize our Love for God, our Love for neighbor (even our enemies) and our Love of ourselves above all the distractions in life that want to steal that love away from us.
It simply meant putting God, putting Love above EVERYTHING!
It just reminded me of an old Marvin Gaye song that went something like this (with a little different conclusion):
“There ain’t no mountain high enough,
Ain’t no valley low enough,
Ain’t no river to wide enough,”
To keep me from loving you, Jesus!
Let’s let that Love just saturate our lives beloved, so that when they look at us, they will be seeing Him!
11-07-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 7, 2017
Let love be sincere;
– hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;
– love one another with mutual affection;
– anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.
Rom_12:5-16ab
OH what a world it would be if we could ALL follow this advice!
Blessed are you all, beloved!
Blessed be the Name of our Lord,
Jesus!
11-06-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 6, 2017
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given him anything
that he may be repaid?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To God be glory forever. Amen. Rom_11:29-36
11-05-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 5, 2017
(31st Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Mt_23:1-12
. . . as directed to kings and presidents, to bishops and priests (and Pope Francis is a great example of this principle), as directed to CEOs and managers, teachers and students, moms and dads and everyone! Don’t “lord” your position over others. Teach by example. Lead as a servant leader. Show compassion and stay humble! This is the way to the heart of others and this is the way to the heart of God. All based on Love!
Homily for today . . . “Coming Home”
11-04-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 4, 2017
(Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop)
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
For I am meek and humble of heart.” Mt_11:29ab
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lk_14:1,7-11
It’s humble pie week! Maybe Jesus is trying to tell us something, beloved! And it doesn’t necessarily mean having to do something that embarrasses us, as much as it means to stop making ourselves so puffed up with pride. Step down once in a while. Build the other one up and allow yourself to be number-2 for a change. At the end of the day we should try to find something we did that was humbling! And count how many other people we helped feel better!
11-03-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 3, 2017
(St. Martin de Porres, Religious)
St. Paul said, “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
Imagine. And it’s actually not hard to imagine, because we have example after example of people in situations like this. Imagine being born into wealth and choosing to live in starvation on the streets. Or imagine completing High School with honors, getting a full scholarship into a prestigious university, completing college and medical school in the top of your class, and then choosing to work as a trash collector instead.
Both St. Paul and Jesus were astounded by the Choice made by their fellow Jews, not to believe in the Messiah that their whole faith was built upon. From the Covenant promises made with Abraham, Moses and David, and the reminders of those Covenants by the Prophets, the Jews really had no excuse not to believe in Jesus, especially after all He had done and taught, and how it all – perfectly fulfilled those promises that they knew by heart.
But you know what, sometimes even today, the Truth can stare us right in the face; it can bowl us over, and if we’ve got some other agenda in mind, we can make ourselves totally BLIND to that Truth in favor of our own end. And sometimes, Life itself can beat us up so badly that we no longer trust-in any-thing or any-one!
St. Paul and Jesus used common sense. They used Words. They used examples. And they even used miracles to try to open the eyes of the most stubborn unbelievers of their time. But some rocks – just cannot be overturned, even when the outcome is Life and Death. And in the end, all that was left for them was Love and Prayer.
You see, beloved, at some point, Life is going to strike all of us. And if it’s not a direct hit to our own health, or our loved ones, or something really close to us, it’s just seeing the world and all we care about, especially those who have no control of their situations – being abused by those who choose to live in a trash heap or create one for others, instead of living in the paradise that God has blessed us all with, and sharing it.
But praise be to God, WE have the choice. We, who Believe, have the choice to allow all of those evils of the world to make us miserable, or we can choose, instead, to change it, one soul at a time, one smile at a time, because we know that in our hearts we have the Spirit of our Lord and God.
We have the Wisdom of God’s love, and we choose to share it rather than hoard it. And we Believe in the Promise of Jesus: that our futures hold the Joy of eternal life – with no more pain, and no more suffering, and no more fear!
And that hope gives us the strength to endure whatever the world wants to throw at us.
Praise be to God,
in our Lord Jesus Christ!
11-02-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 2, 2017
(Commemoration of All The Faithful Departed – All Souls)
Jesus said, “this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” Jn_6:37-40
So when we sit here and wonder, beloved, “what is God’s will for my life?” His will is that we ALL have eternal life. And that eternal life only comes to us through belief in Jesus. Jesus IS the way and the truth and the life!
Today we pray for the souls of all those who have departed this earthly life for something better. Not of their own choosing, but by the nature of the beast, we will all follow their path. But what IS of our choosing is how we live every earthly day we’re given. If we truly do believe in the Christ, are we living according to His directions? Are we walking the narrow path? Are we living the Beatitudes? Are we following the Commandments? Can our life be defined as LOVE, love of God and love of neighbor? It’s something we can all work on, beloved. But in the meantime, pray for the souls of those who cannot any longer. And pray that when we get to that point, someone will be praying for us as well (at least once a year!!).
11-01-17 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 1, 2017
(Solemnity of All Saints)
In a vision John had a revelation: I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” . . .
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” Rv_7:2-4,9-14
These are the Saints, beloved!
Blessed are they and we who can be just as much of a Saint as they. In every Eucharistic meal we partake, we are washing our robes in that same blood. The blood that Jesus shed for our salvation. By uniting ourselves with Him in this way, we purify our souls. Then it’s up to us to keep them clean! And the best way of doing that is through our good works. Between the works and the purity, they will know us by our love.
That’s the love of Christ shining through us.
Blessed are the Saints and blessed are we!
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Happy November, beloved!
Please stop by and visit October’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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