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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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11-30-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 30, 2020
(St. Andrew, Apostle)
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
So, what are we trying to “catch,” beloved? Is it more power, or more wealth or maybe just enough to make a living on? Jesus wants us not to be working our hearts out for survival, or even for personal excess, but for growth in believers. “I will make you fishers of men.” That means growing our community, growing God’s Kingdom, growing the salvation of souls. The apostles had exactly that mission. And whether written or spoken or lived, they brought people to the Faith by their excitement and their love for one another. Jesus wants us to be excited about our faith. Excited enough to even die for the salvation of just one more soul . . .
as we become – “Fishers of men” – and women!
Blessed be God forever!
11-29-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 29, 2020
(First Sunday of Advent, B)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. . . You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Mk_13:33-37
O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands. Is_63:16b-64:7
11-28-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 28, 2020
Then the LORD God said: See! The man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil! Now, what if he also reaches out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life, and eats of it and lives forever; the LORD God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden, Gn_3:22-23
John said: An angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations. Nothing accursed will be found anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Rv_22:1-7
What was once prohibited for the sake of a wrong choice (Adam and Eve in the garden) is now permitted based on 3-choices: Mary chose obedience to the will of God, saying “I am the handmaid of the Lord” Lk_1:38, Jesus chose obedience to the will of God, “accepting even death, death on a cross” Phil_2:8 for the sake of our salvation, and we have the choice every day to accept or reject that same will of God for our eternal blessing. The door has been opened for us beloved! All we have to do is accept, believe in Jesus and follow His “way.”
11-27-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 27, 2020
St. John said, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rv_20:1-4,11-21:2
New, and perfect, and wonderful, and adorned!
11-26-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 26, 2020
(Thanksgiving)
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
If we can recognize, beloved, that it was not of our own will that we even exist. And it was not even, really, of our parent’s wills, for how many couples, try as they might to have children, fail to do so. Then, there must be a “force,” a will, beyond our humanity, where the true creative ability resides.
Yes, we have been given the tools to assist in that creation. And they are quite beautiful and magnificent tools, this sexuality of ours. Yet, even beyond the physical, biological, biochemical and sensual process of reproduction, there is a spiritual sense to it as well. And we call that sense Love. St. John the evangelist wrote, “God is Love.” You see, it is really God who is the Creator of all! It is God who performs that creation only out of His own great love. It is God who calls us together as husband and wife, as mother and father, as brother and sister, as friend and neighbor. And all of those relationships are bound together in Him, in love.
It is because of His great love for us, beloved, that we express our thanks. Thanks for every breath we take, even when those breaths may be difficult. Thanks for every choice we make, especially when they have life and death consequences. Thanks for loving us so much that our very Creator, God, became like one of us to show us the true meaning of love. It was not a self-centered love, but an other-centered love that He taught, and that He desires us to mimic – just like His love for us.
That incarnational being, God becoming man, was named Jesus. He was Purity immersed in impurity. A drop of water in a pool of dirty oil, where all the dirt transfixed itself from the oil onto the water and then was boiled away into oblivion, leaving a much purer oil. And as the oil slowly becomes dirty again, the Spirit of that water is still here to purify us, to bring us back, to remember and to give thanks.
Though we have EVERY day to remember this and give thanks, today especially, we give thanks to God our Creator, Jesus our redeemer and the Holy Spirit our purifier for all they’ve done for us. We pray for their guidance in our daily choices. And we pray for our daily salvation from the dirtiness of the world, disease, illnesses of all kinds, improper thoughts and deeds and those forces contrary to the life and love of everyone.
Praise be to God in thanksgiving and love, for Jesus and
especially for YOU, beloved, as we move on through life in Hope!
11-25-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 25, 2020
(St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr)
Jesus said, “Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 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
Amidst all the confusion, cheating, lying, evil contentions, hatred, division, disorder that’s going on in our country, we might be very apprehensive about the future. “Open the gates to a new world of crime, a new world of socialism, taxation and abortion on every street corner,” they decry. And yet, Jesus tells us to persevere. Persevere in justice, in righteousness, in love and in hope. Never give up on life, beloved, for we have its promise. And fear not in what we are to say, for the Holy Spirit has our back! And THERE is our hope!
In John’s revelation he reported: Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God’s harps, and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. . . .” Rev_15:1-4
And we’ll be standing there too, on that sea of broken glass and fire, beloved, UNHARMED and singing!!!
Blessed be the Lord our God!
We have so, so much to be thankful for!
11-24-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 24, 2020
(St. Andrew Dung Lac, Priest and Companions, Martyrs)
Jesus said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” Lk_21:5-11
But we, beloved, will not fear, for like St. Andrew and his companions, not even death will separate us from the love of God. Be always ready to testify in the Name of the Lord, Jesus. For God loves us all. And the only one who separates us from Him is we ourselves.
LOVE!!!
11-23-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 23, 2020
Jesus said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” Lk_21:1-4
Wow, beloved! So how much of our livelihood are we offering to the Lord? Are we just giving our surplus – when we’re in need (“If You give me this or that, I’ll give YOU this”) or when we have extra (“Well, I really didn’t need that anyway, so I’ll offer it up to God.”) Or are we truly living and giving every moment to God? And it’s not necessarily our money, but our time, our love for others, our personal preferences, our likes and even our struggles. All these we can offer up to God. Moment by moment as we live each day for and in Him.
11-22-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 22, 2020
(Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
Jesus must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 1_Cor_15:20-26,28
Jesus said to his disciples, Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Mt_25:31-46
Our ‘Works of Mercy,’ taught by Jesus and lived according to His will. Come Lord Jesus. Give us the strength, the wisdom, the opportunity and the readiness to live these works, both for the good of your Kingdom and the blessing of our Father.
11-21-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 21, 2020
(Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Jesus said, “That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Lk_20:27-40
So, don’t walk around like the living dead, beloved. Arise! Your God is the God of the Living! Have faith in Him and love Jesus and your brothers and sisters. No greater life, no greater love could there be!
11-20-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 20, 2020
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
They were hanging on His words.
You see, beloved, those words of Jesus were as sweet as the scroll that John ate in his vision of the Angel and the Lord (Rev_10:8-11). And the people listening to Jesus hung on to those words because they brought them such incredible hope in their otherwise hopeless world.
So, how, we might ask, were these same people, who were hanging onto His words in one moment, screaming for his death the next?
Think about it; for all the Good that Jesus spoke about; for all the Good that He actually DID, yeah, maybe for a moment, he got upset at all the evil going on around Him, and let His humanity get the best of His actions by turning over a couple tables; but that should not have been sufficient reason for so many to turn around and want Him killed.
Maybe it really did have something to do with those religious leaders. In today’s terminology, people would call it a “Conspiracy Theory” and dismiss the thought as lunacy.
But in reality, the Chief Priests, the Scribes and the leaders, as they were described, DID have an ulterior motive. And that motive was to see this threat to their cushy world destroyed.
And they weren’t dumb either. Instead of killing Him outright, those crafty leaders figured out a way to totally bamboozle the thoughts of the masses. They were completely brainwashed by the lies and the innuendos mediated by those leaders, when, all the while, those same leaders were consorting with the very enemies who could hurt the people even more.
And those who didn’t believe them; well, they were threatened with excommunication. And so, they were quiet, or maybe silently eliminated, like the Jews in Dachau or Auschwitz.
Crucify Him! Crucify Him, they yelled!
But how many were internally crying their hearts out, thinking: We finally have someone who brings us together. We finally have someone who actually cares. And even though we may not totally understand Him all the time, and maybe even disagree with some
of His points, we’re still hanging onto those words of His . . .
because we finally have someone who gives us hope for a future of morality and justice and eternal life. We finally have an advocate in a world of adversaries.
And yet, the masses still screamed –
“We don’t believe in conspiracies!”
Sometimes, brothers and sisters in Christ, the writing is on the wall and all we have to do is learn how to read.
Jesus IS our Hope, our Life and our Light.
And we are called to hang onto His every word, instead of the world’s.
11-19-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 19, 2020
In John’s revelation, the elders sang a new hymn to the Lamb: “Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.” Rv_5:1-10
Purchased by the blood of the Lamb, we, beloved, have become His kingdom of priests for our God. What a blessed gift!
11-18-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 18, 2020
(Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin)
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God! Ps 150
We are never to forget, beloved, to PRAISE the Lord!
11-17-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 17, 2020
(St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious)
A wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus, who was short in stature . . . ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”
No matter how tall or short we may be, beloved, when we raise ourselves up too high by wealth or ingenuity, Jesus calls us back down to earth, to His level, to be one with Him.
Zacchaeus came down quickly and Jesus received him with joy.
Zacchaeus knew the error of his ways and sought reconciliation with the people and with God.
He 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.. Lk_19:1-10
Sometimes, beloved, we have to take a close look at ourselves to see where we might be standing in God’s eyes vs our own. Maybe we’ve moved a little too high on our own ladder and left Jesus behind. Come on back down to earth, beloved, and grovel a little with the poor, the lonely, the needy, with Jesus. And He will welcome you with Joy. And in time, that Joy will be yours as well.
11-16-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 16, 2020
(St. Margaret of Scotland and
St. Gertrude the Great, Virgin)
Jesus asked the blind man who called out to Him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. Lk_18:35-43
So what’s it take for us to follow Jesus so unreservedly, beloved? Are we blind in some manner of speaking, beyond just visible sight? Blind to the evil around us or even in us? Blind to some gap in our lives that is crying out to be filled? Blind to someone in our lives who doesn’t realize how much we really love them? Open your eyes beloved and see in Faith. Jesus will fill your hearts with everything you need. And then follow Him with your whole heart and soul and might! He is our Savior! He is our beloved!
11-15-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 15, 2020
(33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, A)
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her a reward for her labors,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Prv_31:10-13,19-20,30-31
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored. Ps_128
Interesting concept, this “fear” of the Lord. It doesn’t really mean that we should cower away from Him in fear. But we should respect God who knows, who sees everything we do and think. Fear of the Lord gives us respect not only for God, but for one another. When we can live this way, as the writer of Proverbs and the Psalms say, we will be greatly blessed.
Jesus told a parable from which we generally concentrate on the topic of using our talents, but there is a fear factor involved in it as well. Three guys got a bonus while the boss was away. It was kind of a test of their economic acumen, to see how they handled this gift, this talent. The first two used it to amass double their initial outlay. But the third feared his boss so much that he didn’t want to risk losing it. So he just hid it away as the story goes . . .
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! Mt_25:14-30
Well, it didn’t help that he insulted the boss with the first words out of his mouth. But you see, that kind of fear is not exactly what Jesus, what God is looking for. It’s more important to use what we have, even if we lose it, in fear of not pleasing our God, than to think that we’ll just give it back without ever using it. This then can be applied to our God given gifts of talents. If we’re good at something we had just better be using that talent, rather than thinking we’ll use it later or just give it back.
So there’s healthy fear vs unhealthy fear. Jesus faced death and it was a given. But rather than run away for safety, which He certainly could have done, Jesus faced His challenge and it all resulted in the good in the end.
Should be the same with us, beloved. Healthily fear the Lord and look forward to a reward, that we might not even have a clue will come to pass!
11-14-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 14, 2020
Jesus said, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Lk_18:1-8
As we near the end of the Church year, beloved, the readings have been concentrating on the “end times.” Be prepared! Keep the Faith alive in your hearts! Watch! Don’t be enamored with the things of the world (even life itself). For all of it will be gone, save for our souls. They will be in the hands of God to crush or to welcome. And we certainly want that welcome. For either way, it’s for eternity!
11-13-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 13, 2020
(St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin)
Jesus said, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it.” Lk_17:26-37
When that final moment comes, beloved, whether it’s the Lord’s coming or a fatal heart attack, what will we be hanging on to? If it’s our possessions, if it is our family, if it is even our very skin we are loathe to let go of, then it’s not the Lord. Jesus wants us to be so in love with Him that even this flesh won’t matter when the end comes to us. Pray for strength, beloved. And then live the love of Jesus!
11-12-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 12, 2020
(St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr)
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
Jesus in the flesh was among them! He is the healing and the miracles and the Word made flesh. And in His gifting us with the Holy Spirit, He is now within us, as temples of His Body. Look! Where is the Kingdom of God? It’s within you, beloved, whenever you recognize His Spirit guiding and leading and protecting you from all the evil around us. Praise God for His Kingdom, beloved! And live it and give it to every soul we see! Amen.
11-11-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 11, 2020
(St. Martin of Tours, Bishop)
Jesus said to the healed, Samaritan leper, “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
Personal need may have led the ten lepers to seek the help of Jesus. It was a whim. What did they have to lose? And yet after actually being healed, rather than taking the idea of asking Jesus as their own personal accomplishment and success, going on their way in joy, this one particular man recognized that only God could have accomplished what had happened to him. And so, in thanksgiving to Jesus, to God, the man returned and fell at the feet of Jesus.
Whim may have led them to Jesus. Faith may have insured their healing, but GRATITUDE led to this man’s SALVATION. Not even being a God believing Jew, the Samaritan man recognized the presence of God in Jesus.
What have we given thanks to God for today, beloved. If nothing else, we should be thanking Jesus for our life and for our salvation! Praise be to God!
11-10-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 10, 2020
(St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church)
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, Ti_2:1-8,11-14
Jesus said, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.” Jn_14:23
Therefore, beloved, as St. Paul constantly reminds us and Jesus frequently said, be ready, for we know not the day nor the hour when it will be our time. Love Jesus! Love all!
11-09-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 9, 2020
(Dedication of the Lateran Basilica)
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_3:9-11,16-17
And not only does the Spirit of God dwell within us, beloved, but as those “temples” of God, we (collectively, together) are the Body of Christ on earth. Thus we strive to maintain, support, respect and stand up for every living person. This is why we stand up for life in the womb, life on death row, life in the slums, life in all its glory and in all its need. Because when we hurt those lives, we hurt our own. And worse, we hurt God by our actions.
So rather than harboring thoughts of revenge and selfishness. Rather than hurting, maiming and killing to get our own way, we learn that it is better for ourselves and for the world to love away those thoughts and begin to harbor love instead. This is what Jesus came to teach us. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies when we fail to listen.
Love!
11-08-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 8, 2020
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. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. Wis_6:12-16
In a world where she seems to be lost forever, keep her in your pocket, beloved. Wisdom is waiting to be found. So do not fret. Do not allow the world to let you think for a moment that all hope is lost. Wisdom is waiting for YOU! And in her, you will find the peace and the calm and the answers to all the questions that seem to befuddle those who lack her. Jesus will be your guide. Just allow Him to help lead you to Wisdom!
11-07-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 7, 2020
“I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him (Jesus) who empowers me.” Phil_4:10-19
Another translation of that last sentence of St. Paul goes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil_4:13 Jesus is our salvation through the trials and misfortunes of life. And we all go through them in different ways and at different times. Jesus gives us the calm to think clearly – when we let Him. Jesus gives us the hope to persevere. The hope that strengthens us. It’s one of those verses to memorize, beloved. And to keep in our pockets whenever those hard times come our way. Christ is there to see us through – ANYTHING!
11-06-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 6, 2020
Jesus said, “the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” Lk_16:1-8
In comparing the “children of the world” to the “children of the light,” St. Paul wrote, “Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven,” Phil_3:17—4:1
In a world where money keeps us fed. Money gives us self-confidence, authority and even power, people will often do whatever it takes to acquire more.
And so Jesus gives us one simple example of ‘need’ turning into ‘greed,’ and then that greed turning into Creative Prudence when it is threatened with disaster.
We see examples of this steward’s selfish dishonesty every day of our lives: from watered down sodas costing half the price of a whole meal, to shipping costs being greater than the item itself, and, of course, our weekly and even daily variations in gas prices. We can surely guess that someone in those sales lines is pocketing a little more than is justified.
Unfortunately, we’ve just grown to accept a lot of those abuses, living in the capitalistic, materialistic world we’re in.
And yet, the whole point of Jesus’ parable today was to emphasize the incredibly creative potential we all hold, when we’re in the face of threat.
Remember, prudence is one of those four hinging, Cardinal Virtues that include justice, temperance and fortitude. According to Merriam-Webster, prudence is the ability to govern and discipline ourselves, by the use of REASON. It’s simply making sensible decisions.
In Jesus’ parable, the dishonest steward reasoned that if there was any last chance of him keeping his job, he’d be willing to forego his extra profit skimming, while, at the same time, buttering up his customers, just in case he did need to look for another job. In today’s terminology, we’d call it “networking.”
But how, then, does any of this apply to us God-fearing, morally upright – “Children of the light,” as Jesus refers to His followers? Especially since money is not our god, and since we already understand the importance of The Virtues, like Prudence and Justice in our lives?
Well, when we think about it, we’ve all already been “put on notice” with respect to life and death in this world. And death is certainly on the books.
It reminds me of an old, 60’s, hippy-era song by a band called Country Joe and the Fish, that went like something like this:
“And it’s one, two, three,
what are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn.
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it’s five, six, seven,
open up the pearly gates.
Well, there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee, we’re all gonna die.”
It was a catchy tune, in a morbid kind of way.
And yet, unlike Country Joe’s giving-up attitude, we, “Children of the Light” know that those “pearly gates” don’t just represent the end of a job, the end of life as we know it, but they stand for a whole new beginning!
The question is: As we come closer and closer to the reality of that “Last Day” ourselves, how Creative are we being in assuring our seat among the Heavenly saints? And I know that most of you are already among the saints of the living.
But is there just one more little sin in our lives that we need to forego for the sake of that Kingdom? Is there just one more soul out there – just waiting for our inspiration, for Jesus’ salvation?
You see, God is counting on us every day, beloved!
And He’s especially counting on the Wisdom of our Prudence!
11-05-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 5, 2020
Jesus said, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” Lk_15:1-10
Day 2 of having our roof replaced. It was a long long wait since our June order. But with Covid and manufacturing slow-downs, and apparently, a very busy home repair season, with so many people staying home, we’re just thrilled it can finally get done. And yet, we forgot about all the pain that goes along with replacing a roof. All the noise. All the mess. All those nails – everywhere! And save for actually going up there to look at it, up close, it really just looks like any old roof from the ground view! But we know (and hope) inside, that our rain leaks will stop and we won’t have to worry about losing half the shingles next time it hails and blows and storms.
It just reminded me of that repentant sinner we hear of today, and the joy of the angels. Because, as we all know, repentance is not easy either. There’s the pain of embarrassment, the giving up of something we probably enjoyed (sin) and the fact that nobody even realizes that we’ve changed. And yet – WE know! And God knows. And all those angels know. So rejoice, beloved! You lost 45 pounds. You didn’t say a single curse today. You freed a fly instead of swatting it! Now, doesn’t that feel great!!! Thank you Jesus!
11-04-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 4, 2020
(St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop)
Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, Phil_2:12-18
In his overwhelming love for the Philippians, Paul knew exactly where they needed strengthening – “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” And he also knew that in their strength, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with Jesus as their guide and model, they would BE as lights for the world.
Isn’t it exactly the same for us, beloved! Our lives are dedicated and committed to the Lord, and yet, we still have to battle with the nonsense, the lies, the pandemic of a world gone astray. It doesn’t mean there is no cure. It doesn’t mean the cure will be easy. But it does mean that we will truly need a lot of patience, a lot of love, a lot of understanding to keep on loving this world, despite its (despite our) deficiencies. And to be those lights, as St. Paul tells us, we need to give up our grumbling, our complaining, our resentments, our vindictiveness, and humbly accept our fate (yet, never relinquishing the truth and love of Jesus).
Count on Jesus, beloved. Hang on to your Church (even in it’s own deficiencies). And just keep on loving, regardless of our temporary insanities! God’s will – WILL be done – in the end.
11-03-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 3, 2020
(St. Martin de Porres, Religious)
Brothers and sisters: Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil_2:5-11
Amen . . .
AMEN!
11-02-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 2, 2020
(Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed; All Souls Day)
Jesus said, “For 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
It’s not all about death, beloved, as the world perceives and fears and dreads. It IS all about life! Are we life-givers or life-takers? Are we thankful or fearful? Are we hopeful or hopeless? Jesus gave us this life and He nurtures us to LIVE! “See” Him, whether it’s through Scripture, or Prayer, or action towards others, or them towards us. And in “seeing” Him, BELIEVE. There is hope, there is something in this life to be thankful for, there is giving to be given, even when it seems like we have nothing left. And in doing so we will be rewarded with that gift of eternal life we are promised. And there is our hope! Jesus!
11-01-20 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
November 1, 2020
(Solemnity of All Saints)
Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure. 1_Jn_3:1-3
This is the day the Lord has made, (despite all the nastiness in the world) let us rejoice and be glad in it. And tomorrow will take care of itself. REJOICE in today!
Happy All Saints Day, beloved. Rejoice!
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Happy November, beloved!
God’s blessings!
Please come visit October’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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