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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04-29-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 29, 2021
(St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church)
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.” Jn_13:16-20
There is a respect that is called for (almost, demanded of) by servants, or employees, or children, or subjects of a kingdom or nation. And it is that respect that keeps a business or a family or a nation in order and even growing. Without it, there is just chaos. It’s not something that should stifle creativity or independent thinking, but it is necessary for peace and harmony and the abundance of love that unites that entity (family, or business, or country).
Of course, concomitant with that respect for leadership is the ‘requirement” of respect of leadership for its subjects. It’s a very fine double edged sword. For, it is the subjects themselves (children, servants, employees or citizens) who are the sole cause of success of that family, company or nation.
So when a company irrationally fires it’s dedicated employees, that decision has a major impact on the morale, on the productivity of all the rest. And when the employees begin to disrespect the leadership of their employers, it similarly has an impact on how well that company will survive.
Rather than a two edged sword, mutual respect is a two handed ‘atta boy’ that results in the highest success possible. Success in the love of a family, in the productivity and ‘bottom line’ of a company, and in the advancement, in all arenas of the life of a nation. And all of that pleases God! Jesus said, “Blessed are you if you do it!”
Look around you today, beloved, and ask yourself, how well are we doing in mutual respect? Despite the silly or stupid quirks, the wise or thoughtless decisions of those above or below us, are we still compassionate, respectful, loving? Sometimes we just have to let go of our better (or sillier) conclusions and accept, with respect, those in charge and those who are still learning. And in the end all will be well, regardless!
Peace, beloved!
God’s peace be with you!
04-28-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 28, 2021
(Ss. Louis de Montfort and Peter Chanel, Martyr and Priests)
Jesus said, “I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” Jn_12:44-50
If you ever lost the power in your house at night, you have a pretty fair idea of how to grope around in the dark to find that flashlight, or that candle, without killing yourself, because, over time, we truly do get to know our homes like the back of our hands. There’s a kind of built-in, 6th sense of Light in our minds, when we’re familiar with our surroundings.
That’s why they always tell us to make sure we know exactly how many doors there are from our room to the Exit Door in a hotel. We just may have to crawl there in the event of a fire, when the lights are out, and it’s dark and smoky.
And yet, we’re not always prepared for finding the light of understanding, the light of familiarity, in the unforeseen darkness of our world.
How do we deal with: that surprise death, that unexpected layoff, that hurt child, that terminal illness, that sudden isolation from everything and everyone who kept us sane?
You see, our parents have tried to teach us all kinds of rules to keep us safe, to help us be prepared for those unknown darknesses. They’d say things like: “Don’t put your finger in the light socket!” “Don’t lie, or steal, or smoke.” “Don’t go swimming for exactly 60-minutes after you eat.”
It’s funny, I never understood what 8-inches of water in our little pool could possibly do to me, after I ate. But you know, we were petrified to even wash our hands after eating, for fear of cramping into a zombie.
There were all those “Don’ts,” but rarely was there ever a “Do,” except for the “Do as I say and not as I do.” And I’ll have to admit, I’ve avoided a lot of darkness in my life by following most of those rules. But I’ve also encountered enough of my own self-inflicted darknesses for not following them!
As Jesus said, He’s not the one who will condemn us. All those infractions come with their own dire consequences. Consequences that our parents and our God – clearly did understand.
But what Jesus WAS saying, was that, if we follow His commands, like those of our parents, we truly could avoid a lot of the darknesses in life.
So, how DO we deal with those, ‘out of the blue,’ surprise, darknesses? What exactly do we have in our Catholic toolbox, our emergency kit for unexpected darkness?
Well, we might say, first and foremost, that we have the Presence of the Holy Spirit, and His Gifts in our lives – through our Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Maybe the Understanding is not quite there – in a surprise darkness, but Wisdom, and Counsel and Right Judgment are. Maybe all is not totally lost, but we’ve got those Gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us find our way out and back.
We also have, in the Scriptures, the examples of all those people who went before us, and gave us models of how they survived sudden darknesses in their lives. They bring us the Hope – that there truly is Light somewhere at the end of our dark tunnels.
And then there are the Sacraments: Feeling the darkness of guilt? There’s Reconciliation. Feeling sick? There’s Anointing. Feeling lonely? There’s Marriage. Feeling uncomfortably holy? There’s Holy Orders.
But, best of all, there’s Jesus!
Jesus is with us always in the Blessed Sacrament.
Jesus is with us in Prayer.
Jesus is with us through the Intercessions of His Blessed Mother and all the Saints.
Jesus is with us in one another,
– in our Church
– in the poor
– in the needy,
– in our spouses and
– in our families.
He truly is our Light – in any kind of darkness the world can throw at us.
Trust in Him, beloved.
Glow in His Light.
And LIVE, just as He promised.
04-27-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 27, 2021
Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” Jn_10:22-30
If those are not the most hope filled Words we can ever hear, beloved! We, who have been baptized in Christ are His sheep. And Jesus is telling us that we WILL have eternal life and never perish. We CANNOT be taken from the Father’s hand! We are ONE!
Blessed be God forever!
Blessed are you in the firmament of Heaven.
Looking forward to meeting you there!!!
04-25-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 25, 2021
(4th Sunday of Easter, B)
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.” Jn_10:11-18
Jesus knew who followed Him and who did not, of His own Jewish people. And, in many ways, He let His disciples know that this promise of life and salvation was not restricted only to them. Those whom the Jewish people shunned and hated, the Gentiles who listened to and followed Jesus were welcome was well. And all believers would become His One flock. This is His Church! And it’s a beautiful sight to see! We are all God’s Children!
04-24-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 24, 2021
(St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr)
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” Jn_6:60-69
Many of Jesus’ disciples left Him after being unable to understand His proclamation as being the “bread of life.” You know, beloved, some things we’ll just never understand fully until it is revealed to us by Jesus Himself. But we are not called to understand everything. We are called to have Faith, despite what we don’t understand. Faith is believing even in the face of difficulties, persecutions and trials. Peter put it succinctly, saying, “To whom shall we go?” Jesus is our light and our life. And that’s all we need to know!
04-23-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 23, 2021
(St. George, Martyr)
Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” Acts_9:1-20
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” Jn_6:52-59
A renowned novelist by the name of Og Mandino, in 1968, published a book called “The Greatest Salesman in the World.” It was a story about a young, middle-eastern boy, by the name of Hafid, who was charged with the task of selling an elegant red robe in a poor little town, just south of Jerusalem.
Well, disappointment after disappointment, Hafid was rejected, cast aside, and even bodily thrown out by his prospective customers. Finally, in his lowest state of depression, Hafid, hungry and searching for a place of shelter, just happened upon an old cave where he saw a young man and woman shivering in the cold, having given up their cloaks to keep warm – a new-born baby.
Hafid, in the depths of compassion for the trio, offered his precious robe to warm the child and his parents. And, while that spark of generosity may have warmed his heart, the agony of failure as a salesman truly defeated Hafid’s morale. Yet, little did he know what would become of that seamless red robe, and the child to whom it was given.
You know, nobody likes a salesman!
Saul, who would later become Paul, was an enforcer. He was more like a policeman than a salesman. And in today’s world he might even be called abusive. And yet, here he was being asked to become a salesman. To grovel at the feet of those he persecuted, and worse, those heathen gentiles.
But, you know, it’s a whole lot easier being a salesman when you, yourself, are convinced, through your own experience, of the incredible value of what you’re trying to sell. And there’s a world of difference between being a salesman and being a GOOD salesman, as Hafid was quickly learning.
A GOOD salesman actually sells!
And the WAY he sells is by allowing his customers to discover, all by themselves, that what he’s selling them is worth purchasing.
So, for example, when we’re told not to sin because we’re being sold “heaven,” we find, that it’s a lot harder to give up something that’s enjoyable, something that brings us pleasure or relief from stress (like sin), than it is to imagine the unimaginable (like heaven).
You see, people flocked to Jesus because He could heal them, not because He promised the unimaginable. Their belief in the unimaginable only came after something unimaginable happened directly TO THEM;
– a blinding light,
– a miraculous healing,
– a simple word that calmed a death-threatening storm,
– the expulsion of a demon.
And even then, it was still easy to forget, to pass it off as a hoax, or to attribute that miracle to a fluke in nature, rather than what it really was – a work of God.
And, believe it or not, we still have such events happening all around us, all the time.
But do we recognize those events?
Do we recognize the deadly accident, that WE narrowly missed because of what we thought was a frustrating traffic light; The healed cancer, against all the medical prognoses; The baby saved from abortion; The Church based on love and community, that’s still in existence, despite a demonic edict for hatred, separation and isolation; We’re still here!
That’s Faith!
Those are miracles that we can personally attribute to a God
– who so immeasurably loves us,
– who promises life,
– who offers us the unimaginable!
The Unimaginable,
– like, unmerited forgiveness,
– like, “living bread,”
– like, ‘death to life,’
– like, hope for something better,
– like, reason to give up the pleasurable sins of the body because we personally choose something so far beyond those pleasures that it makes the sacrifice moot in comparison, even to the extreme of death, as so many of our Saintly salesmen and women have shown us in their martyrdom.
St. Paul was called to be a salesman, just as Jesus was, just as Hafid in Og Mandino’s story was, and just as every one of us IS.
It’s not an easy task. It may be frustrating. It may be challenging.
But the first step, and maybe the hardest, is convincing ourselves just WHY we believe.
Find those miracles, beloved – and Believe in them.
Believe in Jesus – and Feed on Him.
And then, share the wonder. Share the incredible life that we’ve been given:
– a life of love and community,
– a life of hope in the unimaginable Glory of our God!
04-22-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 22, 2021
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” Jn_6:44-51
And that bread was nailed to a cross… And that bread was resurrected. And that bread is available for us at every Mass, to give US life. Jesus is the living bread who came to bring us life. With His life in us, we are One with Him and the Father and the Holy Spirit – forever!
04-21-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 21, 2021
(St. Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. . . . 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_6:35-40
This is our promise and our hope, beloved, eternal life. It brings us peace in our grieving for those we’ve lost to death. It strengthens us through our trials and challenges in this life. And, Jesus, our bread for this life, brings us nourishment, satisfies our hunger and thirst for something more, and brings us fulfillment for the love that, at times, is so hard to find in this world. You see, we all have this in-born hunger and thirst for God, that we may not even realize, and Jesus fills us in that need. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever!
May He bless you always!
And keep you safe until the day we are united forever!
04-20-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 20, 2021
Jesus said to the unbelieving crowds, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Jn_6:30-35
Jesus IS the true bread from heaven. When we believe in Him, there is no more hunger, there is no more thirst. We are truly satisfied with just being in Him. Blessed be God forever!
04-19-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 19, 2021
Jesus said to the crowds, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” Jn_6:22-29
The feeding of the crowds by the multiplication of loaves was not simply a gift from Jesus to satisfy their hunger for food, but a revelation to them of who He was. Jesus is the Son of God who alone can heal the sick, feed the hungry and raise the dead. But the people only saw His signs as magical works offered to satisfy their hunger for entertainment, their hunger for self-gain. And even when they asked Him about appeasing God they still didn’t realize that He was standing right in front of them. So Jesus again revealed Himself by saying that if you want to appease God, believe in me and my signs will prove who I am. Then go and DO what I command. “Stop thinking ONLY of yourself and Love one another.”
04-18-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 18, 2021
(3rd Sunday of Easter, B)
In His resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Lk_24:35-48
Jesus finally “opened the minds” of His disciples as to how the Old Testament Scriptures foretold of his appearance, suffering, death and resurrection. After all He had taught and shown them, all of a sudden, it all made perfect sense.
Could you just picture them… “Oh yeah, remember when He said such and such.” Oh yeah, look at how Isaiah the Prophet explained exactly what had happened and we witnessed it all!” Oh yeah, now we’re in the post resurrection phase and Jesus will be here to forgive our sins and guide us in the person of the Holy Spirit.” Oh wow, how we really need and want to tell the world how they could be ‘saved’ as well.”
And now, it’s up to us beloved, to get just as excited and anxious to tell the world: Jesus came to save us, both from our present anxieties and for all eternity to come. Trust in Him, and you can be saved as well. Feed on Him in the Holy Eucharist. Grow in Him through the Sacraments. And learn to love Him in the Scriptures. With the Holy Spirit’s help we will revel in the freedom He brings.
04-17-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 17, 2021
(St. Kateri Tekakwitha)
When they (the disciples) had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading. Jn_6:16-21
You’ve got to love John’s version of this story. No Peter walking on the water. The disciples weren’t terrified for seeing a ghost. They knew it was Jesus coming toward the boat and they wanted Him to join them in the boat. Totally level-headed. And in the end the boat reached the shore, safe and sound. Simple! Sounds just like John! Sounds just like Jesus!
04-16-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 16, 2021
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Jn_6:1-15
A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. . . .
So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. Acts_5:34-42
You know, beloved, we’ve heard the Gospel stories about the ‘multiplication of the loaves‘ so many times that we just have to wonder what more can be said about it.
We’re familiar with it prefiguring the Last Supper, and our Holy Eucharist.
We’re comfortable with the fact that it really WAS a miracle, and not just some unbeliever’s way of rationalizing it away, as food that the people already had.
And we’re reminded of how, with every morsel of food that we are blessed to receive, we should always give thanks to God and pray for those who are poor and hungry.
But, we also know our Bible.
And we know that there’s always something we missed, or never thought of before, or our life situation suddenly brings some aspect of the Gospel stories to new life for us.
Today what struck me was how Jesus asked His disciples how they were going to feed the masses. And how John called that question ‘a TEST’ by Jesus.
Now we remember that the Pharisees were constantly testing Jesus to find a way that they could get rid of him.
We know that in school we are tested as a means of competition to see who gets to move ahead, who gets into college, and who gets the best job.
But why would Jesus be testing His disciples?
Well, when you think about it, Jesus really wanted to know IF they were understanding anything He was telling them or showing them.
By that time, He had healed the sick, He preached about His Father, He talked about the Kingdom of God, He discussed eternal life and He told them how all things were possible for those who believed. And now, after all that, Jesus posed a question to them to explore their own thought processes.
When confronted with any kind of problem, how would they, how do WE respond?
Is it solely up to our human reason to solve it, or do we rely on God who can solve ANYTHING?
Well the disciples were at a total loss. Their “human reason” just could not answer the question. They didn’t have any money. They didn’t have much food. So they just threw the question right back at Jesus. They failed the TEST miserably, because they totally forgot about God. They totally forgot everything that Jesus had just shown and taught them. There they were, sitting with the golden goose in their laps and wondering, just how they were going to make it through the day.
You know, God gives us the answers anytime we simply ask Him.
But we have to remember to ask!
In our first reading, we heard how the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin were also at a loss – as to what to do with those zealous and fearless apostles of Jesus, after they DID get rid of Him.
Should they kill them too? And then how far does all this killing go?
Well fortunately there was one among them who DID believe in God. Gamaliel, was one of the primary leaders of the Sanhedrin, and he was also the mentor for Saul, the Jewish defender, who would later become Paul the great Christian Evangelist.
Gamaliel, himself, was the grandson of the famous Jewish teacher, Hillel the Elder. And he was filled with practical and spiritual insight, because he knew how to rely on God for the answers.
And it was in that reliance on God, that Gamaliel was able to convince the Council not to kill the apostles based on what, today, is called the “Gamaliel Principle.” He said, “If this endeavor is of human origin it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; – you may even find yourselves fighting against God!”
Ever find yourselves fighting against God, beloved? Some things just don’t work the way WE want them to, no matter how hard we try, because God has a better plan for us. And when we allow God’s plan to work in our lives, we always find the solution to our problems
in abundance:
– the apostles great catch of fish, right there on the other side of the boat
– the massive crowds following Jesus despite the Pharisees opposition,
– the superabundance of food, from just a few loaves and fish.
– the prospect of Eternal life after a life of fear of death.
God truly works in marvelous ways.
We just have to trust in Him and believe everything Jesus taught us. And when that final test comes for us, our souls will be branded with that scarlet A for AMEN!
04-15-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 15, 2021
Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.” Jn_3:31-36
Imagine the ocean to a goldfish who lived her entire life in an 8″ x 8″ bowl. Imagine the Grand Canyon to a snail who lived his entire life in a 2′ x 2′ patch of dirt in your garden. Imagine the expanse of space to a city dweller who lived his whole life in a 5-block radius of a concrete jungle. Now think of heaven to us! I don’t think we can even fathom what we have in store, beyond anything earthly or even in the vast universe. This thing we call “eternal life” is really not something to take lightly. Not something to ponder in view of: how could I possibly want more of this 8″ or 2′ or 5-block prison I’m trapped in. Jesus knows we can’t even imagine it, but we have to trust in Him. And we have to believe that He wants only the best for us. Why, He accepted an undeserved death just to prove that love for us.
Believe!
04-14-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 14, 2021
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. Jn_3:16-21
So, it’s simply on us now, beloved. We believe! Now let’s pray for those who do not. For our love encompasses everyone, even the non-believer. And especially the non-believer!
Come Lord Jesus. Help us heal our world!
04-13-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 13, 2021
(St. Martin I, Pope and Martyr)
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. Acts_4:32-37
Trust in the Lord, beloved, and not in human materials nor accomplishments. For all this is just temporary, but Life in the Lord is eternal. Love one another and give as though we were to return to our heavenly home tomorrow.
‘Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!’ Job_1:21
_________________________
A most happy and blessed birthday to my dear sister.
Happy BD Carol!
Love and blessings in Christ!
04-12-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 12, 2021
Jesus answered (Nicodemus) and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ Jn_3:1-8
A number of years ago I was dyeing for a living, but it was hard for people to accept dyeing old versus buying-new. So my business died, and now the only way to gain new life is to buy new . . . carpets.
Ahaha, let’s listen to that again, with new ears this time.
A number of years ago I was dyeing (carpets) for a living, but it was hard for people to accept dyeing-old (carpets) versus buying-new (ones). So my business died, and now the only way to gain new life (to carpets) is to buy new . . . carpets.
_____
If we were to look up Jn_3:3 in the King James or the New International Versions of the Bible, it would say, “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Our Protestant, faithful brothers and sisters make quite a big deal over being “Born again!” As a matter of fact, it’s one of their evangelical take-off phrases. Ever been asked, “Have you been born again?”
And yet, we hear something a little different from our Revised New American, Catholic Bible today. Here Jesus didn’t say “born again” but “born from above.”
You see, the Greek word ‘anothen’ used in the Bible for these phrases, like dying (as in death), versus dyeing (as in color change), can have two different meanings. It can mean “from above” or it can mean “again.” That is: from something totally different or other, as in “from above,” or from what WAS already, in repetition, as in the word “again.”
Jesus meant “from above,” while Nicodemus interpreted the same word as “again.”
And how do we know this?
Well, Nicodemus made his interpretation clear, by asking Jesus what he meant by implying something – that is physically impossible. “Surely,” he said, “one cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?“
And Jesus responded that, “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” They were both on the same train track, but one was going north and the other south.
You see, what Jesus was telling Nicodemus was that there really are two dimensions, two natures to life, a physical, bodily, fleshly nature (like water), and a spiritual, etherial, Godly, divine nature (derived from the Holy Spirit).
And we cannot – truly – live without either, without BOTH!
Nicodemus recognized something different, something supernatural, something special about Jesus. And yet he couldn’t quite wrap his head around what it was. So Jesus, straight out answered him, that he had to allow himself reception of the Holy Spirit through Baptism if he was to ever understand either himself or God.
And only in that physical and spiritual transformation, would Nicodemus ever be able to see, to understand the Kingdom of God.
In his prologue to the Gospel, John the Evangelist wrote about Jesus, saying, “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation, nor by human choice, nor by a man’s decision, but of God.”
Jn_1:11-13.
Jesus called this new birth, “born from above,” anothen. Not ‘over again’ but totally different, totally new.
Nicodemus eventually did come to believe in Jesus. And he stood by Jesus all the way to his burial; risking his position in the Sanhedrin, by offering the anointing spices for Jesus’ body in the grave.
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With their ‘birth in the Spirit’, after Pentecost, the Apostles became fearless in their zeal to proclaim Jesus to the world.
Sometimes, brothers and sisters, it really helps for us to look at words and understand that our interpretations are not always exactly what the authors had in mind when they said or wrote them. And that’s exactly why we have our Church to help us interpret. That’s why we have the Holy Spirit to nudge us in the proper direction. And that’s why we have one another to support and to love each other despite our own occasional failures in communication.
Thanks be to Jesus, who opened the pathway to God’s Kingdom!
And Blessed be God, who brings us life: body, blood, soul and divinity!
04-11-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 11, 2021
(2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday)
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jn_20:19-31
This passage describes the Johannine Resurrection, Commissioning and Pentecost, along with the institution of the Apostolic faculty for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All wrapped up in that awesome and divine grace of the Lord’s Mercy.
It is said that this bestowal of peace and the commissioning of the eleven disciples represented their consecration from disciples to Apostles by Jesus. An apostle being, one “sent.”
Jesus’ “breathing” of the Holy Spirit on the apostles recalls God’s breathing of life, via the same Holy Spirit, into the first man Adam. The man who refused obedience and brought death to mankind. Jesus, who obediently conformed to God the Father’s will, now brings life in the Spirit to all who believe. And our belief is ratified, consecrated, in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation through water and the Spirit, brought to us through the successors of the Apostles, our Priests, Bishops and Deacons, in community with the Holy Church. What a beautiful testimony to our Faith, beloved.
Life in the Spirit, as emissaries of God, sent by Jesus, to bring Life to the world!
This is OUR calling!
This is our destiny
04-10-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 10, 2021
(Saturday of the Easter Octave)
Jesus said to His disciples, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Mk_16:9-15
The Jewish leaders ordered Peter and John not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” Acts_4:13-21
You see, beloved, Peter and John were keeping strict obedience to the command of Jesus. No command, no dismissal from the synagogue, no stripes nor imprisonment by other people could keep them from JOYFULLY proclaiming the Gospel of Truth, the Gospel of Love, the Gospel of Jesus. St. Francis of Assisi read those words of Jesus about proclaiming the Gospel to EVERY creature and took them to heart. He proclaimed it to the wolves, the birds, the animals everywhere – this love of God for them and for all.
Having a hard time proclaiming, beloved? Worried about persecution, dislike by others and even hatred? Start preaching to the squirrels, and the birds and the dogs and cats. In time it will become a natural output of your mouth. Because it will be rooted in your heart, this great love of our God for everyone!!!
04-09-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 9, 2021
(Friday of Easter Octave)
Jesus said to His disciples, who had been unsuccessfully fishing all night, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. Jn_21:1-14
Imagine that! Fishing all night long with not a nibble. And there they were all along, hanging out in droves on the other side of the boat. Ever have one of those days, beloved? Nothing seems to be going right – all because we forgot to ask Jesus which side we should be working on. Sometimes the answer is right there in front of our faces. Yet, we’re blind to it. That’s when it’s always a good time to stop what we’re doing (unsuccessfully) and ask for Jesus’s help or advice. He’ll never steer us wrong. Count on Jesus and you know what, you just may have more success than you know how to handle.
04-08-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 8, 2021
(Thursday of the Easter Octave)
Jesus said to His disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Lk_24:35-48
And so it was written and said, and so it was done. Ask forgiveness for your sins, beloved, in contrite repentance, and our merciful God will forgive you, when you ask in Jesus’ Name! What a blessing we have in Jesus!
04-07-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 7, 2021
(Wednesday of Easter Octave)
Two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. Lk_24:13-35
Sometimes, beloved, we might find ourselves in that same position as those two disciples. There we are pondering the past, worrying about the future or just trying to figure out the problems of the present. And there in the midst of it all, is Jesus. Jesus in the child who seems to be pestering, interrupting our heavy concentration. Jesus in the wife or husband who needs our help immediately. Jesus in the stranger who wants our attention, our money, our compassion. You know, sometimes they are our answers in disguise. They’re Jesus, come to open our eyes to the Truth of life. It’s always a good reminder for all of us to patiently remember that Jesus is in all of us, even the stranger, the spouse and the child. It’s Easter, beloved, time to sing alleluia, for Jesus IS all around us!
04-06-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 6, 2021
(Tuesday of Easter Octave)
After the Resurrection, Jesus said to Mary, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Jn_20:11-18
The Father of Jesus AND of us. His God and ours too. What an incredible blessing we have been given by Jesus, reuniting us with the Father and imbuing us with the Holy Spirit, forgiving our sins and making us part of God’s family. What greater reason could we have, beloved, to shout out, “Alleluia.” Our Easter Alleluia! Blessed be God forever!
04-05-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 5, 2021
(Monday of Easter Octave)
On the day of Pentecost Peter said to the crowds, “God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.” Acts_2:14,22-33
After His resurrection, Jesus said to the two Marys, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Mt_28:8-15
In fifty days the Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost. It was a Jewish feast that Jesus transformed into a feast of new life for those who are baptized in the Faith. It is the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit upon the believers. And that Holy Spirit brings to us both courage and strength to speak the Truth, to speak the Word of God to EVERYONE. When we “go to Galilee” we too will find Jesus waiting there for us. When we open our hearts to the Lord, He will fill them with all those awesome Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit living within us. Come to Galilee, beloved and LIVE!
04-04-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 4, 2021
(The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday)
Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory. Col_3:1-4
Our true life is hidden with Christ in God. What a glorious blessing we have been given, beloved. Revel in it. But do not allow it to lay claim upon you until the time when we are truly united with Him in heaven. For now it will bring us peace and joy and hope. And we are to use those graces to lift others up to know Him as well. Love with all your Christ blessed life. And give until there is nothing left to give. Then all will be yours, with Him, forever!
May our Loving God bless you and keep you this Easter and always!
Happy and Blessed Easter love be yours now and forever!
04-03-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 3, 2021
(Holy Saturday)
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. Rom_6:3-11
It’s what we live for, beloved. Death to sin and new life in Christ. They are not just words we’ve memorized. They bring us hope. Hope against illness, hope against persecution, hope for those we love, hope for those who don’t yet understand. And that hope then brings us joy. Joy to praise another day. Joy to praise the sun and the rain. Joy to see a child and the poor being helped. Joy to return to Church. Joy of community. Joy of peace. Jesus is our hope and our joy and our life. Not just words memorized, but true hope for Life Eternal and togetherness! True hope for REAL love!
04-02-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 2, 2021
(Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion)
In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Heb_4:14-16;5:7-9
Our source of eternal salvation.
Jesus Christ!
04-01-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
April 1, 2021
(Holy Thursday)
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, . . .
On the fourteenth day of this month, .. with the whole assembly of Israel present, it (the spotless lamb) shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb. That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the LORD.
For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD! But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you. “This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.” Ex_12:1-8,11-14
And thus the FIRST PASSOVER prefigured, in many ways, (it was a ‘type’ of) the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus: in its death to the first born (Adam who represented sin, and Jesus who represented life), in the rebellious stubbornness of the Egyptians and the Jewish leaders, in the spotless Lamb, being Jesus, in the freedom from slavery to sin by those who believed, in those who “washed their robes in the blood of the lamb” through their baptism into the faith (like the blood on the doorposts), in the urgency of faith (that this life is a mere shadow of the beatific vision yet to come and that can come at any moment), in the wooden doorposts coated with that precious blood (like the blood of Jesus on the wood of the cross) . . .
St. Paul wrote: the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1_Cor_11:23-26
Thus initiating our Most Blessed Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Taken in Remembrance, taken in Thanksgiving, taken in Faith that what we profess we truly believe. Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul and divinity – taken within ourselves.
After washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus said, “You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” Jn_13:1-15
Our Perfect model, whom we follow in word and action, as we joyfully await His coming again!
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Happy April, beloved!
God’s blessings!
Please come visit March’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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