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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12-31-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 31, 2021
(St. Sylvester I, Pope)
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. . . . But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth. 1_Jn_2:18-21
The FINAL hour, beloved! Remain in Christ’s love!
And His love will ALWAYS remain in you!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; Ps_96
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.
Jn_1:14a,12a
A very blessed and happy New Year to all!
Thanks be to God!!!!
12-30-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 30, 2021
I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One. . . .
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. 1_Jn_2:12-17
It’s always good, beloved, to consider and remember these differences. Do we want to be owned and a part of this world which is passing away, or do we want to be owned and a part of God’s Kingdom, which will exist forever. If we are baptized in the Lord Jesus, in His Church, then we ARE a part of God’s Kingdom, even here and now. But it’s always a good thing to remember that ownership and live up to it. Yes, we may live in this world, which we are called not to worship, but we don’t need to live “of” it, as though it owned us. We ARE God’s children, brothers and sisters in Christ, for all eternity! And blessed be His Name forever!
12-29-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 29, 2021
(St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Lk_2:22-35
The Prophesy. The Light. The parents. The Child. The fulfillment. The sword. The revelation.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! So what are OUR thoughts, beloved? Mary our mother knows them. Pray for her intercession with our savior Jesus, to purify our hearts and cleanse our thoughts, that we may always be pleasing to God our Father, through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
12-28-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 28, 2021
(Holy Innocents)
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 1_Jn_1:5-2:2
So the truth of the matter, beloved, is that we have all sinned and fallen away from God. But thanks be to God, through Jesus His Son, we have been saved by the blood of His cross. Know, that we ARE sinners and yet, the light of Christ is our pathway to salvation when we admit it, repent of it and allow His Spirit to replace those failures and falls with love of Him. We are very blessed, indeed when we walk in the light of Jesus!
12-27-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 27, 2021
(St. John, Apostle and Evangelist)
Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us – what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1_Jn_1:1-4
Go then, and make disciples of all people, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, loving them into the love of God. For God is with us, beloved, in every move we make towards Him! Amen!
12-26-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 26, 2021
(Holy Family)
The parents of Jesus lost track of the boy at 12-years old and searched for him for three days. After finding Him in the Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus responded, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Lk_2:41-52
You know, beloved, sometimes our responsibilities blind us from understanding the truth in other people’s lives. Joseph and Mary knew the incredible responsibility they were charged with in taking care of the young Son of God. Jesus knew the great responsibility He had in serving the Father in this great mission of His own. And neither fully recognized the responsibility they had to respecting the responsibilities of the other. And yet, Jesus did submit Himself to obedience to His earthly parents as well as to His heavenly Father. And Mary and Joseph did recognize their Son’s need for freedom as well. This is what Family means. Not only do we do our absolute best in fulfilling our own personal responsibilities, but we also respect the responsibilities that our siblings and parents have to others. Parents to work, children to teachers and study, parents to their other children, children to their brothers and sisters. Everyone respecting and always trying to understand each other more and more, every day.
Life is not only about us. It’s more about our interactions with others. And in order for those interactions to be healthy and productive, we must first learn how to understand the needs and duties of the other: poverty, wealth, health, work, etc, etc, etc. And it all falls under the main category of LOVE!
Love your neighbor as your self. And never forget those with whom you share the shelter of a roof and the line of blood!
12-25-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 25, 2021
(The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jn_1:1-18
Word, Creation, Life, Light, Hope out of the darkness!
Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. Heb_1:1-6
Word, Spoken, “Refulgence of his glory,” Imprint of His being!
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Lk_2:15-20
And for 2000-years we too have been reflecting on these things in our hearts as well. THE most significant and important and awesome thing that ever happened to the human race (aside from their/our creation). Jesus, out of that indescribable LOVE of God, came to teach us how to love one another. And in the process save us from our (sinful) selves.
Blessed be God forever!
And blessed be Jesus Christ our Lord and savior!
12-24-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 24, 2021
(Christmas Eve day)
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Alleluia Verse
“In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Lk 1:67-79
Even in the shadow of death our hope is in the light of life (eternal)!
Our Christmas hope. Our Christmas promise. Our Lord and savior – Jesus Christ!
Blessed be His LOVE!
12-23-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 23, 2021
(St. John of Kanty, Priest)
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Mal_3:1-4,23-24
.. they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Lk_1:57-66
And his name was John, and all were amazed! And John spoke, purifying and refining. And then there was Jesus, the Lord whom you sought. Are we prepared yet, beloved? For the Lord is coming. And He seeks those who are pure. And His love envelops us like a fog in the morning. Are we ready for His love, beloved? It’s there waiting for us, if we only look, if we only see. And His name is Jesus!
12-22-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 22, 2021
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
Alleluia Verse
Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Lk_1:46-56
Magnificent!
12-21-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 21, 2021
(St. Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church)
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
Alleluia Verse
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust. Ps_33
Rejoice, beloved! Rejoice. Just four more days!
12-20-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 20, 2021
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness! (Alleluia Verse)
. . . the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. . . .
(and) nothing will be impossible for God. Lk 1:26-38
When God is on our side, beloved, there is absolutely nothing to fear. Have we gotten rid of everything that could possibly cause us to feel guilty? Have we been totally open with God, not holding anything back? Is there anything in our lives that is keeping us from being totally immersed in God, over all else, even loved ones, even death? If so, beloved, we truly do have nothing to fear. When God knows us like a transparent piece of glass and there is nothing blocking his view, nothing clouding his vision through us, then we, like Mary, will have found favor with God. And when we have found that favor, then there is nothing impossible for us as well, (when God is on our side)!
12-19-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 19, 2021
(4th Sunday of Advent, C)
O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
(3rd O Antiphon)
At Mary’s visitation with her cousin Elizabeth, Elizabeth extolled, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Lk_1:39-45
- Listening, 2. Belief, 3. Obedience, 4. Action, 5. Blessing
And there is the pathway to God’s Kingdom, beloved.
Mary set the example. Jesus modeled. Now it’s our turn!
12-18-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 18, 2021
O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power! (O Adonai) Alleluia Verse
Today we have the second of the seven O Antiphons of the Church. Royal names for our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Mt_1:18-25
In most of the movies that detail the betrothal of Joseph and Mary, and the annunciation to Mary, and Joseph’s dream, there always seems to be this huge gap of communication between Joseph and Mary as to what exactly happened to Mary. Either Mary was afraid to tell anyone the truth or she did tell Joseph and he just didn’t believe her.
Now, these were extremely pious people, so knowledge of God present and throughout the days of the Old Testament (the Torah) were well known to them. And they were also familiar with the many old stories of angels transmitting God’s will to people (Abraham, Samson’s parents, Jonah, Jacob, Joseph . . .). So when it actually happened to them, yes they were surprised, but they also knew that when an angel was heard, they truly needed to respond. And unlike Jonah who heard and ran, Joseph and Mary knew that one just does not say no to God. Thus today, when we hear of Joseph’s annunciation, we again see, his total compliance, belief and obedience, all the way to the naming of the child.
Heard any angels lately, beloved? Maybe you did and didn’t even realize it. On the other hand they seem to be pretty ‘awe’ and ‘fear’ inspiring, and we should definitely know when we’re in their presence. But we do get little messages throughout our days and lifetimes telling us what we should and shouldn’t do. Maybe it’s just a start, but it’s also good prep for some day possibly hearing our own angel leading us to the “miraculous!” Will we be prepared?
12-17-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 17, 2021
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. . . . Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. . . . Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. Mt_1:1-17
When you’ve been through somewhere between 68 and 98 Christmases, it’s hard to imagine that there’s anything about it that we haven’t heard before. We’re familiar with those O-Antiphons that we hear in our Alleluia verses between today and the 23rd of December. And we know how they reflect the different symbolic names of Jesus, like:
– Wisdom, and
– Adonai or Lord,
– like Root of Jesse, and
– Key of David,
– like Dayspring or Morning Star,
– King of the Nations
and Emmanuel.
We’re well versed in how all those names were derived from the prophesies of Isaiah, hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, while the nations of Israel and Judah were falling apart and the prospect of a Messiah brought them hope.
We’ve probably heard Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus enough times to be able to recite it ourselves. And, I’m sure we’ve been preached to about the significance of the three groups of 14-descendants – leading all the way back to Abraham, the great patriarch of the Israelites.
And we know that the numerical value of the three consonants of King David’s Hebrew name, the D.V.D. in English, all add up to 14. And how the 42-previous descendants of Jesus represent the 42-encampments of the Israelites in their Exodus between Egypt and the Promised land.
And we know that all of this was simply recorded by Matthew in order to prove to the Jews of the time that Jesus is the legitimate, ordained, predestined Son of God, the Messiah, that they were expecting for so long.
We’ve also heard how those three groupings of descendants represent successive steps between (1) Israel’s deliverance from the physical slavery of Egypt, (2) to their deliverance from the spiritual slavery of separation from God in Babylon and Assyria, and (3) to the world’s deliverance from our slavery to sin and the inheritance of the Kingdom of heaven for all the faithful.
We’re also well aware that the Gentile women mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy, namely, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, not only bring light to the universal nature of God’s plan of Salvation, for ALL peoples, but it also shows us how that plan was not some Divine show of Godly perfection. It actually included real people in real, human-life situations, as ugly or as beautiful as those situations may sometimes be, like the contrast, for example between Ruth’s loyalty and David and Bathsheba’s lust.
And we know how it all, just brings this beautiful picture of a babe in a manger, a young and receptive mother, a man of integrity and obedience, and the Savior of the World into our lives, as the movie title so perfectly describes it – “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”
And so, here we are some 68 to 98 years later, wondering what could possibly be new in this age-old story?
Well, here we are! STILL. . .
After all those years, survivors of world wars, survivors of lifetimes of education and employment, of childbearing and rearing, of joys and sorrows, of hopes dashed and hopes realized. Not unlike many who have come and gone before us.
But the difference of course is, that for us, this Event, this God of ours, who lowered Himself to become man, who taught us, and promised us, and modeled for us, how and why we have survived this long, this God will still be with us, even when 98-years seems like a mere day in our Eternal bliss of heaven.
You see, in reality, EVERY Day – is a new Christmas, for WE, who believe, in Jesus!
12-16-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 16, 2021
Jesus spoke about John the Baptist saying, “This is the one about whom Scripture says: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.” (All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.) Lk_7:24-30
God truly did give us all the Choice. We could choose salvation or not. In the days of Jesus, the ones who should have known best what the Scriptures said about the Savior, the Messiah, were the ones who rejected Him with the strongest repulsion. They chose to reject God’s salvation. So where are we, beloved? What’s our choice? As quoted by Joshua in the time of Moses, “As for me and my household, we will choose the Lord.” we will choose LIFE!
12-15-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 15, 2021
John the Baptist summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to John’s disciples, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.” Lk_7:18b-23
Although the reason John indirectly questioned the Lord, was not explained in the Scriptures, it leads the Scripture scholars to some mental creativity. Some explain it as John’s wondering if Jesus will set him free from prison. Others say that John was wanting some of his more advanced disciples to find the answer for themselves, while John really knew the answer to his question before ever asking it.
Jesus answered in the (near) exact words of Isaiah the prophet. The messiah will perform deeds that no human can accomplish, like healing, raising the dead and bringing hope to the hopeless. John and most of the faithful Jews knew well those Scriptures and it formed the basis of their hope in a Savior. Jesus was the fulfillment of all those O.T. prophesies and His deeds proved its Truth.
Now the trick was to believe and not take any offense at Jesus. As we see in most of the “miraculous” healings, the one requirement for Jesus’ healing to take effect was the faith of the person wanting it. If we truly believe, beloved, we CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil_4:13). Have Faith!
12-14-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 14, 2021
(St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.” Mt_21:28-32
Letting go of all preconceived notions. Letting go of prejudice, security, possession. Letting go of all worldly loves and cares. We open our hearts purely and solely to God. And in the darkness, we are guided by His light. The ONLY light that ever really matters. Cling to Christ, beloved, and allow Him to lead you down this narrow path to God!
Songs of the Soul
On a dark night,
Inflamed by love-longing –
O exquisite risk! –
Undetected I slipped away.
My house, at last, grown still.
Secure in the darkness,
I climbed the secret ladder in disguise –
O exquisite risk! –
Concealed by the darkness.
My house, at last, grown still.
That sweet night: a secret.
Nobody saw me;
I did not see a thing.
No other light, no other guide
Than the one burning in my heart.
This light led the way
More clearly than the risen sun
To where he was waiting for me
– The one I knew so intimately –
In a place where no one could find us.
O night, that guided me!
O night, sweeter than sunrise!
O night, that joined lover with Beloved!
Lover transformed in Beloved!
Upon my blossoming breast,
Which I cultivated just for him,
He drifted into sleep,
And while I caressed him,
A cedar breeze touched the air.
Wind blew down from the tower,
Parting the locks of his hair.
With his gentle hand
He wounded my neck
And all my senses were suspended.
I lost myself. Forgot myself.
I lay my face against the Beloved’s face.
Everything fell away and I left myself behind,
Abandoning my cares
Among the lilies, forgotten.”
― Dark Night of the Soul
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3109870-la-noche-oscura-del-alma
12-12-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 12, 2021
(3rd Sunday of Advent, C)
(Our Lady of Guadalupe)
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
Zep 3:14-18a
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. Is_12:2-6
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil_4:4-7
Exhorting them in many other ways, he (John the Baptist) preached good news to the people. Lk_3:10-18
Rejoice! Good News! God is in your midst! Have no fear!
Rejoice! You know, when you think about rejoicing, it usually seems to be associated with gratitude.
Did you ever notice, how being thankful,
can actually fill us with Joy?
So we might say that Gratitude and Joy are like brothers and sisters that both, need each other, and, are stronger and greater – when they are together.
A number of years ago the contemporary Christian singer, Nichole Nordeman, composed and sang a song called Gratitude. In that song, Nichole prays for water, food, shelter and peace.
And within each prayer she gives thanks to God – even if those needs are not provided. You see, through each one of those desperate needs, Nichole realizes that in God’s mercy, she will gain some valuable new Virtue, like patience or courage, like strength or endurance. And she thanks God – for all the blessings – she HAS received, despite any unmet needs or wants in her prayers. . . .
And it’s THERE – that we find
the Joy of Gratitude.
In her closing words Nichole sings:
“We’ll give thanks to You, with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
– in abundance, or in need . . .
Even if – we never receive – what WE think – is so important to us, we – are – beloved, so very BLESSED!
Today, this Third Sunday of Advent, half way through our Advent journey to Christmas, our Scriptures teach us about the pathway to Joy. And St. Luke sums it up nicely in the words of John the Baptist, as: “the Good News.”
So what is this “Good News” that we constantly hear referred to in the Bible? Well, if you were to ask one of my fifth-graders, they would tell you, that: “The Good News – is that God loves us, no matter what!”
And if we had never heard those six – simple words before: . . .“God loves us, no matter what!” our natural response might be something like: “Yeah, but what about . . . ? What about suffering and death? What about sin and punishment? Or we might be thinking: “If that’s the case, then why do so many bad things – just keep on happening?” . . .
And, right there, you see, – if that’s our response, right there, we find ourselves putting God in our own, restricted, little, human box. And if our God is restricted to OUR primal way of thinking, if our God is restricted to OUR self-directed way of acting, then, He really is – NO God at all. . . He’s just another idol that we can put on the shelf – when we walk out of Church, or when we go to the movies, or when we get lost somewhere in the world of our little “pocket gods” (our smartphones).
You see, brothers and sisters, God is MORE than anything we can possibly imagine. . . .
More loving, more forgiving, more understanding, more powerful, more present, more totally immersed in us – than we can ever possibly be in Him, or with one another. And the Good News, the GOOD news – is that THIS God Loves us, NO MATTER WHAT!
Can we all say that: The Good News is that –
God loves us, no matter what!
Now, drawing from that most basic understanding of our God, let’s explore what it might teach us about Joy.
Of course, we all know that today, this Third Sunday of Advent, is also called Gaudete Sunday, a Latin word that means Rejoice! And so we put away our violet/purple of penance and put on our rose/pink of Joy.
And just so, our Scriptures reflect from Zephaniah’s prophesy to the Judeans, how, just a few years before their own Babylonian exile, the prophet proclaims: “Shout for Joy, O daughter Zion.”
We see it again in Isaiah’s exultation from our Psalm: “Cry out with Joy and gladness…”
And we see it also, in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he says: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
But what is IT – that they, that we, HAVE,
to Rejoice so much about?
Again, Zephaniah, Isaiah, Paul and John the Baptist all tell us – that our reason for Rejoicing is because “the Lord our God, is IN our midst!” You see, He’s not just the God of Sunday mornings, here in Church. And He’s not just the God of help when we’re sick or struggling. . . . Our God Loves us, NO Matter What, AT all Times, and IN all places, and FOR all Time.
Our Lord DWELLS among us!
And it’s IN that mutual Love of God for us, and we for Him, that we discover :
the elimination of all FEAR.
You see, even though the Judeans were witnessing the fall of Israel, their northern neighbors, to the sword of the Assyrians, . . . Isaiah was telling them, and us that despite the threats, and despite the challenges, we CAN be Confident and Unafraid, when the Lord is in our midst.
And even though, 100-years later, when the Judeans, themselves, were about to be decimated by Babylon, Zephaniah still tells them NOT to FEAR.
And, even though the Philippians were facing persecution because of their Faith in Jesus, Paul tells them to have NO Anxiety, because the Lord was with them.
You know, sometimes Life might make us feel as if we were being chased by an army of cannibals, . . . – with just seconds to cross a tattered rope bridge, – over a thousand-foot gorge, – with an arrow in one leg, and – alligators snapping below us.
And yet, even, despite our terror with heights, we would still have NO Fear, because we would know that the Lord our God, is always with us! . . . We would know that “All things are possible with God.”
You see, we really do have NO reason for Fear, because our Lord, Jesus Christ, has already Saved us.
And THERE – is our reason to Rejoice!
THERE, is the proof of our Good News,
that God Loves us, no matter what!
You see, it was in that little cave where the beasts of burden dwell, that the Lord, our precious God, would enter into our beastly nature – out of His unfathomable Love for us.
And it was from that little trough that was used to feed the beasts, that the Lord, our incarnate God, would feed us – with His Word, and His Sacrament, and His very blood – out of His immeasurable Love for us.
And IF we can wrap our simple, little, human minds – even part-way around the immensity of that Act, the immensity of the Love, that we will celebrate in just 13-days, . . . despite the threats, and despite the challenges, and despite the chasms we may have to cross, we will know – without a doubt – that our God LOVES us – No Matter What!
And it’s IN that Love, it’s IN that “Good News,” that we Rejoice in Gratitude for the Blessing of Jesus in our lives.
Beyond our wildest dreams,
God loves us . . . no matter what!
And what better reason could we have,
to REJOICE!
12-11-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 11, 2021
(St. Damascus I, Pope)
The disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Mt_17:9a,10-13
They were the prophetic messengers, John and Elijah, telling the world that if they wanted to enjoy the thrill of God’s ride, they had to be old enough, they had to be tall enough and prepared enough to enter the gate. “Be prepared,” John the Baptist would say. “Repent and believe” was the message. Make straight the path! For only those with the right qualifications would be allowed on this journey to heaven. Are we ready, beloved? God wants ALL of us to be ready! And unlike those who came before Him, Jesus is here with us to help us through. Be prepared. Listen to Him. And Believe!
12-10-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 10, 2021
Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; Is_48:17-19
Easily given, Freely available, Tremendous benefits. This is what God offers to each and every one of us, beloved. And all it takes is a little obedience. Love one another!
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life. Jn_8:12
Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night. Ps_1
BLESSED!
Jesus said, “wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Mt_11:16-19
In our state of being so lost in making decisions, in believing ANYTHING any more, in knowing who to follow and who to avoid, Jesus reminds us of Wisdom and Truth. He has given us of His Holy Spirit. Listen to your inner Spirit beloved, and believe only what His wisdom teaches. It is the wisdom of God’s Truth. And only in that Truth will we find true LIFE!
Jesus and Apostles in the Mount of Olives, church of Saint Matthew in Stitar, Croatia
12-09-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 9, 2021
(St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin)
Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Mt_11:11-15
And so, if you read that correctly, there is no one born of woman who is in the Kingdom of Heaven??? But maybe that is an incorrect way of reading it. My scant amount of research came up with the following explanation by the author William Barclay in his “The New Daily Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew.” I thought it was worth sharing. He said, Quote . . .
“But what was it that John lacked? What was it that the Christian has that John could never have? The answer is simple and fundamental. John never had seen the cross. Therefore one thing John could never know – (was) the full revelation of the love of God. The holiness of God he might know: the justice of God he might declare; but the love of God in all its fullness he could never know. We have only to listen to the message of John and the message of Jesus. No one could call John’s message a gospel, good news; it was basically a threat of destruction. It took Jesus and his cross to show to men and women the length, breadth, depth and height of the love of God. It is a most amazing thing that it is possible for the humblest Christian to know more about God than the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Those who have seen the cross have seen the heart of God in a way that no one who lived before the cross could ever see it. Indeed, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than anyone who went before.
So John had the destiny which sometimes falls to an individual; he had the task of pointing men and women to a greatness into which he himself did not enter. It is given to some people to be the signposts of God. They point to a new ideal and a new greatness which others will enter into, but into which they will not come. It is very seldom that any great reformer is the first person to toil for the reform with which his or her name is connected. Many who went before glimpsed the glory, often labored for it, and sometimes died for it. . . . God needed John; God needs his signposts who can point others on the way, although they themselves cannot ever reach the goal.”
John was great, but the least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he. That’s us beloved. We have seen. We have heard. We have learned of the true love that God has for us. And growing in that love, we will one day be Great in the Kingdom of God. Plan on it, beloved. And in the process, thank the signposts, the messengers, like John and Isaiah, Moses and Abraham. AND Jesus!
12-08-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 8, 2021
(The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Then the LORD God said to the serpent: “ . . . I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” Gn_3:9-15,20
A wound to the heel is much less fatal than a wound to the head. And thus God prophesied the downfall of Satan by the offspring of the woman, of Mary. Jesus would destroy the power of Satan, death, once and for all through his own passion, death and resurrection. And Mary, the “new Eve,” as opposed to the original Eve who brought death to the world by succumbing to the temptation of Satan and losing her trust in God, Mary would bring life to the world by submitting her total trust in God, as she responded to the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation:
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Lk_1:26-38
As Catholics we understand the meaning of the Immaculate Conception as Mary’s conception in a perfect and sinless state. For none other than a perfect “ark” could hold the perfection, the divinity of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. And so, while our Scriptures speak of the Annunciation of the conception of Jesus, since there are no canonical Scriptures on the birth of Mary, we understand this dogma as handed on by our Church Tradition, and attested to in the apparition of Mary at Fatima.
There is, however, a non-canonical, apocryphal writing called the Protoevangelium of James that does describe a story of the events surrounding the miraculous conception of the Blessed Virgin. And it’s kind of nice to put the event in a semi-story-like picture that helps us see the Divine Works of our God in the likes of Elizabeth’s conception of John the Baptist, Hannah’s conception of Samuel, Rachel’s conception of Joseph and Sarah’s conception of Isaac.
Here, then, is a link to that writing . . .
The Birth of Mary – the Mother of God
12-07-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 7, 2021
(St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Mt_18:12-14
Rejoice then, beloved, for every lost sinner who repents, for every lost Catholic who comes back, for every one of us, every time we find something new about our faith. Rejoice, just as God rejoices over us, us “little ones,” lost in a world without faith and without scruples. Oh, the enormity of reasons we have to rejoice! Blessed be our God forever!
Found!
12-06-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 6, 2021
(St. Nicholas, Bishop)
One day as Jesus was teaching, . . . some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Lk_5:17-26
There are some people who just want to be entertained. There are some people who solely want to be the favorites, the honored, the boastful, the arrogant. There are people who believe, just so that they can be healed by this great healer. And then there are people who would do anything to become one with Jesus: the family of the paralyzed man, Zacchaeus the tax collector, the hemorrhaging woman, the centurion whose servant was dying.
What would we be willing to do to become one with Jesus, beloved? Would we be willing to break down rooves, climb trees, clamber through the crowds, or understand that even without a visible Jesus we could still find healing through our faith?
Jesus wants us there, beloved. He wants us to be willing to even die for our faith in Him. And with that faith we will be able to move mountains. We will find healing and we will find peace, even be it God’s will – that our, maybe selfish wants, not be given right away or ever. But His peace and our hope will endure forever. Advent is our time to reflect on that peace. The peace and hope of Jesus’ return!
12-05-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 5, 2021
(2nd Sunday Advent C)
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. Lk_3:1-6
And so we know the EXACT time! Luke, the doctor, the scientist, the perfectionist, made sure the world would forever know the precise period in which the most important story the world has ever or will ever know occurred. Although we may never be able to pronounce all those ancient names and places, historians forever will be able to trace the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry and the ministry of Jesus.
Then Luke continues, describing how John’s ministry was the perfect fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy seven-centuries earlier:
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths, Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Ibid
ALL FLESH shall see. And then they have the choice. The choice to believe what they see and hear or not. Unfortunately many of our brothers and sisters, God’s children, refuse to believe, adhere, follow, obey and listen to God’s command to love one another. So, let us be in constant prayer for them, beloved. For we truly do not want to see anyone, ANYONE, not receive the glorious salvation of our God. Jesus died for us ALL. He made straight, made smooth the path. All we need do is believe, follow and trust!
12-04-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 4, 2021
(St. John of Damascus, Priest, Religious, Doctor of the Church)
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Mt_9:35–10:1,5a,6-8
Jesus instructed them to pass on a vision of hope. And in that hope there would be healing and cleansing and freedom. It is the hope that was given freely to them and just as freely to us, beloved. It’s the hope of eternal life. It’s the healing of self-oppression that leads to physical illness. It’s the cleansing of pride and all sinfulness. And it’s the freedom to offer ourselves for the sake of others. It is the freely given faith to believe in all that Jesus promised. Without cost we have received! Without cost we should equally give – God’s love through us!
12-03-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 3, 2021
(St. Francis Xavier, Priest)
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple. Ps_27
To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life – This is what we seek, beloved! This is what we seek by following His will, by contemplating His love, by sharing the “Good News” of that love with all we meet, and by knowing that in doing all of that we have nothing to fear. Not humiliation, not pain and suffering, not even death will cause us fear, because we are One in God’s great love. And that love is our shield, our light, our hope. When that love becomes so great in us, beloved, great enough to even love our enemies, then we’re dwelling in God’s house already. And we will – for all eternity!
12-02-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 2, 2021
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Mt_7:21,24-27
And what is that “will,” beloved? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And, oh yeah, love your neighbor too! Love that neighbor even when his very existence seems to feel like sleeping on a bed of nails, or shuffling about on 60 grit sandpaper in bare feet, or placing your hand over a raging fire. Love him anyway, because that’s exactly how much God loves us. Not everyone, even those who deceitfully put on the mask of being pious, but inside are broiling in their pride and hatred and conceit, will enter heaven. But pray beloved, for ourselves, that we may see those very fires burning within ourselves and quench them with God’s Love!
12-01-21 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
December 1, 2021
On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. Is_25:6-10a
On that mountain, the Lord had saved the life of Isaac, the son of Abraham. On that mountain, the Lord had written the rules, the law, the ten commandments that would save a nation. On that mountain, the Lord would proclaim a new set of rules. Rules that would lead to eternal happiness. Rules called the Beatitudes, for our salvation. On that mountain, the Lord would offer His most sacred and divine body for the salvation of all who believe. On that mountain, the promise of the Holy Spirit would descend into the hearts of all who open their lives to allow His presence. That mountain now rests in our own hearts, beloved. It is the dwelling place of God, if we so allow Him there. And what better reason than that to REJOICE! As we anxiously await our return to Him, we will never forget His presence with us, now and forever!
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Happy December, beloved!
God’s blessings!
Please come visit November’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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EARLIER MONTH’S QUOTES can be found
in monthly subcategories of – “Whispers“
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