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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03-31-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 31, 2022
Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews, “I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.” Jn_5:31-47
As Jesus’ discussions with the unbelieving Jews and the Temple rulers became more and more heated, they, all the more, set out to have Him killed. All building to the climax of the Passion of Jesus, The situation was political, it was religious and it was dire. And yet, it was all foreseen through the Scriptures. Jesus not only fulfilled the Scriptures describing his miracles, but those describing His passion and death as well. All part of God’s plan to demonstrate His love for us., and to show us the model of love we should follow as well.
03-30-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 30, 2022
Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.” Jn_5:17-30
Listen, hear, believe, be saved from condemnation and LIVE!
Jesus gives us the Words of eternal life. And it’s all possible through Love!
03-29-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 29, 2022
After the angel had shown the prophet Ezekiel how a trickling of water emanating from the Temple of God had turned into a mighty river, Ezekiel sat down on the bank of the river and pondered the words and vision he had just witnessed. The angel told him that ‘Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.’ Ez_47:1-9,12
Oh, what a beautiful analogy for the spring of water that Jesus had described to the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said to her,“If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” [The woman] said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the well is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jn_4:7-14
Jesus is the trickling spring running from the Temple that is God. In the water of our baptism we become one with Him, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. As Christianity has grown from the simple twelve Apostles to the 3+billion we are today, that trickling spring has become a mighty river of Christ’s love within us and in the world, and we become those trees which feed on the river. Our leaves, and the fruit of our spiritual lives bring both healing and life to all who dwell in our shade, feed on the Word and drink from the river of life. For, as St. Paul quoted in his letter to the Corinthians (2_Cor_5:20), we become “ambassadors for Christ,” sharing His love and feeding the world with His life.
03-28-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 28, 2022
A royal official said to him (Jesus), “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. Jn_4:43-54
How much of what Jesus tells us, beloved, do we believe? Do we believe that we must love both God and our neighbor? Even the one we don’t really like! Do we believe that God has mercy on us, even when we curse Him in our disappointments and pain? Do we believe that God truly does love us “no matter what?” Do we believe that we will experience a resurrection of our soul and our body? Do we believe that if we truly believe, we can experience eternal life in heaven with the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, even, to some extent, in this life? Do we believe that some healings are purely psychological? Do we believe that when we pray for others, in true belief, that they will be healed?
Believing in Jesus begins with listening to Him. And we can hear him best in our readings and sharing of the Scriptures. Just as the royal official had to first GO to Jesus to ask for healing, so we must first go to those Words of Jesus, in order to get to know Him. In order to be ABLE to listen to what He is telling us.
Having re-fallen in love with this song lately, in honor of our Great Holy Spirit, hope it gets stuck in your heads as well. Just don’t let the Words of Jesus, get blown away from you, beloved. Instead catch them – those Whispers to the Wind!
03-27-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 27, 2022
(4th Sunday Lent, C)
The father in Jesus’ parable about a wayward son, welcomed him with open arms upon his return. Having recognized his poverty in thinking that independence was the answer to everything, the prodigal son came back begging for his father’s forgiveness. And yet the older son, unable to forgive his brother for his rudeness, irresponsibility and total lack of respect for their father, could not find it in his heart to even look at his sibling, let alone forgive. The father said to him in reply ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ Lk_15:1-3,11-32
Forgiveness is such a difficult task when the pain to ourselves or to our loved ones is so intense. And yet, God understands both the pain of asking forgiveness and that of giving it. And He gives us perfect examples of both. Jesus took upon Himself the pain of OUR transgressions in order to show God’s mercy towards us. And He taught us to constantly pray, even for our enemies. In doing that, it doesn’t make the hurt any less, but it does help sooth and heal us quicker (like putting ice on a burn before it blisters and takes forever to heal).
The parable of the prodigal son is the perfect example of God, our Father’s, mercy towards us, even when we have directly harmed Him. Jesus never said it would be easy. But for God’s and for our sake, it is worth it. Pray, even (and maybe especially) for our persecutors! And let that ice freeze away the burn!
03-26-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 26, 2022
Jesus told a parable about a righteous Pharisee and a humble tax collector. The tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ Jesus concluded, I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Lk_18:9-14
How humble can we be beloved? When you have to take the only job available, which is so far below what you spent years training for. And then they berate you for being that trash or tax collector. But you’ve got a family to feed. And so you pray to God for the strength to endure it. And you beg for mercy when even your own family berates you. How do we endure the beatings and the bombs and the insults and the demotions and the firings and the funny looks. Have mercy on us O God. And bless us with the strength of the Holy Spirit and the courage and endurance of Jesus. For we are sinners, and for whatever it was we did, we repent with all our heart. Have mercy on us!
03-25-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 25, 2022
(The Annunciation of the Lord)
The. Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Lk_1:26-38
The power to conceive, from the aged to the youth, nothing will be impossible for God. All we need do, beloved, is comply as Mary and Elizabeth had joyfully done. But what scary propositions for them both. Elizabeth knowing in her old age that she would now be responsible for an infant and Mary risking not only her pending marriage to Joseph, but her very life, in accepting this proposition. It’s our call as well, beloved, to trust in God with our very lives. We just may be surprised at the outcome. Against all natural, political and rational laws, God WILL succeed – with our cooperation!
Video link from picture
“Oh Mary, Mother of God”
03-23-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 23, 2022
(Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, Bishop)
Jesus said, “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Mt_5:17-19
Not that we’re striving to be the “greatest,” but maybe, just getting to that Kingdom of Heaven would be nice. And yet, breaking any one of those major, ten commandments will surely keep us from getting there. But what about all those little commandments, the ones that are so hard to avoid, the ones that just happen accidentally, the ones we may not even know are bad? Well, not that we’re going to do them just for the sake of knowing we have a loving and forgiving God, but knowing that we have a loving and forgiving God gives us all the more hope when we do accidentally break a commandment, or worse, break one in the spur of a heated moment. God loves us. And He wants nothing less than all of us to get to heaven. But I guess it would be nice not to be at the bottom of the pile when we get there. And Jesus shows us how!
03-22-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 22, 2022
Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud . . Dn_3:25,34-43
In the midst of the fire, what do we do, beloved? Are we crying? Are we cursing? Are we regretting? Are we begging forgiveness? Or are we praying? We beseech you, O Lord, save us from these flames. We know of our lowliness. We know of your great mercy. We know about your justice. Maybe this is our own just due. But in our love for You show us just a little of Your merciful love in return. Bring us home, we pray! In Jesus’ Name we pray.
03-21-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 21, 2022
After their rejection of Him, Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, . . . there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” Lk_4:24-30
Pride, jealousy, anger, hatred. Sometimes thinking you know someone too well, can breed contempt. When in reality, you really don’t know them at all. While we may take pride in trying to be the best we can at whatever it is we do, there are always those who in their insecurity feel threatened by anyone better than themselves. And so, what happens? They fire us, they dismiss us, they lead us to the brow of the hill in hopes of killing us outright, just as they did to Jesus.
Been there beloved? And yet, we find that there’s no way we can ever convince them that we’re doing it (our best) all FOR them. For the glory of THEIR team. For the growth of their community. For the sake of answering our calling by God. They just don’t understand WHO we are. Or even, who THEY are, for that matter (God’s children).
And yet, there we are, too, beloved. Fired, dismissed, deemed useless in the eyes of those we give our blood and tears for. It’s just a good thing I can’t curse, but instead, like Jesus, I’ll walk away, through the midst of them. You don’t want me? Well it’s your loss. I understand your insecurity and I’ll pray for your conversion, your understanding, your redemption. And yet, in the meantime, I DO understand that I’m pretty far from perfect, myself. But I’ll keep on trying, until there’s nothing more to try and not a breath more to take. And then, we’ll let God be the judge of us both! Thanks be to God, for Naaman, for Jesus and for His LOVE!
03-20-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 20, 2022
3rd Sunday Lent, C
Moses said to God, “But when I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.” Ex_3:1-8a,13-15
Whether Moses was hedging on an escape route from his Godly mission or testing the waters to see if this really was who He said He was, Moses knew that questions would come up that would test his own validity. And he needed the answers. And when he realized that it really was God, Moses began to question his own righteousness, his own qualifications for such a Holy task.
And it’s funny, because we might pose the same questions of ourselves. Who am I to be telling others what right and wrong is? Who am I to be telling others how to get to heaven?
St. Paul said to his beloved Corinthians, “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” 1_Cor_10:1-6,10-12
And Jesus reminded the crowd following Him to remember “those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them, do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Lk_13:1-9
You see, Moses knew deep down in his heart that he really wasn’t qualified to be the savior of God’s people. And I think we know the same thing. Yet, it is God who qualifies the called and doesn’t necessarily always call the qualified. God knows what and whom He has created and He gives us all the power we need to accomplish His callings. What WE have to do, beloved, is listen, repent, as Jesus calls us to, and then GO out and do what we’re called to do. God, through the Holy Spirit, will qualify us. And it’s not our place to shirk that responsibility.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing or welcoming them in the Love of Jesus!
(While the priests will do it according to the Trinitarian Formula.)
03-19-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 19, 2022
(St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother 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. Mt_1:16,18-21,24a
The Apparition of the Angel to St. Joseph
Georges de La Tour, 1645
As a faithful recognizer of the importance of dreams, Joseph, like his predecessor Joseph the son of Jacob, listened to this most important message and submitted in faith to the Word of God. Swallowing all his pride and all his worldly understanding of human procreation, Joseph believed God and submitted to this most Holy Mission, to become the step-father of God’s Son, the promised One, the Messiah.
We submit to God’s desire to serve as responsible mentors, trainers and examples to our children, actually God’s children. Imagine that child then, actually being Jesus. Well, beloved, they actually are not far from it. And WE are the ones responsible for raising them – in God’s Name. How seriously do WE take that mission? Serious enough to die for them? Serious enough to risk heaven and hell to do that task to the absolute best of our ability? God is counting on us in this one beloved. And we should count on Him for all the patience, wisdom and love possible. For our world and our God are truly depending on us in this one!
03-18-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 18, 2022
(St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus said to the unbelieving Pharisees, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?’” Mt_21:33-43,45-46
Who might we be rejecting, beloved, that just might be the cornerstone to our salvation, our growth, our learning important lessons of patience and compassion and acceptance? Something we all need to learn, just as those Pharisees needed to, but didn’t. And so we pray, “Lord give us eyes to see through the difficult exteriors to find You, even in our enemies. Help us to love as You love. Bless us with all the virtues that we’ll need to accomplish this. And lead us to the blessed side of the chasm we heard of yesterday. Lead us to YOU! In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
03-17-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 17, 2022
(St. Patrick, Bishop)
Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ Lk_16:19-31
No Crossovers! A blessing or a curse. Freedom from all that is evil. Or eternal suffering. This is our choice, beloved. Choose wisely!
03-16-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 16, 2022
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” Mt_20:17-28
Out of the ashes, out of the torture, out of the embarrassment, out of the pain there is new life. And not just life as we know it, over again. Life without the pain and embarrassment and tortures and ashes. If you’ve lived a life of cushy joy, more power to you! You have certainly received your reward. And it may be difficult for you to ever see or need this hope of new life. But if, within your life you’ve sought and found only glimpses of joy, amidst the pain and suffering; if this life has worn you out with all the repeated mistakes, constantly made by our world’s leaders and ourselves; if we’re not really looking forward to process of death but more than ever can’t wait for the prospect of that “new life,” then we can be assured, on the Word of Jesus, that it WILL come. Keep on praying for it. And then, live and share that hope, not only for yourself, but with every person you ever meet. There IS hope! Follow Jesus!
03-15-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 15, 2022
Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Mt_23:1-12
IF in no one else’s eyes, in Gods!
03-14-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 14, 2022
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Lk_6:36-38
We all know, in a perfect world, this surely would be nice. But we don’t live in a perfect world and we know that even if we are merciful, non-judgmental and non-condemning, we may likely be slighted, judged and condemned ourselves – in our innocence, just as Jesus was. But the point is, that its got to start somewhere. And that somewhere is us. When we can set the example of righteousness, there is a possibility that others may witness it and be a little less filled with revenge, judgment and condemnation themselves. And they might then influence others as well. And little by little the world could change. It is a place to start – and that place is in our own heads and hearts! God knows all we do! And everything COUNTS!
03-12-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 12, 2022
Jesus said, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Mt_5:43-48
And perfection is . . . loving everyone, even those whom we’re not real fond of. And no one ever said perfection was easy. That’s why Jesus is here always to help us. Count on Him!
03-11-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 11, 2022
Jesus said, “Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Mt_5:20-26
I always wondered how they were supposed to pay the last penny while they were in jail. Well, it was just a saying anyway. The point was to never have to make it to the jail level in the first place. Settle your arguments before it ever gets to jail. Jesus was pointing out that we have to go the extra mile in all that we do. In the good we do, in avoiding the bad, in the effort we put forward, in our mercy to others, in our love for all, always go that extra mile. Don’t judge so you won’t be judged. Not always easy virtues to carry out, but well worth the effort!
03-10-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 10, 2022
Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” . . . “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” Mt_7:7-12
The Golden Rule! Show mercy; offer compassion; help, even when it’s not asked for; give, even if it hurts; love without exception and ask, even when it might be uncomfortable. Jesus is waiting for us to ask. But we should never expect receipt without at least being willing to give to others. God is a merciful giver to those who show mercy, in His love!
03-09-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 9, 2022
(St. Frances of Rome, Religious)
Jesus said, “Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.” Lk_11:29-32
Following the holy orders of God, Jesus, like Jonah, came to a city, a world, filled with evil. And both warned their people to repent of their sins and turn back to God. And if that metanoia, that change, that turning back, did not occur, there would certainly be condemnation.
I truly believe, beloved, that nobody really wants condemnation. But there are still many who just don’t believe. Without taking away their freedom of choice, God gives us all the option – to listen and obey or not. The consequence, the condemnation for not obeying is there for the believing or not.
And so, like Jonah, who WAS able to convince the Ninevites to convert, and thus, save them; and like Jesus who shared the message, gained a handful of ambassadors, and died for it; we too share God’s love and hope with our world, enduring a variety of responses. But it takes belief. We can’t force anyone. But when they truly understand the consequences of evil, the pain of eternal damnation, the punishment, the eternal separation from God, I think most conscientious people will do exactly what Jesus wants, repentance, conversion, hope and love, and can be assured of their reward of eternal life with Him.
It’s just an offer that’s too good to refuse or ignore!
03-08-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 8, 2022
(St. John of God, Religious)
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Ps_34
And THERE is our Hope, beloved!
He IS listening!
03-07-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 7, 2022
(Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs)
In telling the story of the final judgment, Jesus spoke of a separation of the righteous from the unrighteous. And to each He gave the exact reason why they would inherit eternal life, or damnation. To the righteous He said, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Of course, in their humility, they had no idea when or that they had done such deeds for Jesus. To which Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Mt_25:31-46
In our Church, we call this list of virtuous deeds ‘the works of mercy.’ As we are blessed with the grace of God in the Sacraments and in all aspects of our lives, so we are called to use those blessings to enhance the lives of others, especially those in greater need than ourselves, both physically and spiritually. Thus, for those who need lists, for those who don’t realize that every little deed they do for others is recognized by God, we have a list of just a few of those “good deeds.”
But note too, that those “righteous” people did not do those good deeds for the sake of attaining God’s kingdom. They were done purely out of their humble love for their brothers and sisters, for all of God’s children. And it’s through that love that we, unbeknownst to us, become God’s righteous and, in the end, attain the rewards of His kingdom.
Pray for the needy, beloved. And pray for our own conversions from lives of internal (maybe even unknown) selfishness to lives pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit will provide us with all the tools we need!
03-06-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 6, 2022
(1st Sunday of Lent, Yr. C)
The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” . . .
Then Satan showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. . . .
and said, “All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Lk_4:1-13
The three temptations. In His humanity, Jesus was tempted by Satan in much the same way that we are tempted, beloved: the Flesh, the World and the Devil. The Flesh: eat, eat, eat. Eat when we don’t need to. Eat what we know we shouldn’t. Eat to satisfy those passions of feeling good. Eat, in response to cravings or just because we were tempted. And then eating grows into satisfying those other fleshly passions and temptations: sex, drugs, stealing, cheating, lying, murder, anger, hatred . . . The devil is in them all, beloved, and he knows that we’re weak when it comes to fleshly temptations (especially those chocolate chip cookies and our coffee). And yet, Jesus showed us that He and we CAN overcome those temptations with a little discipline and faith. We supply the discipline and He, the support in our faith.
Then there’s the world. Oh how the world, through the media, tempts us, entices us into it’s ownership. It complains to the n’th degree about out prejudices, and then it subtly feeds those prejudices itself, in hatred against cultures, against professions, against races and even against sexes. We have apps and TV programs, movies and websites galore, that cannot pass on a single message without selling one thing or another that have nothing to do with the message or even contradicts it. It’s a world of materialism, consumerism and pride. “You can have all of this, IF . . .
IF you worship ME – If you worship the devil, with all his lies, with all his enticement, with all his false promises. The flesh, the world and the devil. All out there to take us away from the love that’s already planted in our hearts for God, for Jesus. For remember that Jesus has already conquered that pest, two thousand years ago. All we need do is rely on Him!
Finally, taking Jesus to the top of the Temple, Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you,lest you dash your foot against a stone.” ibid
Pride. “Here, the devil was saying, “Even though God decides the time and the moment, why not bring the moment forward? Why remain in obscurity when so much good can be done by coming out into the light in a glorious and spectacular way?” We can see that this final temptation is the most complex and subtle of all.” How to turn a good into an evil – Satan’s the pro. And thus, we must be very very careful in our discernment of even the goods that we plan. Is there pride in it? Is there evil hidden in it? Can it lead to evil in the way others view it? We must be very cautious, beloved, and pray for discernment in everything we think, and say and do. This is what Lent is all about!
03-05-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 5, 2022
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his (Jesus’s) disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” Lk_5:27-32
And yet, none of us are truly “righteous” in God’s eyes. We all have the need for a little repentance. And it is – to ALL of us that Jesus came. If we think that we, ourselves, are the righteous ones, compared to everyone else, then our own judgment and condemnation of others is our fault. And even if that condemnation extends to ourselves, that we feel like we are the worst of the worst, then we still need to repent, because we are all made in God’s image and likeness and are loved by God, despite our faults. Jesus tells us that He came to call us, all of us, into that kingdom of non-judgment, that kingdom of acceptance, that kingdom of love. For it is just that Love that will heal us all!
03-04-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 4, 2022
Thus says the LORD, “Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” Is_58:1-9a
Little boy asks his mom for a cookie and mom responds, “No, Sonny, it’s not good for your teeth and it will spoil your dinner.” Little boy goes away sad. Remember those days, beloved!
So little boy takes a bath, changes his clothes, combs his hair and comes back to mom asking for a cookie again. Mom responds, “Well my, Junior, you’ve certainly done a good job cleaning yourself up, but in the process you’ve left your room a mess and now I have even more clothes to wash. Besides, you know, cookies are not good for your teeth and they spoil your dinner.”
So little boy goes back to his room, straightens it all up, vacuums the floor, does the dishes and helps his, even littler, sister with her homework (instead of picking on her). And then he goes back to his mom and very politely asks for a cookie. Mom, in turn, gives the little boy a big hug and kiss, thanking him profusely for all of his good work.
And then she responds, “I know that the whole purpose of your doing all that work was for getting a cookie, and it was really good to see you helping me and being nice to your little sister. So I’ll tell you what, we still don’t want to spoil your dinner, but for your effort you can certainly have a cookie after dinner, if you eat well and brush your teeth before bed! And you know what, the next time you help others around the house, for the sake of your love for them and for me, without expecting a cookie in return, you might just get a cookie even without asking.”
To which, this Joe says, “Thanks mom for the memories.”
Today, we learn that God would like nothing less than to shower us with cookies. But getting those cookies doesn’t just come from cleaning up our own acts; although, fasting, prayer and almsgiving are certainly good for our spirituality. What God IS seeking are hearts willing to love others enough to offer them help, in His Name. To offer them ‘the Hope’ that He promised all of us, through Jesus.
And in so doing, we not only receive the cookies of love from others, in return for all of those good deeds, but we unquestionably know, deep in our hearts, that our God has got our back no matter what obstacles we might encounter along the way.
You see, God’s cookie jar is always full.
And those are cookies that are well worth Loving for!
03-03-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 3, 2022
(St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin)
Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you . . . I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. Dt_30:15-20
In God’s great love for us, He will never force us to make one choice over another. We have been given the grace to do that for ourselves. But, God will, thoroughly instruct us in the consequences of our choices. Some choices may lead us to harm while others to eternal bliss. Some may seem on the outside to be wonderful choices, and yet hidden within are disaster and doom. While others, that may seem a little challenging or sacrificial, could likely bring us rewards beyond our imagination. Thus we are called to learn. Learn what God wants of us, which is simply Love. And Love instills within our choices things like compassion, respect, forgiveness, understanding, patience and mercy. By Loving God, we seek to understand Him more and more every day. And by loving Him, we become like Him in our love for one another. Of this, Moses and Jesus constantly remind us. This is the meaning of Life! And it’s our choice!
03-02-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the LORD, your God. Jl_2:12-18
Pray for peace, beloved. As the world reacts to a very unsettling situation in eastern Europe, in Ukraine, we pray, instead of hate and fear. We pray for the souls of those who have died – on both sides. We pray for those trying to survive in the midst of a land enveloped in bombs. We pray, especially for the children and the innocent civilians. We pray for their leaders that they make wise choices that respect the dignity of all. We pray for the enemy, that they recognize the evil in their act of war and lay down their weapons. We pray for the Russian leaders, that they recognize the opposition they have from the whole world and find a way to peaceful coexistence. Today, Ash Wednesday, we pray for our own sanity, we pray for the strength to encourage others and not fall into the trap of fear and discouragement. Our God loves us all. And we really must – do the same, if we ever truly want Peace!
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From Pope Francis’ February 23rd address: “My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.
And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”
Pope Francis, Feb 23, 2022
03-01-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
March 1, 2022
Jesus said, “many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Mk_10:28-31
This in reference to the Jews vs the Gentiles in their belief in Him. The Jews did come first in God’s promise of salvation. But many of them refused to believe that Jesus was their very salvation come in human flesh. Blinded by power and wealth, the Jewish leaders would rather see Him killed than suffer any loss to their own notoriety. While on the other hand, the poor, the lame and the needy saw Jesus as exactly what was promised the Jews, and they believed! Thus, the last (the Gentiles) were first in salvation while the first, the Jews, were last.
Funny, and I’ve said this before, but every time I find myself at the grocery store with five lines of people, whenever I try to take control myself and skip over to the shorter line, the one that I was in always begins to move faster. And if I just stayed where I was and trusted, or prayed for those in greater need than I, I’d find that Trust and Prayer always win out!
Moral of the story, of course, is the value of patience and trust. God is always watching over us. And whatever the outcome of ANY situation, it usually ends up being the best outcome if we trust in Him over ourselves. And when we look back, we often find ourselves giving thanks, that if we really did get out earlier, we surely would have been the one in the accident, or caught in the thunderburst, or who knows what! Thanks be to God for the Grace of patience.
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Happy March, beloved!
God’s blessings!
Please come visit February’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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