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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08-31-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 31, 2022
After healing many people in a particular town, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Lk_4:38-44
Notice, Jesus didn’t say, “to other towns I have been sent to heal their sick.” Jesus didn’t come to “fix” us, but out of God’s extraordinary love for us, Jesus came to proclaim that very good news of God’s love. Rather than band-aiding our wounds, often created by our own doing, Jesus came to stop the bleeding at its source. To fix the cause rather than just the symptoms of our (humanity’s) illness, a lack of love, a lack of trust, a lack of true community. When we can finally “get” the purpose of Jesus, beloved, then we’ll truly begin to heal, and have the ability to heal others! We are all loved! First by God and then, by all who truly believe and follow the Way of Jesus!
08-30-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 30, 2022
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. Lk_4:31-37
You know, there is just something about “the Truth” of God’s teaching that is irrefutable, that has authority in it, that amazes us when it’s heard. Jesus spoke of nothing but the Truth and the people were astonished, because it was not something they heard from their religious leaders. Sure they heard their silly jokes, their ridiculous examples, their quoted references from the ancient authorities, but they were just missing the Truth of it all. And after it was all said and done, it’s no different today. Jesus wants us to share His Truth, the Truth of God’s love for each and every one of us. Not the prejudice, not the “thou shalt nots…,” not their favorite baseball experiences, not how I can tie that Scripture into something meaningful to me (for everyone can do that), but the simple authoritative love of God for us and our call to do the same for others. Love is Truth. And where there is not love, there simply is not God either!
08-29-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 29, 2022
(The Passion of St. John the Baptist)
John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Mk_6:17-29
Here was a powerful and ruthless king. Yet, unlike Nathaniel, whom Jesus called a man without duplicity, Herod was unquestionably a man full of duplicity, without honor or scruples or even integrity. While he enjoyed listening to the Truth that came from the mouth of John, he was also perplexed with its meaning in his own sad life. And when it came to the choice between his “kingly” image or his enjoyable prisoner, Herod, in his vanity, chose the path of vanity at the cost of John’s life. Herod, like his predecessor Ahab chose to cower under the skirt hoops of the wicked women who had the true power over them. Rather than submit to the will of God, they gave their fealty to evil in the name of lust and weakness.
But thanks be to God, we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our resolve to love God above all. To be able to discern the Truth from the lies of evil. And to learn from Jesus the true path to righteousness.
08-28-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 28, 2022
(22nd Sunday Ordinary Time, C)
Jesus said, “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Lk_14:1,7-14
Humility, poverty, generosity, compassion, selflessness, these are the treasures that make us rich in the Kingdom of God. Bless one another with these attitudes and acts, beloved, all for the Love of God and not ourselves. And blessed will you be!
08-27-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 27, 2022
(St. Monica, Mother)
Jesus told an eschatological (end times) parable about three servants who were assigned “talents” in order to assess their creativity in using them. The master in the story already knew how they would respond based on their past performance. And so they received amounts relative to their capabilities. And then they were all judged based on their accomplishments. Nobody lost their original outlay. But the one who chose not to risk losing it, thus gaining nothing, was chastised for his lack of creativity. And Jesus concluded: For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’” Mt_25:14-30
In a series of eschatological stories, Jesus was warning His listeners (and us, beloved) of the importance of being prepared (thinking ahead), of looking alive, of staying faithful, of not cheating or being lazy, and of taking risks when it comes to offering mercy and sharing the good news with others – whatever our talents may be. For we do not know when that “end time” will come for us. But whenever it is, we really don’t want to end up wailing and grinding our teeth in the dark because we were overly cautious, selfish, foolish or frightened. God sees all! So be prepared!
08-26-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 26, 2022
St. Paul wrote, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1_Cor_1:17-25
Died for life? Suffered for others? Humbled Himself for power? Where is the wisdom of these actions. Well maybe it’s not ours to judge or even understand. But in faith we trust in God, that all of that was for our good. Jesus taught us about power and humility, about preparation and foolishness, about eternal life and death, about hope and promise. All we need do is trust and believe, and then, follow in His footsteps!
08-25-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 25, 2022
(St. Louis of France)
Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
Ps_145
Every day, beloved, we should bless one another. For God’s blessings are innumerable. And He seeks for us to love our brothers and sisters to the extreme of bringing God’s blessings to them. And in doing so, He will bless us as well. May our loving God bless you now and forever, in Jesus name we pray!
08-23-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 23, 2022
(St. Rose of Lima, Virgin)
Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.” Mt_23:23-26
Jesus was pretty harsh with the religious leaders. And well He should have been, because it was their charge to love their flock and not chastise them for what they could not give, without giving the same themselves. They were all about “the show” and not the act.
And it’s the same with us, beloved. For whatever charge we have, be it manager, president, representative, or even simply “Christian,” we are called to act what we preach, what we demand, while never judging, but training by example, just as Jesus did.
How many people do we know who could fill those same shoes, clean on the outside, all looks, and yet abominable on the inside – though it’s never hard to see? And how do we deal with them? Do we just ignore them? Do we gently try to change their hearts through our own examples? Or do we beat them up about their hypocrisy? What did Jesus do? And then, even more importantly . . . what about ourselves?
08-22-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 22, 2022
(The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Jesus said, “. . . which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it; one who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it; one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it.” Mt_23:13-22
Mary the Ark, Jesus the dweller. Mary the temple, Jesus our God. Mary the altar, Jesus the Gift. Can’t have the one without the other, both ways around! But we must always recognize the importance of both, as well, beloved. Mary the Queen, we the subjects. All to the honor and glory of Jesus, of God!
08-21-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 21, 2022
(21st Sunday Ordinary Time, C)
Jesus said, “people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Lk_13:22-30
After Jesus warned the people of His time and us, beloved, that not all people would enter the Kingdom of God. That in order to be worthy of entering, we need to “enter through the narrow gate,” the tough road, the one that works only by faith. That even though we know who Jesus is, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we believe and follow His way. You see, just because we’ve been baptized, it not a free ticket to spend the rest of our lives in sin. We still need to work towards our salvation. And that work means love! Jesus first brought the Good News of God’s kingdom to the Jews. But many of the Jews refused to believe. So He next brought it to the Gentiles and they did believe and followed Jesus. So the first will be last and the last first.
And maybe the hardest part of this all is to never think we know. We don’t know if we’ll be saved or if it will be the guy next to us. And it’s not our place to judge either. We just keep on trudging, doing the best we can and hoping against hope that we will be found worthy, as human as we may all be!
08-20-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 20, 2022
(St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church)
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. . . . 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
Why did Jesus say ‘do’ but don’t ‘follow‘? Jesus knew, as did the people of His time, that their religious leaders were so filled with themselves, so high and mighty in their own sight, that they were not worthy of the positions they held as shepherds of their people. They preached but did not follow their own preaching. And so, Jesus told His followers that they should do what they were taught, but they were not to follow the examples of their pride-filled leaders.
Good lesson for us, ourselves today, beloved. Jesus is not telling His disciples, nor us, that we are to be rebellious against our Church or our own Church leaders, but we are to very carefully discern what we know as the Church’s teaching, as God’s teaching through Jesus, versus following the actions we see in some of our own leaders. Noting especially that they’re not all bad. And maybe we feel like the bad ones have seemingly gotten away with their evil and selfishness for way too long. But it is we, who need to protect ourselves from them, and we who need to get to know who can be trusted and who not, without becoming like them in the least.
We’re not looking for exaltation, but for humble service for our God and our neighbor, through our Love for one another! Pray for the errant and the needy. And God will hear our prayers!
08-19-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 19, 2022
(St. John Eudes, Priest)
The Lord said to me: Prophesy over these bones, and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD. I prophesied as I had been told, and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise; it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone. I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them, and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them. Then the LORD said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD ‘From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life.’ I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army. Ez_37:1-14
The scholarly Pharisee asked Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Mt_22:34-40
“The whole law and the prophets depend on these.”
It’s easy for us, beloved, to see the relationship of Love to the Law; those Ten Commandments that specifically describe how we are to love God and our neighbor.
But how, we might wonder, do those commandments of Love relate to the Prophets?
You know, when I think about “the Law and the Prophets” one of the first images that comes to my mind is the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop, where He appeared with Moses the Law-giver and Elijah the Prophet. It was a revelation to the Jewish people of how everything they held so dear was tied together in Jesus.
You see, we have to remember that the ancient Jewish Scriptures, that formed the very basis of their whole lives, were actually composed of three primary Collections of writings: The Law or Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.
The Torah, or Pentateuch, included the first five books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
The Prophets stemmed back to Joshua and Judges, to Samuel and Kings, and continued with the Latter Prophets, including: Isaiah through Malachi.
And the Writings were the Psalms, the Proverbs, and some historical books like Chronicles.
Of course, the primary teachings about God and His relationship with early humanity came from the Law and the Prophets, with Prophesy having, as we know, a much deeper meaning than just foretelling the events of the future.
Prophets were people who were so in-tune with God, that they were able to see the world from God’s perspective. In their close relationship with God, the Prophets would take on His very heart and mind. And, we know, that is a heart and mind of Love! With God’s eyes, the Prophet could see the “inner man.” He could see the injustice of the world’s ways, and also the dignity that every person holds, as being one of God’s children.
In carrying out God’s commands, in serving as God’s messenger, the Prophet had to totally renounce himself. He had to be willing to subject himself to humiliation and persecution, in speaking up for the poor, the widow, the lost, the outcast and the afflicted, all with a deep, personal Love for His God and his neighbor.
And even more challenging for the Prophet, was his correction of sinners; the proclamation of God’s words that would land Prophets like Jeremiah in a dry well, and Daniel to a lion’s den, all for the sake of saving souls. And so we can see, by his very definition, how the Prophet’s whole existence depended on his Love of God and his neighbor. And, you know what, that’s the very life that we sometimes, so falteringly, strive for, as well.
Today’s prophesy from Ezekiel might have actually sounded more like a modern science fiction, horror movie, than a treatise on Love. And yet, when we look at some of the wild extremes that Ezekiel took to make God’s point, like this one, they really left quite unforgettable images.
You see, at the time, the two nations of Israel, the Northern Kingdom and the Judeans, were both in exile, either in Babylon or Assyria, for more than ten years. And they were beginning to lose their hope in God, in their nation, and in life.
And so, the image of the restructuring of bodies from dry bones, was actually a sign to them that God was still, and would always be their savior and redeemer. They would not only be re-enlivened and brought back to their home-land, but they would also be reunited as one Nation, in unity, in Love, and in Spirit. For it’s only the Holy Spirit who could accomplish such a living revival.
And, just like the Prophets of old, Jesus demonstrated sign after sign of images, designed to convert the hearts and minds of the Pharisees and Sadducees to truly loving the people they were supposed to be shepherding. Even in referring to their venerated Moses and the Prophets, they still would not listen, nor see – what was right in front of them, their God incarnate. And so instead, Jesus would unite, the Gentiles and the Jews, who DID listen.
And today, just like those dry bones, by our listening and by our baptisms, we too are re-enlivened with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, to become One in Love with God’s humanity, and One in Love with God!
08-18-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 18, 2022
Thus says the LORD: I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. Ez_36:23-28
Good preview for tomorrow’s reading from the Prophet Ezekiel. ‘Stony’ hearts to natural hearts.
Jesus concluded a parable about a wedding feast given by a king, to which none of the invited guests came (sounds like the kind of response I would get, no offense to the king), by saying “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Mt_22:1-14
So, did they not like the king, or the food? Was it just a bad day? And then when a new group was invited to come, turned out they were chastised for not wearing the right clothes! Well, no wonder no one else wanted to come! It was a bit of a harsh, yet challenging parable.
God really does want everyone to come, but He is a little picky on the semantics. You need to be baptized according to the Church’s interpretation of the “wedding garment.” And then there’s that purgatory thing, where we DO find the right garment, with the help of those we left behind (good reason to start collecting volunteers). And the fact that God doesn’t want to fill the heavenly banquet with gluttons and criminals. All makes sense!
Of course, in Jesus’ parable, the originally invited guests represented the Pharisees and Sadducees who wouldn’t listen to Jesus and actually cast him out like the servants in the parable. And the guest without the special garment was often spoken of by Jesus as the wolf in the sheep pen, the unthinking virgins at the wedding gate, the rich man who wouldn’t help the poor, and the indebted servant who refused to forgive his debtors as his master did for him. They were all left in the darkness, or even severely punished.
Looks like we need to get some boxes checked off before we get out ticket to heaven, beloved, starting with the ones in our hearts and minds (called love). That would surely be a good place to start!
08-17-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 17, 2022
The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words prophesy to them to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? Ez_34:1-11
The Lord has some pretty strong words for those “shepherds” who abuse rather than care for their flocks. And it’s really no different today. Our shepherds have done a fairly good job at defaming their positions as God’s shepherds. And many a good Catholic has left the Church because of them. And yet somewhere in there we have to remember that they are really just human people as well. Even though they take vows and they dedicate their lives to God and God’s flock, some people are just not meant to be clergy. And in the end they fail. They may fail at administration, they may fail at people relations, they may fail at preaching. Unfortunately there are just not enough of them to spread around to fit their talents rather than their titles.
And we have to realize that the Church is not just the priests. Having a bad experience with a priest doesn’t justify totally leaving the Church, because the Church is more than just the building, or the priest, it’s the community! And God, Jesus is IN that community. God will still shepherd us, even when the designated shepherd fails. Jesus will still be with us in the community and in the sacraments. Our call is to have faith in God and never let go of our Catholicism! Blessed be God forever!
08-16-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 16, 2022
(St. Stephen of Hungary)
Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” . . . The disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” . . . Jesus continued, “everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.” Mt_19:23-30
Follow Jesus, trust in Him and keep your heart set on heaven and not on earthly treasures!
08-15-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 15, 2022
(The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Rev_11:19A;12:1-6A,10AB
Although dating back to the 2nd Century, the Tradition of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was not made a dogma of the Catholic Church until:
Pope Pius XII defined it as such in 1950, in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus.The key statement reads as follows:
We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by God that the immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever virgin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven.
“When the course of her earthly life was finished” does not clearly define whether Mary died prior to being “taken up” or not, according to the Church. And there has been no insignificant amount to debate, discussion and publication by theologians and Scripture scholars on this topic. It gives them something to write about, conjecture and theorize! But, that Mary is now in heaven and there is no grave site or body to prove otherwise, allows either scenario possibilities. I always like to say, with regard to all the Marian ‘mysteries,’ that when we get to heaven we can ask her ourselves. And in the end, does it really matter? She is the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God and our heavenly Mother, and the details of her sex life and her death can remain her personal secret forever, without ever altering those most important facts!
Blessed be our God forever!
08-14-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 14, 2022
(20th Sunday Ordinary Time, C)
A court official, went there from the palace and said to him (King Zedekiah): “My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city.” Jer_38:4-6,8-10
Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. Heb_12:1-4
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three;” Lk_12:49-53
“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He look upon you with kindness and give you His peace.”
This blessing, which comes from the 6th Chapter of the Book of Numbers, given to Aaron by his brother Moses, was taken up by St. Francis of Assisi and has become the standard blessing prayer of all Franciscans.
Within the period of one day, brothers and sisters, to how many people do we say the words, “God bless you” (without it following a sneeze)? You know, there should always be AT LEAST one person to whom we give a blessing, every day; be it our spouse, our brothers or sisters, our children, or even, and best yet, a total stranger: people we meet at the store, at work, or just walking the dog . . .
“God bless you!”
And, if a day goes by without our verbally blessing another person, we might just ask ourselves, “Why?” Am I embarrassed by my faith? Am I worried about “their” response? Will I be persecuted because of those words? Will they still like me?
And if our response is “yes” to any of those questions, then maybe we need to be asking ourselves, if we really have any Faith at all within us. Are we just robotically coming to Mass, to Church, without even knowing why? Or, are we simply in some heavy-duty need of a good Spiritual Retreat?
Are we not totally enraptured by God’s immense LOVE for us?
Are we not in complete AWE of the fact that God loves us so incredibly much that he stepped out of Himself to take on our flesh in the incarnation, in order to become one of us, in order to prove His love for us, even to the extreme of enduring horrendous suffering and death, in order to show us our Hope for eternal life in the resurrection, in order to teach us the true meaning of Love!
Are we not SO filled with Joy over that Love, that it’s not bubbling over in our love and caring for one another, and in our Hope for them, as well?
“God bless you – with all His goodness,”
– whether you know it, or not,
– whether you believe it, or not,
– whether you hate me for it, or not,
“God bless YOU!”
Are our hearts not blazing on fire with this Love, with God’s grace, in every breath we take? The Fire of the Holy Spirit should be burning within us, brothers and sisters. God’s Love and Joy pouring out into the world – through us.
And yet, we’re all well aware of the ugliness out there in our world too. The wars, the injustice, the suffering, the innocent deaths, the greed, the immorality, the lies . . . the SIN.
You know, that ugliness, that sin has been around ever since the very beginning of time as we know it. From Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel, from Sodom and Gomorrah to maybe even our own homes.
Sin is pervasive.
And it will likely never go away, unless we take a stand, like Jeremiah and all the prophets, to show one another God’s love, to bless one another with the Joy of God’s salvation that Jesus won for all of us. You see, there is always – Hope for everyone to turn away from sin and to believe in the Gospel of Life and Hope and Joy.
The author of the Book of Hebrews encourages the members of the early Churches, and us, today, to stand firm in our Faith, to “persevere in running the race with our eyes fixed on Jesus,” to keep ourselves free from sin, and to open our hearts to the Joy of Jesus, despite all the opposition we feel and see in our world.
The Prophet Jeremiah would be one of the many, throughout the ages, who would attest to that opposition through his own suffering. The opposition of evil against good, of rebellion against obedience, of hatred against love, of sin against purity, and, as Jesus warns us today, even of family members against one another. We might even see that contention in our own families, between ourselves and some of our closest kin, who refuse to believe in Jesus.
And of course, we all know that Satan’s greatest offensive against God’s awesome gift of free will is division. By our own free will, we can choose selfishness – over life. We can choose debt – over solvency. We can choose hatred – over forgiveness. We can choose apathy – over advocacy for good against evil.
And yet, we can also choose Mercy and Love – over revenge and division.
Jesus is not calling us today to be a cause for further division, but He IS calling us to our own careful discernment of righteousness over sinfulness. To stand firm in the Truth of our Faith, against the evil of Lies. And to patiently, courageously and joyfully share that Faith, that Love of God, that Joy of Jesus, in every word, and smile, and hope we give to others.
It may be as difficult as holding our tempers and opinions at a belligerent comment. And it may be as simple as sharing a 3-word Gesture: “God Bless you!”
Can we all try that with one person sitting next to us! . . . “God Bless you!”
There we go! You see, that wasn’t really so hard. And now we’re ready to share it with the world. I think, if we do, we just might be surprised at the Joy, that the response we get in return, will bring!
Almost as awesome as our Blessed Sacrament!
Joy!
08-14-22 jmp
08-13-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 13, 2022
(St. Pontian, Pope and St. Hippolytus, Priest, both Martyrs)
Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mt_19:13-15
Obedience, humility and dependence, these were the qualities of children that Jesus wanted to see in all of us. And yet, we have this innate tendency towards rebellion, independence, self sufficiency and pride. And it’s not easy to let those go. But that’s exactly what Jesus is asking of us.
Become like children. Depend on Him. Let go of our selfishness. And humble yourself in the face of God. When we realize how incredibly perfect God is, God’s love is, then it’s not hard to feel humble in His presence. And when others belittle us, it’s not time to vindictively strike back, but to place those feelings of pride, of anger, of hurt in the hands of our God, who WILL, we’re assured see that justice is fulfilled in the end of time. While this is hopeful, beloved, it’s also a warning for us to never do to others what we ourselves dislike. Heaven is beautiful, but Purgatory and Hell are not the place we would like to end up. Blessed be God forever!
08-12-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 12, 2022
(St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious)
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this ‘reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.” Mt_19:3-12
Popular culture tends to shy away from this quote or else get violently opposed to it. “Why, it’s OUR choice!” “But he didn’t have to deal with “THAT” guy or that gal!” . . . And so from the ‘world’s’ point of view, we won’t even make that covenant binding anymore, as we include lots of escape clauses in our “contract.” It’s not even a marriage any more, but a contract! And why don’t we then include man and man and wife and wife marriages. And why not even our dogs and cats for that matter!
Point is, as we’ll hear Sunday, wherever there is division, that’s not in God’s plan. God wants us to learn the complimentarity, the unity of the marriage bond, with give and take, with compromise, with sacrifice, with indissolubility, with LOVE. That’s why in the Catholic Church we require marriage prep, we ask for chastity until the vows are complete, and there is time between the marriage request and the actual Sacrament. It’s not just a big party. It’s a Sacramental union – for LIFE – between wife, husband and God! And once they are married they are ONE flesh! Flesh that cannot be separated without severe injury or death. Just ask a divorced person!
If we can’t be faithful in marriage, faithful in driving the speed limit, faithful in respect for others, how can we ever be faithful to God? As much as God loves us, He’s clearly given us the HOW to keep ourselves from getting hurt. All we need do is listen!
08-11-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 11, 2022
(St. Clare, Virgin)
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Mt_18:21–19:1
Jesus tells us that we are to put no limits on our forgiveness, our mercy. How many times have we heard people say, “I can forgive anything, BUT . . .” Did you ever notice, that wherever we put our “buts,” that’s exactly where we get kicked. So, be merciful, just as your Father in heaven is merciful; and you will be blessed in all you say and do, beloved. It all stems from our love, from God’s love in us. Blessed may He be, forever!
08-09-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 9, 2022
(St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and Martyr)
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. Mt_18:1-5,10,12-14
Not quite the earthly kingship the disciples were looking for, Jesus turned their way of thinking upside down. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not power and wealth and oppression of subjects, but humility and obedience and trust. In a culture that downgraded children and women, Jesus spoke in terms of the respect of human dignity for all, especially the children and women, who understood oppression, obedience and servanthood. It’s always a good reminder of keeping our place, of recognizing God in everyone, especially the downtrodden, and then placing our total reliance, our total trust in the God who created and redeemed us. And the God who strengthens and guides us through the Holy Spirit dwelling within.
08-08-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 8, 2022
(St. Dominic, Priest)
Jesus said, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” Mt_17:22-27
So, beloved, the logical next question would be, just who are the foreigners and who the subjects in this picture? If Jesus had to pay the Temple tax, then He apparently was not a subject, but a foreigner. And you know what, beloved, we’re all foreigners here in this world of money and material, and kings and politicians. And so we too have to pay the taxes for all those ‘things,’ by the sweat of our brow and the gray hairs of our heads, where material begets material.
And yet, like Jesus we were not created by God for those ‘things,’ but for Him and for one another. You see, there is something deeper than this material world here. Something that can bring us treasure, as we heard yesterday, beyond any material ‘thing’ existing in this world. And it is in the ‘Spiritual nature’ of our lives that we are subjects of God and not of the world. And there is no tax for living in His/our kingdom. It’s freely offered and we are freely accepted by God when we choose to recognize our true residence in His Kingdom.
Like the coin in the mouth of the very first fish that Peter caught, God will provide us with all the rent, all the tax we need to survive this temporary existence in this foreign, material world, when we trust in Him. He IS our Truth, and our Home, and our Salvation!
08-07-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 7, 2022
(19th Sunday Ordinary Time, C)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” Lk 12:32-48
Will it be heaven or hell, beloved? Jesus tells us not to worry about it. For we ARE here! We love, we care, we give. This IS His kingdom! And our Father is pleased to give it to us. Yes, we’re human. It still hurts when others hurt us. It still frustrates us when others don’t understand – the freedom, the love, the peace of living with God. And it still pains us to see a world so often going in the wrong direction – probably just as much as it pains God. But we have no more reason to fear death and hell than we have to unconsciously take our very next breath, because these frustrations and pains and disappointments are His as well. We know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit bring us all the wisdom we need, every day, to KNOW, to just know – His love in our hearts. So what are we to DO, beloved?
Jesus continued, “Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” ibid
And we know that the treasure is in finding God in others. He’s there, beloved. In every book of a person’s life there are snippets of realization that it was not them and it was not circumstances and it was not fate that make certain “miracles” happen to everyone. The trick is finding them and then moving IN them rather than ignoring them. God wants us all to know Him. And we’ve got every opportunity to do just that!
08-06-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 6, 2022
(Transfiguration of the Lord)
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up a mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Lk_9:28b-36
The Glory, the Divinity, the Prophesy, the Revelation, the Transfiguration!
This is our Lord and God!
Blessed be His Name!
Jesus!
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My most happy and loving birthday blessings to my awesome Mary Ann,
in Christ’s love always, sweetheart! Me.
08-05-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 5, 2022
Jesus said, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Mt_16:24-28
Satan certainly tried to make that bargain with Jesus. But Jesus wouldn’t even nibble, let alone bite. Life is the greatest of anything we could possibly have. Life is eternal. No ‘thing’ else is! Whatever it takes to gain or keep it, is well worth the cost. So love, listen, obey, follow and LIVE! Jesus will show us exactly how!
08-04-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 4, 2022
(St. John Vianney, Priest)
Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Mt_16:13-23
After Jesus had just told Peter that he is a rock upon which His Church would be built. Here He is teaching Peter his first lesson in actually being that rock. It would move the focus of Peter to Himself, to Jesus, and away from Peter. You see, Peter loved Jesus. And that love expressed itself in ownership. And owning a dog, or a spouse, or a kid, or a car and calling it love, and willing to die for that love – is NOT the love Jesus wants of us.
And mixed in with it all, will always be Satan, pointing us back to ourselves and not really to the true love of another. True love means dropping all the ‘me,’ dropping all the thought of ownership and recognizing the “person” of the one we love. Recognizing their wants and fears and loves and allowing them to BE themselves. Not forcing our own agenda on anyone else just because we “love” them. We don’t really love them, we love ourselves.
This is “being” the rock that Jesus wanted of Peter. Getting rid of listening to Satan pointing us to ourselves, and listening to Jesus pointing us to others instead. Love IS letting go of us and letting our beloved BE themselves because of our love of them!
08-03-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 3, 2022
A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”. . . But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. Mt_15:21-28
When we go to the ‘fringes’ it is the fringes who will come out to meet us. Even though our plan was originally to bring salvation only to those of our own people who were stuck there, in the fringes, we need to be open to surprises as well. And it was just those ‘fringes’ who are constantly belittling ‘our own people’ and ourselves. Sometimes even those fringes will surprise us with their own image of Faith. An image that may be even more worthy of our offer of salvation than the very ones we came to save.
We need to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Just because we were mistreated by 90% of the people of a certain class, creed, color or religion, it doesn’t mean that they are all that way. God sprinkles His love on the good and the bad alike. Some accept it and are converted, while others shirk it off like a wet raincoat. Our call is not to be the judge, but to offer God’s hospitality and love to all!
08-02-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 2, 2022
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Mt_14:22-36
Healing the sick. Feeding the masses. Walking on water. Kinda makes us wonder what it would take for them to finally, truly believe in Jesus. Listened, but didn’t understand. Saw, but didn’t really recognize. They walked and ate and lived with Him, but still didn’t know Him. Does anyone, REALLY know Jesus, beloved? Does anyone really know us? “Take courage, it is I!!!” He said. Who??? ‘If I could feed the masses, cure the sick and walk on water, what could I not do for you, O you of little faith!’
Jesus told them, He tells us, that He is with us always. So fear not, when the storms of life seem to want to drown us in their fury. He IS there! He is HERE. Trust in Him and Fear NOT!
08-01-22 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
August 1, 2022
(St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. Mt_14:13-21
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Mt_5:4
You know, beloved, sometimes blessings don’t always come in ice cream and hugs. Sometimes blessings come in more demand, in more suffering, in more of what we were just trying to get away from. And yet, how difficult it is to survive unneeded, unwanted and unloved. Sometimes, our blessings come in ways we can’t even fathom. And yet looking back, Oh what blessings they are!
Happy August, beloved!
. . . with God’s blessings!
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Happy August, beloved!
May God bless you!
Please come visit July’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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