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 thewind. Afterthe 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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10-31-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 31, 2023
(The ‘eve’ and vigil of All Saints Day – All Hallows Eve)
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.” Lk_13:18-21
Funny, how some things just grow on you, even when they might be a little disagreeable at first. That movie that you didn’t quite “get,” on watching it the second time. That person with the funny face, or voice, or hair, who just happened to become our best friend. That Mass. That Savior!
Jesus tells us today that the Kingdom of God is kinda just like that. We might think, ‘O, there’s all that RELIGIOUS stuff again!’ ‘O, Jesus is just that one who everyone is always swearing at.’ ‘O, I’ll never subject myself to any kind of “King.”‘ But when we really get to know Jesus, when those swears become repulsive for us to even hear anymore, when we begin to find ourselves seeking Jesus’ help in a challenging situation, or on an impatient road, or in a confrontation with a coworker or family member, then we can say that the Kingdom of God is beginning to “grow” on us! Kinda just like love, it creeps up on us, and before we know it we’re IN it!
Jesus will fertilize His Kingdom in us. Jesus will leaven it, will cultivate it, will nurture it. And before we even know it, we just might find ourselves LIVING in that Kingdom, with God as our King, Jesus as our shepherd, and the Holy Spirit, not a witch, but a wizard, constantly enkindling our lives with new wonders! And then we’ll sing out, “Blessed be our God,” whom we’ve allowed to work in and through us!
10-30-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 30, 2023
St. Paul wrote, The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Rom_8:12-17
Suffering, beloved? Are we really suffering? Yes, some people really are, either physically or mentally suffering, and we pray for them, and they for us. But St. Paul tells us that when we unite that suffering, or even our own ascetic suffering, with that of Jesus, we spiritually unite with Him as well. We are joint heirs with Christ in His glory and in His suffering. And praise be to God it’s worth it, all to the Glory of His name!
10-29-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 29, 2023
(30th Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
The Jewish scholar 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
It’s all about LOVE, beloved! It’s all about love.
10-28-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 28, 2023
(Ss. Simon and Jude, Apostles)
Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. . . . in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Eph_2:19-22
WE ARE – the Temples of the Lord, the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. And as such, it is our responsibility to keep these temples clean, because what good is a clean living room when the bathroom is filthy? And what good is a clean bathroom when the rest of the house is a mess. And so, we are ALL responsible to keep our portion of God’s Temple worthy of the Holy Spirit’s dwelling, because only together do we form that “Body of Christ” which St. Paul so frequently references. The LORD said, “Be holy, therefore, as I am holy!” Lv_19:2 It’s our call and responsibility – to ourselves, to our God and to one another!
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Aside, commentary: I am unceasingly amazed, as we spend our Friday evenings venturing to different restaurants around town, how, since the COVID fiasco, we as an American culture have gone so far backwards in our care for cleanliness, especially in our eating establishments. Filthy bathrooms, uncleaned tables, trash on floors, and today’s experience was overflowing trash stations! We have moved from an overzealous (almost hypocritical) concern for hygiene to a total disregard for it. And yet, that same faction who wallows in the filth are the very ones screaming about “climate change,” save the whales, and kill the unborn! Oh my gosh, where ARE we headed! Maybe, we can’t swallow the elephant in the room, but we can, at least, pick up our own ‘peanut shells,’ our own trash, (and maybe even some of that of the rest of our un-cultured culture, as well)!
10-27-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 27, 2023
St. Paul wrote, I discover the principle, that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom_7:18-25a
Our war within! How many times, beloved, do we find this same principle within ourselves? And when we force ourselves to do the good that the sin within us is so rebelling against, we discover this peace that no evil can ever imitate. It’s the peace of Christ, the peace of Love within us that resonates with the love that God has for us. It all takes perseverance, prayer and sacrifice. But the rewards are the greatest recompense we could ever imagine. Hang tough beloved. God is with us – and His name is Jesus!
10-26-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 26, 2023
St. Paul wrote, Brothers and sisters: … just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom_6:19-23
So, either way we’re all slaves. Either slaves to sin and death, or slaves to righteousness, salvation, and life. But what better master could we have than Jesus. Jesus teaches, heals, sanctifies and leads us to God our Father and life eternal! Follow Him!
10-24-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 24, 2023
(St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop)
Jesus said, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.” Lk_12:35-38
Ready? Are we ready?!
Blessed may you be, beloved!
The fruitful vine in the Lord’s vineyard!
10-23-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 23, 2023
(St. John of Capistrano, Priest)
Jesus said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Lk_12:13-21
So hard to grasp. So easy to lose sight of! . . . ‘nuf said!
10-22-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 22, 2023
(29th Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Thus says the LORD . . . I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the LORD and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other. Is_45:1,4-6
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. Give the Lord glory and honor. Ps_96
When questioned by the Pharisees about paying census tax, Jesus replied, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” Mt_22:15-21
Good day to remember to give all the GLORY to God! The glory for creating us, for giving us our freedom of informed choice based on His commandments of love, and for keeping us in existence, not only now, but for eternity in His Kingdom (if we so choose, or not). We are to give all the material we possess, even our bodies, back to the earth from which they came, and our blessed souls back to God’s glory, and His alone!
When we look at what our neighbors are giving their souls over to, in this life we live, it’s just so, so sad to know where their ignorance or rebellion will get them. Pray, beloved for those lost. Pray for their eternities and pray that they never have the least influence on us. For we have been found and truly are on the path that leads to the GLORY of our God!
10-21-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 21, 2023
Jesus said, “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Lk_12:8-12
If you ever found yourself, beloved, asking yourself, where did all this wisdom come from? Where did the words or the thoughts that just came out of me come from. There, as Jesus tells us, there is the Holy Spirit working within us. Oh yeah, of course, if they’re curses or hatreds or angers, we know where they originated. And if the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us, we usually or always apologize to God for those outbursts immediately after, and hopefully before, they ever emanate from our mouths. But when God’s wisdom fills our thoughts and words and actions, then we know that we’re living in the Spirit. And that takes a lot of work within ourselves to see, to recognize and to allow.
Pray, beloved, for His presence in us always and pray for our attentiveness to that presence!
10-20-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 20, 2023
(St. Paul of the Cross, Priest)
Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” Lk_12:1-7
In this section of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is in the midst of a pretty heated conversation with a crowd of unbelievers, while at the same time being bombarded with attacks by the Jewish religious leaders. I’m sure it all beginning to wear out, and throw doubt in the minds of some of the disciples as well.
You see, the Pharisees, with all of their pompous and belligerent authority, would constantly threaten the Jews with God’s punishment, and even excommunication, if they did not strictly observe every one of their 613 Laws. You can imagine how, in Fear, the common, lay Jew must have felt like they were constantly walking on egg shells. . . . “Who’s going to persecute us today, the Romans, the Pharisees, or God?”
So, Jesus sheds a little light today, on the Truth about their God. And He first warns His disciples of the hypocrisy of those Pharisees. They might make all kinds of threats, He said, but the only one that they, or we, really need to fear – is Satan. Satan, who has the true power to cast us into eternal separation from God.
You see, it’s not God we need to fear! God justifies, or forgives the Faithful, even after all of our multitude of mistakes (even “in what we have failed to do!” as we say in our Confiteor).
So, it’s not God. And it’s not the Pharisees in our lives. And it’s not even death that we need to fear. Our only fear in this life, should be – turning away from God. And that IS, and has always been Satan’s goal for us. Ever since the beginning of time.
When our Faith in God, our Love for EVERYONE, even those Pharisees in life, becomes ALL that matters in our lives, as St. John would say, then, we will have conquered Fear once and for all. God gives us that power, through the Grace of our Free-will, and through the Merit of Jesus, who Saves us.
It really is – a done-deal. All we need do – is BELIEVE!
10-19-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 19, 2023
(Ss. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs)
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” Jn_14:6, Alleluia Verse
ONLY through Jesus! Believe!
10-18-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 18, 2023
(St. Luke, Evangelist)
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Lk_10:1-9
With all the scandal, and with all the challenges facing our priests today, they really can use our prayers. Not only should we be praying for their strength, encouragement, wisdom and compassion, but we certainly need more of them serving God and us. And so we pray for the inspiration of our youth and we encourage as many as we can to open their hearts to God’s call as well. Jesus is calling not only for laborers, but for supporters too. That’s us, beloved, compassionate supporters of our Lord and our clergy!
10-17-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 17, 2023
(St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr)
Ever since the creation of the world, his (God’s) invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. Rom_1:16-25
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Ps_19
How blind can we be not to see it and not to know it! God’s presence is all around us, beloved, if we just look!
10-16-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 16, 2023
(St. Hedwig, Religious, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin)
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. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.” Lk_11:29-32
If these revered and holy people, the distant Queen and the repentant Ninevites, recognized the Lord through King Solomon and through Jonah, God’s messenger, then how could we not recognize the Lord in His coming among us (Jesus). If we seek not judgment, then we must keep our focus on the Lord, and on Him along. Blessed be God forever, in Jesus, our savior!
10-15-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 15, 2023
(28th Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”‘ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. Mt_22:1-14
Jesus was again subtly trying to get those hard-hearted Jewish leaders to understand that He is “the servant” sent by God the Father, the “king” in His parable, and they were being invited to the banquet. But they also refused to listen, refused to come, and even went as far as killing God’s servant! And after the invited refused, Jesus invited us sinners, to come instead. Why waste a good banquet if no one was going to come. But as poor, disheveled, non-members of that Jewish heritage, we too must recognize the importance of belonging to Jesus, of being baptized in the faith, of believing and accepting the call, the mission and the Word of Life that Jesus taught. Come to the banquet, but be prepared! God is calling, YOU, us! And we should have NO excuses!
10-14-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 14, 2023
(St. Callistus I, Pope and Martyr)
While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Lk_11:27-28
And how can we hear it if we don’t listen. And how can we listen if there is no one to proclaim it. And how can we proclaim it if we don’t even know Jesus. And how can we know Jesus if the Bible is foreign to us. Jesus wants us to know and observe His Word. Read, Listen and Learn, beloved, then Follow! The call is right there in our own hearts!
10-13-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 13, 2023
Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; Gather the elders, all who dwell in the land, Into the house of the LORD, your God, and cry to the LORD! Alas, the day! For near is the day of the LORD, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty. Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! Jl_1:13-15;2:1-2
In rebuking the naysayers who didn’t believe in Him, Jesus said, “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.” Lk_11:15-26
All in all, some pretty solemn readings today. Sure glad we don’t believe in the superstition of Friday 13th. But even just mentioning it, now, don’t go around being all extra cautious and safe. That’s just when and why accidents will happen. Jesus saved us from superstition and silliness – Trust in Him alone!
10-12-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 12, 2023
Jesus said, “I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Lk11:5-13
So, even though we know that doing it all by ourselves gives us great pride in accomplishment, it just doesn’t always work out the way we hoped. In all things, Jesus reminds us, we should seek the help, the blessing of God. And then when it all works out perfectly, we can give the glory to God and not simply ourselves. Though God has given us all kinds of talents and powers, the highest power and glory should always go to God, for He alone created us, cares for us and empowers us. Blessed be God forever!
10-11-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 11, 2023
(St. John XXIII, Pope)
Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Lk_11:1-4
Seems we are tested every day of our lives, beloved. Harsh orders, worldly temptations, disappointments, disgruntlements, persecutions, war, death, the list goes on and on. We learn with the help of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome the worst of them. But then there’s that “final test.” The test that seeks us to turn away from God. Yes, we have our disagreements with God. But we always come back. God knows our thoughts, our problems, our challenges. God has mercy when that’s what we seek. And yet, we know that WITH God, even death is not the FINAL test. The final test is whether we DO truly believe in Jesus, in God, in heaven, in everlasting life? Let us never let go of that faith, Beloved! God is TRUE, God is Love, God is our hope and our dream and our life. And beyond Him there are NO MORE tests. All will be Perfect! Trust!
10-10-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 10, 2023
Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Lk_10:38-42
Joseph, Joseph; Tom, Tom; Susan, Susan; Leah, Leah; you, you; me, me . . . We could all hear that voice. Jesus is telling us to let go of the worry and TRUST in Him. He will take care of it all, when we truly seek His help!
10-09-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 9, 2023
(Saint Denis, Bishop and Martyr, and his Companions, Martyrs)
After disobeying God’s command, and running away, Jonah was caught up in a storm on the sea. The sailors learned that it was Jonah’s fault that the sea was preparing to drown them all. Then they took Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea’s raging abated. Struck with great fear of the LORD, the men offered sacrifice and made vows to him. But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah; and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD, his God. Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore. Jon_1:1–2:1-2,11
Today’s Scriptures all teach us of God’s great mercy as an example of the mercy we should have for one another, even our enemies. The Gospel tells us Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan. After a priest and a Levite, the holy men of Israel, both purposely avoided assisting a beaten, ambushed traveler as they passed by on the road, a Samaritan, and enemy of the Jews, was kind enough to see to his recovery. Jesus tells the Jewish Scholar of the Law, that he should do likewise in having mercy on everyone, even his enemies, just as God did with the cowardly and disobedient Jonah.
Sometimes mercy is hard to give, even when we have the opportunity. And yet, when we look at it from the inside out, it hurts us a lot more not having mercy, (like with obnoxious drivers or just their ignorance), than it ever causes them the least bit of remorse. They don’t care that they cut you off, even if it was done on purpose. And our getting angry over it couldn’t faze them in the least, it only makes us feel terrible for the next couple hours. Terrible, that we didn’t just let it go in the first place, as Jesus is constantly trying to teach us. Just makes us wonder, beloved, if we can’t get past these little trials, how are we ever going to get through the really big ones.
Today we read about St. Denis of Paris. Legend has it that they cut his head off and threw his body and head into the river. Did it bother Denis? No! He just picked up his head and walked it headless to its grave site. And here, I was upset over a foolish little driver! Hmmmmmf!
10-08-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 8, 2023
(27th Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Let me now sing of my friend, my friend’s song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Is_5:1-7
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders, “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
Wild grapes, watchtowers, wine presses, vineyards and cornerstones. If we weren’t in church, we might think that this was a conversation in a bistro.
And yet, here we are, listening to the words of Isaiah the prophet and Jesus, tiptoeing around some pretty strong chastisement of the ancient Israelites and the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, all because of their rebellion against God. Of course, neither group would call their actions, or infidelity to God a “rebellion.” But when priorities got moved from God to themselves, there really was no difference between calling it a “rebellion,” or calling it what it truly was, selfishness and greed.
You see, today’s Scriptures are chock full of symbolism, all centered around this concept of “the vineyard.” And yes, we all know, that in the Biblical sense, ‘the vineyard’ represents the Israelites.
And we also know that whenever we, or anyone for that matter, put a lot of work, and effort, and care into something or someone; just as God did with the Israelites, (today we’d call it ‘blood, sweat and tears’) there are always those feelings of pride and accomplishment in both theirs, and our-own successes.
But when things don’t quite work out the way we hoped they would, there’s also disappointment. Disappointment, more for their loss than for our own, because we want only the very best for them and for that ‘Greater Good’ of everyone. That disappointment, then, may result in the need for reminders, for retraining, for rebukes, and sometimes, even for warnings, with second chances given, and third and, at least with God, an endless number of chances to do better. We call it God’s “mercy.” But what it actually is, is the outpouring of God’s boundless love for us.
As parents, and employers, and even children with pets, we’re all well familiar with the challenges, and the love, and the difficulties involved in discipline! Without disheartening the rebellious, we, like the prophets and Jesus, teach them through the gentle and subtle symbolism of parables.
Once upon a time . . .
And, you know what, sometimes, just like those Jewish leaders, after hearing Jesus’ parable of the ‘bad tenants in God’s vineyard,’ a parable that was really all about them, sometimes, as hard as we and God tries, they just don’t get it. And in the end, those Jewish leaders wound up condemning themselves, in their response to their own story!
It was so IRONIC!
So, Jesus then pointed out to them, through the “Cornerstone allegory,” the fact that, the very stone that held up the whole foundation of their lives, and their faith, and their religion, the Messiah that they so longed for, that cornerstone was the same stone that they were relieving their pets on, the same stone that they were trying to destroy, Jesus Himself.
And after, even that Cornerstone allegory alluded those pompous leaders, Jesus finally told them, straight out, that they were the ones who were destined to LOSE God’s Kingdom. And just as they, themselves proposed, it would be given to others who DID believe in Him, the Samaritans, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, and we Gentiles!
You know, sometimes the answers to our hardest problems are staring us right in the face! The trick is, to always look beyond our own prejudgments. Always listen with an open heart and mind; because there usually IS something much deeper than surface words. Much deeper than just a piece of bread. Much deeper than a crying child or a downtrodden employee that we need to be attentive to.
Do we recognize the Spirit of the Lord: in our own, sometimes fickle children? Do we recognize Jesus in our harried parents, in our battered civil service workers, in our fellow, stressed-out road warriors, in ourselves?
He IS there!
Maybe just a little buried over with our own issues. Issues that could use a little more patience, and love, and prayer themselves.
But, He IS there.
There in the sometimes gentle, but often subtle reminders that God’s love and patience are always with us, and we are called to share that same love and patience with others.
As I entreated an awesome group of new Cursillo retreatants last weekend, and we providentially heard in our Second Reading today, St. Paul offers us one of the most beautiful reminders of how we can keep the Vineyard of our lives fruitful, and the Cornerstone of Jesus’s love firm in our hearts. He said, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things.” (Phil_4:6-9)
You see, all of these words describe our Lord and our God. And when they become foremost in our thoughts and in our hearts, Paul concludes, “then the God of peace will be with US!”
Just remember: ALL things are possible, when we believe!
10-07-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 7, 2023
(Our Lady of the Rosary)
Jesus rejoiced in prayer, in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” Lk 10:17-24
Pray, beloved, as did Jesus Himself, that in our childlike innocence we may truly be the Children of God whom we have been baptized as. Let go of “worldly wisdom” and trust in God, trust in Jesus to teach us all and only what we truly need, what is important to God! Love!
10-05-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 5, 2023
(St. Faustina Kowalska, Virgin)
Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. . . . Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’” Lk_10:1-12
By preceding Jesus, the missionaries were able to bring excitement and expectation to His audience when He arrived. It was an early version of our advertisement campaigns and pre-sellouts for musicians, singers and athletic events. And then, by giving those disciples the ability (power) to heal, Jesus wasn’t as exhausted in having to heal huge crowds of people himself, when he visited. He could concentrate his visits on spreading the Gospel Message – the love of God for all, and the coming of the Kingdom of God to all who believed in Him. The missionaries preceded Jesus’ visit with attitudes of welcome, love, healing and peace. And this truly IS what Jesus is all about!
10-04-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 4, 2023
(St. Francis of Assisi, Religious)
On this Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, who is maybe overly associated for his friendship with animals, today’s Scripture reading notes: As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” Lk_9:57-62
Unlike those of us who have comfortable homes, beautiful Churches, and lots of places to rest our heads, both Jesus and St. Francis did not. Theirs were journeys of the working man. Journeys of prayer, journeys of healing, journeys of encouragement and journeys of instruction. They became like the poor they served, and lived for the poor alone. Maybe our lives aren’t quite as cushy as the super-wealthy, but every little sacrifice we make to heal, to teach, to provide for the less fortunate is our gift back to Jesus and St. Francis for all they had done for us. Pray each day, beloved that, by the grace of God, we still have more to give, for the Love of God, to our needy world! All to His Glory!
10-03-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 3, 2023
Jesus and His disciples entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. Lk_9:51-56
Following on the heals of yesterday’s Gospel reading, we again see this contradiction between what our worldly emotions desire of us, in protective response to threats, compared to what Jesus calls us to do, in thoughtful compassion and understanding. The Samaritans were enemies to the Jews. And knowing that Jesus (the Jew) was heading to their enemy territory, they were repulsive to His visit (even if, He was a reputed “miracle man” and possible messiah, whom they awaited as well). This was an understanding of their position.
On the other hand, the disciples were defensive for Jesus. And their hearts wanted everyone, even if it was some of his enemies, to understand and welcome Him! And when they didn’t, again, good old human nature, good old revenge grabbed a hold of their hearts and emotions, without ever thinking that there might have been a reason for the Samaritan’s response.
This is what Jesus was trying to teach them: that patience, understanding, compassion and anything but revenge and hostility, should always trump our innate worldly responses to threat. Love does conquer all! Even ourselves!
10-02-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 2, 2023
(Guardian Angels)
Jesus said to His disciples, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Mt_18:1-5,10
10-01-23 Catholic Daily Mass Quotes
October 1, 2023
(26th Sunday Ordinary Time, A)
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” Mt_21:28-32
The first son, under the motivation of guilt, humbled himself to do as his father asked, after a knee-jerk, unthinking response. You know most of the time our first reaction to an order or a humbling request (like Peter’s when asked by Jesus to allow himself to have his feet washed) is to reply just as this first son did, saying “no!” And then, usually after we think about it for a bit, we do come back to obedience. It’s almost natural.
But then there are those who, with the same human nature, resort to lying. Sure I’ll say whatever (I think) he wants to hear. But I’ll do exactly what I want, even if it means breaking that Commandment not to bear false witness. These two natural human responses to what we might perceive as threats, are possible in all of us. This is why conditioning ourselves to humility and obedience is crucial to a spiritually healthy attitude.
How do we respond, beloved? Are we prepared to say nothing until our minds and hearts are in sync with each other? Are we prepared to calm those tempers, to quickly discern and to act just as Jesus would, instead of how our worldly conditioned minds have been trained? Maybe it’s time for a little reconditioning! A little Jesus conditioning!
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Happy October, beloved!
God’s blessings!
Please come visit September’s Daily Mass Quotes too…
Link below.
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