When I used to attend daily masses in St. Christopher and
joined a different group of people for the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer and Holy
Rosary after the mass, although most of them are seniors too, I noticed that
they have a different invocation after each mystery of the rosary. The
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love you, save souls!" was added with the
words "Save the consecrated!" I am suddenly reminded of it as I
chanced upon this word in today's 1st reading. Especially at this time too when
I am reading this book on preparation for Marian consecration entitled “33 Days
to Morning Glory” by Fr. Michael Gaitley which also helped me gain a better
understanding and deeper meaning as I recite those invocations and consecrate
myself to Jesus through Mary. We have all been made worthy to receive the gift
of eternal life. The only question here lies in our ability to respond, accept
and be totally aware of the gift. Amen. Hallelujah!
Hebrews 10:11-18
...For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who
are being consecrated. 15 The holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after
saying: 16 “This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days,
says the Lord: ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their
minds,’ ” 17 he also says: “Their sins and their evildoing I will remember no
more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for
sin...
We have a high priest in Jesus Christ our Lord who
intercedes for us before God now and forever. God makes all things possible. He
does not expect us to do impossible things. We have to enter into a level of
intimacy with the Lord and the Holy Eucharist makes this possible. We need to
realize as Catholic Christians the great gift of the Holy Eucharist that is
given to us. What could be greater than this that Jesus the high priest in the
line of Melchizedek, has offered us His own body and blood for our nourishment.
Right here and now we should confidently decide without a cloud of doubt on which
side we really are. The priests and monks who gave their life to serve God have
come to a point where they realized that what they give up is really nothing
compared to what God has in store for all of us. Their lives like the saints
before us have become sign posts pointing to heaven. It helps us increase our
zeal today as if we are beginning anew. All this life is nothing compared to
eternal life so we must not be faint hearted. Nor think that we are doing
anything great for the sufferings we encounter at present. It is nothing
compared to the glory that is to come. The whole of earth is nothing compared
to the kingdom of heaven. We should always be reminded that Jesus offered His
own life for our sake and because of this we have already been given the gift
of eternal salvation and can become part of His kingdom if we choose to accept
and respond to that gift. Just like this fascinating story of a girl with her
plastic pearls. One night her father asked her if she loves him so the girl
replied ,"yes". The father asked for the pearls but the girl refused
and offered her doll instead but the father said no and told her he loves her
anyway. The following week the father did the same thing and the girl offered
her horsy. Then another week later when the father asked the same question she
tearfully handed him the plastic pearls and told her dad that he can have it.
To her surprise the father handed her a beautiful box with the pearls of great
value. Sometimes we keep holding on to something without realizing that God is
offering us something great. May we be firm and focused in leading a life of
holiness that no earthly attractions keep us from loving God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
R: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
...The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth
from Zion :
“Rule in the midst of your enemies.” (R) 3 Yours is princely power in the day
of your birth, in holy splendor; before the daystar, like the dew, I have
begotten you.”
The legacy of King David has been handed down to us through
Jesus. We have all been given the opportunity to prosper and bear much fruit as
in today's gospel but all of it remains a seed with all its potential that
still needs to be realized through our cooperation. I remember when I was
picking out a specific greeting card that I was planning to give to someone.
From out of the many greeting card choices, I suddenly singled out this
particular greeting card with a picture of a bird which I had not chosen and
just made fun of, since we were laughing and joking about it. Today's gospel
contains this bible verse, "some seed fell on the path, and the birds came
and ate it up...As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the
word sown in them." It just dawned on me that these birds can pose as a
very enticing and interesting view for us with regards to our life in the same
way that Satan can deceive us all. We can just watch them and be fascinated as
they eat the seeds without realizing that we are being robbed of God's Word in
us. This particular scene reminded me of a time when I had the opportunity of
enjoying this picturesque garden overlooking a small stream, with lots of birds
in it and almost looks like paradise. I enjoyed the view and even fed the
birds. God’s message with regards to the gospel today has become more intense
as these circumstances start to unfold before me. Its urgency tends to be
heightened even more by the fact that we are constantly in a battle, day in and
out which we might not be completely aware of since we do not know what’s
really going on around us. Sometimes we can be lured into something very
beautiful without realizing that there is a catch to it. We must not forget
that the choice is completely ours. We have all been chosen, qualified and equipped
for a fruitful harvest but it is all up to us to respond in accordance to this
great privilege. Let us all seek to nurture this seed that Jesus has planted in
our hearts. Just like any other plant that grows, it needs to be well taken
care by regularly watering it and exposing to air and sunlight depending on the
specific demand of the plant. The same way with us who have already been
planted with God's word. Let us constantly ask God to always open our minds and
hearts to the mysteries of His Infinite love and mercy that we may become the
rich soil where the seed of the Word of God can be cultivated and bear much
fruit. Let us guard with all our strength this perfect gift of God to us in
Jesus Christ and never let it be stolen away by the enemy. We have the power
and the will to drive it away. In today's gospel the Lord is inviting us to
examine ourselves closely and become the rich soil and produce fruit. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Mark 4:1-20
...“The mystery of the kingdom of God
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