HOLY MASS READINGS ON TUESDAY,JULY 1, 2014 FIRST READING> Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Hear this word, O children of Israel, that the LORD pronounces over you, over the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: You alone have I favored, more than all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your crimes. Do two walk together unless they have agreed? Does a lion roar in the forest when it has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from its den unless it has seized something? Is a bird brought to earth by a snare when there is no lure for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground without catching anything? If the trumpet sounds in a city, will the people not be frightened? If evil befalls a city, has not the LORD caused it? Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. The lion roars— who will not be afraid! The Lord GOD speaks— who will not prophesy! I brought upon you such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: you were like a brand plucked from the fire; Yet you returned not to me, says the LORD. So now I will deal with you in my own way, O Israel! and since I will deal thus with you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. REFLECTION>PEACE AND PUNISHMENT Lord, save us! We are lost! –Matthew 8:25 In His justice, the Lord promises to punish those who have sinned, especially those He has favored (Am 3:2). Some of us have already been punished by major upheavals but still have not returned to the Lord (Am 4:11). So now the Lord will deal with us in His own way (Am 4:12). We must prepare to meet our God (Am 4:12). As we face a major payment of the wages of sin (see Rm 6:23), we should: repent. The Lord wants to give us mercy rather than justice, if we would only repent. correct those who are confused; the others you must rescue, snatching them from the fire (Jude 22). believe in Jesus. He can take the worst storm and turn it into complete calm (Mt 8:26). Those times will be more distressful than any between Gods work of creation and now, and for all time to come. Indeed, had the Lord not shortened the period, not a person would be saved. But for the sake of those He has chosen, He has shortened the days (Mk 13:19-20). Jesus assures us: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me (Jn 14:1). Jesus promises: I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33). Peace! PRAYER: Father, I will trust in You – no matter what. PROMISE: So now I will deal with you in My own way. –Am 4:12 SOURCE>myCatholic RESPONSORIAL PSALM> PS 5:4B-6A, 6B-7, 8 R. (9a) Lead me in your justice, Lord. At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; the arrogant may not stand in your sight. R. Lead me in your justice, Lord. You hate all evildoers; you destroy all who speak falsehood; The bloodthirsty and the deceitful the LORD abhors. R. Lead me in your justice, Lord. But I, because of your abundant mercy, will enter your house; I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O LORD. R. Lead me in your justice, Lord. HOLY GOSPEL ACCDG TO ST MATTHEW, CHAPTER 8:23-27 As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” MEDITATION: How can we fight fear with faith? Jesus sleeping presence on the storm-tossed sea reveals the sleeping faith of his disciples (Matthew 8:25). They feared for their lives even though their Lord and Master was with them in the boat. They were asleep to Christ while he was present to them in their hour of need. Why are you afraid? The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the same question: Why are you afraid? Have you no faith (Matthew 8:26)? Do you recognize the Lords presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, and temptation? Whenever we encounter trouble, the Lord Jesus is there with the same reassuring message: It is I, do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27). Faith nourished with the word of God What are the characteristics of faith and how can we grow in it? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us. Faith enables us to relate to God rightly and confidently, with trust and reliance, by believing and adhering to his word, because he is utterly reliable and trustworthy. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, then it must be nourished with the word of God. Let the love of Christ rule your heart and mind Fear does not need to cripple us from taking right action or rob us of our trust and reliance on God. Courage working with faith enables us to embrace Gods word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in Gods promises. The love of God strengthens us in our faith and trust in him and enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbor even in the face of opposition or harm. Do you allow the love of Jesus Christ to rule in your heart and mind, and to move your will to choose what is good in accordance with his will? Lord Jesus, increase my faith in your redeeming love and power that I may always recognize your abiding presence with me. Give me courage and strength to face every difficulty, trial, and temptation with trust in your saving help and guiding presence. SOURCE>RCNet
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:43:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015