June 9 - "...as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There are two options for Priests in offering Mass today. The Readings for both Liturgies are beautiful - as God’s Word always is. You can find today’s Readings for June 9 in Ordinary Time at : http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060920.cfm

The Readings for Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church, can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/0609-memorial-ephrem.cfm

Having listened to all the readings for both liturgies, it is difficult to choose one from all of the Beautiful words of God, but in these days of division and lack of God’s Love and Wisdom being shown in our world today, perhaps we need to ponder this Reading from the optional Memorial of St. Ephrem: :

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. ( Col 3:12-17)

Come, Holy spirit fill the hearts of Your Faithful. kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Yours. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother and Model for the Church, pray for us and with us for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear stoplooklisten,

Thanks for your “heart”. It is encouraging to know some are truly interested in listening to God’s Word. Whenever I see a heart at the end of a thread, it seems to me the person has read it and agreed with the content.

Not sure when I began to pray often these words: “Lord Jesus. help me to love others as you have loved me” . Often I follow those words with these: “Mary, my Queen and my Mother I am all yours. Keep me; guard me as your property and possession.” Jesus and Mary have both asked for Repentance and Reparation and from the start of this pandemic and since the recent outbreak of rioting and looting, and general chaos in the streets of cities here and in other places, I am continuing to be blessed in listening to the Scriptures each day.

This first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians seemed to resound in my heart that call of Love from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary pointing us to our need to Love God as He has loved us. As the psalmist said "so basely has He been treated by His degenerate children! "

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like Yours. Mary our Mother, and Mother of the Church pray with us and for us and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[hazcompat]

An excerpt from today’s LOTH

Second reading
From a letter to the Romans by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
My earthly desires have been crucified
…
My earthly desires have been crucified, and there no longer burns in me the love of perishable things, but a living water speaks within me, saying: “Come to the Father.”

I take no delight in corruptible food or in the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was David’s seed, and for drink I want his blood, the sign of his imperishable love.

Peace

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your reply. The Liturgy of the Hours is such a gift! My husband and I pray LOTH Morning Prayer each day. Your reply , as I understand it is from the Office of Readings and does correspond also with the day’s first Reading from Col 3. given for the optional Memorial of St. Ephrem. I went back to the beginning of Chapter 3 and was blessed in reading verses 1-10 which correspond with your quote from St. Ignatius of Antioch:

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.