Daily Mass Meditations

Quotes

“There were those among them who received a reputation for piety and behaved shamefully without being noticed, decorating themselves on the outside and gaining a reputation of gentleness. They undertook fasts and made prayers, thinking that through this they could turn aside God’s anger.…”

“But it is unusual that those wishing to receive mercy in another way should annoy the legislator and provoke him to wrath by not liking to do the things commanded. For it is necessary that all saints who wish to draw near to God not only do the good works to be done but also that they be free from all reproach.” read more

“The Son of man must suffer many things[…]”

What must we do in life?  As the old saying goes, “There are only three things you must do in life: be born, die, and pay taxes.”  I don’t think anyone actually lives like that though.   We all have hopes, desires, expectations, plans, responsibilities, schedules, etc.  The most needful things are the ones we have or feel like we have control over and that affect our happiness.  If something affects our happiness negatively – not just our feeling of joy or contentment – and we have no control over it we should probably reexamine why it seems so important. read more

Hide yourself today under the banner of ash that will cover your foolish head.  Look into your soul to see if you have made space for your Maker.  Have you not rather focused on your flesh and all that is passing away?  Have you not nearly allowed the eternal spark He has place within you to be extinguished?  Stand today to receive the mark of penance and multiply your unseen acts of prayer and fasting.  Fan into flame the smoldering wick of your heart with acts of repentance and sorrow over a life spent so selfishly and pridefully.  Will not God respond to your humility and contrition with an abundance of mercy and love? read more