WORD OF GOD - LK 13:23-25

LUKE 13:23-25

Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.”

---- mine,

Remember that no matter how many years are allotted to you they will all come to an end. Time for you will cease someday and you will be called to give an account of your life before the one whom the Father has appointed as the righteous judge. At that time if you come before Me with empty hands it will not matter one whit that you spent your whole life praying long prayers and fasting. In the end, you will be judged on the quality of the love you had for your neighbor - for it is the measure by which you prove that you loved  Me. Remember My words, etch them on your heart, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

WORD OF GOD - MK 5:18-20

MARK 5:18-20

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.

---- my own,

This is your mission in life to tell everyone you meet how much God has done for you, how He has blessed you, how He has never abandoned you for an instant, and even in your deepest, darkest night He has been with you holding you and filling you with His grace, His peace, His mercy and above all His loving Presence. To each is given a special calling, a vocation for a lifetime, and each is different. Some are invited to do special things, to shine a more powerful light, and every help, aid, and talent is given to them to fulfill it. But to you is given a far less prominent yet necessary role, you are called to shine the little flickering wick of your light. By it, you will honor Me and make Me known to those who struggle because they do not know Me, the God of all compassion, mercy, and love who lay down His life that they may live. Shine your little light and I will ensure that its little spark never dims or goes out. Be content and be faithful to your calling.

WORD OF GOD - LK 4:17B-19, 21

LUKE 4:17B-19, 21

Jesus unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’
Then he began to say to them,
‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

---- mine,

In a world that looks increasingly bleak and hopeless, sin-filled and
lost, I AM here to speak to you today and assure you that I AM WHO AM. I AM, God! the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let nothing trouble you, make you fearful or anxious, let nothing rob you of your peace. Never forget that I have called you by name and you are irrevocably Mine, now and always. Be still, know that I AM God,  I AM One who saves. Fear nothing except sin for it is the only thing that can separate you from My love. Trust Me and rest in tranquility in My Word.

WORD OF GOD - MK 9:22B-24

MARK 9:22B-24

......'If you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’

---- mine,

Believe, have faith, trust that when you ask for anything in My Name it will be given to you by My Father in heaven. All things are possible for those who believe for with God nothing is impossible. Bring the little mustard seed of faith you possess and make all your needs known to Me and I will answer you according to the immeasurable riches of My grace and mercy. Do not look on your nothingness but at My immensity. All things are possible for those who believe.

WORD OF GOD - MK 2:17

MARK 2:17

When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

---- mine,

You and the world are in need of Me to touch all your wounds physical,  mental, and spiritual. Without Me, the world is powerless to help itself and will continue its downward spiral into the black hole of darkness, and despair. You need Me the world needs Me for without Me you can do nothing. No prayer will be heard nor can it be heard if you are not right with God for you and your sins erect a barrier through which grace and mercy cannot penetrate. Acknowledge your sins, go and confess them, be sorry for having offended Me, turn your face to Me in contrition and beg pardon for all you have done to offend and wound the heart of God who loves you with an everlasting love. Resolve to sin no more and I will come to you, I will touch you, I will heal you and make you whole and not just you but your entire household and you, and they will praise Me and My Father. Be still, believe, and know that I AM God nothing is too difficult for Me.

WORD OF GOD - JER 12:3A

JEREMIAH 12:3A

But you, O Lord, know me;
You see me and test me—my heart is with you.

---- mine,

I know that sometimes life gets too much for you and you feel overwhelmed. In times like these stay close to Me, cling to Me, pray constantly, and know that I will never leave you nor will I abandon you. I will not test you beyond your strength to endure and when the times of testing do come I will give you all the grace and strength you need to persevere. Even though you pass through deep, dark waters you will not drown for I Am with you. My right hand upholds you. With Me beside you, no evil will touch you for I declare you are mine now and always. Be still and know that I AM God.

WORD OF GOD - LK 12:15

LUKE 12:15

Jesus said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’

---- mine,

To be possessed by anything other than God is to live a life of misery, for nothing can fill the aching voice in your soul that was put there by the Creator Himself and which only the Father, the Holy Spirit, and I can fill. All created things remain outside of yourself except God and His love for you which is intrinsically woven into the very fabric of your being. Without Me, you will wither and die. Divine love is etched into every cell of your being for you were created for God. Every other material blessing that is given to you is a gift and ought never to replace Me, the God of all love. Love God with your whole being and everything else will be added to you.

WORD OF GOD - LK 14:26-28

LUKE 14:26-28

‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

---- mine,

Many hesitate to follow Me afraid of what they will be asked to give up for My sake and for the sake of the Gospel. These are the ones whose hearts and hands are closed because they are afraid to trust Me or because they put relationships or worldly interests over Me and My call to discipleship. When you count the cost yes, it is true, the more you give up the more will I ask you to, until you yourself will eagerly, voluntarily, and joyfully give all even your life for Me in exchange for the incomparable ecstasy of being a part of the wondrous plan of God for all who lose the world and everything in it for My sake and for the sake of the Gospel will inherit the kingdom of God.

WORD OF GOD - JN 16:7-11

JOHN 16:7-11

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

---- mine,

The Father has found a way to ensure that even though I return to Him I will still be with you and He will too, for where the Father is there is His Son, and where the Son is there is His Father. The same Holy Spirit who is the bond of love between us is also given to you. He who makes the Father and I one will draw you into this eternal bond of love and you will be one with Me as I AM one with My Father. If you remain in Me and I remain in you then you will avoid sin because you know and love Me, you will strive for righteousness in all things because I AM righteous, and you will believe that I who have conquered evil and crushed the head of the ruler of the world will return again in glory to judge the living and the dead. 

WORD OF GOD - MT 12:49-50

MATTHEW 12:49-50

And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’

---- mine,

Do you want to be My disciple? Do you want to love Me more than those in the world? Do you wish to be counted among those who are washed and fed by the Lamb of God? Desire all that I desire and will all that I will. Only by laying down your life for My sake and the sake of the Gospel, only by picking up your cross daily and coming after Me will you be counted among those who are My mother, my brother, and my sister. Lose yourself for My sake and you will inherit the Kingdom of God. Live in the present moment and sanctify it by discerning My will and doing it no matter the cost.

WORD OF GOD - lk 4:18-19

LUKE 4:18-19

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’

---- mine,

The same Spirit that belongs to the Father and to Me I give you and to all who know Me, believe in Me, and follow Me. Just as I AM the anointed of My Father so have I anointed you in Baptism, I have grafted into My Body and made you a child of God, and co-heir with Me to the Kingdom. To you is given the same mandate that was Mine and given to Me by My Father I, in turn, have commissioned you to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News. I have empowered you to do the same things that I did and even greater things because I Am now with My Father and your Father. Live the Good News and by your witness to the Father's love make disciples who together with you will inherit the Kingdom of God.

WORD OF GOD -

MATTHEW 11:28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

----mine,

My hand is always extended to you inviting you to take it. Come to Me I know you are weary, I know you are anxious, I know that sometimes life gets to be too much for you. In moments like these, know that all who desire rest from the daily grind of life need only come to Me, lay their burdens down and rest in My love. The burden of love is sweet, light, and easy when every sacrifice is made in a spirit of loving resignation for love makes all things a delight. Let me place My yoke of love on you and you will find that with Me life is worth living.

WORD OF GOD - LK 13:13

LUKE 13:13

When Jesus laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.

---- mine,

I know all, I see all. I know your pain, your fears, I know how easily discouraged you become when faced with the trials of this life. Without the help, the gifts, the grace of My Spirit, you will be overwhelmed and crushed by the weight of the world. Let Me touch you, let me remove the burden of guilt that has weighed you down for so long and you will stand straight and tall. Come to Me and receive the freedom that belongs to the children of God.

WORD OF GOD - LK 21:14-18

LUKE 21:14-18

So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish.

---- mine,

In this world you will have trials, things will not always go your way, people will disappoint you, you will be betrayed by those you trusted. Sometimes it will seem to you that there is no end to the troubles you have to face. You will grow weary and you will find it difficult to believe, to pray, to trust. When life is at its darkest when hope fades when faith is as weak as a smoldering wick and threatens to die completely, know that I AM with you, I will never leave you and in the end, I will ensure your victory. Do not be afraid, --- mine, I have conquered the world.

WORD OF GOD - MT 10:29-31

MATTHEW 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

---- mine,

Fear nothing, be anxious about nothing, I AM God and declare you to be Mine, in time and in eternity. You are a child of the Father, I have given you My Holy Spirit to be your Helper, Comforter, and Guide. I AM your Friend, Your Spouse, the Bridegroom of your soul. Think on these things, contemplate them, let this truth imbue your very soul and every cell of your body, then lift up your head for although you will have many troubles in this life with Me beside you, you will overcome them all. Victory is yours in Me and through Me.

WORD OF GOD - LK 11:27-28

LUKE 11:27-28

..... a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Jesus, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’

---- mine,

You are blessed when you hear My Word, receive it, pay close attention to all I say, and make room in your heart for it. Treasure My Word. Recall it. Meditate on it often until you and let it direct your thoughts, your words, and your actions. My Word must be your food and your drink only then will you truly be doers of the Word rather than mere hearers of it. My Word is Truth be consecrated in the Truth.

WORD OF GOD -LK 6:18-19

Luke 6:18-19

They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

---- mine,

Come to Me, listen to Me, do all I ask you promptly, gladly,
willingly, tell Me your troubles, your fears for those you love, your anxieties. Share your burdens with Me, let Me walk with you every step of the way until you reach the end of your pilgrim journey here on earth. I desire to live in you, make My dwelling place in your heart, Show me all the wounds that afflict you, and ask Me to touch and heal you in heart, mind, soul, body, and spirit. Tell Me you are sorry for all the offences and sins that you have committed. Come to Me with a contrite heart and a repentant spirit and I will wash away your iniquities, I will cleanse you of all your sins, and I will restore your soul to its original beauty. Do not be disheartened, do not be dismayed, for I, the Lord, your God am with you always. I am closer to you than your breath. You are Mine in time and in eternity. Fear nothing for God is beside you and fights your battles for you. You are invincible with Me in you and you in Me. You are Mine, precious in my sight, you are My delight.

WORD OF GOD - LK 10:22

LUKE 10:22

All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

---- mine,

You are called, you are chosen, you are delivered, you are blessed, you are saved, you are a member of the family of God. Your spiritual birth in the Church makes you a daughter of the Most High God and assures you that you are counted among those whom I have chosen to reveal the Father. In her the fullness of Truth is found in all its power, beauty, and richness, to her is entrusted both Sacred Scripture and a Living Memory of all that I said to the Twelve which they handed down faithfully in an unbroken Sacred Tradition that is as powerful as their written Testimony inspired by My Spirit. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life no one can come to the Father except by Me and I chose you to be Mine. Remain in My love.

WORD OF GOD - 1 JN 4:12

1 JOHN 4:12

If we love one another,
God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.

---- mine,

The most difficult thing to do is to love those around you, in your homes, those among your relatives whom you are familiar with. It is easier to be kind to the stranger, the homeless person on the street, than to pour yourself out tirelessly, in season and out of season on the ones that are nearest to you and are most difficult to love for a host of reasons none of which matter. Unless you love as you ought, with no reservations, only then will the love of God be perfected in you. Pray constantly for this grace and act lovingly until it is a habit. Love is not a feeling but an act of will. Will to love. 

WORD OF GOD - JN 7:37-38

JOHN 7:37-38

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”'

---- mine,

Come to Me, drink deeply from the living water that flows from Me, and be refreshed, reinvigorated, and strengthened. The world has nothing to offer you but empty promises. All that the world can offer you is death, defeat, and frivolous pleasures that do not last longer than mist in the sun. The things of the world will The world and the things of the world will leave you tired, discouraged, disheartened, bitter, despondent, anxious, and fearful. Come to Me, remain in Me, and you will receive My life that will never end.  

WORD OF GOD - ROM 8:14-17

ROMANS 8:14-17

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

---- mine,

You are a child of God and heir to the Kingdom. As a member of My Body, you are given the privilege of calling My Father, Dad. You are Mine. I have called you by your name and breathed My Spirit into you so you can live a life of grace and peace. Grace empowers you to choose to do all that is pleasing in My sight. Do not waste the sufferings allotted to you but accept them gladly and unite them with Mine in this way you will obtain the conversion of the souls of those you love, and pray for. Redemptive suffering has the power to snatch souls from the jaws of death and the gates of hell and your reward will be a share in the glory of My Resurrection.

WORD OF GOD - MT 11:28-30

MATTHEW 11:28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

---- Mine,

My hand is constantly extended to you inviting you to put your hand in Mine and to permit Me to walk with you. I desire to stay beside you and to remain with you always. Life is hard and without Me to help you to carry your burdens, lighten your load, and provide the assurance that you need that I AM with you always, the cares, anxieties, worries, and fear of this world can crush and overwhelm you. Today, once more, I want you to know that I AM with you always, remain in My love.

WORD OF GOD - PS 62:1-2

PSALM 62:1-2

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.

---- mine,

Come away with Me often, leave the noise and the clamor of the world that fills your senses behind, and together we will remain in silence. Heed all that I desire to say to you and you will be healed of all that ails your body, your soul, and your spirit. I will fill you with My love. My Presence will comfort you. Your soul will find rest and peace in Me. Fear nothing and continue to speak the truth in love, the truth that saves, and I will be with you always because You are mine.

WORD OF GOD - LK 12:25-26

LUKE 12:25-26

Jesus said to his disciples, .....  'And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?'

---- mine,

On the day that you were conceived your time on earth was fixed. You cannot add or take away a moment from it. God lovingly prepared a glorious plan for your life so you could be happy; sadly this has not always been the case. You kept giving in to temptation and little by little every sin has created obstacles that prevent My grace and blessings to penetrate your soul. Without faith, it is impossible to please Me and without grace, it is impossible for you to meet the daily challenges of life. This is why you are sad, fearful, anxious, and overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Come back to Me, return to Me with a repentant and contrite heart live your life patterned on the Beatitudes and abundant joy will be yours once again.

WORD OF GOD - PS 18:6, 16-19

PSALM 18:6, 16-19

In my distress I called upon the Lord; 

to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.

He reached down from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of mighty waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
and from those who hated me;
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity;
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

---- mine,

Never, even for an instant must you doubt My love for you. I created you, I conceived you in my heart long before you were conceived in your mother's womb. You belong to Me, you are Mine. I redeemed you, I saved you, I lay down My life so you could live. I have given you My life, and My Spirit, I have taught you to call My Father Abba, Papa, Dad because this is who He is to you. I will never leave you, never forsake you, never abandon you. I will wipe away your tears, I will hear every sigh, and I will hasten to answer you when you call. I will keep you safe under my wings and when you breathe your last breath on earth I will be with you as you take your first breath in My Kingdom and I Myself will lead you to the place that has been prepared for you before the foundations of the world were laid. I AM your God and you are Mine, My beloved. Fear nothing for I have claimed you as My own.

WORD OF GOD - LK 15:20-24

 LUKE 15:20-24

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

---- mine,

Each time you sin, even grievously, and you repent because you have wounded me and yourself as well, and you turn to me in sorrow and contrition and beg pardon for having broken the Covenant of love that I have made with you, I will come to you and I will forgive you. I will raise you up, I will wash away your iniquities, I will wipe away your tears, I will release you of your burden of guilt and I will turn your sorrow into joy. My Father will come with Me and we will remain with you and restore all that you lost when you turned away from Me, grieved the Holy Spirit who dwells in you and wandered in the wastelands of sins. Each time you return to Me with a contrite heart I will receive you joyfully, I will pour upon you every grace and blessing, I will heal you and clothe you once more in robes of righteousness and I will fill you with My peace. Strive to sin no more and remain with Me and I will remain with you.

WORD OF GOD - MK 15:12-15

MARK 15:12-15

Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

---- mine,

The scene before Pilate recurs constantly - the innocent are hauled before corrupt rulers and judges and are handed over to be flogged, imprisoned, tortured, and even put to death. The vast majority of people in the world are blind and ignorant and are readily carried along like flotsam and jetsam on the tide of popular opinion. They are oblivious that they are being manipulated by evil men and women with evil agendas who are prepared to sell their immortal souls to the devil in order to hold on to their earthly citadels of power, glory, fame, and wealth. All things pass away, God alone remains unchanging, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and before this God, all will stand on judgment day. Shine the Light of Truth in an increasingly darkening world so many may come to believe in Me and be saved.