2 Maccabees 1:3, Isaiah 35:1-6,10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalms 46:6-10

Mass Readings for today: Isaiah 35:1-6,10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalms 46:6-10

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2 Maccabees 1:3

3 May he give you all a heart to worship him and to ful­fill his will with generosity and a well-­disposed spirit.

This is my prayer to You today my Beloved.  A prayer I pray from the depths of my heart.  Grant it O Lord so that I may be always pleasing to You.  Thank You.

Isaiah 35:6
6 Then will the lame leap as a hart
and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout.
For water will break out in the wilderness
and streams gush forth from the desert.

 
The Prophet Isaiah reveals all the wonders that will take place when God walks among men as a Man.  You strengthen us, all weariness flees.  You give us courage in place of our fear.  We receive a new vision, our ears hear the sweetness of Your voice.  You quency our thirst.  You paid the price for our freedom in order that we may offer worship and love that is due to You, our God. 
 

James 5:7-10

7 Be patient then, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. See how the sower waits for the precious fruits of the earth, looking forward patiently to the autumn and spring rains. 8 You also be patient and do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming is near.

9 Beloved, do not fight among yourselves and you will not be judged. See, the judge is already at the door. 10 Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 See how those who were patient are called blessed. You have heard of the patience of Job and know how the Lord dealt with him in the end. For the Lord is merciful and shows compassion.

 
Thank You for reminding us to be patient.  You work with us gently, tenderly, quietly and give us all we need through the Sacraments so that we can yield a plentiful harvest for Your glory.  Let me too wait in patience Lord, knowing that every promise is fulfilled in You - all I need to do is rest in Your love in complete surrender.

Matthew 11:4-5

4 Jesus answered them, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor. 6 And how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me.” 

11 I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

Beloved, You continue to work marvels in the lives of men and women today - the same miracles continue to take place but so few care to know and in fact You say in vs 6 "Fortunate is the one who does not take offense at You."  There are whole countries where governments take offense at You for they see You as a threat to their tyranny.  You came to set us free.  Thank You for reminding us of the power of humility. You have the power to set us free from vice and the tyranny of sin.  You help us win the victory over any situation that has burdened and bent us double.  The helpless find a loving and powerful protector in You.