Daily Scripture Reflection

For you yourselves know that our reception among you was not without effect. Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle. Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives, nor did it work through deception. But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God who judges our hearts. We did not appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed – God is witness – nor did we seek praise from human beings, either from you or from others, although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ.

I Thessalonians 2:1-7

Many of our family members or friends, or perhaps yourself, are in need of some form of healing. It may be a physical, spiritual or psychological healing. Jesus invites us to "take up your cross each day and follow me", yet we know it is not always easy to do this.

As you know, one's crosses can come in various ways. It may be an illness or disability of one's own, or that of a loved one; it might be the death of a loved one; it might be the stress that comes from the loss of a job, or from family problems; or it might be a form of addiction.

I will be offering a Triduum of Masses (July 26th, 27th and 28th) for the need of any kind of healing you or your loved ones may need - be it physical, spiritual or psychological. Please list the names of those you wish me to remember as I offer these three Masses.

Mary is our powerful intercessor with her divine Son, Jesus. Entrust your cross and needs to Mary, knowing that she will place them in the hands of Jesus.

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Like Mount Zion are they who trust in the Lord, unshakable, forever enduring. As mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever. The scepter of the wicked will not prevail in the land given to the just, lest the just themselves turn their hands to evil. Do good, Lord, to the good, to those who are upright of heart. But those who turn aside to crooked ways may the Lord send them down with the wicked. Peace upon Israel.

Psalm 125

But the Lord’s kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age. He favors the children’s children of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts. The Lord’s throne is established in heaven; God’s royal power rules over all. Bless the Lord, all you angels, mighty in strength and attentive, obedient to every command. Bless the Lord, all you hosts, ministers who do God’s will. Bless the Lord, all creatures, everywhere in God’s domain. Bless the Lord, my soul!

Psalm 103 continued – verses 17-22

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law – though I myself am not under the law – to win over those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law – though I am not outside God’s law but within the law of Christ – to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

I Corinthians 9:19-23

May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord be glad in these works! If God glares at the earth, it trembles; if God touches the mountains, they smoke! I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live. May my theme be pleasing to God; I will rejoice in the Lord. May sinners vanish from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, my soul! Halleluia!

Psalm 104 continued – verses 31-35

The Lord swore an oath to David, a pledge never to be broken: “Your own offspring I will set upon your throne. If your sons observe my covenant, the laws I shall teach them, their sons, in turn, shall sit forever on your throne.” Yes, the Lord has chosen Zion, desired it for a dwelling: “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I desire it. I will bless Zion with meat; its poor I will fill with bread. I will clothe its priests with blessings; its faithful shall shout for joy. There I will make a horn sprout for David’s line; I will set a lamp for my anointed. His foes I will clothe with shame, but on him my crown shall gleam.”

Psalm 132: 11-18

Your word, Lord, stands forever; it is firm as the heavens. Through all generations your truth endures; fixed to stand firm like the earth. By your edicts they stand firm to this day, for all things are your servants. Had your teaching not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts; through them you give me life. I am yours, save me, for I cherish your precepts. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I pay heed to your decrees. I have seen the limits of all perfection, but your command is without bounds.

Psalm 119 continued – verses 89-96

The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

James 3:6-10

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:7-8

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first apostles; second, prophets; third teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

I Corinthians 12:12-13, 27-31

O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! you have set your majesty above the heavens! Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have drawn a defense against your foes, to silence enemy and avenger. When I see the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place – What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? You have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things under their feet: all sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

Psalm 8:2-10

Our Lady of Angels Association