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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Jun 1, 2018

(Jd.17,20-25;   Ps.63:2-6;   Mk.11:27-33) 

“Welcome the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ

which leads to eternal life.”

“As [Jesus] was walking in the temple precincts the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached Him.”  They come to Him who is the true Temple here in the place where He teaches, but they do not come “praying in the Holy Spirit” or “persever[ing] in God’s love.”  Their questions rather are those which hold condemnation.  If they had come seeking truth, they would be able to speak truth when asked by Him of John’s baptism.  But, far from seeking the grace of God, they desire only political advantage.  And so they think among themselves, “If we say…” and “Can we say…” instead of simply baring their souls before Him who could save them.  And so, answering, “We do not know,” indeed do they close themselves off from knowledge of the “authority” and “power” given to Jesus the Christ.

This cannot be our faith, brothers and sisters.  Our faith must be as that sung of so beautifully by David in our psalm today: “O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.”  With all our beings we must strive to know Him whom our soul loves.  Knowing our own emptiness apart from Him who is Truth, we indeed turn our “[gaze] toward [Him] in the sanctuary,” we indeed long for His love and mercy.  And instead of speaking ill against Him or looking to condemn Him, rather we bless Him with all our souls, singing with His servant David: “Lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name… and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.”

The baptism of John was divine and Jesus is its divine fulfillment.  He is the “One who can protect [us] from a fall and make [us] stand unblemished and exultant in the presence of His glory” if we but say, “Glory be to this only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  His indeed are “majesty” and “might”; He indeed “correct[s] those who are confused” and “snatch[es] others from the fire.”  He has rescued us from sin and poured the water of the Holy Spirit upon us to slake our thirst for Him.  And so, “as with the riches of a banquet shall [our] soul be satisfied.”  By the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, heaven is now ours.

*******

O LORD, keep us from falling into our pride;

let us not be separated from you.

YHWH, how shall we stand unblemished and exultant in your presence?  For all glory and majesty are yours, and what are we but sinful men?  Take the stain from our hands and from our clothing.  Only by the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ will we be made ready to stand before you; only by His grace can we bless your holy NAME.

O let our lips praise you, dear God!  May our souls be satisfied as with the riches of a banquet, the banquet of your eternal kingdom.  Let us not doubt the glory you would share with us through our Baptism into your only Son.  Let us know that He has come from you and would take us to you this day.

O LORD, we gaze toward you in the sanctuary – our hearts long to join with you on high.  Thank you for making your presence known to us even on this plane, and help us to persevere in your love each day.