First Love Forever Love

Greetings on this the Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: RV 1:1-4; 2:1-5; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; LK 18:35-43
Notes: We seem to fall into ingratitude and contempt of love as a matter of course. It is a problem.

Of course, some never have this problem, thanks God! But for many of us, we do, at least we run into the possibility of it.

Our First Love is bruised by the contempt of the familiar. We no doubt have examples in our own lives. An old example. Happily, the people recovered their senses and restored love.

So the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food (Num 21:5)!

Before the Mass prayer

The priest, deacon and altar servers pray together:

Father in Heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ, showed his love for you by serving his needy brothers and sisters.
I now ask you to give me your help as I serve you and your people.

Open my mouth to praise you in word and song.
Open my ears to hear your word.
Open my hands to do your work well.

Take from my heart all evil and distracting thoughts.

Help me to know what I should do and do it well.
Help me to serve reverently at your holy altar, and so give you praise and glory, now and forever.
Amen.

First reading
Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first.

Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

We must always approach Holiness with humility and loving purpose.

Responsorial Psalm
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life (Rev. 2:17).

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked Nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, But delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night.

Alleluia Verse
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel Portion
The Healing of the Blind Beggar.

First Love.

Forever Love.

He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me! “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

First Love.
Forever love.

After Mass Prayer

The priest, deacon and altar servers pray together:

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal High Priest.

You lead all your saints in heaven and your people on earth in praising God, our Father.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for letting me come before your altar, so that, with your help, I can praise my Father in heaven as his server.

Help me to find joy in serving at your altar.
Help me to find gladness in knowing and doing your will in all things.

Glory to you, Lord Jesus, and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.

Amen

Our Prayer

May Jesus ever be my First Love and my Forever Love.

May I not bruise love for my ego, falsity or gain.

May all human love in my life be nurtured and cared for in the same way.

Amen.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry