All I Hold Dear
Dearest Father, Thank you for keeping me in mind always and taking care of all I hold dear. As written in the First Reading today.
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But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in Him, you may have life (John 20:31 GNBDK) - the rich and satisfying life in Christ. (John 10:10 NLT)
Today's Readings
First Reading: Genesis 19: 15-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 26: 2-3, 9-10, 11-12
Alleluia: Psalms 130: 5
Gospel: Matthew 8: 23-27
Reading 1
[15] At dawn the angels tried to make Lot hurry. “Quick!” they said. “Take your wife and your two daughters and get out, so that you will not lose your lives when the city is destroyed.”
[16] Lot hesitated. The LORD, however, had pity on him; so the men took him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city.
[17] Then one of the angels said, “Run for your lives! Don't look back and don't stop in the valley. Run to the hills, so that you won't be killed.”
[18] But Lot answered, “No, please don't make us do that, sir.
[19] You have done me a great favour and saved my life. But the hills are too far away; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die before I get there.
[20] Do you see that little town? It is near enough. Let me go over there — you can see it is just a small place — and I will be safe.”
[21] He answered, “All right, I agree. I won't destroy that town.
[22] Hurry! Run! I can't do anything until you get there.” Because Lot called it small, the town was named Zoar.
[23] The sun was rising when Lot reached Zoar.
[24] Suddenly the LORD rained burning sulphur on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
[25] and destroyed them and the whole valley, along with all the people there and everything that grew on the land.
[26] But Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.
[27] Early the next morning Abraham hurried to the place where he had stood in the presence of the LORD.
[28] He looked down at Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole valley and saw smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a huge furnace.
[29] But when God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living, he kept Abraham in mind and allowed Lot to escape to safety.
Responsorial Psalm
R.(3a) O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
Search me, O LORD, and try me;
test my soul and my heart.
For your mercy is before my eyes,
and I walk in your truth.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
Gather not my soul with those of sinners,
nor with men of blood my life.
On their hands are crimes,
and their right hands are full of bribes.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
[23] Jesus got into a boat, and his disciples went with him.
[24] Suddenly a fierce storm hit the lake, and the boat was in danger of sinking. But Jesus was asleep.
[25] The disciples went to him and woke him up. “Save us, Lord!” they said. “We are about to die!”
[26] “Why are you so frightened?” Jesus answered. “How little faith you have!” Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm.
[27] Everyone was amazed. “What kind of man is this?” they said. “Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Dearest Father,
Thank you for keeping me in mind always and taking care of all I hold dear. As written in the First Reading today.
Genesis 19:29 GNBDK
[29] But when God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living, he kept Abraham in mind and allowed Lot to escape to safety.
Today I just marvel at the way You kept Abraham in mind and saved Lot when You destroyed the place where he was living because You knew Abraham held Lot very dear to him.
It gives me confidence that You also always keep me in mind and take care of my loved ones, too, and everything I hold dear.
I remember when I was still a baby Christian and wanted to intercede for others. I started with mentioning each one, but doing it every day, I find that I can't do it and not forget someone. And there are just so many that I hold dear to me as well as so many things I care about.
One time, I was at Mass and this song during the Communion spoke powerfully to me.
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord,
If you lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
Hold Your people in my heart.
That's it!
I don't have to mention each and every one before the Lord in prayer.
He knows who I hold dear and what's important to me. He knows and will take care of everything!
God confirmed this revelation with I read of Aaron being the high priest clothed with these jewels on his chest over his heart representing all the tribes of Israel.
Exodus 28:15, 21, 29 GNBDK
[15] “Make a breastpiece for the High Priest to use in determining God's will. It is to be made of the same materials as the ephod and with similar embroidery.
[21] Each of these twelve stones is to have engraved on it the name of one of the sons of Jacob, to represent the tribes of Israel.
[29] “When Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will wear this breastpiece engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, so that I, the LORD, will always remember my people.
It means that every time he goes into the Lord’s presence, he holds every one of God's people in his heart before the Lord.
And that's what I’ve always believed in and lived by.
Every time I go before the Lord, spending time with Him, I also bring with me, before Him, all the people I care about, all the people He sends my way to minister, and all the matters that are important to me, and I know He sees them all in my heart and takes care of everything and everyone.
He keeps me in mind and takes care of everything I hold dear, always.
This way, I don't worry that I've missed praying for someone or something. I don't worry about anything else for that matter.
I just spend time with the Lord and just be with Him, not caring about anything else but just to listen to Him and bask in His presence. Like Abraham who stood before the Lord's presence.
Genesis 19:27 GNBDK
[27] Early the next morning Abraham hurried to the place where he had stood in the presence of the LORD.
And it's not only in times of prayer. It's every time. Because God is always with me and I am always in His presence. I am always on His mind.
He's like this guy in the Chinese romantic novels I've been reading. But so much more, of course.
This guy is the richest man in their city, head of the biggest company with influence reaching far to many other countries, and is also head of the biggest organization of the underworld. No one can oppose him and he destroys anyone that offends him even a little bit.
But this woman he falls in love with, he dotes upon. He always keeps her in mind, always thinking of what will make her happy, always securing her safety, and he takes care of everyone she loves and holds dear.
Even when her beloved powerful grandfather, who raised her, says something insulting to him when being overprotective of his granddaughter, this guy never lifts a finger to harm her grandfather because he keeps in mind that she holds her grandfather of so much importance to her.
That's Who the Lord feels like to me too. A doting husband who takes care of me and all I care about perfectly.
That's exactly why I never feel lonely or lacking without a boyfriend or husband with me because I have the Lord always with me and I always feel His loving care.
It's only because God promised me a family of my own, who will be part of my legacy to the world, that I desire to get married. This is why I’ve been claiming, and thanking God even right now in faith for, a family, a business empire, and a dynasty that will bless billions of people in my generation and for generations to come.
2 Samuel 7:16 GNBDK
[16] You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last for ever. Your dynasty will never end.’ ”
That's why I love reading these Chinese novels because I want to be married to a guy like that - rich and powerful yet loving and doting to me.
But even if it does not come to pass for me, I'm not missing out.
Because the Lord, to me, is more than enough - doting and loving. The richest and most powerful too.
Finding a man just like the Lord to me is grace from God.
Talk about having high standards for the man of my dreams.
I'm not worried. I know God has already taken care of it, as He does of everything else I hold dear, and so I rest in trust and confidence in Him.
That's why Jesus rebuked the disciples, with Him, who were terrified because of the storm, in today’s Gospel. How could they be terrified when He was with them?
Matthew 8:26 GNBDK
[26] “Why are you so frightened?” Jesus answered. “How little faith you have!” Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop, and there was a great calm.
I've spent most of my life living in Christ with me and not once has He failed to take care of me and of all I care for.
And so I rest in His loving care. Even when storms come my way.
You can too.
If you want to have the assurance that God keeps you in mind always, which He does, and remember all you care for and hold dear, live in Christ. Join me in our SpeakChrist RichLife Club. We'll do it together. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us.
Live the RichLife in Christ today 🤟
Everything you hold dear
God keeps with great care.
For He keeps you in mind.
He always remembers you and
all you hold dear.
Free 🎁 for you.
God keeps you in mind
Now and always.
You can rest in His loving care.
You and all you hold dear.
Say Amen! 🙏
Genesis 19:29 GNBDK
[29] But when God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot was living, he kept Abraham in mind and allowed Lot to escape to safety.
Now Your Turn
(Questions to ask yourself when scripture journaling)
What verses spoke to me strongly and powerfully from the scripture readings?
What is God saying to me in these verse or verses?
What does God want me to do today?
Journal prompts of the day
Who are the people you hold dear?
What are the things that are important to you?
Have you surrendered all you hold dear to God, our loving Father?
Vivo dives vitae in Christo. Live the RichLife in Christ.
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