Reading 1
Zep 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
or
Rom 12:9-16
Brothers and sisters:
Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
do not be wise in your own estimation.
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
Responsorial Psalm R. (6)
Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Gospel
Lk 1:39-56
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
Meditation: Luke I:39-56
The Visitation of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. (Luke 1:46)
Don’t you find it remarkable that God chose to bring about his work of redemption through two human babies and their mothers? Jesus was still in Mary’s womb, yet in his presence Elizabeth and her own unborn son, John, were filled with the Holy Spirit. This short but powerful scene gives us a glimpse of the forceful love of God, who just can’t wait to pour out his life. What a foreshadowing this is of the glory of the risen Christ, who wants to pour out his Spirit on all people!
Elizabeth’s humble response to the work of God in their lives must have brought great comfort to Mary. At last she had found someone with whom she could share her joy and awe at what was happening within her. Who else could understand the song welling up in her heart (Luke 1:46-55)? Rather than being jealous of her younger relative’s exalted position, Elizabeth rejoiced with Mary and embraced her own supportive role. For her part, Mary did not wait for Elizabeth to come to her, but hastened to her side.
While this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth is unique, there is something here that we can all experience. As baptized believers, each of us is capable of bearing Christ to others. If our eyes were opened to the glory of this truth, we too would rejoice and be humbled in the presence of so holy a vessel as a sister or brother in Christ. Even nonbelievers would move us to great reverence because they too are created in God’s image and have just as much potential of being filled with the Holy Spirit. If God has so highly honored human beings this way, how could we fail to show them equal honor?
God used Jesus, even when he was just a child in the womb, to pour out divine life. Everyone, no matter how young or old, no matter how strong or weak, has been created as a dwelling place for God. So how can we long for God’s presence and yet disregard him in the people all around us?
“Lord Jesus, as you opened Elizabeth’s eyes in the presence of Mary, open our eyes to those who also bear Christ. Help us to honor the potential of each person to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
30 May 2011
30 May 2011, Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 4a)
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:26—16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
Meditation: John 15:26–16:4
When the Advocate comes … he will testify to me. And you also testify. (John 15:27)
When you meet someone wonderful, you can’t wait to introduce him to all your friends. Think of those who have just fallen in love and are eager for their friends and family to get to know their beloved.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is like that. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. He wants the whole world to know him!
Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, he wants to make us just as eager for everyone to meet Jesus in a life-giving way. And the closer we get to the Spirit, the more willing we are to join him in his mission. We begin to see every fresh discovery as good news that we can use. Maybe we are struck by Jesus’ keen sense of humor and can find a way to be just as lighthearted. Perhaps we realize that God loves us no matter what we do, and we begin looking for ways to treat other people with the same love. Maybe a Scripture passage strikes us anew, and we simply have to share it with a close friend. Whatever insights you receive from the Spirit, talk it up! Find a way to pass on the wealth you have been given!
In today’s first reading, we meet Lydia, someone else who discovered Jesus and couldn’t keep it to herself. Once Paul introduced her to him, she wanted to learn more and more. It wasn’t enough to attend a worship service by the river once a week. She wanted Paul to stay in her home so that she could sit at his feet and hear more about Jesus. She probably invited many friends as well so that they too could meet Paul and hear what he had to say about Jesus.
None of us has a “corner” on knowing Jesus. In fact, each of us has a unique relationship with him. That means that we have much to learn from each other—not only those who have walked with the Lord for a long time, but also those for whom the good news is brand new. So let’s be open to each other!
“Jesus, thank you for making yourself known to me. I want to know you even better. Help me to learn and grow as I share with your other friends.”
Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 4a)
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:26—16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
Meditation: John 15:26–16:4
When the Advocate comes … he will testify to me. And you also testify. (John 15:27)
When you meet someone wonderful, you can’t wait to introduce him to all your friends. Think of those who have just fallen in love and are eager for their friends and family to get to know their beloved.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is like that. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. He wants the whole world to know him!
Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, he wants to make us just as eager for everyone to meet Jesus in a life-giving way. And the closer we get to the Spirit, the more willing we are to join him in his mission. We begin to see every fresh discovery as good news that we can use. Maybe we are struck by Jesus’ keen sense of humor and can find a way to be just as lighthearted. Perhaps we realize that God loves us no matter what we do, and we begin looking for ways to treat other people with the same love. Maybe a Scripture passage strikes us anew, and we simply have to share it with a close friend. Whatever insights you receive from the Spirit, talk it up! Find a way to pass on the wealth you have been given!
In today’s first reading, we meet Lydia, someone else who discovered Jesus and couldn’t keep it to herself. Once Paul introduced her to him, she wanted to learn more and more. It wasn’t enough to attend a worship service by the river once a week. She wanted Paul to stay in her home so that she could sit at his feet and hear more about Jesus. She probably invited many friends as well so that they too could meet Paul and hear what he had to say about Jesus.
None of us has a “corner” on knowing Jesus. In fact, each of us has a unique relationship with him. That means that we have much to learn from each other—not only those who have walked with the Lord for a long time, but also those for whom the good news is brand new. So let’s be open to each other!
“Jesus, thank you for making yourself known to me. I want to know you even better. Help me to learn and grow as I share with your other friends.”
29 May 2011
29 May 2011, Sixth Sunday of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ to them.
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip
when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent them Peter and John,
who went down and prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit.
Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
Responsorial Psalm R. (1)
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 3:15-18
Beloved:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good,
if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
Gospel
Jn 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Meditation: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15)
Wait—how can we sanctify Christ? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Isn’t he supposed to sanctify us—make us holy?
Think about when you wake up in the morning. You’re lying in bed and you gradually become aware of the new day with its to-do list, opportunities, and problems. This time is the perfect opportunity to set yourself apart as one who belongs to Christ. This is what it means to sanctify him. You are making him holy in your heart, setting him apart as your Lord and Savior.
Think of the way husbands and wives kiss each other good-bye as they walk out the door in the morning. It may be routine, but there is more behind that kiss than meets the eye. It’s an expression of the love and devotion that have grown between them over the years. In a way, it signifies a renewal of their marriage vows, their promise to love and honor and cherish each other for as long as they live. With that one little kiss, the husband says that he belongs only to his wife, and the wife says the same thing to her husband. It’s their way of telling each other: “I’m yours.”
That’s what we are saying to Jesus when we sanctify him in our hearts. We are confessing that our lives are no longer our own, because we belong to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are telling him that we intend to love him through our words and actions that day—for better or for worse, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. In a sense, we are renewing our covenant with him!
So sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, and watch to see how differently your day goes. Perhaps you will feel more peaceful. Maybe you’ll be more aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’ll be more careful when it comes to fighting temptation. Why? Because when you give your life to Jesus in this way, he takes it!
“Lord, I give you my life. I’m yours.”
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ to them.
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip
when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent them Peter and John,
who went down and prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit.
Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
Responsorial Psalm R. (1)
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 3:15-18
Beloved:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good,
if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
Gospel
Jn 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Meditation: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. (1 Peter 3:15)
Wait—how can we sanctify Christ? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Isn’t he supposed to sanctify us—make us holy?
Think about when you wake up in the morning. You’re lying in bed and you gradually become aware of the new day with its to-do list, opportunities, and problems. This time is the perfect opportunity to set yourself apart as one who belongs to Christ. This is what it means to sanctify him. You are making him holy in your heart, setting him apart as your Lord and Savior.
Think of the way husbands and wives kiss each other good-bye as they walk out the door in the morning. It may be routine, but there is more behind that kiss than meets the eye. It’s an expression of the love and devotion that have grown between them over the years. In a way, it signifies a renewal of their marriage vows, their promise to love and honor and cherish each other for as long as they live. With that one little kiss, the husband says that he belongs only to his wife, and the wife says the same thing to her husband. It’s their way of telling each other: “I’m yours.”
That’s what we are saying to Jesus when we sanctify him in our hearts. We are confessing that our lives are no longer our own, because we belong to him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are telling him that we intend to love him through our words and actions that day—for better or for worse, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. In a sense, we are renewing our covenant with him!
So sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, and watch to see how differently your day goes. Perhaps you will feel more peaceful. Maybe you’ll be more aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’ll be more careful when it comes to fighting temptation. Why? Because when you give your life to Jesus in this way, he takes it!
“Lord, I give you my life. I’m yours.”
28 May 2011
28 May 2011, Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 16:1-10
Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
100:1b-2, 3, 5
Responsorial Psalm R. (2a)
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Meditation: John 15:18-21
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:20)
Poised on the precipice of an agonizing death, Jesus was thinking of what his followers—including us—would face in the times ahead. Hatred, rejection, and persecution might be in store, as they had been for him. Amazing! Jesus was facing a painful end to his life, but he remained focused on the people around him. His entire farewell discourse was other-centered: I love you. I will not leave you alone. I want to keep you from falling away. I will send you another, who will guide you in all truth (John 15:9–16:13).
The writer of Hebrews assures us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8). Just as Jesus cared on the night before he died, he cares now. He cares about the difficulties that arise for his faithful followers. He knows what is in store for you. He cares about the things you face. Rejection. Exclusion. Gossip and misunderstanding. Nothing that happens in your day comes as a surprise to him. And none of it is out of his power to protect or comfort or empower you to deal with. He has already seen it!
Best of all, he knows you. He knows how much you can bear. He will never allow more to come to you than you can handle. At the same time, he is able to do immeasurably more than you will ever ask or imagine. He knows what you need in every situation and has promised his Holy Spirit to provide it.
Jesus cares for you! And you can know it. You can experience that care and concern right now. This is what he was trying to tell the disciples at the Last Supper, and it’s what he tells us at every Mass. The Holy Spirit who is coming—who has already come to us—wants to guide and teach and comfort everyone, even you. So take some time today to sit quietly with God. Tell him the things that hurt you right now, and ask for his comforting presence. Sit still, and wait for him to give you the peace that only he can give. Expect him to strengthen and encourage you in whatever you’re facing.
“Jesus, I believe that you care about every circumstance of my life, including the difficult ones. Help me to experience your love and reassuring presence as I face them today.”
Acts 16:1-10
Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
100:1b-2, 3, 5
Responsorial Psalm R. (2a)
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:18-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Meditation: John 15:18-21
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:20)
Poised on the precipice of an agonizing death, Jesus was thinking of what his followers—including us—would face in the times ahead. Hatred, rejection, and persecution might be in store, as they had been for him. Amazing! Jesus was facing a painful end to his life, but he remained focused on the people around him. His entire farewell discourse was other-centered: I love you. I will not leave you alone. I want to keep you from falling away. I will send you another, who will guide you in all truth (John 15:9–16:13).
The writer of Hebrews assures us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8). Just as Jesus cared on the night before he died, he cares now. He cares about the difficulties that arise for his faithful followers. He knows what is in store for you. He cares about the things you face. Rejection. Exclusion. Gossip and misunderstanding. Nothing that happens in your day comes as a surprise to him. And none of it is out of his power to protect or comfort or empower you to deal with. He has already seen it!
Best of all, he knows you. He knows how much you can bear. He will never allow more to come to you than you can handle. At the same time, he is able to do immeasurably more than you will ever ask or imagine. He knows what you need in every situation and has promised his Holy Spirit to provide it.
Jesus cares for you! And you can know it. You can experience that care and concern right now. This is what he was trying to tell the disciples at the Last Supper, and it’s what he tells us at every Mass. The Holy Spirit who is coming—who has already come to us—wants to guide and teach and comfort everyone, even you. So take some time today to sit quietly with God. Tell him the things that hurt you right now, and ask for his comforting presence. Sit still, and wait for him to give you the peace that only he can give. Expect him to strengthen and encourage you in whatever you’re facing.
“Jesus, I believe that you care about every circumstance of my life, including the difficult ones. Help me to experience your love and reassuring presence as I face them today.”
27 May 2011
27 May 2011, Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“
And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
57:8-9, 10 and 12
Responsorial Psalm R. (10a)
I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
Meditation: John 15: 12-17
I no longer call you slaves… . I have called you friends. (John 15:15)
Do you remember how your relationship with your best friend developed? To become best friends with someone, you had to spend a lot of time with that person, confiding in him and sharing some of your deepest thoughts, fears, and desires. It’s a relationship built on trust, honesty, and loyalty. Your best friend may be the only one who knows how you got that scar next to your right ear. And he may be the only one who knows just why that confession you made last March was so important.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls his disciples his closest friends—and he wants to tell you the same thing as well! Remember: He gave up his life so that you and he could be joined together. He gave everything so that you could find rest and comfort, encouragement and inspiration in his presence—just as you find with your best friend on earth. Yes, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, the Lord of the uni verse, calls you his friend! Isn’t that wonderful?
A slave has very few rights and little dignity. He has no freedom and works tirelessly just to please his master. But a friend serves out of love. He gives generously because he holds his friend in such high esteem. That’s how Jesus looks at us. He invites us into a sharing of respect, love, and intimacy with him. He never tries to bully us or scare us into following him. Rather, he helps us see how fulfilling our lives can be if we let his plan unfold. In a word, he loves us for who we are.
Take a few minutes today and think about who Jesus is to you. Then think about who you are to Jesus. Do you feel comfortable calling him your friend? Do you feel comfortable hearing him say the same thing to you? Let him look you in the eye today, and don’t be afraid
to look right back at him. You belong together!
“Jesus, I love you.I give my life to you, not as a slave dedicates himself to his master but as someone who opens his heart to a friend. Help me to see myself through your eyes.”
Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“
And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
57:8-9, 10 and 12
Responsorial Psalm R. (10a)
I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
Meditation: John 15: 12-17
I no longer call you slaves… . I have called you friends. (John 15:15)
Do you remember how your relationship with your best friend developed? To become best friends with someone, you had to spend a lot of time with that person, confiding in him and sharing some of your deepest thoughts, fears, and desires. It’s a relationship built on trust, honesty, and loyalty. Your best friend may be the only one who knows how you got that scar next to your right ear. And he may be the only one who knows just why that confession you made last March was so important.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls his disciples his closest friends—and he wants to tell you the same thing as well! Remember: He gave up his life so that you and he could be joined together. He gave everything so that you could find rest and comfort, encouragement and inspiration in his presence—just as you find with your best friend on earth. Yes, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, the Lord of the uni verse, calls you his friend! Isn’t that wonderful?
A slave has very few rights and little dignity. He has no freedom and works tirelessly just to please his master. But a friend serves out of love. He gives generously because he holds his friend in such high esteem. That’s how Jesus looks at us. He invites us into a sharing of respect, love, and intimacy with him. He never tries to bully us or scare us into following him. Rather, he helps us see how fulfilling our lives can be if we let his plan unfold. In a word, he loves us for who we are.
Take a few minutes today and think about who Jesus is to you. Then think about who you are to Jesus. Do you feel comfortable calling him your friend? Do you feel comfortable hearing him say the same thing to you? Let him look you in the eye today, and don’t be afraid
to look right back at him. You belong together!
“Jesus, I love you.I give my life to you, not as a slave dedicates himself to his master but as someone who opens his heart to a friend. Help me to see myself through your eyes.”
26 May 2011
26 May 2011, Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest
Reading 1
Acts 15:7-21
After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
After they had fallen silent, James responded,
“My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.
It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
Responsorial Psalm R. (3)
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”
Meditation: John 15:9-11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
When a child is very young, his parents set firm, simple rules. A two-year-old doesn’t need a long lecture about why the stove is hot. He just needs to be told not to touch it. Only as he matures does he come to understand that his parents set boundaries because they love him. And that understanding helps draw him closer to them, making him want to take on their values and goals.
In a similar way, Jesus says that our obedience to him will help us abide in him and even fill us with great joy. As the sin that blocks our relationship with God is removed, we become more free to gaze on him and experience his love in greater depth. Keeping the commandments is not meant to be a matter of just gritting our teeth. It’s a tool for deepening our fellowship with Christ and being drawn more deeply into his life. The process is a bit like a spiral: Obedience draws us into a deeper relationship with Christ, which makes us want to turn away from things that block the relationship.
The apostles were beginning to understand this when they dealt with the question of Gentile converts (Acts 15:7-21). They didn’t want to burden these new believers with a yoke that they themselves couldn’t bear. Rather, the apostles wanted them to get to the heart of Jesus’ commandments—love of God and neighbor—and then learn from there what Jesus was calling them to do.
Think about how Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta stayed focused on Jesus. Did she obey the commandments? Beautifully! But not because she felt a burdensome mandate. She just didn’t want anything to keep her from Jesus! Think, too, of Blessed Pope John Paul II. He didn’t urge us to “put out into deep water” and evangelize just because Jesus ordered us to. He did it because he wanted to see more and more people come to love Jesus and serve him with their lives.
So don’t look at the commandments as a burden. Rather, see in them a powerful way to remain in Jesus’ love!
“Lord, I don’t want to do anything to separate myself from you! May my obedience be inspired by love, and may my relationship with you bring me greater and greater joy!”
Acts 15:7-21
After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
After they had fallen silent, James responded,
“My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.
It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
Responsorial Psalm R. (3)
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”
Meditation: John 15:9-11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
When a child is very young, his parents set firm, simple rules. A two-year-old doesn’t need a long lecture about why the stove is hot. He just needs to be told not to touch it. Only as he matures does he come to understand that his parents set boundaries because they love him. And that understanding helps draw him closer to them, making him want to take on their values and goals.
In a similar way, Jesus says that our obedience to him will help us abide in him and even fill us with great joy. As the sin that blocks our relationship with God is removed, we become more free to gaze on him and experience his love in greater depth. Keeping the commandments is not meant to be a matter of just gritting our teeth. It’s a tool for deepening our fellowship with Christ and being drawn more deeply into his life. The process is a bit like a spiral: Obedience draws us into a deeper relationship with Christ, which makes us want to turn away from things that block the relationship.
The apostles were beginning to understand this when they dealt with the question of Gentile converts (Acts 15:7-21). They didn’t want to burden these new believers with a yoke that they themselves couldn’t bear. Rather, the apostles wanted them to get to the heart of Jesus’ commandments—love of God and neighbor—and then learn from there what Jesus was calling them to do.
Think about how Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta stayed focused on Jesus. Did she obey the commandments? Beautifully! But not because she felt a burdensome mandate. She just didn’t want anything to keep her from Jesus! Think, too, of Blessed Pope John Paul II. He didn’t urge us to “put out into deep water” and evangelize just because Jesus ordered us to. He did it because he wanted to see more and more people come to love Jesus and serve him with their lives.
So don’t look at the commandments as a burden. Rather, see in them a powerful way to remain in Jesus’ love!
“Lord, I don’t want to do anything to separate myself from you! May my obedience be inspired by love, and may my relationship with you bring me greater and greater joy!”
25 May 2011
25 May 2011, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 15:1-6
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved.”
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 1)
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Meditation: John 15:1-8
“He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit.” (John 15:2)
Ah, the parable of the vine and the branches! Who doesn’t derive some sense of comfort from Jesus’ words in this passage? Who doesn’t get a feeling of reassurance when they read that Jesus invites them to remain in him?
But there is another side to these verses that can sound ominous: Jesus wants to prune us. He wants to strip away those parts of our lives that do not bear fruit for him. This can be a frightening thought, especially when we stop to consider how many times we say “no” to the Lord in the course of a week, or even a day.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry! Remember: Jesus told his disciples, and he tells you today: “You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you” (John 15:3). Washed clean in the waters of baptism, we are already forgiven. We are already justified. We are already citizens of heaven! All that remains is for us to embrace our citizenship more fully and ask Jesus to reign over more and more areas in our hearts.
Think of the disciples. They had been with Jesus for three whole years, and still they needed some pruning. Matthew the tax collector had already given up his cheating ways. Mary Magdalene had already been delivered of seven demons. And James and John had already had to deal with their desire to be given special seats in Jesus’ kingdom.
No matter what had already been pruned from these disciples’ lives, there was still more to come. Peter would still deny knowing the Lord three times. All the disciples would run away at Jesus’ arrest. And Thomas would refuse to believe his brothers and sisters that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Jesus knew all this was going to happen, and still he entrusted his church to these fallible men and women. And he entrusts it to us today. So don’t worry about the pruning that is still to come. Just remember that Jesus always welcomes you. He believes in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself. He has already accepted you into his kingdom. All he wants to do now is make you more and more fruitful!
“Jesus, I am so grateful for your love and mercy. Help me to remain in you, Lord, so that I can become more and more pure!”
Acts 15:1-6
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved.”
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 1)
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 15:1-8
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Meditation: John 15:1-8
“He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit.” (John 15:2)
Ah, the parable of the vine and the branches! Who doesn’t derive some sense of comfort from Jesus’ words in this passage? Who doesn’t get a feeling of reassurance when they read that Jesus invites them to remain in him?
But there is another side to these verses that can sound ominous: Jesus wants to prune us. He wants to strip away those parts of our lives that do not bear fruit for him. This can be a frightening thought, especially when we stop to consider how many times we say “no” to the Lord in the course of a week, or even a day.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry! Remember: Jesus told his disciples, and he tells you today: “You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you” (John 15:3). Washed clean in the waters of baptism, we are already forgiven. We are already justified. We are already citizens of heaven! All that remains is for us to embrace our citizenship more fully and ask Jesus to reign over more and more areas in our hearts.
Think of the disciples. They had been with Jesus for three whole years, and still they needed some pruning. Matthew the tax collector had already given up his cheating ways. Mary Magdalene had already been delivered of seven demons. And James and John had already had to deal with their desire to be given special seats in Jesus’ kingdom.
No matter what had already been pruned from these disciples’ lives, there was still more to come. Peter would still deny knowing the Lord three times. All the disciples would run away at Jesus’ arrest. And Thomas would refuse to believe his brothers and sisters that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Jesus knew all this was going to happen, and still he entrusted his church to these fallible men and women. And he entrusts it to us today. So don’t worry about the pruning that is still to come. Just remember that Jesus always welcomes you. He believes in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself. He has already accepted you into his kingdom. All he wants to do now is make you more and more fruitful!
“Jesus, I am so grateful for your love and mercy. Help me to remain in you, Lord, so that I can become more and more pure!”
24 May 2011
24 May 2011, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 14:19-28
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.
145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 12)
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,
and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:27-31a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Meditation: Acts 14:19-28
“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” (Acts 14:19)
“Is he dead?” Paul’s companions probably asked this question as they looked upon his bloody, beaten body. He had been stoned by an angry crowd in Lystra because of his preaching about Christ. “No, he’s alive!” Paul slowly picked himself up off the ground, rested for a day, and then moved on to preach in another town.
Another town meant another opportunity to share the message of Jesus. But it also meant another risk of being stoned—maybe even killed this time. This is what Paul faced every time he entered a new city. He never knew whether he would be greeted with open hearts or zinging rocks.
Paul was certainly one determined man, but it can be easy to romanticize his courage and lose sight of what it actually cost him. It was a punishing life! And no one said he had to do it. In fact, some people probably said: “Paul, don’t you think it’s time to retire? Why not at least take a few years off and go back to Tarsus to recharge your batteries?” But he didn’t retire or even slacken; he kept on going and going.
Most of us won’t be called upon to die for the gospel. We’re not likely to be stoned and left for dead, either. But that doesn’t mean the cost of following Jesus is low. We all have to die to our old ways. We all have to work to build a godly environment at home. And we all need extra energy to fulfill our calling in life.
Let’s face it: It’s hard work! But the same Holy Spirit who galvanized Paul lives within you. God may not have called you to live an apostolic lifestyle, but he has called you to be an ambassador for Christ right where you are.
So ask the Lord for the strength to remain faithful to his calling. Ask him for a deeper dedication to prayer and service. And if you fall—as Paul undoubtedly did from time to time—get back up! Don’t let bumps and bruises hinder you. Don’t get bogged down by the details. And by all means, don’t worry about success or failure. Just keep moving forward, and let God take care of his part!
“Lord, I trust that you will fully supply whatever I need!”
Acts 14:19-28
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.
145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 12)
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,
and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:27-31a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Meditation: Acts 14:19-28
“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” (Acts 14:19)
“Is he dead?” Paul’s companions probably asked this question as they looked upon his bloody, beaten body. He had been stoned by an angry crowd in Lystra because of his preaching about Christ. “No, he’s alive!” Paul slowly picked himself up off the ground, rested for a day, and then moved on to preach in another town.
Another town meant another opportunity to share the message of Jesus. But it also meant another risk of being stoned—maybe even killed this time. This is what Paul faced every time he entered a new city. He never knew whether he would be greeted with open hearts or zinging rocks.
Paul was certainly one determined man, but it can be easy to romanticize his courage and lose sight of what it actually cost him. It was a punishing life! And no one said he had to do it. In fact, some people probably said: “Paul, don’t you think it’s time to retire? Why not at least take a few years off and go back to Tarsus to recharge your batteries?” But he didn’t retire or even slacken; he kept on going and going.
Most of us won’t be called upon to die for the gospel. We’re not likely to be stoned and left for dead, either. But that doesn’t mean the cost of following Jesus is low. We all have to die to our old ways. We all have to work to build a godly environment at home. And we all need extra energy to fulfill our calling in life.
Let’s face it: It’s hard work! But the same Holy Spirit who galvanized Paul lives within you. God may not have called you to live an apostolic lifestyle, but he has called you to be an ambassador for Christ right where you are.
So ask the Lord for the strength to remain faithful to his calling. Ask him for a deeper dedication to prayer and service. And if you fall—as Paul undoubtedly did from time to time—get back up! Don’t let bumps and bruises hinder you. Don’t get bogged down by the details. And by all means, don’t worry about success or failure. Just keep moving forward, and let God take care of his part!
“Lord, I trust that you will fully supply whatever I need!”
23 May 2011
23 May 2011, Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 14:5-18
There was an attempt in Iconium
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.”
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
“The gods have come down to us in human form.”
They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,”
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.
The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
“Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.
115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
Responsorial Psalm R. (1ab)
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
“Where is their God?”
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
“Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my nameB
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.”
Meditation: Acts 14:5-18
“Paul saw that he had the faith to be healed.” (Acts 14:9)
Imagine you were given millions of dollars and told you could share it with any person, group, or organization you wanted. It would be wonderful to see the faces of the ones who received a check from you—completely unexpected but deeply appreciated. Since the money wasn’t yours in the first place, it is easy for you to be generous and change people’s lives.
Paul and Barnabas had been given something much greater than money: God’s very life. And they wasted no time sharing that gift with other people. They saw lives transformed, and they knew that the change didn’t come from their own resources. They were simply being generous with the gift that God had given them.
Though Paul and Barnabas were intelligent and devoted men, they knew that it was God who was teaching and inspiring the people, not them. They prayed for God’s wisdom, shared that wisdom, and then stepped aside to see what God would do. The more they opened their hearts to Jesus, the more he filled them—and the more his grace flowed out to other people. Diseases were cured, demons were cast out, and human dignity was restored!
Jesus longs to give us his grace, love, and mercy just as he gave it to Paul and Barnabas. Every day we can come to him and receive. So let’s ask him to fill us again and again. God loves it when we tum to him at different points during the day because he has an endless supply of grace to give us. His Spirit is always ready to empower us to proclaim God’s faithfulness and to reach out to the poor and needy. The Spirit is always with us, giving us the wisdom and compassion we need to deepen our love for one another, to forgive when we have been hurt, and to bring healing to the wounded in our midst. Like Paul and Barnabas, we too can have tremendous confidence in God’s power to work in us and through us.
“Jesus, I praise you for your overflowing love.I am so grateful that you never stop showering your mercy and strength on us. Right now, I want to open my heart to receive all that you want to give me. I love you, Jesus.”
Acts 14:5-18
There was an attempt in Iconium
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.”
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
“The gods have come down to us in human form.”
They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,”
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.
The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
“Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.
115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
Responsorial Psalm R. (1ab)
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
“Where is their God?”
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
“Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my nameB
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.”
Meditation: Acts 14:5-18
“Paul saw that he had the faith to be healed.” (Acts 14:9)
Imagine you were given millions of dollars and told you could share it with any person, group, or organization you wanted. It would be wonderful to see the faces of the ones who received a check from you—completely unexpected but deeply appreciated. Since the money wasn’t yours in the first place, it is easy for you to be generous and change people’s lives.
Paul and Barnabas had been given something much greater than money: God’s very life. And they wasted no time sharing that gift with other people. They saw lives transformed, and they knew that the change didn’t come from their own resources. They were simply being generous with the gift that God had given them.
Though Paul and Barnabas were intelligent and devoted men, they knew that it was God who was teaching and inspiring the people, not them. They prayed for God’s wisdom, shared that wisdom, and then stepped aside to see what God would do. The more they opened their hearts to Jesus, the more he filled them—and the more his grace flowed out to other people. Diseases were cured, demons were cast out, and human dignity was restored!
Jesus longs to give us his grace, love, and mercy just as he gave it to Paul and Barnabas. Every day we can come to him and receive. So let’s ask him to fill us again and again. God loves it when we tum to him at different points during the day because he has an endless supply of grace to give us. His Spirit is always ready to empower us to proclaim God’s faithfulness and to reach out to the poor and needy. The Spirit is always with us, giving us the wisdom and compassion we need to deepen our love for one another, to forgive when we have been hurt, and to bring healing to the wounded in our midst. Like Paul and Barnabas, we too can have tremendous confidence in God’s power to work in us and through us.
“Jesus, I praise you for your overflowing love.I am so grateful that you never stop showering your mercy and strength on us. Right now, I want to open my heart to receive all that you want to give me. I love you, Jesus.”
21 May 2011
22 May 2011, Fifth Sunday of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Responsorial PsalmR. (22)
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 2:4-9
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone, and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel
Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”
Meditation: John 14:1-12
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Marybeth is a born athlete, just like her father. Allie and her siblings have their mom’s flashing dark eyes and her spirit of community service. When John laughs, you’d think his dad was in the room.
An old saying tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning that kids are likely to take on their parents’ features, philosophies, and behaviors. And though some apples roll far from the parental tree, the likeness can still be quite remarkable.
Even so, nothing can compare to the “like Father, like Son” relationship we see in today’s Gospel!
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Linger over this for a moment and consider who this Father is. He is the all-powerful Creator of the universe, the Author of life who keeps everything in existence. He is the God whose beauty, only partially revealed, dazzled Moses and made his face so radiant that people were afraid to approach him (Exodus 34:30-35). Seeing this “holy, holy, holy” Lord of hosts on his heavenly throne, Isaiah was so overcome that he feared for his life (Isaiah 6:1-5). Glorious in holiness, robed in light, majestic beyond compare—that’s the Father.
And that is the Son as well. To see the one is to see the other, for “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:10,11). Writing about these verses, one scholar said that it is a “peak point in the mountain ranges of revelation.” The God of ages is fully and definitively revealed in human form! If you want to know what God is like and how to reach him, look to Jesus. He has given you access to every grace and spiritual gift, to an imperishable inheritance, and to none other than God himself!
“Thank you, Father, for letting me see and hear what many prophets and saints longed for. Thank you, Jesus, for revealing God’s face of love. Come, Holy Spirit, and bring me to a deeper and deeper knowledge of you.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12)
1. In the first reading, we see that the Holy Spirit provided the Apostles with a creative solution to their time management problems, especially how to provide a time for their spiritual life in the midst of their busyness. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness? How often do you ask the Lord to assist you? In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?
2. The responsorial psalm says that our praise and worship of God is “fitting.” What are some of the reasons the psalmist gives for this praise and worship? To what extent are your times of prayer devoted to “exult,” “praise,” and “give thanks” to God versus just addressing your needs? How can you change this?
3. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house? In the next few weeks, spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to let you know even more clearly what part of the house you are to be.
4. St. Peter also says we are to “announce the praises” of God who “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” How have you experienced this in your life? In what ways are you still holding onto parts that are in the darkness?
5. Jesus speaks these words in the Gospel reading: “If you know me then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:7); “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9); “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (14:10,11). In what ways do you have problems believing that God the Father has the same loving, kind, gentle and merciful attributes as Jesus? Why do you think this is so?
6. The meditation ends with these words “If you want to know what God is like and how to reach him, look to Jesus. He has given you access to every grace and spiritual gift, to an imperishable inheritance, and to none other than God himself!” Do you believe this? What practical steps can you take to make this a greater reality in your life? What are you willing to commit to?
7. Take some time now to pray that you would come to know and experience more deeply the love and mercy of Jesus, and through that, to come to know the great love and mercy of your heavenly Father. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Responsorial PsalmR. (22)
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 2:4-9
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone, and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel
Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”
Meditation: John 14:1-12
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Marybeth is a born athlete, just like her father. Allie and her siblings have their mom’s flashing dark eyes and her spirit of community service. When John laughs, you’d think his dad was in the room.
An old saying tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, meaning that kids are likely to take on their parents’ features, philosophies, and behaviors. And though some apples roll far from the parental tree, the likeness can still be quite remarkable.
Even so, nothing can compare to the “like Father, like Son” relationship we see in today’s Gospel!
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Linger over this for a moment and consider who this Father is. He is the all-powerful Creator of the universe, the Author of life who keeps everything in existence. He is the God whose beauty, only partially revealed, dazzled Moses and made his face so radiant that people were afraid to approach him (Exodus 34:30-35). Seeing this “holy, holy, holy” Lord of hosts on his heavenly throne, Isaiah was so overcome that he feared for his life (Isaiah 6:1-5). Glorious in holiness, robed in light, majestic beyond compare—that’s the Father.
And that is the Son as well. To see the one is to see the other, for “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:10,11). Writing about these verses, one scholar said that it is a “peak point in the mountain ranges of revelation.” The God of ages is fully and definitively revealed in human form! If you want to know what God is like and how to reach him, look to Jesus. He has given you access to every grace and spiritual gift, to an imperishable inheritance, and to none other than God himself!
“Thank you, Father, for letting me see and hear what many prophets and saints longed for. Thank you, Jesus, for revealing God’s face of love. Come, Holy Spirit, and bring me to a deeper and deeper knowledge of you.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12)
1. In the first reading, we see that the Holy Spirit provided the Apostles with a creative solution to their time management problems, especially how to provide a time for their spiritual life in the midst of their busyness. In what ways do you struggle to find a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading in the midst of your busyness? How often do you ask the Lord to assist you? In order to get in a daily prayer time and Scripture reading, what creative solutions can you and the Holy Spirit come up with in order that you not neglect your spiritual life and the Word of God?
2. The responsorial psalm says that our praise and worship of God is “fitting.” What are some of the reasons the psalmist gives for this praise and worship? To what extent are your times of prayer devoted to “exult,” “praise,” and “give thanks” to God versus just addressing your needs? How can you change this?
3. In the second reading, St. Peter says that we are to let ourselves “be built into a spiritual house” for God. What part do you think God wants you to be in his house? In the next few weeks, spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to let you know even more clearly what part of the house you are to be.
4. St. Peter also says we are to “announce the praises” of God who “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” How have you experienced this in your life? In what ways are you still holding onto parts that are in the darkness?
5. Jesus speaks these words in the Gospel reading: “If you know me then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:7); “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9); “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (14:10,11). In what ways do you have problems believing that God the Father has the same loving, kind, gentle and merciful attributes as Jesus? Why do you think this is so?
6. The meditation ends with these words “If you want to know what God is like and how to reach him, look to Jesus. He has given you access to every grace and spiritual gift, to an imperishable inheritance, and to none other than God himself!” Do you believe this? What practical steps can you take to make this a greater reality in your life? What are you willing to commit to?
7. Take some time now to pray that you would come to know and experience more deeply the love and mercy of Jesus, and through that, to come to know the great love and mercy of your heavenly Father. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
21 May 2011, Saturday of the Fourth Week
Reading 1
Acts 13:44-52
On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Responsorial Psalm R. (3cd)
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
Meditation: Psalm 98:1-4
Why should we sing? Because singing engages our hearts and emo tions as well as our minds, and God cares about our whole person, emotions included. He wants to breathe life into our spirits and minds and bodies. Singing offers him entry into our whole being in a way that ordi nary speech doesn’t. And if we have difficulty opening our hearts, singing can open the pathway for his Spirit to move in us.
So go ahead and sing a new song! Sing of Jesus’ victory on the cross, his victory over sin. Sing because God has given you victory through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Sing because you do not have to live mired in guilt and shame. Sing because you have access to the Father through the blood of Jesus’ cross. Sing because he who is faithful will cleanse you in the pure water of life. These aren’t things we just hope will happen; they are steadfast promises of God!
Sing of God’s justice, revealed in his unfathomable mercy and kindness toward us. Sing of his unflagging desire that none perish but that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4). Sing because he has redeemed you from sin—yes, even the sin you brought upon yourself. Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless—and because he is faithful and will accomplish it!
Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless in his sight and in the sight of all those around you. Sing a song of gratitude as he leads you in paths of righteousness today. Sing as he cleanses your con science and gives you rest. Sing of what is pure and right, lovely and good. Sing joyfully as you see his kindness and faithfulness toward you. Sing of your longing to know all of this more; to experience his love and mercy more and more deeply. Sing the new song that all the saints and angels are singing in heaven
right now: “God is good! He has done marvelous things!”
“Father, you are marvelous! I praise you for your goodness in my life. You are faithful, just, and merciful, and I am hungry to experience more of you. Father,I will sing today of your victory and your mercy!”
Acts 13:44-52
On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Responsorial Psalm R. (3cd)
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
Meditation: Psalm 98:1-4
Why should we sing? Because singing engages our hearts and emo tions as well as our minds, and God cares about our whole person, emotions included. He wants to breathe life into our spirits and minds and bodies. Singing offers him entry into our whole being in a way that ordi nary speech doesn’t. And if we have difficulty opening our hearts, singing can open the pathway for his Spirit to move in us.
So go ahead and sing a new song! Sing of Jesus’ victory on the cross, his victory over sin. Sing because God has given you victory through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Sing because you do not have to live mired in guilt and shame. Sing because you have access to the Father through the blood of Jesus’ cross. Sing because he who is faithful will cleanse you in the pure water of life. These aren’t things we just hope will happen; they are steadfast promises of God!
Sing of God’s justice, revealed in his unfathomable mercy and kindness toward us. Sing of his unflagging desire that none perish but that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4). Sing because he has redeemed you from sin—yes, even the sin you brought upon yourself. Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless—and because he is faithful and will accomplish it!
Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless in his sight and in the sight of all those around you. Sing a song of gratitude as he leads you in paths of righteousness today. Sing as he cleanses your con science and gives you rest. Sing of what is pure and right, lovely and good. Sing joyfully as you see his kindness and faithfulness toward you. Sing of your longing to know all of this more; to experience his love and mercy more and more deeply. Sing the new song that all the saints and angels are singing in heaven
right now: “God is good! He has done marvelous things!”
“Father, you are marvelous! I praise you for your goodness in my life. You are faithful, just, and merciful, and I am hungry to experience more of you. Father,I will sing today of your victory and your mercy!”
20 May 2011
20 May 2011, Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 13:26-33
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,
and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets
that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
These are now his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you
that what God promised our fathers
he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,
as it is written in the second psalm,
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
Responsorial PsalmR. (7bc)
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Meditation: John 14:1-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1)
Lord Jesus, calm my troubled heart with your peace. You have overcome the world, and you have gone to prepare a place for me in heaven. I trust that you are coming back again to bring me to yourself, so that I can be with you forever. I trust in your will for my life and in your timing. Jesus, you invited me to lay all of my burdens at your feet, and so I come to you, trusting that your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Lord, I trust that you will take care of my family. Around the world, many people are struggling to make ends meet, and I admit to being afraid sometimes that those I love will not be taken care of. Help me not to lose hope during times of uncertainty, but to remember that you are Creator and Provider, worthy of all my trust. Help me to take to heart the psalmist’s encouragement: “When I am afraid, in you I place my trust. God, I praise your promise; in you I trust, I do not fear” (Psalm 56:4-5).
Lord, I entrust my health to you as well as the health of those near to me. Medicine has made many advances, and I am grateful for them. But help me to rely on you as well. Many still suffer from disease, and while you didn’t promise that we would be free from all sickness, you did promise that you would be with us always. When I feel alone and in pain, I will lift my eyes to heaven, because “my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).
Lord, I trust that nothing can separate me from your love—not trouble or hardship, not persecution or famine, not terrorism or evil or the spiritual forces of darkness. Help me to trust in your power. Help me to put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.
“Help me, Jesus, never to be discouraged but to be strong in faith and in love. I trust that you have overcome the world and that I can overcome in you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the power of your love!”
Acts 13:26-33
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,
and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets
that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
These are now his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you
that what God promised our fathers
he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,
as it is written in the second psalm,
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
Responsorial PsalmR. (7bc)
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Meditation: John 14:1-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1)
Lord Jesus, calm my troubled heart with your peace. You have overcome the world, and you have gone to prepare a place for me in heaven. I trust that you are coming back again to bring me to yourself, so that I can be with you forever. I trust in your will for my life and in your timing. Jesus, you invited me to lay all of my burdens at your feet, and so I come to you, trusting that your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
Lord, I trust that you will take care of my family. Around the world, many people are struggling to make ends meet, and I admit to being afraid sometimes that those I love will not be taken care of. Help me not to lose hope during times of uncertainty, but to remember that you are Creator and Provider, worthy of all my trust. Help me to take to heart the psalmist’s encouragement: “When I am afraid, in you I place my trust. God, I praise your promise; in you I trust, I do not fear” (Psalm 56:4-5).
Lord, I entrust my health to you as well as the health of those near to me. Medicine has made many advances, and I am grateful for them. But help me to rely on you as well. Many still suffer from disease, and while you didn’t promise that we would be free from all sickness, you did promise that you would be with us always. When I feel alone and in pain, I will lift my eyes to heaven, because “my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).
Lord, I trust that nothing can separate me from your love—not trouble or hardship, not persecution or famine, not terrorism or evil or the spiritual forces of darkness. Help me to trust in your power. Help me to put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.
“Help me, Jesus, never to be discouraged but to be strong in faith and in love. I trust that you have overcome the world and that I can overcome in you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the power of your love!”
19 May 2011
19 May 2011, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 13:13-25
From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”
So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“
Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
Responsorial PsalmR. (2)
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Meditation: Acts 13:13-25
“God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23)
Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. We focus on the little things right in front of us—our everyday concerns and preoccupations—and lose sight of the big picture of God’s plan for our lives.
This can be true even with our acts of faith. For example, we can be so focused on getting to Mass on Sunday and saying our prayers that we miss their significance or power. Or we can be so intent on getting God to answer a particular prayer that we fail to see how much he has already done for us and how much he promises to do for us if we stay close to him.
In today’s passage from Acts, Paul is showing the people in Pisidia the big picture. He outlines succinctly how God’s plan has unfolded over thousands of years, culminating in the sending of Jesus as Savior. And by doing this, Paul shows how God has fulfilled his promises.
Just what has God promised? That if we believe in his Son, we will have eternal life (John 5:24). That all things do work for our good (Romans 8:28). That he will be with us for ever, in this life and for all eternity (Matthew 28:20).
This is the big picture that we need to focus on in the midst of our everyday concerns and obligations. God keeps his promises! He has a plan for us! No matter what the specific circumstances of our lives are, his overall vision for us never changes. Whatever hardships and suffering we may be experiencing now, however our lives are unfolding, we need to keep God’s love and his purposes in the forefront of our minds.
Through Jesus, God has fulfilled his promises. He loves us, he forgives us, and he invites us to spend all eternity with him. Let this vision inspire you when you rise in the morning and when you go to sleep at night. Let it remain with you throughout the day. Everything else in your life fits into this plan—a plan not just for today or tomorrow but for all eternity!
“Father, thank you for fulfilling your promise to send your Son. Help me to see every aspect of my life as part of your plan for me.”
Acts 13:13-25
From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”
So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“
Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
Responsorial PsalmR. (2)
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 13:16-20
When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Meditation: Acts 13:13-25
“God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.” (Acts 13:23)
Sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. We focus on the little things right in front of us—our everyday concerns and preoccupations—and lose sight of the big picture of God’s plan for our lives.
This can be true even with our acts of faith. For example, we can be so focused on getting to Mass on Sunday and saying our prayers that we miss their significance or power. Or we can be so intent on getting God to answer a particular prayer that we fail to see how much he has already done for us and how much he promises to do for us if we stay close to him.
In today’s passage from Acts, Paul is showing the people in Pisidia the big picture. He outlines succinctly how God’s plan has unfolded over thousands of years, culminating in the sending of Jesus as Savior. And by doing this, Paul shows how God has fulfilled his promises.
Just what has God promised? That if we believe in his Son, we will have eternal life (John 5:24). That all things do work for our good (Romans 8:28). That he will be with us for ever, in this life and for all eternity (Matthew 28:20).
This is the big picture that we need to focus on in the midst of our everyday concerns and obligations. God keeps his promises! He has a plan for us! No matter what the specific circumstances of our lives are, his overall vision for us never changes. Whatever hardships and suffering we may be experiencing now, however our lives are unfolding, we need to keep God’s love and his purposes in the forefront of our minds.
Through Jesus, God has fulfilled his promises. He loves us, he forgives us, and he invites us to spend all eternity with him. Let this vision inspire you when you rise in the morning and when you go to sleep at night. Let it remain with you throughout the day. Everything else in your life fits into this plan—a plan not just for today or tomorrow but for all eternity!
“Father, thank you for fulfilling your promise to send your Son. Help me to see every aspect of my life as part of your plan for me.”
18 May 2011
18 May 2011, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 12:24—13:5a
The word of God continued to spread and grow.
After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission,
they returned to Jerusalem,
taking with them John, who is called Mark.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia
and from there sailed to Cyprus.
When they arrived in Salamis,
they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8
Responsorial PsalmR. (4)
O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Meditation: Acts 12:24-13:5
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 13:2)
Did these words from the Holy Spirit to the elders in Antioch come out of the blue? More likely, the elders had already been dreaming, discussing, and strategizing about the best way to spread the good news. They probably also knew that planning alone wasn’t going to be enough—they needed power and direction from God for their evangelism to be successful. So they prayed and fasted, seeking the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus followed this same pattern when he chose his apostles. After interacting with Peter, Andrew, and the others, Jesus spent a full night in prayer, seeking his Father’s voice as to whom he should choose for this special calling.
So what can we learn from this? Well, for one, it’s good to plan and to use logic and intuition in our decision making. And two, God’s plans are higher than our plans. That may sound contradictory at first. We know how important it is to weigh our decisions carefully and use good logic to help guide us. But we also sense how important it is to ask the Holy Spirit for his insight and direction.
Some of these decisions we face may be as weighty as the ones Jesus and the elders of Antioch were confronted with. But most of them will surface in our day-to-day lives. Can you believe that the Holy Spirit wants to help us in those too? For example, how will we prioritize our time today? What should we say to someone in need of encouragement? Or how can we show God’s love to a family member?
As you face questions like these and ponder the best course of action, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Maybe you can devote part of your daily prayer time to seeking his guidance. If a particularly important decision is looming, maybe you can have a Mass said for your special intention or even skip a meal as a form of intercession.
Once you believe you have heard the Holy Spirit, step out in faith. Then measure the fruit. Make any course corrections you feel are necessary and keep praying. With practice, faith, and obedience, you will become a better listener to the Holy Spirit.
“Holy Spirit, open my ears to hear your voice today and guide my decisions. Give me the grace of obedience when I hear you call.”
Acts 12:24—13:5a
The word of God continued to spread and grow.
After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission,
they returned to Jerusalem,
taking with them John, who is called Mark.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia
and from there sailed to Cyprus.
When they arrived in Salamis,
they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8
Responsorial PsalmR. (4)
O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Meditation: Acts 12:24-13:5
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 13:2)
Did these words from the Holy Spirit to the elders in Antioch come out of the blue? More likely, the elders had already been dreaming, discussing, and strategizing about the best way to spread the good news. They probably also knew that planning alone wasn’t going to be enough—they needed power and direction from God for their evangelism to be successful. So they prayed and fasted, seeking the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus followed this same pattern when he chose his apostles. After interacting with Peter, Andrew, and the others, Jesus spent a full night in prayer, seeking his Father’s voice as to whom he should choose for this special calling.
So what can we learn from this? Well, for one, it’s good to plan and to use logic and intuition in our decision making. And two, God’s plans are higher than our plans. That may sound contradictory at first. We know how important it is to weigh our decisions carefully and use good logic to help guide us. But we also sense how important it is to ask the Holy Spirit for his insight and direction.
Some of these decisions we face may be as weighty as the ones Jesus and the elders of Antioch were confronted with. But most of them will surface in our day-to-day lives. Can you believe that the Holy Spirit wants to help us in those too? For example, how will we prioritize our time today? What should we say to someone in need of encouragement? Or how can we show God’s love to a family member?
As you face questions like these and ponder the best course of action, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Maybe you can devote part of your daily prayer time to seeking his guidance. If a particularly important decision is looming, maybe you can have a Mass said for your special intention or even skip a meal as a form of intercession.
Once you believe you have heard the Holy Spirit, step out in faith. Then measure the fruit. Make any course corrections you feel are necessary and keep praying. With practice, faith, and obedience, you will become a better listener to the Holy Spirit.
“Holy Spirit, open my ears to hear your voice today and guide my decisions. Give me the grace of obedience when I hear you call.”
17 May 2011
17 May 2011, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 11:19-26
Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
Responsorial PsalmR. (117:1a)
All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
Meditation: John 10:22-30
“My Father … is greater than all.” (John 10:29)
Jesus’ Jewish interlocutors sounded frustrated. “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”Jesus, too, seemed to have reason to be frustrated. “I told you, and you do not believe.” What was going on?
The questioners were looking for intellectual information so that they could categorize this man—and then condemn him. But Jesus was after something different: a response of faith. Sadly, however, he concluded: “You do not believe, because you are not among my sheep” (John 10:26). For Jesus, belonging is more fundamental than intellectual propositions. Those who are united to him know who he is from the inside.
Barnabas had this kind of knowledge. Something new was happening in the Christian community at Antioch: Gentiles were being converted to Christ. The church in Jerusalem, composed almost entirely of Jews who had accepted Jesus as Messiah, sent Barnabas to evaluate this new development.
Barnabas could have made a factual report including the answers to many questions: Do the Gentile Christians outnumber the Jewish Christians? Are they being circumcised and observing other essential provisions of the Jewish Law? But instead, he asked: What is God accomplishing here? Do these new believers bear the mark of being the Lord’s sheep, the mark of love? How can we encourage them to remain in close fellowship with Christ? And so: “When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart” (Acts 11: 23).
Often, we too ask the wrong questions. We look for information we can use against someone. We seek answers to theological puzzles. We get frustrated when God seems to tum a deaf ear to our petitions or when we feel him nudging us to become the answer to the need we’ve laid at his feet. Instead, let’s be eager to discover where God is at work and how we can fit into what he is doing. Let’s be attentive to his Spirit moving us to draw closer to his heart and to put others in living touch with his love.
”Jesus, I have a lot of questions, but what is on your heart and mind today? Where is your Spirit at work today? How can I show the world that belong to your flock?”
Acts 11:19-26
Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
Responsorial PsalmR. (117:1a)
All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
Meditation: John 10:22-30
“My Father … is greater than all.” (John 10:29)
Jesus’ Jewish interlocutors sounded frustrated. “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”Jesus, too, seemed to have reason to be frustrated. “I told you, and you do not believe.” What was going on?
The questioners were looking for intellectual information so that they could categorize this man—and then condemn him. But Jesus was after something different: a response of faith. Sadly, however, he concluded: “You do not believe, because you are not among my sheep” (John 10:26). For Jesus, belonging is more fundamental than intellectual propositions. Those who are united to him know who he is from the inside.
Barnabas had this kind of knowledge. Something new was happening in the Christian community at Antioch: Gentiles were being converted to Christ. The church in Jerusalem, composed almost entirely of Jews who had accepted Jesus as Messiah, sent Barnabas to evaluate this new development.
Barnabas could have made a factual report including the answers to many questions: Do the Gentile Christians outnumber the Jewish Christians? Are they being circumcised and observing other essential provisions of the Jewish Law? But instead, he asked: What is God accomplishing here? Do these new believers bear the mark of being the Lord’s sheep, the mark of love? How can we encourage them to remain in close fellowship with Christ? And so: “When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart” (Acts 11: 23).
Often, we too ask the wrong questions. We look for information we can use against someone. We seek answers to theological puzzles. We get frustrated when God seems to tum a deaf ear to our petitions or when we feel him nudging us to become the answer to the need we’ve laid at his feet. Instead, let’s be eager to discover where God is at work and how we can fit into what he is doing. Let’s be attentive to his Spirit moving us to draw closer to his heart and to put others in living touch with his love.
”Jesus, I have a lot of questions, but what is on your heart and mind today? Where is your Spirit at work today? How can I show the world that belong to your flock?”
16 May 2011
16 May 2011, Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Reading 1
Acts 11:1-18
The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea
heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem
the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,
‘You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them.”
Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,
“I was at prayer in the city of Joppa
when in a trance I had a vision,
something resembling a large sheet coming down,
lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.
Looking intently into it,
I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,
the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’
But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
But a second time a voice from heaven answered,
‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.’
This happened three times,
and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,
who had been sent to me from Caesarea.
The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.
These six brothers also went with me,
and we entered the man’s house.
He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,
‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,
who will speak words to you
by which you and all your household will be saved.’
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
‘John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us
when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?”
When they heard this,
they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,
“God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”
Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 3a)
Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 10:11-18
Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”
Meditation: John 10:11-18
“They will hear my voice.” (John 10:16)
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows his own, and they know him. How wonderful is that? We can know him. He promised: “They will hear my voice” (John 10:16). He didn’t say: “Maybe they will” or “I hope they will.” He just said: “They will.” As often as we sit with him, ask him questions and wait for answers, as often as we quiet the noisiness and busyness of our lives, and give him room to speak, we will hear him.
The truth is, whether we believe it or not, God knows everything about us. The good and the bad, the things we hate to admit, and those we wish weren’t true but can’t quite bring ourselves to admit. God knows it all—and still he loves us!
As true as this statement is, it can also be hard to believe: Jesus really loves us! Equally hard for us is believing Jesus’ promise that we can experience a deep and personal relationship with him and the Father. We can know him in a way that goes beyond what we might normally expect in any human relationship.
Here’s another promise that we might find hard to believe: that we can take on his own mind about life in this world. As we grow closer to him, we can begin to feel the stirrings that move his heart. St. Paul told the believers in Corinth: “We have the mind of Christ,” and he wants to tell us the same thing today (1 Corinthians 2:16). We really can know his thoughts, because he is eager to share them with us. We really can hear him, because he created us for this kind of relationship. He has given us his own Holy Spirit to help us know his love in the deep recesses of our hearts.
Just think: God’s love, his creativity, his inventiveness, his compassion and humor, his wisdom and knowledge, his discernment and understanding—we can begin to taste all of these. The Holy Spirit makes it possible. He opens our minds and hearts to receive all of this simply because God loves us. So go ahead and ask. You will receive. Jesus promises!
“Jesus, I want to know you as fully as possible. I want to hear your voice and feel your love. Speak to me, Lord. I am listening.”
Acts 11:1-18
The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea
heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem
the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,
‘You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them.”
Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,
“I was at prayer in the city of Joppa
when in a trance I had a vision,
something resembling a large sheet coming down,
lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.
Looking intently into it,
I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,
the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’
But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
But a second time a voice from heaven answered,
‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.’
This happened three times,
and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,
who had been sent to me from Caesarea.
The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.
These six brothers also went with me,
and we entered the man’s house.
He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,
‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,
who will speak words to you
by which you and all your household will be saved.’
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
‘John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us
when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?”
When they heard this,
they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,
“God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”
Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4
Responsorial PsalmR. (see 3a)
Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 10:11-18
Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”
Meditation: John 10:11-18
“They will hear my voice.” (John 10:16)
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows his own, and they know him. How wonderful is that? We can know him. He promised: “They will hear my voice” (John 10:16). He didn’t say: “Maybe they will” or “I hope they will.” He just said: “They will.” As often as we sit with him, ask him questions and wait for answers, as often as we quiet the noisiness and busyness of our lives, and give him room to speak, we will hear him.
The truth is, whether we believe it or not, God knows everything about us. The good and the bad, the things we hate to admit, and those we wish weren’t true but can’t quite bring ourselves to admit. God knows it all—and still he loves us!
As true as this statement is, it can also be hard to believe: Jesus really loves us! Equally hard for us is believing Jesus’ promise that we can experience a deep and personal relationship with him and the Father. We can know him in a way that goes beyond what we might normally expect in any human relationship.
Here’s another promise that we might find hard to believe: that we can take on his own mind about life in this world. As we grow closer to him, we can begin to feel the stirrings that move his heart. St. Paul told the believers in Corinth: “We have the mind of Christ,” and he wants to tell us the same thing today (1 Corinthians 2:16). We really can know his thoughts, because he is eager to share them with us. We really can hear him, because he created us for this kind of relationship. He has given us his own Holy Spirit to help us know his love in the deep recesses of our hearts.
Just think: God’s love, his creativity, his inventiveness, his compassion and humor, his wisdom and knowledge, his discernment and understanding—we can begin to taste all of these. The Holy Spirit makes it possible. He opens our minds and hearts to receive all of this simply because God loves us. So go ahead and ask. You will receive. Jesus promises!
“Jesus, I want to know you as fully as possible. I want to hear your voice and feel your love. Speak to me, Lord. I am listening.”
14 May 2011
15 May 2011, Fourth Sunday of Easter
Reading One
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
“What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter said to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call.”
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.
Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6
Responsorial Psalm R. (1)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 2:20b-25
Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel
Jn 10:1-10
Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Meditation: John 10:1-10
“The sheep hear his voice.” (John 10:3)
The people who first heard Jesus compare himself to a shepherd had some background knowledge that many of us lack. They knew that when shepherds brought their sheep in for the night, they often put them into pens with other flocks. And how did shepherds distinguish their sheep from all the others when it was time to go out to pasture again? Easy. Each shepherd had a distinctive call, which only his sheep would recognize and follow.
What an apt metaphor for Jesus’ relationship with us! He is the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know to respond when he calls to them.
Or do they? Perhaps this is an area where some of Jesus’ sheep—some of us—need a bit more training. Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world? This gift of discernment, which is every believer’s inheritance in Christ, is developed as we imitate the first Christians, who “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Close attention to Scripture and church teaching can help us recognize God’s voice and the kind of things he might tell us. Fellowship with other followers of Christ can build us up and give us a sounding board to help us see if our ideas are on target. Personal prayer can become a conversation where we learn to hear the voice of him who loves us best. And the Eucharist can become an intimate encounter with the Lord, who wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of his will.
Isn’t it comforting that, despite our unworthiness, we can still hear Jesus say, “I love you”? This is our Shepherd’s distinctive call. How can we possibly resist?
“Jesus, open my ears and teach me to recognize your voice in all the ways it comes to me. Then open my lips and let me be your voice to others.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)
1. In the first reading from Acts, Peter encourages the people to “Repent and be baptized” so that they will experience “forgiveness” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We as baptized Christian have also received “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” How would you describe what you have done with this gift you’ve received? In what way has it made a difference in the way you live out your life each day as a Christian? What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to take a more active role in guiding and leading you?
2. The responsorial psalm, Psalm 23, reminds us of the first words spoken by John Paul II after his election as Pope: “Do not be afraid.” Even though we know that the “Lord is my Shepherd,” what are the fears that can keep you from being the man of God you are called to be?
3. In the second reading, St. Peter describes Christ’s response to the unjust (“he committed no sin”) insults and sufferings he received. What is your typical response to insults and suffering, especially when you think they are unjust? Do you think it is possible to respond in the way Jesus did? Why or why not? How do you think God wants you to respond?
4. The Gospel speaks of hearing the voice of our shepherd. In what ways does the Lord “speak” to you in prayer? How do you recognize his voice? What practical steps can you take to try to become more open to hearing the Lord’s voice during your times of prayer?
5. The Gospel also gives us an unambiguous description of Satan’s role. In contrast to the role of the Good Shepherd (or Psalm 23), Satan comes “only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” How does Satan, “the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren,” use this role to destroy relationships? How might you counter him?
6. How would you answer this question posed in the meditation: “Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world?”
7. The meditation goes on to describe some ways to develop more fully this “gift of discernment.” Which of these do you need to do better in? Are there some small steps you can take to cause this to happen?
8. At the end of your meeting, pray for one another that each of you would hear more clearly the Lord’s voice in your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
“What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter said to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call.”
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.
Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6
Responsorial Psalm R. (1)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Pt 2:20b-25
Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel
Jn 10:1-10
Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Meditation: John 10:1-10
“The sheep hear his voice.” (John 10:3)
The people who first heard Jesus compare himself to a shepherd had some background knowledge that many of us lack. They knew that when shepherds brought their sheep in for the night, they often put them into pens with other flocks. And how did shepherds distinguish their sheep from all the others when it was time to go out to pasture again? Easy. Each shepherd had a distinctive call, which only his sheep would recognize and follow.
What an apt metaphor for Jesus’ relationship with us! He is the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know to respond when he calls to them.
Or do they? Perhaps this is an area where some of Jesus’ sheep—some of us—need a bit more training. Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world? This gift of discernment, which is every believer’s inheritance in Christ, is developed as we imitate the first Christians, who “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Close attention to Scripture and church teaching can help us recognize God’s voice and the kind of things he might tell us. Fellowship with other followers of Christ can build us up and give us a sounding board to help us see if our ideas are on target. Personal prayer can become a conversation where we learn to hear the voice of him who loves us best. And the Eucharist can become an intimate encounter with the Lord, who wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of his will.
Isn’t it comforting that, despite our unworthiness, we can still hear Jesus say, “I love you”? This is our Shepherd’s distinctive call. How can we possibly resist?
“Jesus, open my ears and teach me to recognize your voice in all the ways it comes to me. Then open my lips and let me be your voice to others.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)
1. In the first reading from Acts, Peter encourages the people to “Repent and be baptized” so that they will experience “forgiveness” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We as baptized Christian have also received “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” How would you describe what you have done with this gift you’ve received? In what way has it made a difference in the way you live out your life each day as a Christian? What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to take a more active role in guiding and leading you?
2. The responsorial psalm, Psalm 23, reminds us of the first words spoken by John Paul II after his election as Pope: “Do not be afraid.” Even though we know that the “Lord is my Shepherd,” what are the fears that can keep you from being the man of God you are called to be?
3. In the second reading, St. Peter describes Christ’s response to the unjust (“he committed no sin”) insults and sufferings he received. What is your typical response to insults and suffering, especially when you think they are unjust? Do you think it is possible to respond in the way Jesus did? Why or why not? How do you think God wants you to respond?
4. The Gospel speaks of hearing the voice of our shepherd. In what ways does the Lord “speak” to you in prayer? How do you recognize his voice? What practical steps can you take to try to become more open to hearing the Lord’s voice during your times of prayer?
5. The Gospel also gives us an unambiguous description of Satan’s role. In contrast to the role of the Good Shepherd (or Psalm 23), Satan comes “only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” How does Satan, “the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren,” use this role to destroy relationships? How might you counter him?
6. How would you answer this question posed in the meditation: “Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world?”
7. The meditation goes on to describe some ways to develop more fully this “gift of discernment.” Which of these do you need to do better in? Are there some small steps you can take to cause this to happen?
8. At the end of your meeting, pray for one another that each of you would hear more clearly the Lord’s voice in your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
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