Tuesday, April 26 2016 Tuesday of 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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

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.

Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, 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.”

REFLECTION

OPENING THE DOOR OF FAITH

"They called the congregation together and related all that God had helped them accomplish, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." –Acts 14:27

Because God is Love (1 Jn 4:16), He wants all people to be saved (1 Tm 2:4). Because all people are naturally alienated from God, we all needed God to do something extreme to open the door of faith and break through our resistance to His saving grace. God even became a man and let the devil kill Him. Jesus did this to show us His love for, and obedience to, the Father. Jesus said: "The prince of this world is at hand. He has no hold on Me, but the world must know that I love the Father and do as the Father has commanded Me" (Jn 14:30-31). Jesus led us through His crucifixion and death to love and obey God the Father and to accept Jesus as our Savior.

The Lord wants so much for all to be saved. Yet so many are so resistant that the Lord sends the members of His body to be persecuted and crucified with Jesus (Gal 2:19). As we share in Christ's sufferings (Col 1:24), the hardest hearts and bolted doors are opened to the Lord's saving mercy. Thus, Paul and Barnabas "gave their disciples reassurances, and encouraged them to persevere in the faith with this instruction: 'We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God' " (Acts 14:22).

Because of God's love and our fallen nature, Jesus suffered and died. If we accept God's love, we rejoice to share Christ's sufferings (1 Pt 4:13), for the cross is the key to the door of faith.

PRAYER:	Father, whatever it takes, use me to lead others to salvation.
PROMISE:	" 'Peace' is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." –Jn 14:27
PRAISE:	Jesus healed Rhonda's leg instantly at a healing service. She came to the service on a scooter, and she walked out of the service healed.

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The Lord be with you...

Monday, April 25 2016 Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

Reading 1 1 Pt 5:5b-14

Beloved: 
Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:

God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Be sober and vigilant.
Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith,
knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world
undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.
To him be dominion forever. Amen.

I write you this briefly through Silvanus,
whom I consider a faithful brother,
exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.
Remain firm in it.
The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.
Greet one another with a loving kiss.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

R. (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.
The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,
and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?
Who is like the LORD among the sons of God? 
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia 1 Cor 1:23a-24b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We proclaim Christ crucified;
he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

REFLECTION

MARK-ETING THE GOSPEL

"Signs like this will accompany those who have professed their faith: they will use My name to expel demons, they will speak entirely new languages, they will be able to handle serpents, they will be able to drink deadly poison without harm, and the sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover." –Mark 16:17-18

By saying "signs like this," Jesus means that the signs and marvels He mentioned above are only a few of the signs He will work to confirm our proclamation of the gospel. There are many other ways that Jesus backs up those who spread His Word.

When Jesus backs up our evangelization, we call this a "confirmation" of the word we have shared. "The Lord [continues] to work with" us as we witness to Him "and confirms the message through the signs" He chooses (Mk 16:20). A sales representative would be delighted if the president of her company confirmed her sales presentations to her clients. We who witness for Jesus have an even greater marketing confirmation service. Think of it! "The God of all grace...will Himself...confirm" us as we witness to Him (1 Pt 5:10).

The Lord is the same today as yesterday (Heb 13:8). As He has backed up St. Mark's preaching, so He will confirm our evangelization and preaching in the hearts of our listeners. If signs and confirmations of the gospel are not commonplace today, one possible reason may be that we aren't spreading the gospel as the Lord wants us to. He will back us up. Therefore, "go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation" (Mk 16:15).

PRAYER:	Father, pour out Your love in my heart (Rm 5:5) so that I find delight in speaking of You (see Acts 4:20).
PROMISE:	"Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you." –1 Pt 5:7
PRAISE:	St. Mark is called "son" by St. Peter, and his mother's house is where Peter went when freed from prison.

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The Lord be with you...

Sunday, April 24 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 14:21-27

After Paul and Barnabas 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 elders 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.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
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. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Rev 21:1-5a

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”

Alleluia Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”

REFLECTION

KNOW NEW OR NO NEW

"I give you a new commandment." –John 13:34

The Lord makes all things new (Rv 21:5). We will see "new heavens and a new earth" (Rv 21:1). We will see "a new Jerusalem" (Rv 21:2). The Lord makes all things new through us, especially as we obey the new commandment of love (Jn 13:34). "This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17) The Holy Spirit is renewing "the face of the earth" (Ps 104:30). "All that matters is that one is created anew" (Gal 6:15).

Although the Lord is making all things new, we often prefer the old to the new (see Lk 5:39). In our selfishness, we value the comfort of the old life more highly than the sacrifices, sufferings, and love in the new life. We must change our minds, repent, and deny ourselves (see Lk 9:23), or we will reject the new, insist on continuing the old life of selfishness and sin, and go to the same old hell.

Jesus says: "See, I make all things new!" (Rv 21:5) Do you see? Are you new? Choose new!

PRAYER:	Father, answer the prayers of parents as they pray for their children to repent of acting as if the same old sinful ways were new.
PROMISE:	"They gave their disciples reassurances, and encouraged them to persevere in the faith with this instruction: 'We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God.' " –Acts 14:22
PRAISE:	"The heavens declare the glory of God" (Ps 19:2). All glory, honor, and power to our God, the Almighty, Omnipotent Lord of heaven and earth. Alleluia!

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The Lord be with you...

Saturday, April 23 2016 - Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

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.

Alleluia Jn 8:31b-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I fyou remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, 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.”

REFLECTION

THE COST OF PENTECOST IS THE _____

"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." –Acts 13:52

In thirteen days, we will begin praying the Pentecost novena. The Lord intends to give us a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations that will truly change the world. In the Holy Spirit, we will receive power (Acts 1:8) and be "clothed with power from on high" (Lk 24:49). In the Holy Spirit, we will do works even greater than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).

Because of our great power in the Holy Spirit, we are a threat to the devil. He must stop us by bribing us with fleeting, enslaving pleasures. If that doesn't work, he attempts to intimidate us by threatening to inflict pain on us and persecute us. Consequently, we must be willing to endure "violent abuse" (Acts 13:45) and even death, rather than compromise the gospel.

Do you want to receive the Holy Spirit in much greater ways? Knowing that you will receive both power and pain, will you cry out: "Come, Holy Spirit!"? Let us decide to take up the cross, the cost of Pentecost.

PRAYER:	Father, work in unprecedented glory through the Pentecost novena this year.
PROMISE:	"Anything you ask Me in My name I will do." –Jn 14:14
PRAISE:	St. George, patron of England, was martyred in Palestine.

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The Lord be with you...

Friday, April 22 2016 - 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.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

R. (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.

Alleluia Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, 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.”

REFLECTION

THE PLACE TO BE

"I am indeed going to prepare a place for you." –John 14:3

In building His Church (Mt 16:18), Jesus has prepared a place for each of us. This is the place for which we were created. In this place, our hearts will not be troubled (see Jn 14:1). In our place in the body of Christ, the Church, we will see the power and the glory of God. In our place, we will, by God's grace and our faith, do greater things than Jesus did (Jn 14:12). Most of us will serve the Lord and His Church for many years. After being good and faithful servants in our place in His Church (Mt 25:21, 23), we will see Jesus keep His promise to "come back to take" us to our final resting place in heaven (Jn 14:3).

Therefore, love Jesus and His Church (Eph 5:25). Know your part in Christ's body in as much detail as possible. Take your place in the Church faithfully and fully. Rejoice to be who you are in Christ and in His body. Proclaim that Jesus has prepared a place in His Church for everyone. No one need waste his life by doing his own thing. We don't have to be "out of place." Jesus, by His death, resurrection, ascension, and gift of the Holy Spirit, has made a place for us. Alleluia!

PRAYER:	Father, thank You for the uniqueness and perfection of Your plan for me (see Heb 11:40).
PROMISE:	"We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, in raising up Jesus." –Acts 13:32-33
PRAISE:	John felt out of place until he entered the seminary.

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The Lord be with you...

Thursday, April 21 2016 - 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.’”

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

R. (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.

Alleluia See Rev 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, 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.”

REFLECTION

I FOR I AM

"When it takes place you may believe that I AM." –John 13:19

Jesus is God. We, His disciples, should take and make every opportunity to proclaim Jesus' divinity. Always, and especially during this Easter season, we should declare that Jesus is the Son of God, that is, God, "in power according to the spirit of holiness, by His resurrection from the dead" (Rm 1:4).

Jesus Himself made an opportunity to proclaim His divinity by foretelling His betrayal by Judas. Jesus told His disciples: "I tell you this now, before it takes place, so that when it takes place you may believe that I AM" (Jn 13:19). Likewise, we can convert those times we have been betrayed or rejected into opportunities to proclaim Jesus as the great I AM. We can do this especially by receiving the divine power to forgive. The old saying is true: "To err is human; to forgive is divine." When we truly forgive those Judases in our lives, when we embrace, kiss, gift, and honor the prodigal sons and daughters in our lives (Lk 15:20ff), others will either say we are crazy or acknowledge Jesus as God. They know that to truly forgive enemies is not normal for human beings. So either we are crazy, or this Jesus, Whom we are following, is God, Who alone has the power to forgive.

Whatever takes place, try to use the events of your life to proclaim that Jesus is the I AM.

PRAYER:	Father, in the next month may many knees bow for the first time at the name of Jesus, the Lord God (see Phil 2:10-11).
PROMISE:	"John heralded the coming of Jesus by proclaiming a baptism of repentance." –Acts 13:24
PRAISE:	St. Anselm led the Council of Rockingham to side with the Pope rather than the king.

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The Lord be with you...

Wednesday, April 20 2016 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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8

R. (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.

Alleluia Jn 8:12

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

REFLECTION 

HOME RUN

"Barnabas and Saul…sent forth by the Holy Spirit…set sail from there for Cyprus." –Acts 13:2, 4

Barnabas was the leader for the Church's first missionary trip, as indicated by the fact that his name came before Saul's. Of all the possible destinations in a world without the Lord, the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas home, to Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Remember that Barnabas came "from Cyprus" (Acts 4:36). After evangelizing Cyprus, Barnabas and Saul evangelized numerous cities. Thus, with home serving as a launching pad, "the word of the Lord continued to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).

Jesus once delivered a man from possession by demons. The man wanted to "accompany Him. Jesus did not grant his request, but told him instead: 'Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in His mercy has done for you' " (Mk 5:18-19). He did this, but he then expanded his evangelization to the Ten Cities (Mk 5:20). With home as a launching pad, "the word of the Lord continued to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).

Are you confused about your mission field? It could be that God is sending you home to start His mission for you. It may be easier to evangelize strangers than it is to share your witness with your brother, sister, or friend. Jesus understands that you may not be accepted at home (see Lk 4:24). Your witness could also cause division for a time at home (see Mt 10:34-36). However, if you don't love your hometown people enough to risk possible rejection to bring them the good news of Jesus, what makes you think you'll love strangers enough to evangelize them? Whether or not you succeed at home, with home as a launching pad, the word of the Lord will continue "to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).

PRAYER:	Father, may I bear fruit where You plant me. May all in my home and my hometown come to know, love, and serve You.
PROMISE:	"I have come to the world as its Light." –Jn 12:46
PRAISE:	Sarah's patience and prayers influenced her husband to look into becoming Catholic.

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The Lord be with you...

Tuesday, April 19 2016 - 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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (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.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, 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.”

REFLECTION 

"TAKE MY HAND"

"The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of them believed and were converted to the Lord." –Acts 11:21

God's hand makes it possible to convert great numbers of people. God's hand holds and protects us. Because there can be no snatching out of His hand (Jn 10:28-29), we have perfect security in His love. Even death cannot snatch us from God's hand, for the souls of the just who have died "are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them" (Wis 3:1).

If we sin, God's hand will weigh heavily on us night and day until we repent (Ps 32:4). His hand is so heavy because He loves us so much that He will try to prevent us from self-destruction through sin. In fact, our names are written on the palms of His hands (Is 49:16). Next to our names, His hands are also marked with the nails of His crucifixion and death for love of us.

God's hands are different than any other hands. His hands look and love differently. The risen Jesus is saying to you: "Take your finger and examine My hands" (Jn 20:27; see also Lk 24:39). "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31).

PRAYER:	"Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."
PROMISE:	"My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." –Jn 10:27-28
PRAISE:	Roger weeps for joy when looking upon a crucifix.

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The Lord be with you.

Monday, April 18 2016 - 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.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R. (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.

Alleluia Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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 he 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,
they 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.”

REFLECTION

EXCLUDED NO LONGER

"God has granted life-giving repentance even to the Gentiles." –Acts 11:18

It might seem that the controversies of the first-century Church could be dry reading to modern eyes. However, the way this particular controversy, told in today's first reading, was handled meant that the vast majority of nearly everyone who is reading this teaching now has the opportunity to be saved!

If the members of the early Church were not listening closely to the Holy Spirit, they could have closed their hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit, relied on the historical precedent of their forefathers, and decided that only practicing Jews could be Christians (see Acts chapters 11 and 15).

This means that most of us would be excluded from God's Kingdom, unless we converted to Judaism. However, "God has granted life-giving repentance even to the Gentiles," that is, to non-Jews (Acts 11:18). Now we have access to Jesus and to eternal life (see Eph 3:12).

If you were aware that the decisions you make today would impact the salvation of people two thousand years from now, how would you act? Hopefully, you would be moved to listen attentively to the Holy Spirit today. "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (see Heb 3:15). Even if only one person would be led to salvation merely by observing you, that person might lead thousands to salvation in their life. Therefore, live for Jesus today so others will live for Him in the future.

PRAYER:	Lord, grant that we would listen and obey today so that people of future generations will choose to live for Jesus.
PROMISE:	"I came that they might have life and have it to the full." –Jn 10:10
PRAISE:	Rachel was raised by a Jewish father and a Christian mother, and chose her Messiah Jesus.

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The Lord be with you.

Sunday, April 17 2016 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 13:14, 43-52

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

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.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

R. (3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Rev 7:9, 14b-17

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Alleluia Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 10:27-30

Jesus said:
“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.”

REFLECTION 

I DON'T KNOW MUCH, BUT...

"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." –Acts 13:52

In the missals used by parishes over twenty years ago, the above verse is translated: "The disciples knew only how to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." What a great description this is for a disciple of Jesus Christ!

Disciples shake off the dust (Acts 13:51) of rejection, persecution, failure, prejudice, mistreatment, anger, bitterness, etc. They walk away from it and move on. This is part of the reason Jesus commanded His disciples to travel lightly. You can't travel very far if you're carrying a lot of spiritual baggage around.

After we disciples have completely shaken off all such dust, we never look back (see Lk 9:62). We refuse to resurrect old wounds, for love does not remember past injuries (1 Cor 13:5). We "give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). We "keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2).

If, in imitation of our heavenly Father, we've forgiven and forgotten so much (see Jer 31:34), what remains on our minds? All that's left is to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). We have empty memories and full hearts. "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). "Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)

PRAYER:	Father, nothing can separate me from Your love except my own free will. Take my will and give me Your will in return.
PROMISE:	"He will lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." –Rv 7:17
PRAISE:	"Praise the Lord in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His strength" (Ps 150:1).

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The Lord be with you.