Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Lectionary: 273
Lectionary: 273
Stephen, filled
with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyreneans, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Then they instigated some men to say,
“We have heard him speaking blasphemous words
against Moses and God.”
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes,
accosted him, seized him,
and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
They presented false witnesses who testified,
“This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law.
For we have heard him claim
that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place
and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him
and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyreneans, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Then they instigated some men to say,
“We have heard him speaking blasphemous words
against Moses and God.”
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes,
accosted him, seized him,
and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
They presented false witnesses who testified,
“This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law.
For we have heard him claim
that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place
and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him
and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Responsorial PsalmPS 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
R. (1ab) Blessed are they who follow the law of the
Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Though princes meet and talk against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
I declared my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Though princes meet and talk against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
I declared my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaMT 4:4B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 6:22-29
[After Jesus had
fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.]
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there,
and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,
but only his disciples had left.
Other boats came from Tiberias
near the place where they had eaten the bread
when the Lord gave thanks.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me
not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there,
and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,
but only his disciples had left.
Other boats came from Tiberias
near the place where they had eaten the bread
when the Lord gave thanks.
When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
“Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered them and said,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me
not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”
So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”
Meditation: Labor for the food which
endures to eternal life
What do you most hunger for - wealth, peace, health, love, the
good life? Jesus addressed this issue with those who sought him after the
miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Were they simply hungry for things
which satisfy the body or for that which satisfies the heart and soul? Jesus
echoes the question posed by the prophet Isaiah: "Why do you spend
your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not
satisfy" (Isaiah 55:2)? There are two kinds of hunger - physical
and spiritual. Only God can satisfy the hunger in our heart and soul - the
hunger for truth, for life, and for love.
Jesus also spoke about the works of God and
what we must do to be doing the works of God, namely to believe
in God' Son whom he has sent into the world. Jesus offers a new
relationship with God which issues in a new kind of life: A life of love and
service, and the forgiveness of others which corresponds to God's mercy and
kindness; a life of holiness and purity which corresponds to God's holiness;
and a life of submission and trust which corresponds to the wisdom of God. This
is the work which Jesus directs us to and enables us to perform in the power of
the Holy Spirit. Do you hunger for the bread which comes down from heaven and
thirst for the words of everlasting life?
"Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing and
hunger in our hearts. May I always hunger for the imperishable bread, that I
may be satisfied in you alone as the True Bread of Heaven. Nourish
and strengthen me that I may serve you with great joy, generosity, and zeal all
the days of my life".
 The Sincere Search for Christ |
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April 20, 2015.
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
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By Father Daniel Ray, LC
John 6: 22-29
After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." So they said to him, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here and now as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return. Petition: Lord, increase my faith. 1. Food of Eternal Life: Some television evangelists preach a “Gospel of Prosperity,” promising financial and health benefits or general well-being for those who follow Christ in their church. “Good things will come your way!” they say. While these earthly things are good, Christ shows us that his greatest gifts are not the “loaves that fill,” but the grace and eternal life that can be ours through faith. Faith is both our offering to God and his gift to us. It opens our heart to receive the gift that never perishes: eternal life. 2. No Complacency in Faith: Christ didn’t stay with the crowds, but rather he crossed over to Capernaum. The crowds, still full with the bread of the miracle of the loaves, had to figure out where Christ went, get in their boats, and find him. When Christ seems to have moved on us, we need to get into our boat and row—to look for him, to seek him in prayer, to be renewed in his sacraments. He wants us to follow him pro-actively, not passively sitting on the shore with our boat in dry-dock. We need to shove off into the waters of prayer and row. 3. What Must We Do? “This is the work of God….” Our belief (faith) in the one the Father sent is the result of both God’s work in our lives and our work to use and make that gift of faith grow. Above all, faith is God’s gift to us. But it is a gift that grows only when we exercise it, use it, and ask for more. Just as a runner must run more to be a better runner, to believe more we need to believe more. Only then is our heart open to receive the gift of greater faith. Conversation with Christ: Lord, I don’t want to settle for seeking only the “loaves that fill,” but the joy and salvation that comes from believing in you. “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Show me what I must do to follow you. Make your path clear to me, and give me the strength to follow it. Resolution: When faced with any difficulty, obstacle, or frustration today, I will exercise my faith in God and seek to do his will. |
MONDAY, APRIL 20, JOHN 6:23-29
Easter Weekday
(Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 119)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 6:8-15; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life" (v 27).
TO READ: After the miraculous multiplication of loaves, the crowd noticed that Jesus' disciples had departed by boat across the Sea of Galilee. Assuming that Jesus was nearby, they waited impatiently for his return. Failing to find him, they went in search of him across the lake to Capernaum. When they found him, Jesus said that they were looking for him for the wrong reasons. They desired the bread that he gave them in the wilderness, but they missed the true meaning of the sign, food that "endures for eternal life" (Jn 6:27). Jesus told the crowd that food appeased hunger momentarily. They should look to God to satisfy their spiritual needs. No one could work for this gift, nor earn it. The only way to receive it was to believe in Jesus, the one who God sent to them.
TO REFLECT: What can I do to feed someone who is spiritually hungry?
TO RESPOND: Risen Lord, you are the life-giving nourishment that I desire.
Monday 20 April 2015
Acts 6:8-15. Blessed are
they who walk in the way of the Lord—Ps 118(119):23-24, 26-27, 29-30. John
6:22-29.
Blessed are they who walk
in the way of the Lord.
The crowds seek out Jesus.
They do not find him where they expect him to be. They are behind in more than
just physical distance, for they want from Jesus merely the comfort of physical
nourishment: the bread that fills the belly. Yet Jesus offers bread that is
living, eternal, and advises those assembled that work for God demands belief
in his Son.
Stephen, in Acts—full of
grace and power, intelligence and wisdom—is emblematic of one who believes to
his very core and has shared in this living bread. When we encounter Christ in
the Eucharist, we affirm our belief with mind, word and heart.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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No Reason to Fear
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We let the devil exist by continuing to rebel against God. Satan
tempts us, but we choose to sin. The devil can’t read our minds, but he can see
our weaknesses. God has overcome the snares of the devil, though. When we live
in Him, we have no reason to fear.
April
20
St. Conrad of Parzham
(1818-1894)
St. Conrad of Parzham
(1818-1894)
Conrad spent most of his life as porter in Altoetting, Bavaria,
letting people into the friary and indirectly encouraging them to let God into
their lives.
His
parents, Bartholomew and Gertrude Birndorfer, lived near Parzham, Bavaria. In
those days this region was recovering from the Napoleonic wars. A lover of
solitary prayer and a peacemaker as a young man, Conrad joined the Capuchins as
a brother. He made his profession in 1852 and was assigned to the friary in Altoetting.
That city’s shrine to Mary was very popular; at the nearby Capuchin friary
there was a lot of work for the porter, a job Conrad held for 41 years.
At first
some of the other friars were jealous that such a young friar held this
important job. Conrad’s patience and holy life overcame their doubts. As porter
he dealt with many people, obtaining many of the friary supplies and generously
providing for the poor who came to the door. He treated them all with the
courtesy Francis expected of his followers.
Conrad’s
helpfulness was sometimes unnerving. Once Father Vincent, seeking quiet to
prepare a sermon, went up the belltower of the church. Conrad tracked him down
when someone wanting to go to confession specifically requested Father Vincent.
Conrad
also developed a special rapport with the children of the area. He
enthusiastically promoted the Seraphic Work of Charity, which aided neglected
children.
Conrad
spent hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He regularly asked the
Blessed Mother to intercede for him and for the many people he included in his
prayers. The ever-patient Conrad was canonized in 1934.
Comment:
As we can see from his life as well as his words, Conrad of Parzham lived a life that attracted others because of a special quality, something Chesterton alluded to when he wrote, "The moment we have a fixed heart we have a free hand" (Orthodoxy, p. 71). If we want to understand Conrad, we have to know where he fixed his heart. Because he was united to God in prayer, everyone felt at ease in Conrad’s presence.
As we can see from his life as well as his words, Conrad of Parzham lived a life that attracted others because of a special quality, something Chesterton alluded to when he wrote, "The moment we have a fixed heart we have a free hand" (Orthodoxy, p. 71). If we want to understand Conrad, we have to know where he fixed his heart. Because he was united to God in prayer, everyone felt at ease in Conrad’s presence.
Quote:
"It was God’s will that I should leave everything that was near and dear to me. I thank him for having called me to religious life where I have found such peace and joy as I could never have found in the world. My plan of life is chiefly this: to love and suffer, always meditating upon, adoring and admiring God’s unspeakable love for his lowliest creatures" (Letter of Saint Conrad).
"It was God’s will that I should leave everything that was near and dear to me. I thank him for having called me to religious life where I have found such peace and joy as I could never have found in the world. My plan of life is chiefly this: to love and suffer, always meditating upon, adoring and admiring God’s unspeakable love for his lowliest creatures" (Letter of Saint Conrad).
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 6,22-29
Lectio:
Monday, April 20, 2015
Easter Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Our living God,
we hunger for lasting life and happiness
and the fulfilment of all our hopes.
Satisfy all our hungers
through your Son Jesus Christ,who is our bread of life.
And when he has filled us with himself,
may he lead and strengthen us
to bring to a waiting world
the food of reconciliation and joy,
which you alone can give to the full.
We ask this thorough Christ our Lord.
we hunger for lasting life and happiness
and the fulfilment of all our hopes.
Satisfy all our hungers
through your Son Jesus Christ,who is our bread of life.
And when he has filled us with himself,
may he lead and strengthen us
to bring to a waiting world
the food of reconciliation and joy,
which you alone can give to the full.
We ask this thorough Christ our Lord.
2)
GOSPEL READING - JOHN 6,22-29
Next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side saw that
only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not got into the boat with his
disciples, but that the disciples had set off by themselves. Other boats,
however, had put in from Tiberias, near the place where the bread had been
eaten.
When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were
there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you
come here?'
Jesus answered: In all truth I tell you, you are looking for me
not because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you
wanted to eat. Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that
endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the
Father, God himself, has set his seal.
Then they said to him, 'What must we do if we are to carry out
God's work?' Jesus gave them this answer, 'This is carrying out God's work: you
must believe in the one he has sent.'
3)
REFLECTION
• In today’s Gospel we begin the Discourse on the Bread of Life
(Jn 6, 22-71), which is extended during the next six days, until the end of the
week. After the multiplication of the loaves, the people follow Jesus. They had
seen the miracle; they had eaten and were satiated and wanted more! They were
not concerned about looking for the sign or the call of God that was contained
in all of this. When the people found Jesus in the Synagogue of Capernaum, he
had a long conversation with them, called the Discourse of the Bread of Life.
It is not really a Discourse, but it treats of a series of seven brief
dialogues which explain the meaning of the multiplication of the bread, symbol
of the new Exodus and of the Eucharistic Supper.
• It is good to keep in mind the division of the chapter in
order to understand better its significance:
6, 1-15: the great multiplication of the loaves
6, 16-21: the crossing of the lake, and Jesus who walks on the
water
6, 22-71: the dialogue of Jesus with the people, with the Jews
and with the disciples
1st dialogue: 6, 22-27 with the people: the people seek Jesus
and find him in Capernaum
2nd dialogue: 6, 28-34 with the people: faith as the work of God
and the manna of the desert
3rd dialogue: 6, 35-40 with the people: the true bread is to do
God’s will.
4th dialogue: 6, 41-51 with the Jews: the complaining of the
Jews
5th dialogue: 6, 52-58 with the Jews: Jesus and the Jews.
6th dialogue: 6, 59-66 with the disciples: reaction of the
disciples
7th dialogue: 6, 67-71 with the disciples: confession of Peter
• The conversation of Jesus with the people, with the Jews and
with the disciples is a beautiful dialogue, but a demanding one. Jesus tries to
open the eyes of the people in a way that they will learn to read the events
and discover in them the turning point that life should take. Because it is not
enough to follow behind miraculous signs which multiply the bread for the body.
Man does not live by bread alone. The struggle for life without mysticism does
not reach the roots. The people, while speaking with Jesus, always remain more
annoyed or upset by his words. But Jesus does not give in, neither does he
change the exigencies. The discourse seems to be a funnel. In the measure in
which the conversation advances, less people remain with Jesus. At the end only
the twelve remain there, but Jesus cannot trust them either! Today the same
thing happens. When the Gospel beings to demand commitment, many people
withdraw, go away.
• John 6, 22-27: People look for Jesus because they want more
bread. The people follow Jesus. They see that he did not go into the boat with
the disciples and, because of this, they do not understand what he had done to
reach Capernaum. They did not even understand the miracle of the multiplication
of the loaves. People see what has happened, but they cannot understand all
this as a sign of something more profound. They stop only on the surface; in
being satisfied with the food. They look for bread and life, but only for the
body. According to the people, Jesus does what Moses had done in the past: to
feed all the people in the desert. According to Jesus, they wanted the past to
be repeated. But Jesus asks the people to take a step more and advance. Besides
working for the bread that perishes, they should work for the imperishable
food. This new food will be given by the Son of Man, indicated by God himself.
He brings life which lasts forever. He opens for us a new horizon on the sense
of life and on God.
• John 6, 28-29: Which is God’s work? The people ask: what
should we do to carry out this work of God? Jesus answers that the great work
of God asks us to “believe in the one sent by God”. That is, to believe in
Jesus!
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• The people were hungry, they eat the bread and they look for
more bread. They seek the miracle and do not seek the sign of God who was
hidden in that. What do I seek more in my life: the miracle or the sign?
• Keep silence within you for a moment and ask yourself: “To
believe in Jesus: What does this mean for me concretely in my daily life?”
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Lord, I tell you my ways and you answer me;
teach me your wishes.
Show me the way of your precepts,
that I may reflect on your wonders. (Ps 119,26-27)
teach me your wishes.
Show me the way of your precepts,
that I may reflect on your wonders. (Ps 119,26-27)
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