Monday of the Third Week of Easter
Lectionary:
273
Reading
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 andAsia ,
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
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.
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 toCapernaum
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
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"
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's 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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Monday of the Third Week of Easter
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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 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 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.
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MONDAY, APRIL 15
Easter Weekday
JOHN 6:22-29
(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).
REFLECTING: What can I do to feed someone who is spiritually hungry?
PRAYING: Risen Lord, you are the life-giving nourishment that I desire.
Optional Memorial of Fr. Dami�n de Veuster
April 15 is the feast day of St. Damien de Veuster, better known as St. Damien of Molokai, a Roman Catholic priest from
Blessed
are they who walk in the way of the Lord
They ate
the loaves and were filled.There is such an ‘emptiness’ epidemic in
The problem seems to be that we don’t know when enough is enough! At some stage, we do need to face our issues and not just escape reality and fill ourselves with things. If we could only give God a chance first! Allow him to fill the emptiness. Let us turn to our loving God, surrender our problems and allow God to give us the peace we need. What do I need to surrender to God today?
April 15
Blessed Caesar de Bus
(1544-1607)
Blessed Caesar de Bus
(1544-1607)
Like so many of us, Caesar de Bus
struggled with the decision about what to do with his life. After completing
his Jesuit education he had difficulty settling between a military and a
literary career. He wrote some plays but ultimately settled for life in the
army and at court.
For a
time life was going rather smoothly for the engaging, well-to-do young
Frenchman. He was confident he had made the right choice. That was until he saw
firsthand the realities of battle, including the St. Bartholomew's Day
massacres of French Protestants in 1572.He fell seriously ill and found himself reviewing his priorities, including his spiritual life. By the time he had recovered, Caesar had resolved to become a priest. Following his ordination in 1582, he undertook special pastoral work: teaching the catechism to ordinary people living in neglected, rural, out-of-the-way places. His efforts were badly needed and well received.
Working with his cousin, Caesar developed a program of family catechesis. The goal—to ward off heresy among the people—met the approval of local bishops. Out of these efforts grew a new religious congregation: the Fathers of Christian Doctrine.
One of Caesar's works, Instructions for the Family on the Four Parts of the Roman Catechism, was published 60 years after his death.
He was beatified in 1975.
Comment:
“Family catechesis” is a familiar term in parish life today. Grounded in the certainty that children learn their faith first from their parents, programs that deepen parental involvement in religious education multiply everywhere. There were no such programs in Caesar’s day until he saw a need and created them. Other needs abound in our parishes, and it’s up to us to respond by finding ways to fill them or by joining in already established efforts.
“Family catechesis” is a familiar term in parish life today. Grounded in the certainty that children learn their faith first from their parents, programs that deepen parental involvement in religious education multiply everywhere. There were no such programs in Caesar’s day until he saw a need and created them. Other needs abound in our parishes, and it’s up to us to respond by finding ways to fill them or by joining in already established efforts.
LECTIO: JOHN 6,22-29
Lectio: Monday, April 15, 2013
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.
2) Gospel Reading
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
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
•
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)
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