Friday
of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 283
Lectionary: 283
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.”
“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
PsalmPS 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.
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.
AlleluiaJN 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.
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.
GospelJN 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.”
“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: Do not let your hearts be troubled!
Do you allow any
troubles to rob you of God's peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all
inevitably encounter trouble and difficulties. Jesus knew his disciples would
have to face trials and persecution after he left them to return to his Father
in heaven. Adversity can make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it can
press us closer to God and to his promises for us.
"It
is the LORD who goes before
you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or
be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
A place for you in my Father's house
Just as God, who appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night, went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead them safely through the wilderness to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead through his ascension into heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father's house - a place of lasting peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is never closed nor over-crowded - there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life - whether it be the separation and loss of a loved one or the threat to one's own life - is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the eternal Father. There we will be joined with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
Just as God, who appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night, went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead them safely through the wilderness to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead through his ascension into heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father's house - a place of lasting peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is never closed nor over-crowded - there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life - whether it be the separation and loss of a loved one or the threat to one's own life - is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the eternal Father. There we will be joined with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
Do you know the way to
the Father's house in heaven? Jesus expected his disciples to know where his
life was headed - to dwell in everlasting glory with his Father in heaven. And
he expected that his disciples would recognize that this was their ultimate
destination as well. Thomas, who was both a doubter and a realist, spoke for
all the disciples when he said, "we neither know where you are going nor
how we shall get there on our own?" Thomas was a very practical "down
to earth" kind of person who wanted to see the map and landmarks showing
the exact path that would lead the way to the desired haven. Jesus assured
Thomas that he would not only give him everything he needed to complete the
journey, he would be Thomas' personal guide as well.
Traveling alone in
unfamiliar or uncharted places can be unnerving and bewildering without a
companion or guide. And some places are impossible to pass through without the
right person who knows the way and who can guarantee a safe passage. Several
years ago I was invited by Christian friends to visit their community in
Lebanon. They were in the middle of a civil war that would last for 15 years
(1975-1990). Months and years of hardship, exposure to danger, and the
uncertainty of the war's outcome, as well as being physically cutoff from
outside contact with friends, was weighing heavily. I was eager to visit to
offer some support. Since I had never traveled there before, nor spoke the
local language, I knew that I was helpless without a trustworthy guide.
Fortunately a close Christian friend from Lebanon met me half-way on my journey
and personally guided me through some unfamiliar territory, including check-points,
road-blocks, physical danger, and some social, religious, and political hurdles
as well. My guide got me safely to my destination. I literally owed my life to
his safe-keeping. The Lord Jesus promised his followers that he would be their
personal guide and friend who would lead them to the source of lasting
peace, enduring friendship, and abundant life.
I am the Way, the Truth,
and the Life
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was going to his Father's house and would return to take them with him. And they were even more surprised when Jesus said he expected them to know the way to the Father's house. Jesus' answer to there question, "show us the way", was both a reminder that his disciples should trust their Master and Teacher to show them the way, and a challenge for them to recognize that Jesus had intimate knowledge of God and where God came from. Jesus made a statement that invoked the very name which God had revealed to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), and he made three claims which only God could make. He stated unequivocally to his disciples: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was going to his Father's house and would return to take them with him. And they were even more surprised when Jesus said he expected them to know the way to the Father's house. Jesus' answer to there question, "show us the way", was both a reminder that his disciples should trust their Master and Teacher to show them the way, and a challenge for them to recognize that Jesus had intimate knowledge of God and where God came from. Jesus made a statement that invoked the very name which God had revealed to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), and he made three claims which only God could make. He stated unequivocally to his disciples: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6)
Jesus proclaims: I
am the Way (John 14:6). He alone knows the way to the Father because
he has been with the Father from the beginning - before time and creation ever
existed. The Lord Jesus gives us more than a road map and guide book. He
personally is the way to the Father's kingdom, and we cannot miss it if we
follow him. He accompanies us on our daily journey and watches over us as the
good shepherd who leads and sustains us each and every step of the way. Are you
in step with the Lord and do you trust in his guiding hand for your life?
Jesus proclaims that he
is the Truth (John 14:6). Many can say, "I have taught
you the truth." Only Jesus can say, I am the Truth. He
possesses in himself the fulness of truth. Jesus claims to be one with the
Father and to speak the truth which proceeds from the Father. Jesus promised
his disciples that if they continued in his word, they would learn the truth
and the truth would set them free" (John 8:31). The truth which
Jesus proclaims has power to set us free from ignorance, deception, and sin. The
words which Jesus speaks are true because there is no lie or falsehood in him.
Moral truth requires more than mere words or ideas because the person who
speaks them must be true - true in thought, speech, deed, example, and action.
Jesus embodies the truth in his person.
Jesus proclaims that he
is the Life (John 14:6). He not only shows us the path
of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the kind of life which only God can
give - abundant life that lasts forever. Is there any trouble, fear, or
distraction that keeps you from the perfect peace and joy of a life surrendered
to Jesus Christ?
"Lord Jesus,
you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the hope of
everlasting life with the Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may grow
in the knowledge of your great love and truth."
Daily Quote from the
early church fathers: Walk by faith in the truth, by Augustine
of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Persevere now in
walking by faith in the truth, that you may succeed in coming at a definite and
due time to the sight of the same truth. For as the apostle says, 'While
staying here in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we are walking by
faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). We are led to the direct sight and
vision of the Father by Christian faith. That is why the Lord says, 'No one
comes to the Father except through me.'" (excerpt from SERMON
12.5)
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, JOHN
14:1-6
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2)
KEY VERSE: "I am the way and the truth and the life" (v.6).
TO KNOW: As Jesus approached his impending death, he prepared his disciples for the work that he would hand over to them. He told them that it was necessary for him to go so that he could prepare a place for them. Jesus assured them that they would know the way to the place where he was going. His anxious disciples were troubled by Jesus' words, and Thomas plaintively asked, "How can we know the way?" (v.5). Jesus assured them that he was the "way" to God's "truth," which he revealed by his words and deeds. He was the bridge to the Father and to "life" eternal. Jesus likened heaven to a huge mansion in which there were many rooms. He promised his faithful followers that he would "return" and take them to live with him there (Greek, Parousia, the second coming).
TO LOVE: Is my life a light to show others the way to God's truth?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, guide me to the Father by your eternal truth.
PASSOVER BEGINS AT SUNSET
Passover is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavu’ot and Sukkot). Passover is probably the best known of the Jewish holidays, mostly because it ties in with Christian celebration of the Last Supper, which was apparently a Passover seder. Passover starts at sundown on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan, which typically falls in March or April. Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel, but little attention is paid to this aspect of the holiday. The primary observances of Passover are related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Ch. 1-15. The name “Passover” refers to the fact that the angel of death “passed over” the houses of the Jews when slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In Hebrew, it is known as Pesach, which is based on the Hebrew root meaning “pass over.”
Earth Day
Earth Day is observed each year at the United Nations and by people around the world acting as responsible trustees of the earth. All individuals and institutions have a mutual responsibility to act as trustees of the earth, seeking the choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, foster peaceful progress, awaken the wonder of life, and realize the best potential for the future of humanity.
God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28).
Friday 22 April 2016
Fri 22nd. Day of penance.
Acts 13:26-33. You are my Son; this day I have
begotten you—Ps 2:6-11. John 14:1-6.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Through the words ‘You are my Son; today I have
begotten you’ Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. Jesus assures us that he
has gone ‘to prepare a place’ for us in his Father’s home. He concludes by
telling us, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me’.
Jesus delights, and we can too, in the knowledge that
he brings us to God. In his human nature, Jesus chose a life of service. We too
are called to live the tenderness and compassion of Jesus and to go out to
others and share with them kindness, peace and joy; to provide for them; and to
serve them.
Jesus speaks with great tenderness when he tells us
not to be troubled or disturbed and through his actions he demonstrates a way
to happiness and peace that is attainable for us all.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Antidote for Panic
|
Crises do strengthen us. When we look back on how we got through
them, they do give us greater courage. And above all, they enable us to witness
how the Spirit works no matter what might be falling apart around us, and this
is immensely comforting—a tremendous antidote to panic!
April
22
St. Adalbert of Prague
(956-997)
St. Adalbert of Prague
(956-997)
Opposition to the Good News of Jesus did not discourage Adalbert,
who is now remembered with great honor in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary
and Germany.
Born to a noble family in Bohemia, he received part of his
education from St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. At the age of 27 he was chosen as
bishop of Prague. Those who resisted his program of clerical reform forced him
into exile eight years later.
In time, the people of Prague requested his return as their
bishop. Within a short time, however, he was exiled again after excommunicating
those who violated the right of sanctuary by dragging a woman accused of
adultery from a church and murdering her.
After a short ministry in Hungary, he went to preach the Good News
to people living near the Baltic Sea. He and two companions were martyred by
pagan priests in that region. Adalbert's body was immediately ransomed and
buried in Gniezno cathedral (Poland). In the mid-11th century his relics were moved
to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
Comment:
Preaching the Good News can be dangerous work whether the audience is already baptized or not. Adalbert fearlessly preached Jesus' gospel and received a martyr's crown for his efforts. Similar zeal has created modern martyrs in many places, especially in Central and South America. Some of those martyrs grew up in areas once evangelized by Adalbert.
Preaching the Good News can be dangerous work whether the audience is already baptized or not. Adalbert fearlessly preached Jesus' gospel and received a martyr's crown for his efforts. Similar zeal has created modern martyrs in many places, especially in Central and South America. Some of those martyrs grew up in areas once evangelized by Adalbert.
Quote:
“O God, [you] bestowed the crown of martyrdom on the Bishop St. Adalbert, as he burned with zeal for for souls, grant, we pray, by his prayers, that the obedience of his flock may never fail the shephered, nor the care of the shepherd be ever lacking to the flock.” (Roman Missal, Common of a Martyr in the Easter season).
“O God, [you] bestowed the crown of martyrdom on the Bishop St. Adalbert, as he burned with zeal for for souls, grant, we pray, by his prayers, that the obedience of his flock may never fail the shephered, nor the care of the shepherd be ever lacking to the flock.” (Roman Missal, Common of a Martyr in the Easter season).
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 14,1-6
Lectio Divina:
Friday, April 22, 2016
Easter Time
1) OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is good news of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
your Son Jesus Christ is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is good news of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN 14,1-6
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do
not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me. In my
Father's house there are many places to live in; otherwise I would have told
you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and
prepared you a place, I shall return to take you to myself, so that you may be
with me where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Thomas said, 'Lord, we do not know where
you are going, so how can we know the way?'
Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and
Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
3) REFLECTION
• These five chapters (Jn 13-17) are a
beautiful example of how the communities of the Beloved Disciple of the end of
the first century in Asia Minor, which today is Turkey, carried on the
catechesis. For example, in chapter 14, the questions of the three disciples,
Thomas (Jn 14, 5), Philip (Jn 14, 8) and Judas Thaddeus (Jn 14, 22) were also
the questions and problems of the communities. Thus, the answers of Jesus to the
three of them are like a mirror in which the communities found a response to
their doubts and difficulties. To understand better the environment in which
the catechesis was carried out, it is possible to do what follows. During and
after the reading of the text, it is good to close the eyes and pretend that we
are in the room in the midst of the disciples, participating in the encounter
with Jesus. While we listen, it is necessary to pay attention to the way in
which Jesus prepares his friends to separate themselves and reveals to them his
friendship, communicating to them security and support.
• John 14, 1-2: Do not let your hearts
be troubled. The text begins with an exhortation: “Do not let your hearts be
troubled!” And immediately he adds: “In my Father’s house there are many places
to live in!” The insistence in continuing to use encouraging words which help
to overcome the trouble and the divergence is a sign that there was much
polemic and divergence among the communities. One would say to the other: “Our
way of living the faith is better than yours. We are saved! You live in error:
If you want to go to heaven, you have to convert yourselves and live like we
do!” Jesus says: “In my Father’s house there are many places!” It is not
necessary that everybody thinks in the same way. The important thing is that
all accept Jesus, the revelation of the Father and that out of love for him,
they have attitudes of understanding, of service and of love. Love and service
are the basis which unite the bricks and help the diverse communities to become
a Church of brothers and sisters.
• John 14, 3-4: The farewell of Jesus.
Jesus says that he is going to prepare a place and that afterwards he will
return to take us with him to the Father’s house. He wants us to be with him
forever. The return which Jesus speaks about is the coming of the Spirit that
he sends and who acts in us, in such a way that we can live as he lived (Jn 14,
16-17.26; 16, 13-14). Jesus ends by saying: “You know the way to the place
where I am going!” Anyone who knows Jesus knows the way, because the way is the
life that he lived and which led him through death together to the Father.
• John 14, 5-6: Thomas asks which is the
way. Thomas says: “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know
the way?” Jesus answers: “I am the Way, I am Truth and Life! No one can come to
the Father except through me”. Three important words. Without the way we cannot
go. Without the truth one cannot make a good choice. Without life, there is
only death! Jesus explains the sense. He is the Way, because “No one can come
to the Father except through me”. And he is the gate through which the sheep
enter and go out (Jn 10, 9). Jesus is the truth, because looking at him, we see
the image of the Father. “Anyone who knows me knows the Father!” Jesus is the
life, because walking like Jesus we will be united to the Father and we will
have life in us!
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• What beautiful encounter of the past
do you remember, encounters which give you the strength to continue ahead?
• Jesus says: “In my Father’s house
there are many places”. What does this affirmation mean for us today?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Sing a new song to Yahweh,
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
for he has performed wonders,
his saving power is in his right hand and his holy arm. (Ps 98,1)
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