Saturday
of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 290
Lectionary: 290
Paul
reached also Derbe and Lystra
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 100:1B-2, 3, 5
R.
(2a) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaCOL 3:1
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 15:18-21
Jesus
said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Meditation: "You are not of the world"
What does Jesus mean
when he says "you are not of this world"? The world in
Scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and
opposed to his will. The world rejected the Lord Jesus and
treated him with contempt, and his disciples can expect the same treatment. The
Lord Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for him or
against him, for his kingdom of light and truth or for the kingdom of darkness
and deception. The prophet Isaiah warned that people who separate themselves
from God because of their rebellion and spiritual blindness would end upcalling
evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
If we want to live in
the light of God's truth, how can we rightly distinguish good from evil and
truth from deception? True love of God and his ways draw us to all that is
lovely, truthful and good. If we truly love God then we will submit to his
truth and obey his word. A friend of God cannot expect to be a friend of the
world because the world is opposed to God's truth and way of righteousness.
Jesus' demand is
unequivocal and without compromise. Do not love the world or the things
in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him (1
John 2:15). We must make a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to
please God in all your intentions, actions, and relationships? Let the Holy
Spirit fill your heart and mind with the love and truth of God (Romans 5:5).
"Lord Jesus, may
the fire of your love fill my heart with an eagerness to please you in all
things. May there be no rivals to my love and devotion to you who are my
all."
Daily Quote from the
early church fathers: Those who suffer with Christ reign with
Christ, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"It is just as if
Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand,
both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their
inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all
to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even
though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and
pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have
to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly
troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain
my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY
ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, JOHN
15:18-21
Easter Weekday
(Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100)
KEY VERSE: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first" (v.18).
TO KNOW: Just as Jesus and his Father are one, Jesus and the believer are one. Because of this close union, Jesus' disciples must be willing to share his fate. If Jesus suffered persecution and hatred, so would they. If the world refused to listen to his words or believe in his works, the world would not believe his disciples' proclamation and deeds. If the disciples had belonged to the world, perhaps the world would love them. Because these unbelievers did not know God, they despised Jesus and they would also despise his followers. Jesus said that "no slave was greater than his master" (v.20). Although the disciples were Jesus' friends (v.15), they were also obedient servants of God's will.
TO LOVE: In what ways am I both friend and servant to others?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, give the Church the grace to speak your gospel to those who do not know you.
Optional Memorial of Saint
Pius V, pope
Upon his ascension to the papacy, Pius V faced the task of enacting the reforms of the Council of Trent. New seminaries were opened, a new breviary, new missal, and new catechism were published, and foundations were established to spread the faith and preserve the doctrine of the Church. Pius spent much time personally working with the needy. He built hospitals and used the papal treasury to care for the poor. At the time of his death he was working on a Christian, European alliance to break the power of the Islamic states.
Saturday 30 April 2016
Sat 30th. (St Pius V).
Acts 16:1-10. Let all the earth cry out to God with
joy—Ps 99(100):1-3, 5. John 15:18-21.
Lately, I’ve felt persecuted.
Both personally and professionally, I have been
reacting sensitively to what is going down. Today’s readings show me not only
that I am experiencing #firstworldproblems (let’s be honest, I don’t think
anyone wants me hung on a cross), but also that the world persecuted Jesus
first. Perhaps our prayer today might be that we would be persecuted, or
experience some kind of redemptive suffering. My brother had a theology
lecturer who told him and his fellow students that they were too lukewarm in
their faith, and that he wished persecution upon them. Of course he was being
facetious, and I am not endorsing corporal mortification here, but at times, turmoil
and tribulation strengthen us. And as we make this prayer, may we too remember
our brothers and sisters who are indeed persecuted for their faith.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
|
Image of God
|
The image of God! This is what it means to be human! We are not
just a bunch of cells randomly thrown together by some impersonal forces.
Rather, we reflect an eternal God who knew us from before we were made and
purposely called us into being.
April
30
St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
(1786-1842)
St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
(1786-1842)
In some ways Joseph
exemplified St. Francis’ advice, "Let us begin to serve the Lord God, for
up to now we have made little or no progress" (1 Celano,#103).
Joseph was the eldest
of 12 children. Born in Piedmont, he was ordained for the Diocese of Turin in
1811. Frail health and difficulty in school were obstacles he overcame to reach
ordination.
During Joseph’s
lifetime Italy was torn by civil war while the poor and the sick suffered from
neglect. Inspired by reading the life of St. Vincent de Paul and moved by the
human suffering all around him, Joseph rented some rooms to nurse the sick of
his parish and recruited local young women to serve as staff.
In 1832 at Voldocco,
Joseph founded the House of Providence which served many different groups (the
sick, the elderly, students, the mentally ill, the blind). All of this was
financed by contributions. Popularly called "the University of
Charity," this testimonial to God’s goodness was serving 8,000 people by
the time of Joseph’s beatification in 1917.
To carry on his work,
Joseph organized two religious communities, the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul
and the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. Joseph, who had joined the Secular
Franciscans as a young man, was canonized in 1934.
Comment:
How do we know God’s will for us? Is that will static? Joseph did not begin the work for which he is most famous until 21 years after his ordination. Years of praying and searching certainly kept Joseph alert to God’s call. However well we have responded to our neighbor’s need in the past, God is surely calling us to greater generosity. That must have been what Francis meant when he said, "Let us begin to serve the Lord God."
How do we know God’s will for us? Is that will static? Joseph did not begin the work for which he is most famous until 21 years after his ordination. Years of praying and searching certainly kept Joseph alert to God’s call. However well we have responded to our neighbor’s need in the past, God is surely calling us to greater generosity. That must have been what Francis meant when he said, "Let us begin to serve the Lord God."
Quote:
"Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us in our misery that we may do for your sake alone what we know you want us to do, and always want what pleases you; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and so make our way to you, Most High, by your grace alone" (St. Francis, Letter to a Chapter).
"Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us in our misery that we may do for your sake alone what we know you want us to do, and always want what pleases you; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and so make our way to you, Most High, by your grace alone" (St. Francis, Letter to a Chapter).
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 15,18-21
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, April 30, 2016
1) OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God;
it is good to live in the friendship
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us realize that also in this love
we are committed to him and share with him
for better and for worse,
in misunderstanding and contradiction
as well as in joy and intimacy.
Help us to rejoice even when treated
with indifference or ridicule on account of him,
for it means that he is still with us
who is our Lord for ever.
it is good to live in the friendship
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us realize that also in this love
we are committed to him and share with him
for better and for worse,
in misunderstanding and contradiction
as well as in joy and intimacy.
Help us to rejoice even when treated
with indifference or ridicule on account of him,
for it means that he is still with us
who is our Lord for ever.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN 15,18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: "If
the world hates you, you must realise that it hated me before it hated you. If
you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you
do not belong to the world, because my choice of you has drawn you out of the
world, that is why the world hates you.
Remember the words I said to you: A
servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will
persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it
will be on my account that they will do all this to you, because they do not
know the one who sent me.
3) REFLECTION
• John 15, 18-19: The hatred of the
world. “If the world hates you, you must realize that it hated me before it
hated you”. The Christian who follows Jesus is called to live in a way contrary
to society. In a world organized according to the egoistic interests of persons
and groups which seek to live and radiate the love which will be crucified.
This was the destiny of Jesus. This is why when a Christian is very much
praised by the power of this world and is exalted as a model for all by mass
media; it is good not to trust too much. “If you belonged to the world, the
world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world,
because my choice of you has drawn you out of the world, that is why the world
hates you”. It was Jesus’ choice which separated us. And if we base ourselves
on this gratuitous choice or vocation of Jesus we will have the force to suffer
persecution and calumny and have joy, in spite of the difficulties.
• John 15, 20: The servant is not
greater than his master. “A servant is not greater than his master. If they
persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word they will keep
yours as well”. Jesus had already insisted on this same point in the washing of
the feet (Jn 13, 16) and in the discourse on the Mission (Mt 10, 24-25). And it
is this identification with Jesus that, throughout the centuries, has given so
much force to persons to continue the journey and has been a source of mystical
experience for many saints and martyrs.
• John 15, 21: Persecution on account of
Jesus. “But it will be on my account that they will do all this to you, because
they do not know the one who sent me.” The repeated insistence of the Gospel in
recalling those words of Jesus which can help the communities to understand the
reason for the crisis and persecutions is an evident sign that our brothers and
sisters of the first communities did not have an easy life. From the
persecution of Nero after Christ up to the end of the first century, they lived
knowing that they could be persecuted, accused, imprisoned and killed any moment.
The force which sustained them was a certainty that Jesus communicated that God
was with them.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Jesus addresses himself to me and
tells me: If you belonged to the world, the world would love what is yours. How
do I apply this in my life?
• In me there are two tendencies: the
world and the Gospel. Which of these two has the priority?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
For Yahweh is good,
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
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