Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 269
Lectionary: 269
The high priest rose up and all his companions,
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R.(7a) The
Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R.The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R.The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 3:16
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
God so love the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so love the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 3:16-21
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker,
please go here.
Meditation:
"God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son"
Do
you know the love which surpasses the greatest joy and happiness which one
could ever hope to find in this life? Greater love is manifested in the cost
and sacrifice of the giver. True lovers hold nothing back but give the best
that can be offered to their beloved, including all they possess, even their
very lives. God proved his love for each and every one of us by giving us the
best he had to offer - his only begotten Son who freely offered up his life for
our sake as the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sin of the world.
God
loves each of us uniquely and personally
Abraham's willing sacrifice of his only son, Isaac, prefigures the perfect offering and sacrifice of God's beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage in the Gospel of John tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26,27). God is the eternal Father of Love who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love.
Abraham's willing sacrifice of his only son, Isaac, prefigures the perfect offering and sacrifice of God's beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage in the Gospel of John tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26,27). God is the eternal Father of Love who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love.
Truth,
goodness, and beauty are made perfect in the love of Christ
Jesus shows us the paradox of love and judgment. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, goodness, and beauty. If our love is guided by what is true, and good, and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer and value most. Do you love God above all else? Does he take first place in your life, in your thoughts, affections, and actions?
Jesus shows us the paradox of love and judgment. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, goodness, and beauty. If our love is guided by what is true, and good, and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer and value most. Do you love God above all else? Does he take first place in your life, in your thoughts, affections, and actions?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, your love is better than life itself. May your love consume and
transform my heart with all of its yearnings, aspirations, fears, hurts, and
concerns, that I may freely desire you above all else and love all others
generously for your sake and for your glory. Make me to love what you love,
desire what you desire, and give generously as you have been so generous
towards me".
A
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The Intensity of God's Love and
Our Response, by John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D.
"The text, 'God so loved the world,' shows such an intensity of love. For
great indeed and infinite is the distance between the two. The immortal, the
infinite majesty without beginning or end loved those who were but dust and
ashes, who were loaded with ten thousand sins but remained ungrateful even as
they constantly offended him. This is who he 'loved.' For God did not give a
servant, or an angel or even an archangel 'but his only begotten Son.' And yet
no one would show such anxiety even for his own child as God did for his
ungrateful servants..."
"He laid down his life for us and poured forth his precious blood for our sake - even though there is nothing good in us - while we do not even pour out our money for our own sake and neglect him who died for us when he is naked and a stranger... We put gold necklaces on ourselves and even on our pets but neglect our Lord who goes about naked and passes from door to door... He gladly goes hungry so that you may be fed; naked so that he may provide you with the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet we will not even give up any of our own food or clothing for him... These things I say continually, and I will not cease to say them, not so much because I care for the poor but because I care for your souls." (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.2–3)
"He laid down his life for us and poured forth his precious blood for our sake - even though there is nothing good in us - while we do not even pour out our money for our own sake and neglect him who died for us when he is naked and a stranger... We put gold necklaces on ourselves and even on our pets but neglect our Lord who goes about naked and passes from door to door... He gladly goes hungry so that you may be fed; naked so that he may provide you with the materials for a garment of incorruption, yet we will not even give up any of our own food or clothing for him... These things I say continually, and I will not cease to say them, not so much because I care for the poor but because I care for your souls." (HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 27.2–3)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, JOHN 3:16-21
Easter Weekday
(Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34)
KEY VERSE: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (v.16).
TO KNOW: John 3:16 is often called the essence of the gospel. This text tells us that the Father sent the Son out of love for the world. God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save it (v.17). When the Pharisee Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, Jesus told him that God sent him to save the world from sin and death. Everyone has the opportunity to respond to Jesus by acknowledging him as their Savior. Those who refuse to come into the light do so out of fear that their evil deeds might be exposed. God's verdict has already been pronounced upon those who "prefer darkness to light" (v.19). They bring condemnation upon themselves for their refusal to believe. But those who believe in God's Son should have no fear of the light. Although there was judgment, there was mercy. We have the indwelling Spirit to guide us so that our deeds will be done according to God's truth.
TO LOVE: Do I help enlighten those who are in the darkness of unbelief?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, banish any darkness from my soul.
Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker
Despite his humble background, Joseph came from a royal lineage, a descendant of David, the greatest king of Israel. Joseph was chosen by God as the trustworthy guardian of his divine Son. Joseph was wholeheartedly obedient to God -- in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the family to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, and in the undetermined number of years of quiet faith and courage. Joseph carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: 'Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." There is much we wish we could know about Joseph - where and when he was born, how he spent his days, when and how he died. But Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge of who he was - "a righteous man" (Matthew 1:18)
“Work is a good thing for one's humanity, because through work one not only transforms nature, adapting it to his or her own needs, but also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes more a human being.” —Saint Pope John Paul II
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
(Yom HaShoah)
(Yom HaShoah)
The United Nations General Assembly designated this day as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD), an annual day of commemoration to honor the victims of the Nazi era. Every member nation of the U.N. has an obligation to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and develop educational programs as part of an international resolve to help prevent future acts of genocide. The U.N. resolution that created IHRD rejects denial of the Holocaust, and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity. For Jews, Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah in Hebrew) is held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
Wednesday 1 May 2019
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER.
Acts 5:17-26. Psalm 33(34):2-9. John 3:16-21.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor – Psalm 33(34):2-9.
‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.’
To offer his only Son was indeed the greatest gift of love on
God’s part. When we realise that this love was freely given, the magnitude of
it all hits home to us. Attached to this gift was God’s promise that ‘whoever
believes in him may not die but may have eternal life’. Jesus is sent not as
judge but as Saviour.
To reap the reward of God’s promise, we, on our part, are to
believe in Jesus as Son of God. When we attend to the presence of Jesus, he
leads us away from darkness – we come to live in the light he creates.
Listening to him shines a light for our path, a bright torch shining even under
cover of darkness.
Lord God, we pray for the grace of ongoing belief in Jesus as
the one who is leading us to light and life.
Saint Joseph the Worker
Saint of the Day for May 1
 |
| Childhood of Christ | Gerard van Honthorst, |
The Story of Saint Joseph the Worker
To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics,
and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by
Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in
1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of
workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis,
the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the
creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in
Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors.
Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of
the holiness of human labor.
Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint
Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s
carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and
healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II
stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the
dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that
dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so
as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”
Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII
emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the
heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever
more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of
Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and
work.”
Reflection
To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic
liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the
universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the
Worker. This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching
over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and
models for all the dignity of human work.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 13:54-58
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father and protector,
without You nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
without You nothing is holy,
nothing has value.
Guide us to everlasting life
by helping us to use wisely
the blessings You have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
the blessings You have given to the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their
synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom
and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with
us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus
said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in
his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their
lack of faith.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today tells us of Jesus’ visit to Nazareth, His
native community. Passing through Nazareth was painful for Jesus. What was His
community at the beginning, now is no longer so. Something has changed. Where
there is no faith, Jesus can work no miracles.
• Matthew 13: 53-57ª: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. It is always good for people to go back to their land. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, as usual, on a Saturday, and He goes to the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the head of the group, but just the same, He speaks. This is a sign that people could participate and express their own opinion. People were astonished. They did not understand Jesus’ attitude: "Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” Jesus, son of that place, whom they knew since He was a child, how is it that now He is so different? The people of Nazareth are scandalized and do not accept Him: “This is the carpenter’s son, surely?” The people do not accept the mystery of God present in a common man, as they are, and as they had known Jesus. In order to speak about God He should be different. As one can see, not everything was positive. The people, who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News, are the first ones to refuse it. The conflict is not only with foreigners, but also with His relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They do not accept because they cannot understand the mystery which envelops Jesus: “Is not His mother, the woman called Mary, and His brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude, and His sisters too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?” They are not able to believe.
• Matthew 13:57b-58: Jesus’ reaction before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “no one is a prophet in his own country.” He says, “A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house.” In fact, where there is neither acceptance nor faith, people can do nothing. Prejudice prevents it. Jesus Himself, even wanting, can do nothing. He was astonished at their lack of faith.
• Matthew 13: 53-57ª: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus. It is always good for people to go back to their land. After a long absence, Jesus also returns, as usual, on a Saturday, and He goes to the meeting of the community. Jesus was not the head of the group, but just the same, He speaks. This is a sign that people could participate and express their own opinion. People were astonished. They did not understand Jesus’ attitude: "Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” Jesus, son of that place, whom they knew since He was a child, how is it that now He is so different? The people of Nazareth are scandalized and do not accept Him: “This is the carpenter’s son, surely?” The people do not accept the mystery of God present in a common man, as they are, and as they had known Jesus. In order to speak about God He should be different. As one can see, not everything was positive. The people, who should have been the first ones to accept the Good News, are the first ones to refuse it. The conflict is not only with foreigners, but also with His relatives and with the people of Nazareth. They do not accept because they cannot understand the mystery which envelops Jesus: “Is not His mother, the woman called Mary, and His brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude, and His sisters too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?” They are not able to believe.
• Matthew 13:57b-58: Jesus’ reaction before the attitude of the people of Nazareth. Jesus knows very well that “no one is a prophet in his own country.” He says, “A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house.” In fact, where there is neither acceptance nor faith, people can do nothing. Prejudice prevents it. Jesus Himself, even wanting, can do nothing. He was astonished at their lack of faith.
• The brothers and sisters of Jesus. The expression “brothers of
Jesus” causes much division between Catholics and Protestants. Based on this
and other texts, the Protestants say that Jesus had many brothers and sisters
and that Mary had more children! Catholics say that Mary did not have any other
children. What are we to think of this? Both positions, that of Catholics as
well as that of Protestants, contain arguments taken from the Bible and from
the tradition of their respective Churches. We should consider that in our
communities today we also call each other “brother” and “sister”, yet we don’t
share immediate parents. In that day, children didn’t move far from their
parents like they might do today, so many extended family relationships existed
within the same community. For this reason, it is not helpful to discuss this
question with arguments which are only intellectual, because it is a question
of profound convictions, which have something to do with faith and with the
sentiments of each one. An argument which is merely intellectual cannot
change a conviction of the heart! It only irritates and repels! Even if I do
not agree with the opinion of others, I have to respect it. In the second
place, instead of talking about texts, all of us, Catholics and Protestants,
should unite in order to fight for the defense of life, created by God, a life
disfigured by poverty, injustice, lack of faith. We should recall some other
sayings of Jesus: “I have come so that they may have life and life to the full”
(Jn 10:10); “That all may be one, so that the world may believe that You,
Father, have sent Me” (Jn 17:21); “Do not prevent them! Anyone who is not
against us is for us” (Mk 10:39,40).
4) Personal questions
• In Jesus something changed in His relationship with the
community of Nazareth. Since you began to participate in community, has
anything changed in your relationship with your family? Why?
• Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to trust people, especially the more simple and the poorest?
• Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to trust people, especially the more simple and the poorest?
• When two join to form a new community in marriage, their
relationship with their families also changes. Reconsider the previous
questions in light of this as well.
5) Concluding Prayer
For myself, wounded wretch that I am,
by Your saving power raise me up!
I will praise God’s name in song,
I will extol Him by thanksgiving. (Ps 69: 29-30)
by Your saving power raise me up!
I will praise God’s name in song,
I will extol Him by thanksgiving. (Ps 69: 29-30)
