Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 284
Lectionary: 284
On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
"It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth."
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
"It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth."
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4
R.(3cd) All the
ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 8:31B-32
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
"If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to Jesus,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
"If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to Jesus,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint John I, please go here.
Meditation:
"Lord, show us the Father"
What's
the greatest thing we can aim for in this life? - Is it not to know God
personally as your Father and Redeemer? What is the best thing we can possess
in this life, bringing more joy, contentment, life and happiness, than anything
else? - Is it not true knowledge and understanding of who God is and what kind
of relationship he wants to have with you? Scripture tells us the greatest
thing we can know and possess is true knowledge of God: Thus says the
Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty glory
in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories
glory in this, that he understands and knows me" (Jeremiah
9:23-24).
We
can know God the Father personally and be united with him
One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the personal knowledge of God as our Father.
One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the personal knowledge of God as our Father.
Jesus
makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our heavenly Father.
To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of
God - a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them
to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the
revelation of God - a God who loves us unconditionally, unselfishly and
perfectly - without neglecting or forgetting us even for a brief moment. If we
put our trust in Jesus and believe in him, Jesus promises that God the Father
will hear our prayers when we pray in his name. That is why Jesus taught his
followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven ..give
us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:9,11; Luke 11:2-3). Do
you pray to your Father in heaven with joy and confidence in his personal love
and care for you?
"Lord
Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the
hope of everlasting life with God our Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that
I may know and glorify him always."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Father's portrait in the Son,
by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"By
means of this image the Lord showed Philip the Father. Yes, he who looks on the
Son sees, in portrait, the Father. Notice what kind of portrait is spoken of.
It is truth, righteousness, the power of God. It is not silent, for it is the
Word. It is not insensible, for it is Wisdom. It is not vain and foolish, for
it is power. It is not soulless, for it is the life. It is not dead, for it is
the resurrection." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
1.7.50)
SATURDAY, MAY 18, JOHN 14:7-14
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (v.9).
TO KNOW: Jesus came to reveal God the Father. His words and works testified to the life and truth that he shared with the Father. Philip asked for some manifestation (theophany) of God such as Moses experienced on Mount Sinai (Ex 33:18). Jesus said that if they really understood who he was, they would "see" the Father in him. Although God is Spirit, Jesus is the living revelation of God who acts in and through him. If his disciples could not believe Jesus' words, at least they could believe in the works he had done. Jesus assured his followers that if they had faith in him, they would accomplish even greater works. He promised to empower the Church to act in his name through the coming of the Holy Spirit (Greek, parakletos ) who could be called on to give help in time of trouble or need..
TO LOVE: In what ways do I see Jesus working through me? Am I able to see him working in others?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to understand the Divine mystery you came to reveal.
Optional Memorial of Saint John I, pope and martyr
In 523, John was elected Pope while he was still an archdeacon. At that time, the ruler of Italy was Theodoric the Goth who subscribed to the Arian heretical brand of Christianity. For a while, Theodoric let Catholics live in peace, but in later life he became suspicious of everyone, imagining conspiracies to seize his throne. He even tried to involve Pope John in his political machinations. John, the first pope to travel to Constantinople, led a delegation to negotiate with Emperor Justin I who was the first Catholic on the Byzantine throne in fifty years. John's mission was successful, but Theodoric thought John and the Emperor had plotted against him. While returning to Rome, John was kidnapped by Theodoric's soldiers. Pope John died of thirst and starvation in prison in Ravenna, Italy.
NOTE: The Heresy of Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not a part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
ARMED FORCES DAY
Armed Forces Day honors all branches of the armed forces of the United States. In the USA, it is celebrated on the third Saturday of May with military exercises on land, at sea, and in the air. Military installations are usually open to the public on Armed Forces Day. President Harry S. Truman proclaimed Armed Forces Day, and it was first celebrated in May 1950. It replaced three separate celebrations for the Air Force, Army, and Navy. James V. Forrestal, the first secretary of defense, helped unite the armed services under the Department of Defense after World War II ended in 1945.
Saturday 18 May 2019
Acts 13:44-52. Psalm 97(98):1-4. John 14:7-14.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God –
Psalm 97(98):1-4.
‘The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do.’
These are challenging words. How could we possibly even dare to
pray for the healing of the blind, the raising of the dead or the calming of a
storm?
Jesus went on to promise the disciples: ‘You will know that I am
in the Father, and you in me and I in you’ (John 14:20). Experiencing God’s
presence in us will convince us that there is no hurt so great that he cannot
heal it. There is no heart too hard not to be melted by God’s love. No miracle
is impossible if God wills it.
Jesus, thank you for taking up your dwelling in my heart. I am
amazed that you would choose to live in me! May I be pleasing to you today and
always, in all I say and do. And may the works you do through me glorify you.
Saint John I
Saint of the Day for May 18
(c. 470 – May 18, 526)
 |
| U.S. Archives, Book Reader Images | Unknown |
Saint John I’s Story
Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the
divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who
espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration.
His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the
Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the
East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner
or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of
Catholics in the West.
On his way home, John was imprisoned at Ravenna because the
emperor had begun to suspect that John’s friendship with his eastern rival
might lead to a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment,
John died, apparently from the treatment he received in prison.
John’s body was transported to Rome and he was buried in the
Basilica of St. Peter.
Reflection
We cannot choose the issues for which we have to suffer and
perhaps die. John I suffered because of a power-conscious emperor. Jesus
suffered because of the suspicions of those who were threatened by his freedom,
openness, and powerlessness. “If you find that the world hates you, know it has
hated me before you” (John 15:18).
Lectio Divina: John 14:7-14
Lectio Divina
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
you are distant and unknown, and yet so near
that You know and love and save us
through Your Son Jesus Christ.
May He be present in us and in our actions
that we may do the same works
of justice, truth and loving service
and thus become the sign to the world
that Your Son is alive
and that You are a saving God
now and for ever.
you are distant and unknown, and yet so near
that You know and love and save us
through Your Son Jesus Christ.
May He be present in us and in our actions
that we may do the same works
of justice, truth and loving service
and thus become the sign to the world
that Your Son is alive
and that You are a saving God
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples: "If you know me, then you will
also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to Jesus, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough
for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the
Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on
my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in
the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works
themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works
that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the
Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
3) Reflection
• John 14:7: To know Jesus is to know the Father. The text of
today’s Gospel is the continuation from yesterday. Thomas had asked: “Lord we
do not know where You are going, 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.”
And He adds: “If you know Me, you will know the Father too. From this moment
you know Him and have seen Him”. This is the first phrase of today’s Gospel.
Jesus always speaks of the Father, because it was the life of the Father which
appeared in all that He said and did. This constant reference to the Father
provokes Philip’s question.
• John 14:8-11: Philip asks: “Lord, show us the Father and then
we will be satisfied!” This was the desire of the disciples, the desire of many
in the communities of the beloved disciple and it is the desire of many people
today: What do people do to see the Father whom Jesus speaks so much? The
response of Jesus is very beautiful and is valid even now: “Have I been with
you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know Me! Anyone who has seen Me
has seen the Father!” People should not think that God is far away from us,
distant and unknown. Anyone who wants to know who God the Father is, it
suffices that he look at Jesus. He has revealed Him in His words and the
actions of His life! “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me!” Through His
obedience, Jesus identified Himself totally with the Father. At every moment He
did what the Father asked Him to do (Jn 5:30; 8:28-29.38). This is why, in
Jesus, everything is a revelation of the Father! And the signs and works are
the works of the Father! As people say: “The son is the face of the father!”
This is why in Jesus, and for Jesus, God is in our midst.
• John 14:12-14: The Promise of Jesus. Jesus makes a promise to
say that His intimacy with the Father is not His privilege only, but that it is
possible for all those who believe in Him. We also, through Jesus, can succeed
in doing beautiful things for others as Jesus did for the people of His time.
He intercedes for us. Everything that people ask Him for; He asks the Father
and always obtains it, as long as it is to render service. Jesus is our
advocate. He defends us. He leaves but He does not leave us defenseless. He
promises that He will ask the Father and the Father will send another advocate
or consoler, the Holy Spirit. Jesus even says that it is necessary for Him to
leave, because otherwise the Holy Spirit will not be able to come (Jn 16:7).
And the Holy Spirit will fulfill the things of Jesus in us, if we act in the
name of Jesus and we observe the great commandment of the practice of love.
4) Personal questions
• To know Jesus is to know the Father. In the Bible the word “to
know a person” is not only an intellectual understanding, but it also
presupposes a profound experience of the presence of the person in one’s life.
Do I know Jesus?
• Do I know the Father?
• Do my works reveal the Father and the Son to others at all times?
• Do I know the Father?
• Do my works reveal the Father and the Son to others at all times?
5) Concluding Prayer
The whole wide world has seen
the saving power of our God.
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98:3-4)
the saving power of our God.
Acclaim Yahweh, all the earth,
burst into shouts of joy! (Ps 98:3-4)
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