Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 270
Lectionary: 270
When the court officers had
brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.
Responsorial
Psalm34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20
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.
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.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers 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.
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.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 20:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is
above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial
of Saint George, please go here.
For the
readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Adalbert, please go here.
Meditation: "He
who believes in the Son has eternal life"
Do
you hunger for the true and abundant life which God offers through the gift of
his Holy Spirit? The Jews understood that God gave a certain portion of his
Spirit to his prophets. When Elijah was about to depart for heaven, his servant
Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit which Elijah had received from
God (2 Kings 2:9).
The
Holy Spirit opens our minds to understand God's word of truth
Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe the words he speaks because God the Father has anointed him by pouring out his Spirit on him in full measure, without keeping anything back. The function of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God's truth to us. Jesus declared that "when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). When we receive the Holy Spirit he opens our hearts and minds to recognize and understand God's word of truth.
Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe the words he speaks because God the Father has anointed him by pouring out his Spirit on him in full measure, without keeping anything back. The function of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God's truth to us. Jesus declared that "when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). When we receive the Holy Spirit he opens our hearts and minds to recognize and understand God's word of truth.
Saint
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, "I believe in order to understand;
and I understand the better to believe." Faith opens our minds and hearts
to receive God's word of truth and to obey it willingly. Do you believe God's
word and receive it as if your life depended on it?
God
gives us the freedom to accept or reject what he says is true. But with that
freedom also comes a responsibility to recognize the consequences of the choice
we make - either to believe what he has spoken to us through his Son, the Lord
Jesus Christ, or to ignore, reject, and chose our own way apart from God. Our
choices will either lead us on the path of abundant life and union with God, or
the path that leads to spiritual death and separation from God.
Love
the Lord, cling to him, and you will have life
God issued a choice and a challenge to the people of the Old Covenant: "See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ...I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And God issues the same challenge to the people of the New Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do the choices you make lead you towards life or death - blessing or cursing?
God issued a choice and a challenge to the people of the Old Covenant: "See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ...I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And God issues the same challenge to the people of the New Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do the choices you make lead you towards life or death - blessing or cursing?
If
you choose to obey God's voice and to do his will, then you will know and
experience that abundant life which comes from God himself. If you choose to
follow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choose for death – a
spiritual death which poisons and kills the heart and soul until there is
nothing left but an empty person devoid of love, truth, goodness, purity,
peace, and joy. Do your choices lead you towards God or away from God?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that
I may choose life - the abundant life you offer to those who trust in you. Give
me courage to always choose what is good, true, and just and to reject whatever
is false, foolish, and contrary to your holy will."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Always bless the Lord! by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When
are you to 'bless the Lord?' When he showers blessings on you? When earthly
goods are plentiful? When you have a plethora of grain, oil, wine, gold,
silver... - while your mortal body remains healthy, uninjured and free from
disease; while everything that is born on your estate is growing well, and
nothing is snatched away by untimely death; while every kind of happiness
floods your home and you have all you want in profusion? Is it only then that
you are to bless the Lord? No, but 'at all times.' So you are to bless him
equally when from time to time, or because the Lord God wishes to discipline
you, these good things let you down or are taken from you, when there are fewer
births or the already-born slip away. These things happen, and their
consequence is poverty, need, hardship, disappointment and temptation. But you
sang, 'I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be in my mouth
always,' so when the Lord gives you these good things, bless him, and when he
takes them away, bless him. He it is who gives, and he it is who takes away,
but he does not take himself away from anyone who blesses him. (excerpt
from EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 34.3)
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, JOHN 3:31-36
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true" (v.33).
TO KNOW: The Gospel of John continually contrasts the radical difference between salvation in Christ and the workings of the Evil One. Jesus brought light into the world, while the Evil One brought darkness. Jesus followers believed in him, while the unbelievers refused to listen to his words. Jesus was the one from the heavenly world "above" whom God sent to the world "below" (this description is theological, not geographical). The Son shares the fullness of the Spirit with the Father, who withheld nothing from him. The Son in turn imparts the Spirit to his followers. Throughout salvation history, God gave partial revelation to God's people. God was fully revealed through the Son, who "spoke the words of God" (v.34). Whoever accepts this revelation receives eternal life; those who reject this gift bring God's judgment upon themselves.
TO LOVE: Do I give thanks for the divine gift of God's Son?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to listen to your words so that I might know how to act in truth.
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true" (v.33).
TO KNOW: The Gospel of John continually contrasts the radical difference between salvation in Christ and the workings of the Evil One. Jesus brought light into the world, while the Evil One brought darkness. Jesus followers believed in him, while the unbelievers refused to listen to his words. Jesus was the one from the heavenly world "above" whom God sent to the world "below" (this description is theological, not geographical). The Son shares the fullness of the Spirit with the Father, who withheld nothing from him. The Son in turn imparts the Spirit to his followers. Throughout salvation history, God gave partial revelation to God's people. God was fully revealed through the Son, who "spoke the words of God" (v.34). Whoever accepts this revelation receives eternal life; those who reject this gift bring God's judgment upon themselves.
TO LOVE: Do I give thanks for the divine gift of God's Son?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to listen to your words so that I might know how to act in truth.
Thursday 23 April 2020
Acts 5:27-33. The Lord hears the cry of the poor –
Psalm 33(34): 2, 9, 17-20. John 3:31-36. ‘The Father loves the Son
and has placed all things in his hands.’
Giving and receiving – the deepest relationship of love – shine
out in this text. The reciprocal love of Father and Son, a love without limits,
is poured out on us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
We who accept him accept his message and allow it to make a
claim on how we live. We call upon his name in our days, attending to his
presence. We ask for what we need in prayer, and act ever aware of his
commandment to love self, neighbour and God in our days. We seek the grace of
his forgiveness and let it recast our relationships.
Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the longing of my heart.
Confirm my personal faith and commitment to you. May the example of my life
invite others to believe in you. May I give to others what I am constantly
receiving from you.
Saint George
Saint of the Day for April 23
(c. 280 – April 23, 303)
 |
| Saint George and the Dragon | Gustave Moreau |
Saint George’s Story
Saint George is the object of a vast amount of imagination.
There is every reason to believe that he was a real martyr who suffered at
Lydda in Palestine, probably before the time of Constantine. The Church adheres
to his memory, but not to the legends surrounding his life. That he was willing
to pay the supreme price to follow Christ is what the Church believes. And it
is enough.
The story of George’s slaying the dragon, rescuing the king’s
daughter, and converting Libya is a 12th-century Italian fable. George was a
favorite patron saint of crusaders, as well as of Eastern soldiers in earlier
times. He is a patron saint of England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Catalonia,
Genoa, and Venice.
Reflection
Human nature seems to crave more than cold historical data.
Americans have Washington and Lincoln, but we somehow need Paul Bunyan, too.
The life of Saint Francis of Assisi is inspiring enough, but for centuries the
Italians have found his spirit in the legends of the Fioretti, too.
Santa Claus is the popular extension of the spirit of Saint Nicholas. The
legends about Saint George are part of this yearning. Both fact and legend are
human ways of illumining the mysterious truth about the One who alone is holy.
Saint George is the Patron Saint of:
Boy Scouts
England
Portugal
Soldiers
Germany
England
Portugal
Soldiers
Germany
Lectio
Divina: John 3:31-36
Lectio Divina
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Season of Easter
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
Your Son Jesus Christ came from You
and bore witness to the things
He had heard and seen.
He could not but bear witness to You.
Give us the Spirit of Your Son, we pray You,
to speak Your word and to live it,
that we may show Christ, Your living Word,
to those who have not seen Him.
We ask You this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Son Jesus Christ came from You
and bore witness to the things
He had heard and seen.
He could not but bear witness to You.
Give us the Spirit of Your Son, we pray You,
to speak Your word and to live it,
that we may show Christ, Your living Word,
to those who have not seen Him.
We ask You this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - John 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the
earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from
heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one
accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is
trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not
ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given
everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but
whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon
him.
3) Reflection
• During the month of January we meditated on John 3:22-30,
which shows us the last witness of John the Baptist concerning Jesus. It was a
response given by him to his disciples, in which he reaffirms that he, John, is
not the Messiah, but rather his precursor (Jn 3:28). On that occasion, John
utters that beautiful phrase which summarizes his witness: “It is necessary
that He grow greater and I grow smaller!” This phrase is the guide for all
those who want to follow Jesus.
• The verses of today’s Gospel are again a comment of the
Evangelist in order to help the communities to better understand the importance
of the things that Jesus did and taught. Here, we have another indication of
those three threads of which we spoke before.
• John 3:31-33: A refrain which is always repeated. Throughout
the Gospel of John, there often appears conflict between Jesus and the Jews who
challenge the words of Jesus. Jesus speaks of what He hears from the Father. He
is total transparency. His enemies, not opening themselves to God and because
they cling to their own ideas here on earth, are not capable of understanding
the deep significance of the things that Jesus lives, does and says.
Ultimately, this is the evil one which pushes the Jews to arrest and condemn
Jesus.
• John 3:34: Jesus gives us the Spirit without reserve. John’s
Gospel uses many images and symbols to signify the action of the Spirit. As in
Creation (Gen 1:1), in the same way the Spirit descends on Jesus “like a dove,
come from Heaven” (Jn 1:32). It is the beginning of the new creation! Jesus
repeats the words of God and communicates the Spirit to us without reserve (Jn
3:34). His words are Spirit and life (Jn 6:63). When Jesus is about to leave
this earth, He says that He will send another Advocate, another defender, to be
with us forever (Jn 14:16-17). By his Passion, Death and Resurrection, Jesus
obtains for us the gift of the Spirit. Through baptism all of us have received
this same Spirit of Jesus (Jn 1:33). When He appeared to the apostles, He
breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” (Jn 20:22). The Spirit is
like the water which springs from the people who believe in Jesus (Jn 7:37-39;
4:14). The first effect of the action of the Spirit in us is reconciliation:
“If you forgive anyone’s sins they will be forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins,
they are retained!” (Jn 20:23). The Spirit is given to us to recall and
understand the full significance of the words of Jesus (Jn 14:26; 16:12-13).
Animated by the Spirit of Jesus we can adore God in any place (Jn 4:23-24).
Here is fulfilled the liberty of the Spirit of which Saint Paul speaks: “Where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).
• John 3:35-36: The Father loves the Son. He reaffirms the
identity between the Father and Jesus. The Father loves the Son and places all
things in His hand. Saint Paul will say that the fullness of divinity dwells in
Jesus (Col 1:19; 2:9). This is why the one who accepts Jesus and believes in
Jesus has eternal life, because God is life. The one who does not accept and
believe in Jesus, places himself outside.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus communicates the Spirit to us, without reserve.
Have you had any experience of this Spirit in your life?
• He who believes in Jesus has eternal life. What does it mean to believe? If one proclaims someone is a king, but does not follow this king's commands, is there really belief there is a king? Using this parallel, what does it really mean to believe?
• He who believes in Jesus has eternal life. What does it mean to believe? If one proclaims someone is a king, but does not follow this king's commands, is there really belief there is a king? Using this parallel, what does it really mean to believe?
5) Concluding Prayer
Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh;
let us acclaim His name together.
Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in Him. (Ps 34:3, 8)
let us acclaim His name together.
Taste and see that Yahweh is good.
How blessed are those who take refuge in Him. (Ps 34:3, 8)
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