Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and
doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 278
Lectionary: 278
The Church throughout all Judea,
Galilee, and Samaria
was at peace.
She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers.
was at peace.
She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers.
As Peter was passing through every
region,
he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.
There he found a man named Aeneas,
who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.
Peter said to him,
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.”
He got up at once.
And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him,
and they turned to the Lord.
he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.
There he found a man named Aeneas,
who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.
Peter said to him,
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.”
He got up at once.
And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him,
and they turned to the Lord.
Now in Joppa there was a disciple
named Tabitha
(which translated is Dorcas).
She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.
Now during those days she fell sick and died,
so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.
Since Lydda was near Joppa,
the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,
sent two men to him with the request,
“Please come to us without delay.”
So Peter got up and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs
where all the widows came to him weeping
and showing him the tunics and cloaks
that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.
Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.”
She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
He gave her his hand and raised her up,
and when he had called the holy ones and the widows,
he presented her alive.
This became known all over Joppa,
and many came to believe in the Lord.
(which translated is Dorcas).
She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.
Now during those days she fell sick and died,
so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.
Since Lydda was near Joppa,
the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,
sent two men to him with the request,
“Please come to us without delay.”
So Peter got up and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs
where all the widows came to him weeping
and showing him the tunics and cloaks
that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.
Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.”
She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
He gave her his hand and raised her up,
and when he had called the holy ones and the widows,
he presented her alive.
This became known all over Joppa,
and many came to believe in the Lord.
Responsorial
Psalm116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R. (12) How shall I make a
return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 6:63C, 68C
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 6:60-69
Many of the disciples of Jesus who
were listening said,
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father.”
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, “Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father.”
As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint
Athanasius, please go here.
Meditation: "You have
the words of everlasting life"
Why
do some find it easier while others find it harder to accept the claims which
Jesus made? Many were attracted to Jesus because he offered them something
irresistible - a visible sign of God's mercy and favor which Jesus demonstrated
in his wonderful works of healing, deliverance, and miraculous signs, including
the multiplication of the loaves and fish when he feed the five thousand who
had gathered to hear him speak. Many stumbled, however, when Jesus made claims
which only God can make. Jesus' discourse on "eating his flesh and
drinking his blood" (see John 6:51-59) which pointed to the Last
Supper, caused offence to many of his followers.
The
blessing of full union with God through Christ
Jesus claimed to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God given to us as spiritual food to sustain us on our journey to our promised homeland with the Father in heaven. Jesus did not leave any middle ground for his hearers. They must either accept his word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the apostles admitted that this was a "hard saying". This expression meant that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept. Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty to him as the Holy One sent from the Father in heaven. Jesus promised his disciples nothing less than the full blessing of eternal life and union with God. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who gives the invitation and the grace to believe and follow even in the "hard sayings". Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, but would do so with violence fueled by hatred, envy, and even betrayal by one of his own disciples.
Jesus claimed to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God given to us as spiritual food to sustain us on our journey to our promised homeland with the Father in heaven. Jesus did not leave any middle ground for his hearers. They must either accept his word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the apostles admitted that this was a "hard saying". This expression meant that it was not just hard to understand, but hard to accept. Jesus pressed the issue with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty to him as the Holy One sent from the Father in heaven. Jesus promised his disciples nothing less than the full blessing of eternal life and union with God. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly Father who gives the invitation and the grace to believe and follow even in the "hard sayings". Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, but would do so with violence fueled by hatred, envy, and even betrayal by one of his own disciples.
"My
words are spirit and life"
Jesus told his disciples that his words were "spirit and life" (John 6:63) - his words came from the heavenly Father who is the Author of life and the One who breathes his Spirit into those who believe in him. Through the gift of faith Peter was able to receive spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly is - the Holy One of God, the eternal Son sent from the Father in heaven to redeem a fallen human race and reconcile them with God.
Jesus told his disciples that his words were "spirit and life" (John 6:63) - his words came from the heavenly Father who is the Author of life and the One who breathes his Spirit into those who believe in him. Through the gift of faith Peter was able to receive spiritual revelation of who Jesus truly is - the Holy One of God, the eternal Son sent from the Father in heaven to redeem a fallen human race and reconcile them with God.
Faith
is a gift and a personal response to God's revelation of himself
How does God help us grow in faith and trust in his word, even the hard sayings which are difficult to understand? Faith is a gift which God freely gives to those who listen to his word and who put their trust in him. Faith is a personal response to God's revelation of himself. Faith is neither blind nor ignorant. It is based on the truth and reliability of God's word. True faith seeks understanding. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, "I believe in order to understand, and I understand the better to believe." The Lord Jesus offers all of his followers his life-giving word and Spirit to help us grow in our knowledge and understanding of God.
How does God help us grow in faith and trust in his word, even the hard sayings which are difficult to understand? Faith is a gift which God freely gives to those who listen to his word and who put their trust in him. Faith is a personal response to God's revelation of himself. Faith is neither blind nor ignorant. It is based on the truth and reliability of God's word. True faith seeks understanding. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said, "I believe in order to understand, and I understand the better to believe." The Lord Jesus offers all of his followers his life-giving word and Spirit to help us grow in our knowledge and understanding of God.
We
can know God personally through his word
Paul the Apostle tells us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit who enlightens the eyes of our heart and mind to understand the truth and wisdom which comes from God (Ephesians 1:17-18). Faith is the key to understanding and experiencing God's action and work in our personal lives. Paul the Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). We can know God personally, and we grow in recognizing his voice as we listen to his word and obey his instruction. Do you believe, as Peter did, that Jesus has the words of everlasting life and the power to change and transform your life? Ask the Lord Jesus to increase your faith that you may grow in knowing, loving, and serving him as your Lord and Redeemer, Teacher and Healer, Master and Savior.
Paul the Apostle tells us that it is the work of the Holy Spirit who enlightens the eyes of our heart and mind to understand the truth and wisdom which comes from God (Ephesians 1:17-18). Faith is the key to understanding and experiencing God's action and work in our personal lives. Paul the Apostle tells us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). We can know God personally, and we grow in recognizing his voice as we listen to his word and obey his instruction. Do you believe, as Peter did, that Jesus has the words of everlasting life and the power to change and transform your life? Ask the Lord Jesus to increase your faith that you may grow in knowing, loving, and serving him as your Lord and Redeemer, Teacher and Healer, Master and Savior.
"Lord
Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. Help me to cast aside all doubt
and fear so that I may freely embrace your word with complete trust and joy. I
surrender all to you. Be the Lord of my life and the Ruler of my heart. May
there be nothing which hinders me from trusting in your love and following your
will."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Eat Life - Drink Life, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"'Unless
you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you shall not have life in you,' says the
Lord. Eat life - drink life. You will then have life, and life is complete.
Then the Body and Blood of Christ will be life for each person under this
condition: what is eaten visibly in the Sacrament be spiritually eaten and
spiritually drunk in truth itself." (excerpt from Sermon
102,2)
SATURDAY,
MAY 2, JOHN 6:60-69
(Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116)
(Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116)
KEY VERSE: "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (v.63).
TO KNOW: Jesus' teaching that he was the "bread of life" (v.48) caused a division among those who had faith in him and those who did not. Some of Jesus’ own disciples had misgivings about his teaching. Jesus did not retract his words but invited his followers to deeper faith in this mystery, which they could only understand through God's grace. If people could not believe that he was Gods' word become flesh (Jn 1:14), what would they think when he ascended to his Father in glory? Many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jesus then asked the Twelve if they too planned to leave him. Peter, the future leader of the Church, confessed his faith in the life-giving words of Jesus. There was no one else to whom he could go. The twelve apostles are mirrors of ourselves ̶ ̶ flawed but graced human beings.
TO LOVE: Do my words bring others to faith or drive them away?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to believe your words of everlasting life.
Memorial of Saint
Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church
Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, towards the end of the third century, and from his youth was pious and deeply versed in the sacred writings. While still a deacon, he was chosen by Alexander, his bishop, to go with him to the Council of Nicaea, A.D. 325. There Athanasius defended the Church against the Arian heresy, which denied the Divinity of Christ. When Alexander was dying, he recommended Athanasius to be his successor as Patriarch of Alexandria, and he served in that office for forty-six years. When the dispute over Arianism spilled over from theology to politics, Athanasius was exiled five times, and spent more than a third of his episcopate in exile. He is a biographer of Saint Anthony the Abbot, a Confessor of the faith and Doctor of the Church.
NOTE: Arianism was a heresy denying the divinity of Christ, originating with the Alexandrian priest Arius (250– 336). Arianism maintained that the Son of God was created by the Father and was therefore neither coeternal with the Father, nor consubstantial. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Saturday
2 May 2020
St
Athanasius
Acts
9:31-42. What return can I make to the Lord for all that he gives to
me? – Psalm 115(116):12-17. John 6:60-69.
Who
shall we go to? You are the Holy One of God
‘How
can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?’ Today these words have an added
layer of relevance to me and I find them easier than usual to take for my own.
This is because today is my wedding day, and so one element of the Lord’s
goodness to me is very much at the front of my mind as I marry my wonderful
bride. I pray that, by God’s grace, our marriage may be suffused by the
generosity exemplified by his servant Tabitha. May we follow her in pouring out
our new married lives for others. Equally I pray that we will be ever open to
the healing that Peter declares in our Lord’s name, that as individually and in
our union we may receive Jesus’ healing. Please pray for us today, we’ll need
it, and for all married couples.
Saint
Athanasius
Saint
of the Day for May 2
(c.
296 – May 2, 373)
 |
| San Atanasio | Maestro de San Ildefonso |
Saint
Athanasius’ Story
Athanasius
led a tumultuous but dedicated life of service to the Church. He was the great
champion of the faith against the widespread heresy of Arianism, the teaching
by Arius that Jesus was not truly divine. The vigor of his writings earned him
the title of doctor of the Church.
Born
of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt, and given a classical education,
Athanasius became secretary to Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, entered the
priesthood and was eventually named bishop himself. His predecessor, Alexander,
had been an outspoken critic of a new movement growing in the East—Arianism.
When
Athanasius assumed his role as bishop of Alexandria, he continued the fight
against Arianism. At first, it seemed that the battle would be easily won and
that Arianism would be condemned. Such, however, did not prove to be the case.
The Council of Tyre was called and for several reasons that are still unclear,
the Emperor Constantine exiled Athanasius to northern Gaul. This was to be the
first in a series of travels and exiles reminiscent of the life of Saint
Paul.
After
Constantine died, his son restored Athanasius as bishop. This lasted only a
year, however, for he was deposed once again by a coalition of Arian bishops.
Athanasius took his case to Rome, and Pope Julius I called a synod to review
the case and other related matters.
Five
times Athanasius was exiled for his defense of the doctrine of Christ’s
divinity. During one period of his life, he enjoyed 10 years of relative
peace—reading, writing, and promoting the Christian life along the lines of the
monastic ideal to which he was greatly devoted. His dogmatic and historical
writings are almost all polemic, directed against every aspect of Arianism.
Among
his ascetical writings, his Life of St. Anthony achieved
astonishing popularity and contributed greatly to the establishment of monastic
life throughout the Western Christian world.
Reflection
Athanasius
suffered many trials while he was bishop of Alexandria. He was given the grace
to remain strong against what probably seemed at times to be insurmountable
opposition. Athanasius lived his office as bishop completely. He defended the
true faith for his flock, regardless of the cost to himself. In today’s world
we are experiencing this same call to remain true to our faith, no matter what.
Lectio
Divina: John 6:60-69
Lectio
Divina
Saturday,
May 2, 2020
Easter
Time
1)
Opening prayer
Faithful
God of the covenant,
in the daily choices we have to make
give us the courage to opt always
for Your Son and His ways
and to remain close to Him.
Bless the difficult road we have sometimes to take
without seeing where it will lead us.
Keep us from making half-hearted decisions
when our faith is rather weak
and make us accept all the consequences of our choice.
Keep us always faithful
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
in the daily choices we have to make
give us the courage to opt always
for Your Son and His ways
and to remain close to Him.
Bless the difficult road we have sometimes to take
without seeing where it will lead us.
Keep us from making half-hearted decisions
when our faith is rather weak
and make us accept all the consequences of our choice.
Keep us always faithful
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2)
Gospel Reading - John 6:60-69
Many
of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, "This saying is hard;
who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring
about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if you were to see
the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives
life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit
and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." Jesus knew from
the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him.
And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father." As a result of this, many of his
disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon
Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy
One of God."
3)
Reflection
•
Today’s Gospel presents the last part of the discourse of the Bread of Life. It
is a question of the discussion of the disciples among themselves and with
Jesus (Jn 6:60-66) and of the conversation of Jesus with Simon Peter (Jn
6:67-69). The objective is to show the exigencies of faith and the need for a
serious commitment with Jesus and with His proposal. Up until this moment
everything took place in the Synagogue of Capernaum. The place of this last
part is not indicated.
•
John 6:60-63: Without the light of the Spirit these words cannot be understood.
Many disciples thought that Jesus Himself was going too far! The celebration of
the Passover was coming to an end and He was placing Himself in the most
central part of the Passover. For this reason many people separated from the
community and no longer went with Jesus. Jesus reacts and says: “It is the
Spirit that gives life; the flesh has nothing to offer”. It is here that He
describes the impossibility of faith without divine action. It is only with the
light of the Holy Spirit that it is possible to get the full sense of
everything that Jesus says (Jn 14:25-26; 16:12-13). Paul, in the Letter to the
Corinthians will say: “Written letters kill, but the Spirit gives life!” (2 Co
3:6).
•
John 6:64-66: Some of you do not believe. In His discourse, Jesus had presented
Himself as the food which satisfies hunger and thirst of all those who seek
God. In the first Exodus, they have the test at Meriba. Before hunger and
thirst in the desert, many doubted of the presence of God in their midst: “The
Lord is in our midst, yes or no?” (Ex 17:7) and they complained against Moses
(cf. Ex 17:2-3; 16:7-8). They wanted to get away from him and return to Egypt.
The disciples fall into this same temptation, they doubt of the presence of
Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Confronted with the words of Jesus to “eat
My flesh and drink My blood”, many complained like the crowds in the desert (Jn
6:60) and make the decision to break away from Jesus and with the community:
“they went away and accompanied Him no more” (Jn 6:66). The term “flesh and
blood” is also a common Old Testament reference to life and the living.
•
John 6:67-71: Confession of Peter. At the end only the twelve remain with Him.
In the face of the crisis produced by His words and His gestures, Jesus turns
toward His more intimate friends, represented there by the twelve and says: “Do
you want to go away also?” For Jesus it is not a question of having many people
following Him. Neither does He change the discourse when the message does not please.
He speaks in order to reveal the Father and not to please anyone. He prefers to
remain alone, and not be accompanied by people who are not committed to the
Father’s plan. Peter’s response is beautiful: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You
have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we have come to know that You
are the Holy One of God!” Even without understanding everything, Peter accepts
Jesus as Messiah and believes in Him. In the name of the group He professes his
faith in the broken bread and in His word. Jesus is the word and the bread
which satisfies the new people of God (Dt 8:3). In spite of all his
limitations, Peter is not like Nicodemus who wanted to see all things clearly
according to his own ideas. But among the twelve there was someone who did not
accept the proposal of Jesus. In this more intimate circle there was an enemy
(the Devil) (Jn 6:70-71) “he who shares My table takes advantage of Me” (Si
41:10; Jn 13:18).
4)
Personal questions
•
If I place myself in Peter’s place before Jesus, what response do I give
Jesus who asks me: “Do you want to go away also?”
• Today many persons no longer follow Jesus. Whose fault is it?
• Falling away can be like the crowd here. Little by little until there is nothing left. How do we see when we are falling away little by little and what can be done to prevent or reverse it?
• Which situation is worse: One who followed and then fell away, or one who never followed in the first place?
• Today many persons no longer follow Jesus. Whose fault is it?
• Falling away can be like the crowd here. Little by little until there is nothing left. How do we see when we are falling away little by little and what can be done to prevent or reverse it?
• Which situation is worse: One who followed and then fell away, or one who never followed in the first place?
5)
Concluding Prayer
Lord,
I am Your servant, I am Your servant
and my mother was Your servant;
You have undone my fetters.
I shall offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of Yahweh. (Ps 116:16-17)
and my mother was Your servant;
You have undone my fetters.
I shall offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of Yahweh. (Ps 116:16-17)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét