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.”
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.
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
Psalm98:1, 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.”
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 9, 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 the Father 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.
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.
Saturday 9 May 2020
Acts 13:44-52. All the ends of the earth have seen the
saving power of God – Psalm 97(98):1-4. John 14:7-14.
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father
Lord, I’ve been your follower for a long time. And just like
Philip, I still don’t get you! It’s hard for me to understand you when you say
these things. One minute it seems so clear and simple – and the next, so
mysterious. You are ‘in’ the Father, and the Father is ‘in’ you. So when I see
you, I see the Father. When I know you, I know the Father. When I honour your
commandments, and put them into practice in my life, I honour the Father’s will
for me and for the world. I want to know you, and I want to be known by you. I
want to accept the life you offer. I believe in you, and I accept your promise
that whatever I ask in your name, I will receive. I ask for the gift of
understanding, the grace of humility, and that in your name I might be
strengthened to live and work as your friend, and as a child of the Father,
bringing about the kingdom of God. Amen.
Saint John of Avila
Saint of the Day for May 9
(c. 1500 – May 10, 1569)
 |
| Portrait of Juan de Ávila | El Greco |
Saint John of Avila’s Story
Born in the Castile region of Spain, John was sent at the age of
14 to the University of Salamanca to study law. He later moved to Alcala, where
he studied philosophy and theology before his ordination as a diocesan priest.
After John’s parents died and left him as their sole heir to a
considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he
traveled to Seville, hoping to become a missionary in Mexico. The archbishop of
that city persuaded him to stay and spread the faith in Andalusia. During nine
years of work there, he developed a reputation as an engaging preacher, a
perceptive spiritual director, and a wise confessor.
Because John was not afraid to denounce vice in high places, he
was investigated by the Inquisition but was cleared in 1533. He later worked in
Cordoba and then in Granada, where he organized the University of Baeza, the
first of several colleges run by diocesan priests who dedicated themselves to
teaching and giving spiritual direction to young people.
He was friends with Saints Francis Borgia, Ignatius of
Loyola, John of God, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, and Teresa of
Avila. John of Avila worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and
helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John’s mystical writings
have been translated into several languages.
He was beatified in 1894, canonized in 1970, and declared a
doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012.
Reflection
Saint John of Avila knew that the lives of Christians can
contradict the Good News of Jesus Christ—for example thinking racism is
OK—implicitly encouraging Christians to live their faith-halfheartedly, and
causing obstacles to non-Christians who might accept Baptism. In 16th-century
Spain, those who advocated reforming the Church were often suspected of heresy.
Saint John of Avila held his ground and was eventually recognized as a
very reliable teacher of the Christian faith.
Lectio Divina: John 14:7-14
Lectio Divina
Saturday, May 9, 2020
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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