Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Mass in the Morning
Lectionary: 302
Lectionary: 302
When he entered Rome, Paul was
allowed to live by himself,
with the soldier who was guarding him.
with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called
together the leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains.”
When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains.”
He remained for two full years in
his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial
Psalm11:4, 5 AND 7
R. (see
7b) The
just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 16:7, 13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will guide you to all truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will guide you to all truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple
following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies
to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
Meditation: The immensity
of what Jesus has done for us
Why
do we often compare ourselves with others? Do we envy those who seem more
fortunate than ourselves? Why did Peter question Jesus about John's future?
Jesus had predicted that Peter was to suffer and die as a martyr for his faith.
What would John's fate be? Jesus seems to indicate that John would live a long
life - in fact he outlived all the other apostles.
Jesus
says, "Follow me and you will have life in abundance"
While Peter and John were both called as disciples of Jesus, each was given a particular task and mission to fulfill. When Peter questions John's role, Jesus responds, "What is that to you? Follow me!" Peter's given task was to "shepherd the sheep of Christ," and in the end to die as a martyr for the Lord Jesus. John's role was preeminently to witness to the risen Lord Jesus and to give his testimony to the Gospel account of Jesus' identity as the divine Son of God who became a man to save us from sin, Satan, and death (John 20:31). John lived to long age and wrote the Gospel as his testimony to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While Peter and John were both called as disciples of Jesus, each was given a particular task and mission to fulfill. When Peter questions John's role, Jesus responds, "What is that to you? Follow me!" Peter's given task was to "shepherd the sheep of Christ," and in the end to die as a martyr for the Lord Jesus. John's role was preeminently to witness to the risen Lord Jesus and to give his testimony to the Gospel account of Jesus' identity as the divine Son of God who became a man to save us from sin, Satan, and death (John 20:31). John lived to long age and wrote the Gospel as his testimony to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus
does not cease to do great works of power and love through his people today
John ends his Gospel with an astonishing remark: "Human books cannot exhaust the person and work of Jesus Christ." His power is inexhaustible, his grace is limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs are innumerable, and his love is unquenchable. We can never say enough of the power, majesty and glory which belongs to Jesus Christ alone. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel message that Jesus died for us to bring us new life, freedom, love and power to live as his disciples?
John ends his Gospel with an astonishing remark: "Human books cannot exhaust the person and work of Jesus Christ." His power is inexhaustible, his grace is limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs are innumerable, and his love is unquenchable. We can never say enough of the power, majesty and glory which belongs to Jesus Christ alone. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel message that Jesus died for us to bring us new life, freedom, love and power to live as his disciples?
"May
the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our
hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be
ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our
love." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Peter
follows, John remains, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The Lord either said what he said to Peter about his
martyrdom, or he said it about the gospel of John. As regards the martyrdom and
this 'Follow me,' [he means] suffer for me, suffer what I did. Because Christ
was crucified, Peter too was crucified... while John experienced none of this.
That is what is meant by, 'It is thus that I wish him to remain.' Let him fall
asleep without wounds, without torment, and wait for me. You, Peter, 'Follow
me,' suffer what I did. That’s one way these words can be explained...
"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord’s humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5)
"As regards the Gospel of John, though, this is what I think is meant: that Peter wrote about the Lord, others too wrote; but their writing was more concerned with the Lord’s humanity... But while there is something about the divinity of Christ in Peter's letters, in John's gospel it is very much to the fore... He soared above the clouds and soared above the stars, soared above the angels, soared above every creature and arrived at the Word through which all things were made." (excerpt from Sermon 253.5.5)
SATURDAY, MAY 30, JOHN 21:20-25
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11)
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11)
KEY VERSE: "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" (v.23).
TO KNOW: Jesus warned Peter what sort of death awaited him as shepherd of the flock. He then offered Peter another opportunity to follow him (v.19). As they walked along, John, the beloved disciple, followed them. Peter wanted to know about the apostle's fate. Jesus told Peter that it was not his business to know God's plan for someone else. Peter's only concern should be following Jesus. John the evangelist concluded his Gospel by testifying to the truth he had written. Although the whole world could not contain all that might be said about Jesus, we must be content, like Peter, with those things God wishes to reveal to us. Our job is to follow the Lord with our hearts, minds and wills in step with him.
TO LOVE: In what way am I being asked to follow Jesus today?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to trust in God's plan for my life.
Saturday 30 May 2020
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31. The just will gaze on your face, O
Lord – Psalm 10(11):4-5, 7. John 21:20-25.
‘There are also many other things that Jesus did.’
John conveys the profound impact of Jesus on people: the whole
world could not contain the books that would be written about him. So amazing
was this man! He encouraged people to change and to be loving, compassionate
and just.
Paul’s life had been transformed through his encounter with
Jesus. Often his message was challenging to authority and to power, and
consequently his own life was often endangered. Nevertheless, he was grounded
and freely spoke a message of love! He continued this into his later years,
speaking to all who visited him.
How do we receive those with whom we come in contact? Those we
know and love, as well as strangers, those different from us, even those who
may wish to hurt us. How do we listen? How do we speak? How do we respond? Do
people encounter in us a love that surprises and opens them?
Saint Joan of Arc
Saint of the Day for May 30
(January 6, 1412 – May 30, 1431)
 |
| Joan of Arc listening to his voice | Léon-François Bénouville |
Saint Joan of Arc’s Story
Burned at the stake as a heretic after a politically-motivated
trial, Joan was beatified in 1909 and canonized in 1920.
Born of a fairly well-to-do peasant couple in Domremy-Greux
southeast of Paris, Joan was only 12 when she experienced a vision and heard
voices that she later identified as Saints Michael the Archangel,
Catherine of Alexandria, and Margaret of Antioch.
During the Hundred Years War, Joan led French troops against the
English and recaptured the cities of Orléans and Troyes. This enabled Charles
VII to be crowned as king in Reims in 1429. Captured near Compiegne the
following year, Joan was sold to the English and placed on trial for heresy and
witchcraft. Professors at the University of Paris supported Bishop Pierre
Cauchon of Beauvis, the judge at her trial; Cardinal Henry Beaufort of
Winchester, England, participated in the questioning of Joan in prison. In the
end, she was condemned for wearing men’s clothes. The English resented France’s
military success–to which Joan contributed.
On this day in 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in Rouen, and
her ashes were scattered in the Seine River. A second Church trial 25 years
later nullified the earlier verdict, which was reached under political
pressure.
Remembered by most people for her military exploits, Joan had a
great love for the sacraments, which strengthened her compassion toward the
poor. Popular devotion to her increased greatly in 19th-century France and
later among French soldiers during World War I. Theologian George Tavard writes
that her life “offers a perfect example of the conjunction of contemplation and
action” because her spiritual insight is that there should be a “unity of
heaven and earth.”
Joan of Arc has been the subject of many books, plays, operas
and movies.
Reflection
“Joan of Arc is like a shooting star across the landscape of
French and English history, amid the stories of the Church’s saints and into
our consciousness. Women identify with her; men admire her courage. She
challenges us in fundamental ways. Despite the fact that more than 500 years
have passed since she lived, her issues of mysticism, calling, identity, trust
and betrayal, conflict and focus are our issues still.” (Joan of Arc: God’s
Warrior, by Barbara Beckwith)
Saint Joan of Arc is the Patron Saint of:
France
Military Members
Military Members
Lectio Divina: John 21:20-25
Lectio Divina
Saturday, May 30, 2020
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
like Mary, the women and the apostles
on the day before the first Pentecost,
we are gathered in prayer.
Let the Holy Spirit descend also upon us,
that we may become enthusiastic believers
and faithful witnesses to the Person
and the good news of Jesus.
May our way of living bear witness
that Jesus is our light and life,
now and forever.
like Mary, the women and the apostles
on the day before the first Pentecost,
we are gathered in prayer.
Let the Holy Spirit descend also upon us,
that we may become enthusiastic believers
and faithful witnesses to the Person
and the good news of Jesus.
May our way of living bear witness
that Jesus is our light and life,
now and forever.
2) Gospel Reading - John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said,
"Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he
said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What
if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow
me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not
die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want
him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" It is this
disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that
his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if
these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would
contain the books that would be written.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel begins with Peter’s question: “Lord, what about
him?” Jesus begins to speak with Peter.
• John 21:20-21: Peter’s question concerning John’s destiny. At this
moment, Peter turned back and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved and
asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus had just indicated Peter’s
destiny, and now Peter wants to know from Jesus what is this other
disciple’s destiny. It is a matter of curiosity which does not deserve a proper
response from Jesus.
• John 21:22: The mysterious response of Jesus. Jesus says, “If
I want him to stay behind until I come, what does it matter to you? You are to
follow Me.” A mysterious utterance which ends again with the same affirmation
as before: Follow me! Jesus seems to want to bridle Peter’s curiosity. Just as
each one of us has his/her own history, in the same way each one of us has
his/her own way of following Jesus. Nobody is the exact copy of another person.
Each one of us should be creative in following Jesus. This also recalls the
laborers in the vineyard (Mt 20:1-15). Each of us also has our own history and
relationship with Jesus which is personal and directed by Him if we accept it.
• John 21:23: The Evangelist clarifies the meaning of Jesus’
response. Ancient tradition identifies the Beloved Disciple with the Apostle
John and says that he died when he was almost one hundred years old. Putting
together John’s old age with Jesus’ mysterious response, the Evangelist
clarifies things saying, “The rumor then went out among the brothers that this
disciple would not die. Yet, Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die,’
but, ‘ If I want him to stay behind until I come; what does that matter to
you?’” Perhaps, it is a warning to be attentive to the interpretation of the
words of Jesus and not base one’s beliefs on any rumor.
Peter’s questions, and the assumptions of the other disciples,
could be an example of the sins of pride (hyperēphania), sadness or envy
(lypē), and dejection or acedia (akēdia) in terms of the concepts of the fourth
century monk Evagrius Ponticus, among others. Rather than rejoicing at the
favorable treatment they thought John had, Peter wanted to know the details.
Then the rumors and the gossip went out.
• John 21:24: Witness of the value of the Gospel. Chapter 21 is
an added appendix when the final redaction of the Gospel was made. Chapter 20
ends with this statement: “There were many other signs that Jesus worked in the
sight of His disciples, but they are not recorded in this book. These are
recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that believing this you may have life through His name.” (Jn 20:30-31). The
Book was ready but there were many other facts about Jesus. This is why, on the
occasion of the definitive edition of the Gospel, some of these “many facts”
about Jesus were chosen and added, very probably to clarify better the new
problems at the end of the first century. We do not know who wrote the definitive
redaction with the appendix, but we know it was someone in the community who
could be trusted, because he writes, “This is the disciple who vouches for
these things and has written them down and we know that his testimony is true.”
• John 21:25: The mystery of Jesus is inexhaustible. A beautiful
thought to conclude the Gospel of John: “There was much more that Jesus did; if
it were written down in detail, I do not suppose the world itself would hold
all the books that would be written.” It seems an exaggeration, but it is the
truth. Never will anyone be capable of writing all the things that Jesus has
done and continues to do in the life of people who follow Jesus!
4) For Personal Consideration
• Is there something in your life which Jesus has done and which
could be added to this book which will never be written?
• Peter is very concerned about the other disciple rather than live his own “Follow Me” at that moment. Does this also happen to you?
• Several Church Doctors and Fathers talk about overcoming vices such as envy and pride with virtues. Many of their ways of life are an answer to “Follow Me”. How well informed are you about these and how might they be put to use personally in answering His call?
• One’s whole life is a relationship with Jesus. This is true for others as well. When there is gossip about another person, do you think Jesus says “What concern is it of yours?” at those moments too?
• Peter is very concerned about the other disciple rather than live his own “Follow Me” at that moment. Does this also happen to you?
• Several Church Doctors and Fathers talk about overcoming vices such as envy and pride with virtues. Many of their ways of life are an answer to “Follow Me”. How well informed are you about these and how might they be put to use personally in answering His call?
• One’s whole life is a relationship with Jesus. This is true for others as well. When there is gossip about another person, do you think Jesus says “What concern is it of yours?” at those moments too?
5) Concluding Prayer
Yahweh in His holy temple!
Yahweh, His throne is in heaven;
His eyes watch over the world,
His gaze scrutinizes the children of Adam. (Ps 11:4)
Yahweh, His throne is in heaven;
His eyes watch over the world,
His gaze scrutinizes the children of Adam. (Ps 11:4)
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