Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fifth Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter nine, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
Psalm Twenty-two, verses twenty-six & twenty-seven, twenty-eight, thirty, & thirty-one & thirty-two;
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our passage today is from the beautiful, evocative, and challenging fifteenth chapter of John’s Gospel. Jesus declares that he is the vine and we are the branches. He is the power and energy source in which we live. This vine and branches image is closely related, therefore, to Paul’s metaphor of the Body of Christ.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The point is that we live in him and he in us. Jesus is the source of supernatural life in us, and without him we would have none of it. If you are separated from the vine, you will die spiritually; if you are connected to it, you will live a supernatural life.
What does this mean concretely? It means a steady immersion in the prayer of the Church and steady communion with God, and speaking to him on a regular basis. It means an immersion in the Scriptures and soaking in the truth of the Bible. It means engaging in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
And you must participate in the sacraments—especially confession and the Eucharist. By the sacraments, we stay close to the Christ who forgives our sins and enlivens our spirits.
Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week Eighteen
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
G. K. Chesterton wrote, "Christianity has not been tried & found wanting; it has been found difficult & not tried." This is particularly true of Catholicism. Of all the many people I know who have rejected Catholicism, or who are critical of it, I do not know a single person who has truly explored & embraced the Catholic lifestyle. If you humbly open your heart, mind, & soul to the genius of Catholicism, you will not find it wanting.†
Otherwise, 29 April would have been the festival of Saint Díchu of Sabhall, Confessor (floruit fifth century; A.K.A. Díchu mac Trichim, Dictinus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Hugh of Cluny, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (1024-1109; A.K.A. the Great, of Semur), fifth abbot of the Abbey of Cluny: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link Abbots.
'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, T.O.S.D. (1347-1380, a.k.a. Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa), stigmatic: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duæ, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week"; Wikipedia-link Doctor & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.
'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Hanna Helena Chrzanowska, Confessor, Obl.S.B. (1902-1973): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"With Catherine of Siena & so many other 'Saints of the Cross' let us hold on tightly to our most sweet & merciful Redeemer, Whom Catherine called Christ-Love. In His pierced Heart is our hope."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
"Where do these desires to make known the secrets of Your Love come from? You alone can have taught them to me. You alone can reveal them to others."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"The power of obedience! The lake of Gennesareth had denied its fishes to Peter's nets. A whole night in vain. Then, obedient, he lowered his net again to the water & they caught 'a huge number of fish.' Believe me: the miracle is repeated each day."
—St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975, feast day: 26 June)
No comments:
Post a Comment