April 29, 2024 - Mem. of St. Catherine of Siena (Readings from Mon. of 5th Week of Easter)
May you continue to grow in your faith relationship with Jesus and His Abba-Father and may that growth strengthen you so that you can be a support for others in their becoming faithful followers of the Lord Jesus.
On a retreat I helped present to the Elect (those who received the Sacraments of Initiation on Holy Saturday), I referred to the fact that we know that Jesus died for us. Yet, I mentioned, that was not the end of the story. The story continues with Jesus’ resurrection. I also told the Elect that they had grown in their faith during their journey and their participation in the process known as the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). But their preparation journey to be fully initiated (that is to be baptized, confirmed, and/or receive First Eucharist) was not then end of their story. It, as the term “sacraments of initiation” implies, is only the beginning of their journey of faith within the community of believers. There is still a lot of growth, knowledge, and action still ahead of them as they journey toward the place that Jesus and His Abba have prepared for them. This is true not only for those who were recently initiated into the Church, but also for all of us. We know the story so far. And we know the end of the story, but there is still part of the story that we must live out and grow through as we continue our journey of faith.
May you continue to grow in your faith relationship with Jesus and His Abba-Father and may that growth strengthen you so that you can be a support for others in their becoming faithful followers of the Lord Jesus.
On a retreat I helped present to the Elect (those who received the Sacraments of Initiation on Holy Saturday), I referred to the fact that we know that Jesus died for us. Yet, I mentioned, that was not the end of the story. The story continues with Jesus’ resurrection. I also told the Elect that they had grown in their faith during their journey and their participation in the process known as the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). But their preparation journey to be fully initiated (that is to be baptized, confirmed, and/or receive First Eucharist) was not then end of their story. It, as the term “sacraments of initiation” implies, is only the beginning of their journey of faith within the community of believers. There is still a lot of growth, knowledge, and action still ahead of them as they journey toward the place that Jesus and His Abba have prepared for them. This is true not only for those who were recently initiated into the Church, but also for all of us. We know the story so far. And we know the end of the story, but there is still part of the story that we must live out and grow through as we continue our journey of faith.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042924.cfm
Saint Catherine of Siena: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-catherine-of-siena
Readings: Acts 14: 5-18; Psalm 115: 1-2, 3-4, 15-16; John 14: 21-26
The theme that strikes me from today’s readings comes from the psalm refrain that is: “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory.” St. Paul and St. Barnabas today both realized that the GOoD that they are doing is not to be attributed to them, as the people of Lystra wanted to do, but to the one, true GOD. In the Gospel, Jesus, although He could take glory for what He is doing, passes on the glory to His Abba-Father.
In the First Reading, St. Paul and St. Barnabas meet all types of reactions as they make their journey through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). In Iconium (modern Konya), they are rejected by both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. They journey on to Lystra where they heal a crippled man. The Gentiles in the town want to treat them like Greek gods who have come to earth. Paul and Barnabas point out that they are only instruments in the hand of the one, true GOD. They continue to preach the GOoD News that comes not from the Greek mythological gods, but from the one and only GOD. It is that GOD Who deserves all the glory and praise.
In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to speak to His disciples on the night before He dies. Jesus tells them that if they truly wish to be His followers, then they must take to heart all that He has said, especially the commandments of loving and serving one another. If they do this, Jesus and His Abba will love them and make the divine dwelling place within them. They will have GOD in them – they will be enthusiastic (en – “in”, theu – “GOD”). Jesus points out that what He has said and done has not been for His own sake, but because He is doing what His Abba wants Him to do. Jesus also promises that He will send the Holy Spirit as “the advocate” or “paraclete.” This is a legal term that means “one who is an advisor on matters.” or “one who defends.” The Holy Spirit will continue the teaching and the informing of the disciples so that they will be even more “enthusiastic” as they come to know more fully what it means to have GOD within them.
GOD has chosen to work in and through us, humans. After having shared with us the divine message – the GOoD News – GOD ask us to continue to reflect on it and then pass it on to others. As we share the GOoD News, others may mistake the GOoDness and kindness that we extend to them as being simply our gift to them, rather than what it truly is – a gift from GOD. They may try to give thanks to us. We need to re-direct the gratitude – pass it on – to the GOD to Whom it is due.
I remember going to workshops and talks by Christian speakers who have truly motivated me and others. The most “enthusiastic” of them had the ability to take the appreciation of audience and pass it on, humbly, to GOD. I remember one such speaker (Fr. Richard Rohr) who would constantly point up to heaven as the listeners showed their approval of his words by their applause. In his mannerism he would re-direct the praise where it belongs – to GOD.
Yes, we (every one of us) who believe in the GOoD News of Jesus Christ) are called to take our faith and share it with others in action and, if necessary, by words. And as people begin to accept the GOoD News and appreciate the GOoDness that flows from the GOoD News, we must rejoice with them and pass on their gratitude to the GOD Who is in us, working through us. We should truly be “enthusiastic” as we realize that GOD has made a dwelling place within us – that Jesus, His Abba, and the Holy Spirit are motivating us from within.
It is an awesome experience to sense the divine presence within us as we proclaim the GOoD News to others. We can rejoice that we are instruments of the GOD Who dwells within us. We can be pleased that we have been useful tools for bringing the GOoD News to others. That should be enough for us. All the real glory and praise must be handed on to the Master Who has instructed us, to the One Who has sent the Master, and to our Advocate Who continues to be the source of our ongoing education and protection. To GOD be all glory, praise, and honor – the GOD Who has made the divine dwelling place in us.
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, all powerful. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to announce Your GOoD News to those who need to hear it the most. You, in Your infinite wisdom, have chosen to use human instruments as the means of announcing Your love. Jesus, Your Son, the GOD-Man, is the ultimate messenger of GOoD News. We thank You for sending Him to us. You wanted the divine message to continue after Jesus returned to You in Heaven. Thus, You have empowered Jesus’ disciples to continue the ministry of GOoD News. You have sent Your Holy Spirit to be the Advocate, the Paraclete, the Advisor of all who would further the spread of Your Gospel. We thank You for making each of us Your ambassador of Glad Tidings to others. It is a joy to experience the enthusiasm that comes from Your dwelling within us, empowering us to spread the faith in which we continue to grow. May we continue to pass on the faith to others and the glory, praise, and honor to You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. As always, we make this prayer in union with Jesus, Your Son, our Master- Teacher, our Savior, Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: To God Be the Glory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrZO1PZbU4
Make Me a Servant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdL1GsBpfc8
Servant Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdmgpMfnjdU
Video of the Day: St. Catherine of Siena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQGmFo5epi8
© rjk, 12-02-22
Saint Catherine of Siena: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-catherine-of-siena
Readings: Acts 14: 5-18; Psalm 115: 1-2, 3-4, 15-16; John 14: 21-26
The theme that strikes me from today’s readings comes from the psalm refrain that is: “Not to us, O LORD, but to Your name give glory.” St. Paul and St. Barnabas today both realized that the GOoD that they are doing is not to be attributed to them, as the people of Lystra wanted to do, but to the one, true GOD. In the Gospel, Jesus, although He could take glory for what He is doing, passes on the glory to His Abba-Father.
In the First Reading, St. Paul and St. Barnabas meet all types of reactions as they make their journey through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). In Iconium (modern Konya), they are rejected by both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. They journey on to Lystra where they heal a crippled man. The Gentiles in the town want to treat them like Greek gods who have come to earth. Paul and Barnabas point out that they are only instruments in the hand of the one, true GOD. They continue to preach the GOoD News that comes not from the Greek mythological gods, but from the one and only GOD. It is that GOD Who deserves all the glory and praise.
In the Gospel today, Jesus continues to speak to His disciples on the night before He dies. Jesus tells them that if they truly wish to be His followers, then they must take to heart all that He has said, especially the commandments of loving and serving one another. If they do this, Jesus and His Abba will love them and make the divine dwelling place within them. They will have GOD in them – they will be enthusiastic (en – “in”, theu – “GOD”). Jesus points out that what He has said and done has not been for His own sake, but because He is doing what His Abba wants Him to do. Jesus also promises that He will send the Holy Spirit as “the advocate” or “paraclete.” This is a legal term that means “one who is an advisor on matters.” or “one who defends.” The Holy Spirit will continue the teaching and the informing of the disciples so that they will be even more “enthusiastic” as they come to know more fully what it means to have GOD within them.
GOD has chosen to work in and through us, humans. After having shared with us the divine message – the GOoD News – GOD ask us to continue to reflect on it and then pass it on to others. As we share the GOoD News, others may mistake the GOoDness and kindness that we extend to them as being simply our gift to them, rather than what it truly is – a gift from GOD. They may try to give thanks to us. We need to re-direct the gratitude – pass it on – to the GOD to Whom it is due.
I remember going to workshops and talks by Christian speakers who have truly motivated me and others. The most “enthusiastic” of them had the ability to take the appreciation of audience and pass it on, humbly, to GOD. I remember one such speaker (Fr. Richard Rohr) who would constantly point up to heaven as the listeners showed their approval of his words by their applause. In his mannerism he would re-direct the praise where it belongs – to GOD.
Yes, we (every one of us) who believe in the GOoD News of Jesus Christ) are called to take our faith and share it with others in action and, if necessary, by words. And as people begin to accept the GOoD News and appreciate the GOoDness that flows from the GOoD News, we must rejoice with them and pass on their gratitude to the GOD Who is in us, working through us. We should truly be “enthusiastic” as we realize that GOD has made a dwelling place within us – that Jesus, His Abba, and the Holy Spirit are motivating us from within.
It is an awesome experience to sense the divine presence within us as we proclaim the GOoD News to others. We can rejoice that we are instruments of the GOD Who dwells within us. We can be pleased that we have been useful tools for bringing the GOoD News to others. That should be enough for us. All the real glory and praise must be handed on to the Master Who has instructed us, to the One Who has sent the Master, and to our Advocate Who continues to be the source of our ongoing education and protection. To GOD be all glory, praise, and honor – the GOD Who has made the divine dwelling place in us.
- The personal question/action for today is: For what actions do we seek to receive credit and glory that rightly belongs to the Lord Jesus, His Abba, and the Holy Spirit? How can I humbly and realistically redirect others to give the glory for the GOoD that I do to the GOD Who works in and through me?
Blessed are You, LORD GOD, all powerful. Through Your GOoDness, You continue to announce Your GOoD News to those who need to hear it the most. You, in Your infinite wisdom, have chosen to use human instruments as the means of announcing Your love. Jesus, Your Son, the GOD-Man, is the ultimate messenger of GOoD News. We thank You for sending Him to us. You wanted the divine message to continue after Jesus returned to You in Heaven. Thus, You have empowered Jesus’ disciples to continue the ministry of GOoD News. You have sent Your Holy Spirit to be the Advocate, the Paraclete, the Advisor of all who would further the spread of Your Gospel. We thank You for making each of us Your ambassador of Glad Tidings to others. It is a joy to experience the enthusiasm that comes from Your dwelling within us, empowering us to spread the faith in which we continue to grow. May we continue to pass on the faith to others and the glory, praise, and honor to You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. As always, we make this prayer in union with Jesus, Your Son, our Master- Teacher, our Savior, Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: To God Be the Glory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrZO1PZbU4
Make Me a Servant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdL1GsBpfc8
Servant Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdmgpMfnjdU
Video of the Day: St. Catherine of Siena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQGmFo5epi8
© rjk, 12-02-22