Daily Gospel & Reflection, Sunday, April 21, 2013

Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 13:14, 43-52, 1^st Reading

Psalm 100

Revelation 7:9, 14b-17, 2^nd Reading

John 10:27-30

Worship Song

Glory and Praise to Our God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iRqiS6fcqw

Entrance Antiphon

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia. (Psalm 33:5-6)

Opening Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God, give us new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia, alleluia. (John 10:14)

I give my sheep eternal life

27My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30The Father and I are one.”

Reflection

Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for us, knows each one of us by name, and gathers the lost even as he brings new members into the flock.

Where the flock is, there is the Shepherd. The flock may be in difficult terrain, experiencing terrible storms or be attacked by predators. Still the Good shepherd is with them. If we know of someone who is looking for the Good shepherd, invite him or her to the flock, to the Church. Here they will find restful waters and refreshment for the soul. Whether they are on a cliff or in a valley, here they will find the Lord’s rod and staff to give them courage. Here they will find the table of the Lord and the anointing of the Spirit. Here they will find the entry way to dwelling in the Lord’s house forever.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has bound himself to his flock forever. Join the flock and the Shepherd will embrace you. Embrace the Shepherd and you will join the flock. The flock and the Shepherd, the Lord and his Church are one for good!

Reflection Credits: Rev. S. Joseph Krempa, Captured Fire, excerpts

Prayer Response

Loving Father and eternal Shepherd, watch over the flock redeemed by the blood of your Son and lead us to your kingdom. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Suggested Action

Surely, there is someone you know who needs the Good Shepherd. Bring him or her into the sheepfold.

“Christianity is the spirit of Jesus at work in the world.” ~ Anonymous

Silencing

We cannot know God unless we have listened to him in the silence of our hearts. Rest in the loving arms of the Lord with an open mind and an open heart.

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Daily Gospel & Reflection, Saturday, April 20, 2013

Acts 9:31-42

Psalm 116

John 6:60-69

Worship Song

One Bread One Body – Sing Along, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6xIdDYiA9A

Entrance Antiphon

In baptism we have died with Christ, and we have risen to new life in him, because we believed in the power of God who raised him from the dead, alleluia. (Colossians 2:12)

Opening Prayer

God our Father, by the waters of baptism you give new life to the faithful. May we not succumb to the influence of evil but remain true to your gift of life. We ask this in the name of your Son.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. Alleluia, alleluia. (John 6:63c, 68c)

A Crisis of Faith

60Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But 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. 65And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 66As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. 67Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

Reflection

Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

When Jesus declares, “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world,” the Jews “murmur” in unbelief. Their revulsion is complete when Jesus speaks about his blood as true drink. Literal drinking of blood was prohibited in Judaism and perhaps in early Christianity. (Genesis 9:4; Acts 15:29) The Jews cannot go beyond the physical, and so misunderstand Jesus’ promise.

“Flesh” has to do with the incarnate life of Jesus. He, the divine Word, became flesh, a human being in its weakness and mortality. “Blood” has to do with his very real death. To be eaten and to be drunk means that the flesh is to be broken and the blood is to be spilled. Jesus now speaks of the separation of his flesh and blood in a violent death as the moment of total giving of himself. Jesus speaks of the inevitability of his death on the cross.

As a result of Jesus’ declaration, many of his disciples no longer accompany him. Jesus could have “softened” his teaching if he wanted to remain popular. But he tells the “hard” truth and challenges those who remained to make their decision about him.

To what extent do we accept the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?

Prayer Response

Within me, Lord Jesus, you dwell in mystery. Forgiven and freed, I am being transformed, day by day into your likeness, revealing your presence in the world. Lord, by your grace, keep me on the path that leads to eternal life. Let me come to you each day with arms and heart open wide.

Suggested Action

Say to yourself at least five times today: “I’ve got Jesus in me!” Write the phrase on a piece of paper and put it in your pocket.

Credits

Fr. Gil Alinsangan, SSP; Treasures New & Old, excerpts

Fr. Paul Boudreau, Between Sundays

Silencing

We cannot know God unless we have listened to him in the silence of our hearts. Rest in the loving arms of the Lord with an open mind and an open heart.

“Our happiness is greatest when we contribute to the happiness of others.” ~ Harriet Shepard

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Daily Gospel & Reflection, Friday, April 19, 2013

Acts 9:1-20

Psalm 117

John 6:52-59

Worship Song

Step By Step You Lead Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6INI7LteJZg

Entrance Antiphon

The lamb who was slain is worthy to receive strength and divinity, wisdom and power and honor, alleluia. (Revelation 5:12)

Opening Prayer

Father, by the love of your Spirit, may we who have experienced the grace of the Lord’s resurrection rise to newness of life in joy. Grant this…

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. (John 6:56)

Jesus speaks about his body and blood

52The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” 53Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Reflection

[Paul] “began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” ~ V. 20, Acts of the Apostles, 1^st Reading

Paul learned that Jesus and his Church are one.

We sometimes hear people say, “I believe in God, and I believe in Jesus, but I don’t believe in the Church.” Whenever we hear this, we want to cry out, “But there is no Jesus apart from the Church. The Jesus you’re talking about no longer exists. He died on Golgotha.”

The only Jesus there is today is the Jesus who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. He is the Jesus who lives in the body of his followers. He is the Jesus who lives on in the Church. Trying to separate Jesus from the Church is like trying to separate a person’s head from a person’s body.

How firmly do we believe Paul’s words in his Letter to the Colossians? “[Jesus] is the head of his body, the church, he is the source of the body’s life.” (Colossians 1:18)

Reflection Credits: Mark Link, SJ; Daily Homilies

Prayer Response

Loving Father, help us present the Church and Jesus as one to the world. We ask this in the name of your Son.

Suggested Action

Ananias helped Paul get into the Church. Seek out someone who has left the Church. Try to bring him back to the fellowship of your community.

Silencing

We cannot know God unless we have listened to him in the silence of our hearts. Rest in the loving arms of the Lord with an open mind and an open heart.

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Daily Gospel & Reflection, Thursday, April 18, 2013

Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 66

John 6:44-51

Worship Song

Taize – Alleluia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMQKEHG5pbU

Entrance Antiphon

Let us sing to the Lord, he has covered himself in glory! The Lord is my strength, and I praise him; he is the Savior of my life, alleluia. (Exodus 15:1-2)

Opening Prayer

Father, in this holy season we come to know the full depth of your love. You have freed us from the darkness of error and sin. Help us to cling to your truths and fidelity. We ask this in the name of your Son.

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever. Alleluia, alleluia. (John 6:51)

Jesus Promises His Flesh To Eat

44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. 45It is written in the prophets. ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; 50this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

Reflection

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” ~ Jesus in v. 51

I know a man who is dying of cancer. Recently we journeyed to a distant monastery to fulfill a last request: to visit the priest who fostered his faith and inspired him to become a Catholic. We arrived at the abbey in time for afternoon prayer, and then my friend had a long talk with the old priest whom he hadn’t seen in years. Afterward, on the way home, my friend exclaimed. “That’s it! I’ve done everything I wanted to do. It doesn’t matter what happens to me now. I could die right now and it would be okay.” As we drove in silence it occurred to me that when he does die, he probably won’t even notice it. He’s caught up in God right now and dying won’t change that. Dying for him will be like both falling asleep and waking up at the same time.

Prayer Response

Do I fear death, my God? Or is it dying, the painful pathway that leads me to death’s door, that makes me afraid? Either way, Lord, you yourself have suffered and died, so I know you will die with me in my suffering and dying. In you, death is no death. Rather, death’s door leads to life. Jesus, may I always bear in mind the memory of your death and resurrection. Your promise of eternal life sustains me.

Suggested Action

Recall a time when you were caught up in God. What were the circumstances? What has changed for you between then and now?

Credits: Fr. Paul Boudreau, Between Sundays

Silencing

We cannot know God unless we have listened to him in the silence of our hearts. Rest in the loving arms of the Lord with an open mind and an open heart.

“Christian love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will.” ~ C. S. Lewis

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Daily Gospel & Reflection, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Acts 8:1-8

Psalm 66

John 6:35-40

Worship Song

Power of your Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6vk

Entrance Antiphon

I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord, I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia. (Psalm 17:50; 21:23)

Opening Prayer

God of mercy, you have filled us with the hope of resurrection by restoring man to his original dignity. May we who relive this mystery each year come to share it in perpetual love. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

The will of the Father

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. 36But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. 37Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. 40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia. (John 3:16)

Reflection

In his outstanding book, The Great Divorce, the British theologian C. S. Lewis divides the world into two groups of people: those who say to God, “Thy will be done” and those to whom God says, “All right then, have it your own way.”

The words of Jesus in today’s gospel – and the two-fold category into which Lewis divides the world – invite me to ask: In which category of people do I often find myself with? Why?

“The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but he who does the will of God lives forever.” ~ 1 John 2:17

Reflection Credits: Fr. Mark Link, SJ, Daily Homilies

Prayer Response

Dear Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Quiet my fears. I know you love me despite my failures and shortcomings. Help me to do your will always.

Suggested Action

Talk to someone you know who is having problems living a Christian life. You don’t have to preach. Just listen to what he has to say. Share your faith experience when the opportunity presents itself.

Silencing

Block out the world. Know that God is present to you right now. Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to you.

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Daily Gospel & Reflection, Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Acts 7:51-8:1

Psalm 31

John 6:30-35

Worship Song

I Am the Bread of Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4CapSBM8UA

Entrance Antiphon

All you who fear God, both the great and the small, give praise to him! For his salvation and strength have come, the power of Christ, alleluia. (Revelation 19:5; 12:10)

Opening Prayer

Father, you open the kingdom of heaven to those born again by water and Spirit. Increase your gift of love for us. May all who have been freed from sins in baptism receive all that you have promised. We ask this…

Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Heavenly Bread

30So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

Reflection

 “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” ~ Jesus in v. 35

Jim once again found himself in front of the refrigerator, staring through the open door, his mind empty of thought. He wanted something but he didn’t know what it was. He couldn’t need food; he had just eaten dinner an hour before. Besides he was twenty pounds overweight and needed to cut back. Regardless, he grabbed some cold cuts, made a sandwich, and headed back to the TV.

Jim doesn’t know it, but the great desire in his heart, which he can feel as a kind of hunger is the call to experience the joys of God’s kingdom. He was made to know God. It’s in him to do, but he has only believed in the ways of the world, so he doesn’t really understand. All who hunger are called to the feast of the body of Christ, but we go to the fridge instead. We thirst and are invited to the water, but we drink the beverages of the world of excess. We are called to love, but we seek romantic gratification.

We need to believe that Jesus is in us, calling us.

Prayer Response

O God of beauty and goodness, everywhere I look there are things to delight my eye and cause my heart to swell. But these things are passing and are meant to reveal your hand at work in our world. Help me to understand my desires and look within for their fulfillment.

Suggested Action

The next time you get an urge to stick your head in the fridge, try sticking your nose in the Bible instead. See if it makes a difference.

Credits: Fr. Paul Boudreau, Between Sundays

Silencing

Rest in the loving arms of the Lord with an open mind and an open heart. Pray in silence for your personal intentions. You may also pray the Lord’s Prayer or some other formulary prayer.

“The effect of our sharing in the body and blood of Christ is to change us into what we receive.” ~ Pope St. Leo the Great

For the other readings today please go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/