Seventh Saturday of Easter

"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.

Paul proclaimed the Good News to the ends of the world by announcing it in the heart of the pagan empire of Rome. In a similar way, we, too are called to give witness to the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. We are called to bring God’s Word into the world. At the end of every Mass, we are sent forth to bear the message of the Gospels to those around us. We are asked to be missionaries to our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. This isn’t an easy mission, but it is one we must perform if we wish to be a part of the Heavenly Kingdom.

In what ways are we bearing the Good News to others? How can we become better witnesses to the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Are we willing to allow God to send us forth into the world to proclaim His Divine Word?

O Lord, help us to proclaim the Kingdom of God and teach others about you.

Amen.

Sixth Saturday of Easter

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.

We should always be seeking to build up the understanding of others in whatever way we can. We can offer our thoughts, words, and works to help cultivate their faith. Sometimes those around us need a little bit of clarification about the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ and we must do our best to explain them more fully. When we see another growing in the faith, we should do everything in our power to encourage, empower, and engage them as Jesus did with his disciples. In this way, we build up the kingdom of God through supporting those who are digging deeper into the foundations of what it means to be Christians.

How can we nurture and cultivate the faith of others? What can we do to teach the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Jesus Christ? Who are the people in our lives we can help grow in the faith?

O Lord, give us the grace to help others to follow your Way.

Amen.

Second Friday of Easter

“For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

If our endeavors are of human origin, they will destroy themselves. Nothing worldly lasts forever. However, if our actions come from God, then they will succeed. They will magnify the Lord and bear good fruits. Even if we suffer greatly to do God’s Will, our blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it to see God’s Divine Plan put into action. This is why we should always seek to do God’s Will in all things. It is through Him, with Him, and in Him that we are fulfilled in this life. It is through Him, with, Him, and in Him that we find our joy. And so, we proclaim the Good News to all whom will listen because the Good News has saved us and we want it to save others and bring glory to God.

Do we place our every thought, word, and work into the hands of God? Are we willing to suffer greatly in order to do God’s Will in all things? How can we teach and proclaim Jesus Christ through our daily lives?

O Lord, we rejoice in doing your Divine Will.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr

The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, "Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life." When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.

God might not free us from a physical prison, but each and every time we go to confession He frees us from the bonds of our sins and tells us to go and spread the Good News. Our faith is not only one of forgiveness, but also responsibility, too. We seek forgiveness and do penance so we might be more faithful, hopeful, and loving. Our entire lives should proclaim the Divine Word and teach others about what it means to be Christian. Our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even strangers should all be able to tell we are Christians by our loving words and works.

How do we respond to the freedom God has given us? What can we do to bear the Gospels into the world around us? What are our lives teaching others about the Christian faith?

O Lord, give us the grace to proclaim you always and everywhere.

Amen.

Fourteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

We are all called to be laborers in the vineyard of souls. We do this best when we imitate Jesus by teaching the faith to others, proclaiming the Gospel with our words and works, and taking pity on those in most need of God’s Love and Mercy. Doing all of these things means being willing to sacrifice our time, talents, and treasures to know, love, and serve God and His children. If we are willing to do this, then we will be able to cultivate and nourish the souls of others on the Work of God and our acts of charity and mercy. We should do everything we can to improve the harvest of souls and help others bear good fruit. This is what Jesus did in his life, and it is what we are called to do in ours.

In what ways do our lives teach others about the faith, proclaim the Good News, and cure people of what troubles them? What can we do to become better laborers in the vineyard of souls? How can we help others to bear good fruits?

O Lord, we have heard your call for laborers and will help you with the harvest of souls.

Amen.

First Tuesday of Ordinary Time

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

The crowd in the synagogue recognizes that Jesus is teaching and acting with an authority they have not seen before. He is able to command unclean spirits and drive them out of the possessed. Just like Jesus, we are called to teach and act with authority. We might not be asked to be prophets or drive out demons, but we are asked to make Jesus present through our thoughts, words, and works. We are his eyes, ears, hands, and feet in this world and tasked with bringing the good news of the gospel to those in most need of it. We can do this through little and great acts of charity and mercy. In this way, we manifest God's Divine Grace to the world and make known His Love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do we recognize Jesus’ authority and listen to his gospel message? How do we make Jesus present to others through our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do to reveal Jesus’ authority to others and help bring them closer to God?

O Lord, you have taught us your gospel with authority. Help us to live it out each day.

Amen.