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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Posted on 04/04/2014 8:37:43 PM PDT by Salvation
April 5, 2014
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Reading 1 Jer 11:18-20
I knew their plot because the LORD informed me;
at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings.
Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter,
had not realized that they were hatching plots against me:
“Let us destroy the tree in its vigor;
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name will be spoken no more.”
But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,
searcher of mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause!
Responsorial Psalm Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12
R. (2a) O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
O LORD, my God, in you I take refuge;
save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,
Lest I become like the lion’s prey,
to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.
R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
Do me justice, O LORD, because I am just,
and because of the innocence that is mine.
Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,
but sustain the just,
O searcher of heart and soul, O just God.
R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
A shield before me is God,
who saves the upright of heart;
A just judge is God,
a God who punishes day by day.
R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.
Gospel Jn 7:40-53
Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said,
“This is truly the Prophet.”
Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?
Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family
and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”
So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.
Some of them even wanted to arrest him,
but no one laid hands on him.
So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees,
who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?”
The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”
So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?
Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.”
Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them,
“Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him
and finds out what he is doing?”
They answered and said to him,
“You are not from Galilee also, are you?
Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Then each went to his own house.
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. |
Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest
Optional Memorial
April 5th
St Vincent Ferrer (Griffoni Polyptych)
Francesco del Cossa
1473
Oil on panel, 153 x 60 cm
National Gallery, London
History:
Famous Dominican missionary, born at Valencia, January 23, 1350. He was descended from the younger of two brothers who were knighted for their valor in the conquest of Valencia, 1238. In 1340 Vincent's father, William Ferrer, married Constantia Miguel, whose family had likewise been ennobled during the conquest of Valencia. Vincent was their fourth child. A brother, not unknown to history, was Boniface Ferrer, General of the Carthusians, who was employed by the antipope Benedict XIII in important diplomatic missions. Vincent was educated at Valencia, and completed his philosophy at the age of fourteen. In 1367 he entered the Dominican Order, and was sent to the house of studies at Barcelona the following year. In 1370 he taught philosophy at Lerida; one of his pupils there was Pierre Fouloup, later Grand Inquisitor of Aragon.
After this Vincent carried on his apostolic work while in Pedro de Luna's suite. At Valladolid he converted a rabbi, later well known as Bishop Paul of Burgos. At Salamanca Queen Yolanda of Aragon chose him for her confessor, 1391-1395.
St. Vincent felt that he was the messenger of penance sent to prepare men for the judgment. For twenty years he traversed Western Europe preaching penance and awakening the dormant consciences of sinners by his wondrous eloquence. His austere life was but the living expression of his doctrine. The floor was his usual bed; perpetually fasting, he arose at two in the morning to chant the Office, celebrating Mass daily, afterwards preaching, sometimes three hours, and frequently working miracles. After his midday meal he would tend the sick children; at eight o'clock he prepared his sermon for the following day. He usually traveled on foot, poorly clad. He was canonized by Calixtus III at the Dominican Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Rome, 3 June, 1455.
He died at Vannes, Brittany, April 5, 1419.
(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)
Collect:
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint Vincent Ferrer
to minister by the Gospel,
grant, we pray,
that, when the Judge comes,
who Saint Vincent proclaimed on earth,
we may be among those blessed
to behold him reigning with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Gospel Reading: Luke 12:35-40
"Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."
Link to the Vatican Museum: The miracles of St Vincent Ferrer, Ercole de' Roberti, (Ferrara circa 1450 - 1496), The miracles of St Vincent Ferrer, 1473, tempera on wood.
Vatican Website, St. Vincent Ferrer- Prepared by Pontifical University Saint Thomas Aquinas
A reading from the treatise of St Vincent Ferrer On the Spiritual Life
How to preach
"In sermons and talks, use simple language and a homely conversational style to explain each particular point. As far as you can, give plenty of examples; then, whoever has committed that particular sin will have his conscience pricked, as though you were preaching to him alone. But it must be done in such a way that your words do not appear to come from a soul full of pride or scorn. Speak rather out of the depths of love and fatherly care, like a father suffering for his sinful children, as if they were gravely ill, or trapped in a deep pit, whom he is trying to draw out and set free, and look after like a mother. You must be like one who delights in their progress, and in the glory in heaven that they are hoping for.
Such a style usually has a good effect on a congregation. For, to speak of virtues and vices in general terms evokes little response from listeners.
Similarly in confession, whether you are gently comforting the timid, or more sternly putting the fear of God into the hardened sinner, you must always show the deepest love, so that the sinner always feels that your words come out of pure love. In this way, your words of sweetness and love will have a more penetrating effect.
But in your desire to be of use to the souls of your neighbours, you must first of all have recourse to God with your whole heart, and simply make this request of him. Ask him in his goodness to pour into you that love in which is the sum of all virtues, through which you may be able to achieve what you desire."
Prayer
Lord God, who sent Saint Vincent Ferrer to preach the gospel of Christ, grant that we may see the Son of Man reigning in heaven whom he proclaimed as judge of mankind. (We make our prayer) through our Lord.
Biography
Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest
Born in Valencia in Spain in the year 1350. He joined the Dominican Order and taught theology. He journeyed much as a preacher and reaped much fruit in protecting the true faith and reforming morals. He died at Vannes in France in the year 1419.
Feast Day: April 5
Born: January 23, 1350, Valencia, Kingdom of Valencia
Died: April 5, 1419, Vannes, Brittany, France
Canonized: June 3, 1455, Rome by Pope Calixtus III
Major Shrine: Vannes Cathedral
Patron of: builders, construction workers, plumbers
St. Vincent Ferrer
Feast Day: April 05
Born: 1350 :: Died: 1419
St. Vincent Ferrer was born at Valencia, in Spain. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. It made him very happy, when anyone spoke of her. Vincent was very intelligent and did well in his studies. He was also handsome, but he wasn't proud or boastful. When Vincent was seventeen, he entered the Dominican order against the wishes of his family.
First, Father Vincent taught theology (religious studies) at different colleges. Then he became a very good preacher and converted thousands of people who heard him preach and became Christians. The Dominicans are called the Order of Preachers. For twenty years, Father Vincent traveled as a missionary, preaching all over Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Granada.
Although there were no microphones in those days, his voice could be heard from a great distance. Even a well-known Jewish rabbi, Paul of Burgos, became a Catholic. Vincent later became bishop of Cartagena, Spain and Counselor to Pope Benedict XIII. He then traveled through Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy to help end the Great Schism which was keeping these countries apart because they could not agree. He was a miracle worker and had the gift of tongues.
Many Catholics were so impressed by Vincent's sermons and example of holiness that they became much better Catholics. St. Vincent depended totally on God. He also asked people for prayers and penance for the success of his sermons. He knew it was not his words or his talents that won people over. That is why he prayed before every sermon.
But one time, when he knew that a very important person was going to listen to him, he worked harder than usual on his sermon. He ran out of time to pray. This sermon which he had prepared so carefully did not affect the nobleman at all. God let that happen to teach Vincent not to count on himself.
Another time, this same important person came to listen to Father Vincent preach. But this time the priest did not know it. He prayed and counted on God, as usual. The nobleman listened to the sermon and was very impressed by what he heard. When Vincent was told, he said: "In the first sermon it was Vincent who preached. In the second sermon, it was Jesus Christ."
He also said, “If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire.” St. Vincent died in 1419 at Vannes, Brittany, in France.
| John | |||
| English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
| John 7 |
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| 40. | Of that multitude therefore, when they had heard these words of his, some said: This is the prophet indeed. | Ex illa ergo turba cum audissent hos sermones ejus, dicebant : Hic est vere propheta. | πολλοι ουν εκ του οχλου ακουσαντες τον λογον ελεγον ουτος εστιν αληθως ο προφητης |
| 41. | Others said: This is the Christ. But some said: Doth the Christ come out of Galilee? | Alii dicebant : Hic est Christus. Quidam autem dicebant : Numquid a Galilæa venit Christus ? | αλλοι ελεγον ουτος εστιν ο χριστος αλλοι ελεγον μη γαρ εκ της γαλιλαιας ο χριστος ερχεται |
| 42. | Doth not the scripture say: That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem the town where David was? | nonne Scriptura dicit : Quia ex semine David, et de Bethlehem castello, ubi erat David, venit Christus ? | ουχι η γραφη ειπεν οτι εκ του σπερματος δαυιδ και απο βηθλεεμ της κωμης οπου ην δαυιδ ο χριστος ερχεται |
| 43. | So there arose a dissension among the people because of him. | Dissensio itaque facta est in turba propter eum. | σχισμα ουν εν τω οχλω εγενετο δι αυτον |
| 44. | And some of them would have apprehended him: but no man laid hands on him. | Quidam autem ex ipsis volebant apprehendere eum : sed nemo misit super eum manus. | τινες δε ηθελον εξ αυτων πιασαι αυτον αλλ ουδεις επεβαλεν επ αυτον τας χειρας |
| 45. | The ministers therefore came to the chief priests and the Pharisees. And they said to them: Why have you not brought him? | Venerunt ergo ministri ad pontifices et pharisæos. Et dixerunt eis illi : Quare non adduxistis illum ? | ηλθον ουν οι υπηρεται προς τους αρχιερεις και φαρισαιους και ειπον αυτοις εκεινοι δια τι ουκ ηγαγετε αυτον |
| 46. | The ministers answered: Never did man speak like this man. | Responderunt ministri : Numquam sic locutus est homo, sicut hic homo. | απεκριθησαν οι υπηρεται ουδεποτε ουτως ελαλησεν ανθρωπος ως ουτος ο ανθρωπος |
| 47. | The Pharisees therefore answered them: Are you also seduced? | Responderunt ergo eis pharisæi : Numquid et vos seducti estis ? | απεκριθησαν ουν αυτοις οι φαρισαιοι μη και υμεις πεπλανησθε |
| 48. | Hath any one of the rulers believed in him, or of the Pharisees? | numquid ex principibus aliquis credidit in eum, aut ex pharisæis ? | μη τις εκ των αρχοντων επιστευσεν εις αυτον η εκ των φαρισαιων |
| 49. | But this multitude, that knoweth not the law, are accursed. | sed turba hæc, quæ non novit legem, maledicti sunt. | αλλ ο οχλος ουτος ο μη γινωσκων τον νομον επικαταρατοι εισιν |
| 50. | Nicodemus said to them, (he that came to him by night, who was one of them:) | Dixit Nicodemus ad eos, ille qui venit ad eum nocte, qui unus erat ex ipsis : | λεγει νικοδημος προς αυτους ο ελθων νυκτος προς αυτον εις ων εξ αυτων |
| 51. | Doth our law judge any man, unless it first hear him, and know what he doth? | Numquid lex nostra judicat hominem, nisi prius audierit ab ipso, et cognoverit quid faciat ? | μη ο νομος ημων κρινει τον ανθρωπον εαν μη ακουση παρ αυτου προτερον και γνω τι ποιει |
| 52. | They answered, and said to him: Art thou also a Galilean? Search the scriptures, and see, that out of Galilee a prophet riseth not. | Responderunt, et dixerunt ei : Numquid et tu Galilæus es ? scrutare Scripturas, et vide quia a Galilæa propheta non surgit. | απεκριθησαν και ειπον αυτω μη και συ εκ της γαλιλαιας ει ερευνησον και ιδε οτι προφητης εκ της γαλιλαιας ουκ εγηγερται |
| 53. | And every man returned to his own house. | Et reversi sunt unusquisque in domum suam. | και απηλθεν εκαστος εις τον οικον αυτου |
Catholic
Almanac:
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Tuesday, April 5 |
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Liturgical Color: Violet |
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Daily Readings for:April 05, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: O God, who raised up the Priest Saint Vincent Ferrer to minister by the preaching of the Gospel, grant, we pray, that, when the Judge comes, whom Saint Vincent proclaimed on earth, we may be among those blessed to behold him reigning in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
PRAYERS
o Litany of Dominican Saints and Blesseds
o Novena to St. Vincent Ferrer
LIBRARY
o St. Vincent Ferrer and the Divided Papacy | Fr. Michael Keating
· Lent: April 5th
· Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer, priest
Old Calendar: St. Vincent Ferrer, confessor
St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) was born in Valencia, Spain, and died in Vannes, Britany. He was a great scholar and became Master of Theology — he knew the entire Bible by heart. He was also a great preacher, preaching throughout Europe. Jews, infidels and heretics were converted by his sermons on the true faith. The most obdurate sinners embraced a life of holiness. The favorite topic of his sermons was the final judgment. He repeated over and over the words of the prophet, "Arise, ye dead, and come to the judgment." He is often called the "Angel of the Judgment." A renowned wonder-worker, St. Vincent cured the sick, the blind and the lame.
Vincent Ferrer
St. Vincent Ferrer's father was an Englishman, who had been knighted at the siege of the city. On February 5th, 1367, having completed his studies in philosophy, he became a Dominican. He was moved to Barcelona in the next year, and in 1370 became lecturer in philosophy at the Dominican house in Lerida. In 1373, when he returned to Barcelona to the 'Studium Arabicum et Hebraicum', he was already a famous public preacher.
In 1377 he was sent to Toulouse for further study; there he attracted the attention of the Legate of the future Avignon antipope, Cardinal Pedro de Luna, whose suite he joined, being himself a strong advocate of the claims of the Avignon popes as against those of Rome. He preached a great deal, particularly to Jews and Moors, and converted a rabbi of Valladolid, who, later became Bishop Paul of Burgos, and associated with St. Vincent in his strenuous and successful attempts to convert the Jews of Spain.
Disillusioned in his attempts to heal the schism between Rome and Avignon, St. Vincent saw a vision of our Lord standing between St. Dominic and St. Francis, commissioning him directly to go about preaching penance. He was released by Benedict XIII in November 1399 to do this, and continued his preaching and wandering throughout western Europe until his death, being followed by a crowd of penitents and flagellants which varied from 300 to 10,000. He was in Aragon when the throne became vacant and with his brother, Boniface, a Carthusian, was instrumental in choosing Ferdinand of Castille as prince.
In 1416 he withdrew his own allegiance and that of the kingdom of Aragon from Benedict XIII, because the Avignon antipope had made no serious attempt to heal the schism and had refused the request made by the council of Constance that he should resign in order to make possible a new and undisputed election to the papacy. St. Vincent's decision had the effect of deposing Benedict and of making possible an end to the schism. St. Vincent died on April 5th, 1419, at Vannes in Brittany, where his relics are venerated. He was canonized by Pope Calixtus II in 1455.
Excerpted from The Saints edited by John Coulson
Patron: Brick makers, builders construction workers, pavement workers, plumbers, tile makers.
Symbols: Dominican holding an open book while preaching; Dominican with a cardinal's hat; Dominican with wings; cardinal's hat; pulpit; trumpet; Dominican with a crucifix; Dominican preacher with a flame on his head; flame; Dominican preacher with a flame on his hand.
Things to Do:
Today's Station is at St. Nicholas in Prison. It was constructed in the ruins of two temples and the ancient Forum Olitorium, and you can see fragments from them reused in the church. The most important of the temples was the Temple og Piety, built by Acilius Glabrius, consul in 191 B.C. The dedication to St. Nicholas was made by the Greek population in the area.
Daily Readings for:April 05, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: O God, who raised up the Priest Saint Vincent Ferrer to minister by the preaching of the Gospel, grant, we pray, that, when the Judge comes, whom Saint Vincent proclaimed on earth, we may be among those blessed to behold him reigning in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
PRAYERS
o Litany of Dominican Saints and Blesseds
o Novena to St. Vincent Ferrer
LIBRARY
o St. Vincent Ferrer and the Divided Papacy | Fr. Michael Keating
· Lent: April 5th
· Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer, priest
Old Calendar: St. Vincent Ferrer, confessor
St. Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) was born in Valencia, Spain, and died in Vannes, Britany. He was a great scholar and became Master of Theology — he knew the entire Bible by heart. He was also a great preacher, preaching throughout Europe. Jews, infidels and heretics were converted by his sermons on the true faith. The most obdurate sinners embraced a life of holiness. The favorite topic of his sermons was the final judgment. He repeated over and over the words of the prophet, "Arise, ye dead, and come to the judgment." He is often called the "Angel of the Judgment." A renowned wonder-worker, St. Vincent cured the sick, the blind and the lame.
Vincent Ferrer
St. Vincent Ferrer's father was an Englishman, who had been knighted at the siege of the city. On February 5th, 1367, having completed his studies in philosophy, he became a Dominican. He was moved to Barcelona in the next year, and in 1370 became lecturer in philosophy at the Dominican house in Lerida. In 1373, when he returned to Barcelona to the 'Studium Arabicum et Hebraicum', he was already a famous public preacher.
In 1377 he was sent to Toulouse for further study; there he attracted the attention of the Legate of the future Avignon antipope, Cardinal Pedro de Luna, whose suite he joined, being himself a strong advocate of the claims of the Avignon popes as against those of Rome. He preached a great deal, particularly to Jews and Moors, and converted a rabbi of Valladolid, who, later became Bishop Paul of Burgos, and associated with St. Vincent in his strenuous and successful attempts to convert the Jews of Spain.
Disillusioned in his attempts to heal the schism between Rome and Avignon, St. Vincent saw a vision of our Lord standing between St. Dominic and St. Francis, commissioning him directly to go about preaching penance. He was released by Benedict XIII in November 1399 to do this, and continued his preaching and wandering throughout western Europe until his death, being followed by a crowd of penitents and flagellants which varied from 300 to 10,000. He was in Aragon when the throne became vacant and with his brother, Boniface, a Carthusian, was instrumental in choosing Ferdinand of Castille as prince.
In 1416 he withdrew his own allegiance and that of the kingdom of Aragon from Benedict XIII, because the Avignon antipope had made no serious attempt to heal the schism and had refused the request made by the council of Constance that he should resign in order to make possible a new and undisputed election to the papacy. St. Vincent's decision had the effect of deposing Benedict and of making possible an end to the schism. St. Vincent died on April 5th, 1419, at Vannes in Brittany, where his relics are venerated. He was canonized by Pope Calixtus II in 1455.
Excerpted from The Saints edited by John Coulson
Patron: Brick makers, builders construction workers, pavement workers, plumbers, tile makers.
Symbols: Dominican holding an open book while preaching; Dominican with a cardinal's hat; Dominican with wings; cardinal's hat; pulpit; trumpet; Dominican with a crucifix; Dominican preacher with a flame on his head; flame; Dominican preacher with a flame on his hand.
Things to Do:
Today's Station is at St. Nicholas in Prison. It was constructed in the ruins of two temples and the ancient Forum Olitorium, and you can see fragments from them reused in the church. The most important of the temples was the Temple og Piety, built by Acilius Glabrius, consul in 191 B.C. The dedication to St. Nicholas was made by the Greek population in the area.
Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest
Never before has anyone spoken like this one. (John 7:46)
While the intellectuals of Jerusalem debated and argued about who Jesus was, the Temple guards probably had the best response: “Never before has anyone spoken like this one” (John 7:46). Unlike the scholars and theological experts of their day, these worldly-wise soldiers showed a great openness to Jesus’ words about the love of God.
This contrast raises a question: how do we distinguish between knowledge that is beneficial and knowledge that is harmful? St. Paul warned his readers that knowledge by itself “inflates,” but that “love builds up.” He then went on to make a bold, and often misunderstood, statement: “If anyone supposes he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if one loves God, one is known by him” (1 Corinthians 8:2-3).
God gave us amazing minds that were meant to learn. In this sense, knowledge is valuable. Yet there is a point at which knowledge can become an idol, when we begin to treasure what we know more than we treasure the God who has helped us learn it. All true knowledge, whether it is practical, theological, or philosophical, is meant to help us love God and serve our neighbor. It’s meant to help us share his good news and build his kingdom here on earth.
The Temple guards probably knew that the Pharisees would reject their kind words about Jesus. The guards probably suspected that their decision not to arrest Jesus could land them in trouble, too. Still, they chose to disobey their orders because his words touched their hearts. Jesus’ enemies, on the other hand, were so proud of what they thought they knew about God that they cursed Jesus and persisted in trying to get rid of him.
Pride moves us to love ourselves. Humility moves us to assess our motives carefully. Pride leads us to love our thoughts and to blur the truth when it challenges us. Humility leads us to listen humbly and judge the truth on its own merit. May we always choose the humble path and not allow ourselves to become puffed up with self-love.
“Jesus, help me to be humble each and every day so that I can hear you. You speak like no one else.”
Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12
Daily Marriage Tip for April 5, 2014:
A meal is a holy thing to share. Who cooks, prepares the table, or cleans up in your family? Is one of you very nutrition conscious and the other not? It doesn’t have to be gourmet to be healthy and delicious. Who talks the most? Who leads a prayer? Share it all.
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Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
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John 7: 40-53 Some in the crowd who heard Jesus speak said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not scripture say that the Messiah will be of David´s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Then each went to his own house, Introductory Prayer: Christ, you are the most open-spirited person in history. You are open to all who sincerely seek you. So I seek you now, Lord, through this meditation. I hunger for your friendship and grace. I love you, but I long for my love to grow so I can be ever closer to you and more and more like you. Petition: Lord, open my heart to you who are truth itself. 1. The Openness and Sincerity are Convincing: Just some moments prior, Christ has spoken of himself as living water (John 7:38), and some in the crowd react much the same way as did the Samaritan woman at the well. At first they thought of him as a prophet, but now they begin to believe that he is the Messiah. “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me…” (John 6:37). Even the temple guards could not bring themselves to arrest him, so compelling were his words. Christ tells his apostles not to prepare any words in their defense when they are dragged before judges and magistrates (Cf. Mark 13:11). Living in the truth is our best preparation for communicating it in a compelling way. 2. Willful Blindness: The leaders however, as Nicodemus points out, are not even willing to encounter Christ and hear him out. Their obstinacy leads them to error: “Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” (What about Jonah and Hosea?) It also leads them to malice . They are not even willing to give Jesus the benefit of the doubt that he simply might have been delusional about his identity; instead, pushed by jealousy, they have already made up their minds to accuse him of willful deception. Do I knowingly and willingly shy away from the truth, any truth? Do I realize where this could and will lead me? 3. The Truth Will Set You Free: The truth is often difficult to swallow. In particular, the truth about Christ in relation to my life—he is my Lord, he is my Redeemer, he deserves my all––seems somehow fanatic, irrational, and unnatural in a world which values technological progress, political correctness, and looking-out-for-number-one. But Christians worthy of the name, in all centuries and in all walks of life, have discovered that believing in the person of Jesus Christ, who meant every word he said, is an experience of real freedom. It is a freedom from the dead-end world of materialism, sin and death. It is a freedom to live a life of love, truly human and divine, a love like Christ’s love for me, up to death on a Cross! Conversation with Christ: Lord, no one has ever spoken like you. You have given us your Word in the gospels. I realize that I need to have much more frequent contact with your words so as to free me from my blindness. Let my understanding of your Word never serve me as an occasion of vainglory or arrogance, rather as a tool to help others come to know you better. Resolution: I will break down a prejudice that I still harbor in my heart against some aspect of Christ’s message. |
April 5, 2014
“Doesn’t Scripture say that the Christ is a descendant of David and from Bethlehem, the city of David?” John 7:42
The Scripture speaks of signs…what to expect. Most often we take them literally. We live by labels and the dictates of society. Sadly we fail to see that life is a mystery. Things happen which we could not understand. When it does we fall back on understanding literally what was written. Have we ever thought that God is God? He does not need to explain Himself to us. “I Am Who Am.” The great “I Am” works in ways so much different from ours. We may not see it but He is true to His word. We cannot put God in a box. Neither can we do the same with life. Our faith has to transcend signs. We simply must believe that our Father is taking good care of us every microsecond of the day.
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Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.
Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.
Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life.
Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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