Posted on 04/23/2015 7:52:27 PM PDT by Salvation
John | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
John 6 |
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52. | 6:53 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? | 6:53 Litigabant ergo Judæi ad invicem, dicentes : Quomodo potest hic nobis carnem suam dare ad manducandum ? | εμαχοντο ουν προς αλληλους οι ιουδαιοι λεγοντες πως δυναται ουτος ημιν δουναι την σαρκα φαγειν |
53. | 6:54 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. | 6:54 Dixit ergo eis Jesus : Amen, amen dico vobis : nisi manducaveritis carnem Filii hominis, et biberitis ejus sanguinem, non habebitis vitam in vobis. | ειπεν ουν αυτοις ο ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν εαν μη φαγητε την σαρκα του υιου του ανθρωπου και πιητε αυτου το αιμα ουκ εχετε ζωην εν εαυτοις |
54. | 6:55 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. | 6:55 Qui manducat meam carnem, et bibit meum sanguinem, habet vitam æternam : et ego resuscitabo eum in novissimo die. | ο τρωγων μου την σαρκα και πινων μου το αιμα εχει ζωην αιωνιον και εγω αναστησω αυτον [εν] τη εσχατη ημερα |
55. | 6:56 For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. | 6:56 Caro enim mea vere est cibus : et sanguis meus, vere est potus ; | η γαρ σαρξ μου αληθως εστιν βρωσις και το αιμα μου αληθως εστιν ποσις |
56. | 6:57 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. | 6:57 qui manducat meam carnem et bibit meum sanguinem, in me manet, et ego in illo. | ο τρωγων μου την σαρκα και πινων μου το αιμα εν εμοι μενει καγω εν αυτω |
57. | 6:58 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. | 6:58 Sicut misit me vivens Pater, et ego vivo propter Patrem : et qui manducat me, et ipse vivet propter me. | καθως απεστειλεν με ο ζων πατηρ καγω ζω δια τον πατερα και ο τρωγων με κακεινος ζησεται δι εμε |
58. | 6:59 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever. | 6:59 Hic est panis qui de cælo descendit. Non sicut manducaverunt patres vestri manna, et mortui sunt. Qui manducat hunc panem, vivet in æternum. | ουτος εστιν ο αρτος ο εκ του ουρανου καταβας ου καθως εφαγον οι πατερες υμων το μαννα και απεθανον ο τρωγων τουτον τον αρτον ζησεται εις τον αιωνα |
59. | 6:60 These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum. | 6:60 Hæc dixit in synagoga docens, in Capharnaum. | ταυτα ειπεν εν συναγωγη διδασκων εν καπερναουμ |
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen,
Priest, Religious & Martyr
Optional Memorial
April 24th
Capuchin prayer card
History:
St. Fidelis was born in 1577, at Sigmaringen, Prussia.
He was ordained a priest in 1612, and immediately afterwards was received into the Order of Friars Minor of the Capuchin Reform at Freiburg, taking the name of Fidelis. He has left an interesting memorial of his novitiate and of his spiritual development at that time in a book of spiritual exercises which he wrote for himself. This work was re-edited by Father Michael Hetzenauer, O.F.M. Cap., and republished in 1893 at Stuttgart under the title: "S. Fidelis a Sigmaringen exercitia seraphicae devotionis".
From the beginning of his apostolic career he was untiring in his efforts to convert heretics nor did he confine his efforts in this direction to the pulpit, but also used his pen. He wrote many pamphlets against Calvinism and Zwinglianism though he would never put his name to his writings. Unfortunately these publications have long been lost. Fidelis was still guardian of the community at Feldkirch when in 1621 he was appointed to undertake a mission in the country of the Grisons with the purpose of bringing back that district to the Catholic Faith. The people there had almost all gone over to Calvinism, owing partly to the ignorance of the priests and their lack of zeal. In 1614 the Bishop of Coire had requested the Capuchins to undertake missions amongst the heretics in his diocese, but it was not until 1621 that the general of the order was able to send friars there. In that year Father Ignatius of Sergamo was commissioned with several other friars to place himself at the disposal of this bishop for missionary work, and a similar commission was given to Fidelis who however still remained guardian of Feldkirche. Before setting out on this mission Fidelis was appointed by authority of the papal nuncio to reform the Benedictine monastery at Pfafers. He entered upon his new labors in the true apostolic spirit. Since he first entered the order he had constantly prayed, as he confided to a fellow-friar, for two favors: one, that he might never fall into mortal sin; the other, that he might die for the Faith. In this Spirit he now set out, ready to give his life in preaching the Faith. He took with him his crucifix, Bible, Breviary, and the book of the rule of his order; for the rest, he went in absolute poverty, trusting to Divine Providence for his daily sustenance. He arrived in Mayenfeld in time for Advent and began at once preaching and catechizing; often preaching in several places the same day. His coming aroused strong opposition and he was frequently threatened and insulted. He not only preached in the Catholic churches and in the public streets, but occasionally in the conventicles of the heretics. At Zizers one of the principal centers of his activity, he held conferences with the magistrates and chief townsmen, often far into the night. They resulted in the conversion of Rudolph de Salis, the most influential man in the town, whose public recantation was followed by many conversions.
Through the winter Fidelis labored indefatigably and with such success that the heretic preachers were seriously alarmed and set themselves to inflame the people against him by representing that his mission was political rather than religious and that he was preparing the way for the subjugation of the country by the Austrians. During the Lent of 1622 he preached with special fervor. At Easter he returned to Feldkirch to attend a chapter of the order and settle some affairs of his community. By this time the Congregation of the Propaganda had been established in Rome, and Fidelis was formally constituted by the Congregation, superior of the mission in the Grisons. He had, however, a presentiment that his laborers would shortly be brought to a close by a martyr's death. Preaching a farewell sermon at Feldkirch he said as much. On re-entering the country of the Grisons he was met everywhere with the cry: "Death to the Capuchins!" On April 24, 1622, being then at Grusch, he made his confession and afterwards celebrated Mass and preached. Then he set out for Sevis. On the way his companions noticed that he was particularly cheerful. At Sevis he entered the church and began to preach, but was interrupted by a sudden tumult both within and without the church. Several Austrian soldiers who were guarding the doors of the church were killed and Fidelis himself was struck. A Calvinist present offered to lead him to a place of security. Fidelis thanked the man but said his life was in the hands of God. 0utside the church he was surrounded by a crowd led by the preachers who offered to save his life if he would apostatize. Fidelis replied: "I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it", whereupon he was struck down. He was the first martyr of the Congregation of Propaganda.
He was beatified in 1729, and canonized in 1745. St. Fidelis is usually represented in art with a crucifix and with a wound in the head; his emblem is a bludgeon.
(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)
Collect:
O God, who were pleased to award
the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis
as, burning with love for you, he propagated the faith,
grant, we pray, through his intercession,
that, grounded in charity,
we may merit to know with him
the power of the Resurrection of Christ.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: Colossians 1:24-29
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.
Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26
"I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. The glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and Thou in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them even as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, may be with Me where I am, to behold My glory which Thou hast given Me in Thy love for Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known Thee, but I have known Thee; and these know that thou hast sent Me. I made known to them Thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
Feast Day: April 24
Born: 1577 at Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Germany
Died: 24 April 1622 at Grusch, Grisons, Switzerland
Canonized: 29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV
Major Shrine: Capuchin Convent of Weltkirchen (Feldkirch), Austria
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
Feast Day: April 24
Born: 1578 :: Died: 1622
Mark Rey was born at Sigmaringen in Germany. He studied at the well-known University of Freigburg to become a lawyer. Even as a student, he liked to visit the sick and the poor and daily spent time in prayer. When Mark, finished his studies he became a famous lawyer.
His brother George chose to become a Capuchin Franciscan priest.
As a lawyer, Mark often took on the cases of poor people who had no money to pay. He was nicknamed, "The Poor Man's Lawyer." Now, because he was very honest, Mark was shocked at the dishonesty of the law courts and gave up the law.
Instead, he gave away all his wealth to the poor and followed his brother to priesthood. When he became a priest, he took the name Fidelis, which means "faithful."
Father Fidelis was filled with joy when he was asked to go preach in Switzerland where there were many enemies of the Catholic faith. He wanted to win these people called the Calvinists and Zwinglians back to the Church. His preaching brought wonderful results and many people were converted.
Enemies of the Church grew angry at his success. St. Fidelis knew that his life was in danger, but he went right on preaching. In the middle of a sermon one day, someone shot at him, but the bullet missed.
Father Fidelis knew he had to leave town at once and he did. But as he was walking down the road to the next town, a mob of angry men stopped him. They ordered the priest to give up the Catholic faith. St. Fidelis firmly refused.
The men then attacked him with spiked clubs and crude tools. The wounded priest pulled himself up to a kneeling position. He prayed: "Lord, forgive my enemies. They do not know what they are doing. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me! Holy Mary, my Mother, help me!"
Then the men attacked him again until they were sure he was dead. St. Fidelis died a martyr in 1622 at the age of forty-four at Grusch, Grisons in Switzerland.
Friday, April 24
Liturgical Color: White
Pope Sixtus V was elected pope on this day
in 1585. He invested vast sums of money in
religious construction projects. Some of his
projects included completing the dome of St.
Peter's Basilica, the Lateran Palace and
hospices for the poor.
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1 Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze. ) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" 6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'
8 You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men."
9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! 10 For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother'; and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; 11 but you say, If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."
14 And he called the people to him again, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him." a 17 And when he had entered the house, and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."
all foods clean: An editorial comment by Mark. Since Jesus traces true defilement back to the heart (7:21), the outward distinctions between clean and unclean as defined by the Old Covenant are no longer operative or binding in the New. These ceremonial distinctions have been superseded in two ways:
(1) Ritual defilement was an external matter under the Old Covenant, whereas the New Covenant penetrates to cleanse and govern the inward life of believers (Mt 5:8; Acts 15:9).
(2) Since Mosaic food laws effectively separated Israel from the Gentiles, these dietary restrictions were set aside in the New Covenant once Jews and Gentiles were gathered together into the same covenant family.
The early Church grappled much with the issues surrounding Old Covenant dietary laws and table-fellowship in light of the gospel.
Daily Readings for:April 24, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: O God, who were pleased to award the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis as, burning with love for you, he propagated the faith, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, grounded in charity, we may merit to know with him the power of the Resurrection of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
PRAYERS
o Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)
o Prayers for the Easter Season
o Novena to St. Catherine of Siena
· Easter: April 24th
· Optional Memorial of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and martyr
Old Calendar: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest & martyr; St. Euphrasia Pelletier, foundress
St. Fidelis was born at Sigmaringen in Swabia in 1577. He practiced at first as a lawyer and so took to heart the cause of the needy that he was known as the poor man's lawyer. Then he joined the Capuchin Friars Minor and was sent by the Holy See to the Grisons in order to bring back the inhabitants of this canton from Protestantism to the Catholic faith. His great influence earned him enemies; he was murdered at Seewis on April 24, 1622.
St. Fidelis
Fidelis has been called the "protomartyr of the Capuchin Order and of the Propaganda in Rome." He was born in 1577, became a renowned lawyer. But feeling that this profession endangered the salvation of his soul, he decided to join the Capuchin Order and employ his extraordinary gift of eloquence in urging the faithful to lead holy lives and in bringing heretics back to the true faith. An ardent admirer of the founder of his Order, he was a great friend of poverty. Severe with himself, he was most considerate towards others, "embracing them like a mother does her children." When the Austrian army was stricken by plague, he cared for the spiritual and bodily needs of the soldiers in such a manner that he was honored with the title, "Father of the Fatherland."
His devotion toward the Mother of God was truly remarkable. Trusting in her intercession and that of other saints, he often begged God for the grace of sacrificing his life in vindication of the Catholic faith. The occasion came when he was appointed to lead the mission for the conversion of Grisons (in Switzerland); heroically he suffered a martyr's death and sanctified with his blood the first-fruits of martyrdom in the Capuchin Order (1622).
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Symbols: With a club set with spikes; with a whirlbat; heretics; with Saint Joseph of Leonissa; trampling on the word heresy; with an angel carrying a palm of martyrdom; the Morning Star.
Things to Do:
St. Euphrasia Pelletier
On May 2, 1940, Pope Pius XII raised to the ultimate honors of the altar a most remarkable woman, Mother Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. As the solemn Te Deum swelled in gladness through the Vatican Basilica, its joyous strains were echoed and reechoed in quiet chapels found in virtually all the large cities of the world. Almost a hundred thousand women and girls and over ten thousand white-robed Sisters, in three hundred and fifty homes of charity, rejoiced with their Mother, the new Saint. For Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier is the Foundress and first General Superior of the large Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd of Angers, and one of the great sociologists of the ages.
Rose Virginia Pelletier was born of pious parents on July 31, 1796 on the island of Noirmoutiers, during the terrible period of the French Revolution. So it was that her life began as a daughter of the suffering faith of her beloved France. Because of the suppression and expulsion of religious Orders, the education of the little girl had to be undertaken by her busy mother. At her knees Rose Virginia learned of God and His service.
In 1814 she entered the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge at Tours. After ten months as a postulant in this historic community at Tours, Rose Virginia received the habit and entered upon her life as a novice in September, 1815. For two years she remained in the novitiate, being formed to the religious life, studying and absorbing the history and work of her Order. Listening to the life of a Saint one day, she heard that he quickly attained sanctity by his perfect obedience. “Obedience, then,” reflected the young novice, “must be the best means to become holy. If only I might take the vow of obedience at once!” Sister Mary Euphrasia consulted her superiors, and was permitted to take a private vow of obedience. In 1817 she was professed, making then her first public vows.
In a few years her exceptional qualifications became so apparent to all that after having been Mistress of penitents, she was elected Superior of the house. A project which had been in her mind for a long time was then made a reality. She had found in many of the penitents a real attraction for the religious life, with no desire to return to the world after their conversion. Where could they go? It was very difficult, virtually impossible, to find a congregation suitable for them or willing to accept them. So Mother Euphrasia inaugurated a community called the Magdalene Sisters. She adapted the rule of Saint Teresa, drew up a set of Constitutions, and erected the first community of Magdalenes in the house at Tours. One of the greatest consolations Mother Euphrasia enjoyed in life was the sanctity attained by so many of these religious, bound by vows to a life of prayer and penance.
During the thirty years she was Superior General, Mother Euphrasia sent out her Sisters from their mother house at Angers to found one hundred and ten houses in every land beneath the sun — Sisters inflamed with her own zeal, trained at her hands. She died at Angers in her seventy-second year, having welcomed death with the faith and serenity which marked her entire life.
Patron: travellers.
Things to Do:
Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr
Steadfast is his kindness toward us. (Psalm 117:2)
“Alleluia” resounds during this joyful season. Christ is risen from the dead! That’s good news, right? Do you know—really know—what the good news is? It’s not just that the Jews conspired with the Romans to crucify Jesus, yet he rose from the dead. It’s not just that we’re sinners, and Jesus saved us. No, it’s that while we were sinners, God loved us. That’s good news! No sin, no failing, no weakness ever has disqualified you from being the object of God’s love.
Even though we fall short of the glory of God, his love isn’t dependent on how well we respond to him. He loves us because he created us. Period. He loves everything that exists. He hates nothing that he has made. He wouldn’t create anything he hates, would he? This is good news indeed. When we let his love touch our lives, it melts our hearts and overtakes us. We want to shout it out: God loves us—always and forever!
Today’s Scripture readings reveal the depths of God’s love. He loves us when we’re breathing murderous threats, as Saul did. He loves us when we’re blindly trying to respond to his word, as Saul was. He loves us when we say, “Here I am, Lord” and also when we disagree with him or try to tell him his business, as Ananias did. He loves us when we quarrel and oppose and find fault with his ways, as the Jews in today’s Gospel did. And he loves us when we just plain don’t understand, or fail to respond, or react incorrectly, as some of Jesus’ disciples did.
God loves us all the time. Nothing can change that. This is news that everyone needs to hear. You can’t earn God’s love; he’s already given it freely. No one who wants to know it is beyond its reach. When you call to him, when you seek his presence, he will hear you. When you seek him with all your heart, you will find him, and he will lavish his love on you. He has nothing but steadfast kindness for us. His faithfulness endures forever.
“Father, steady me in your love today. Hold me upright in it. Reassure me of it when I’ve fallen short, and strengthen me in it where I am weak.”
Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59
Daily Marriage Tip for April 24, 2015:
As you and your spouse improve your conflict resolution skills, it sets the tone for the next generation. If you have children, dont hide your minor conflicts from them. Let them see that you can disagree, work it out, and then reconcile.
Seeking to Have Your Heart Filled | ||
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April 24, 2015. Friday of the Third Week of Easter
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John 6: 52-59 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?" Jesus 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. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just 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. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you are present here and now as I turn to you in prayer. I trust and have confidence in your desire to give me every grace I need to receive today. Thank you for your love, thank you for your immense generosity toward me. I give you my life and my love in return. Petition: Lord, help me to face challenges and continue to follow you in faith. 1. What is it I Truly Seek? On the preceding day Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the multitude. The Jews realize there is something special here, that Jesus may be the Messiah, or at least a prophet. They are curious enough to continue following him and asking him questions. They have liked everything he has said up till now. Some of it they have not understood completely or correctly, but it has been close enough to what they are used to hearing that it causes them no great difficulty. They continue to ask questions, looking for understanding, especially understanding they can be comfortable with. What is my attitude when I question Our Lord about events and challenges in my life? Am I seeking to understand so I can embrace God’s plan better, or does my response depend on how much I comprehend? 2. Opening Our Horizons: Now Jesus has said something truly shocking. He wants them to eat his flesh and drink his blood! Up to this point, most of the crowd has been willing to accept him as a bread-provider. He fed them yesterday. Maybe, if they hang around long enough, he will do it again. Their ideas about the Messiah are too materialistic, based only on the re-establishment of David’s Kingdom at the expense of the Romans. Jesus, on the other hand, wants to take them to a new level. He wants to take them into the mystery of the loving generosity of God. As good as the manna in the wilderness was, he wants to give something much better. As wonderful as David’s Kingdom was, he wants to give a greater kingdom. This is so far beyond what they are looking for, they will not be able to understand what he is offering. It will have to be accepted in faith. 3. Great Gifts Come in Small Packages: We can understand many things, even many spiritual things. In his goodness, God has given us intelligence so that we can understand some of the truths about him. But these simpler truths don’t reveal the full glory of God. They are not as fulfilling as some of the more important truths about him. Jesus wants to give his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. He reveals this to the crowds, and since they lack faith, they don’t understand. Some straggle off to find another “wonder-worker”. Others, looking for understanding, go off to look for a “teacher” who makes sense to them. Hopefully, some are looking for the revelation of the mysteries of God, the greatest gifts that God can offer. They are not looking to fill their stomachs or their minds. They are looking to fill their hearts. These are the kinds of gifts that Jesus intends to give – and in abundance. Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, so often I am looking for material gifts from you. Help me to realize that the greatest gifts you give may be beyond my understanding. Yet, if I am willing to accept them on faith, they will fill my heart. Perhaps with time, it will be possible for me to understand something of them as well, but greatness of faith lies in my trusting in you. Resolution: What spiritual gift I am most in need of? Faith? Charity? Humility? Something else? Today I will set aside some time to ask God in prayer to grant me that gift. |
April 24, 2015
Everything on earth has a time limit, an expiry date. There is no eternal warranty nor guarantee on things of this world. Nothing is forever. Therefore, even the best preserved food eventually spoils; the most durable car eventually breaks down; the best computer gets obsolete; the most advanced cell phone goes out of fashion; our clothes will get worn out. Last of all, our bodies will start aging and joints start aching. And then we realize painfully that even our bodies have an expiry date. We are limited human beings.
It is for this reason that Christ offers us bread that will last forever. Do we want to live forever? It is now possible with the bread that Jesus offers us. He gives us part of himself, which is eternal!
God can share his divine nature with us through his Son Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus came into our midst – to clothe us with this eternity. This is the gift of our Baptism and is constantly renewed in every Eucharist when we partake of the body and blood of our Lord in the form of bread and wine offered to us.
Our life has no direction, no meaning if we do not include God in the picture. It is Christ who runs the engines of our lives, helping us to discover the reason why God has put us on this earth.
Let us remember that material things do not last, nor will they give us real happiness. Therefore, let us not put nor stake our lives on material things. The world cannot give us much consolation nor salvation. It may entertain us for brief moments, but in crucial moments, it will abandon us.
Christ instead looks for us, runs after us, cares for us. Let us welcome him instead. Let us accept his offer to eat his bread and drink his blood so that we may forever experience his unfailing love.
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Will you please pray to end abortion so that babies like me might live?
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