May 15

May 15, 2014:  Thursday, 4th week  of Easter

Readings

• Acts 13:13-25  Paul and his companions arrived at Perga, but John returned to Jerusalem.  They continued to Antioch.  One sabbath when they were invited to speak in the synagogue, Paul said, “The God of Israel chose our ancestors, led them out of Egypt, put up with them, gave them their land, provided judges, gave them Saul as king, then raised up David.  From his descendents God brought us a savior, Jesus, whom John heralded.

• Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27  "For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."  I anointed David, my servant; my faithfulness and mercy shall be with him.  He'll say, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’”

• Jn 13:16-20  Jesus told the disciples after washing their feet, “No slave is greater than his master, no messenger greater than the one who sent him....  Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Pope Francis

• Homily:  When the apostles proclaimed Jesus, they started with the history of the people; Jesus doesn't make sense without it because he's the end towards which the story goes.  Jesus has a history; he didn't fall from the sky like a superhero.  As you can't understand Christ alone, you can't understand a Christian alone; through baptism each belongs to the people of God, the Church.

A Christian is a living memory of the Church, God's people walking towards fulfillment of its promise.  A Christian has hope in the promise, follows God's path, renews the covenant, and tells God, 'Yes, I want the commandments, I want your will, I'll follow you.'  We celebrate the covenant daily in the Mass; a Christian is a person of the Eucharist. 

Ask for the graces of memory (of the journey of the people of God, and of what God has done in your own life), the grace hope (not optimism), and the grace to renew the covenant with the Lord who calls us every day; they're part of being Christian.

Reflections

• Creighton:  Eternal life is participation in God, not just after we die.  The Spirit dwells permanently in those who give themselves to God.  Paul’s homily invites us to faith and its natural response, gratitude.  Grateful people are humble, follow the giver's desire, and act on his behalf.  Eternal life is immediate, practical participation in that gratitude.  List what God has done in your life that you're grateful for.  God is in charge, eternal life is the gift we've received, and we can live forever in joy.  Set grumbling aside and rejoice.

• One Bread One Body:  Be Jesus' messenger and slave.  Act, speak, suffer, and love as he does.  Identify with Him as he does with us.

• Universalis:  St. Isidore the Farmer/Laborer (not St. Isidore of Seville, bishop and Internet patron); St. Carthage/Mochuda, bishop, monk

• Sacred Space

Music

• A new commandment/ Ward (gospel today and yesterday);

Apparel

• "Sailboats" tie:  Paul and his companions set sail for Perga and beyond (1st reading)

• "Rock" tie pin:  "You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior."  (psalm)

• "Walking person" [with feet] tie pin:  post-Jesus' washing of disciples’ feet (gospel), Church/Christians on a journey (pope homily)

• White shirt:  Easter season

More

• Check out Lisa Hendey's CatholicMom.com:  daily posts not only for moms.  (I'm not just saying this because she plugged my blog Sunday. :-)

Dress your life!