April 15, 2015

April 15

April 15, 2015:  Wednesday, Second Week of Easter

What connections can you find
with today's Bible readings and celebration?
Legend below

Listen

  • Angels/ Amy Grant (1st reading)
Pope Francis Audience
What a gift marriage is!  “God created us in his own image… male and female”; men and women bear God's image and likeness not only as individuals, but also together.  In God’s plan, sexual differentiation is ordered to communion and procreation, not subordination, and this reciprocity brings us harmony and enrichment.
But much work remains to give women their due recognition.  The way Jesus considered women shines a powerful light on the road, one on which we've only taken a few steps, one to be travelled with creativity and audacity....
Read

    Liberation of St. Peter a la ter Brugghen [More]
  • Acts 5:17-26  The Sadducees jailed the Apostles, but an angel opened the prison doors and led them out.  They went to the temple and taught.  After the Sanhedrin sent for them, the officers returned to say, “We found the jail locked and the guards stationed, but no one inside,” then someone reported, “They're teaching at the temple.”  Then the officers brought them, but without force because they feared being stoned.
  • Ps 34:2-9  "The Lord hears the cry of the poor."  Glorify the Lord; he answered and delivered me.  Look to him and be radiant with joy; the angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.  Taste and see how good the Lord is. 
  • Jn 3:16-21  God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so everyone who believes might have life.  God sent his Son to save, not condemn, the world.  The light came, but people preferred darkness; whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so their works may be seen as done in God.
Reflect
    • Fr. Ed Benioff homily podcast:  Don't complicate things:  God loves you.  We don't deserve salvation.  Invite everyone to receive God's mercy; no sin is too great for it.  Trust Jesus completely!
    • Creighton:  God delivers believers, but we need to acknowledge our need.  The Apostles were imprisoned, and an angel released and delivered them.  "The Lord hears the cry of the poor." (psalm).  And  Jesus is the ultimate delivery!  The delivery has been made; it's up to us to accept it.
    • One Bread One Body:  You can only make a room dark by extinguishing the source of the light.  Jesus came as Light of the World, people preferring dark lifestyles extinguished him, but he rose, light shining on in darkness!  But people can still build 'darkrooms' to exclude the Light. 
      Liberación de San Pedro/ Murillo
      [more]
    • Passionist:  The word “love” is  used so often that it's lost value:  people love children, pets, good meals, and TV shows.   But it's a precious word to be used carefully.  True love is backed up with commitment and action, as God's love is backed up with the life of Jesus himself.  On fire with God’s love in their lives, Apostles suffered imprisonment, ridicule, and martyrdom for  spreading the Good News.  Ponder God’s redemptive Love in Jesus and live it out.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Love is manifested in the giver's sacrifice; true lovers give all.  God proved his love by giving us his Son.  Abraham's willing sacrifice of his son prefigured Jesus' sacrifice.  God's redemptive embraces the world, and each individual.  God can't rest till his wandering children have returned home. St. Augustine:  "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love."  God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we'll love.  If our love is guided by what's true, good, and beautiful, we'll choose God and love him above all.  What we love shows what we prefer and value....
    Dress legend
    • 'Caged lion' pin:  Cage bars look like prison bars (1st reading)
    • 'Angel' pin:  The angel of the Lord (1st reading, psalm)
    • 'Hearts' tie:  God so loved the world... (gospel)
    • Red and white shirt:  red for Holy Spirit, white for Easter season
    Posted by at

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)