April 20, 2015

April 20

April 20, 2015:  Monday, Third Week of Easter

  • 'Owl' tie pin:  Stephen spoke with wisdom... (1st reading)
  • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  ...and the Spirit; (1st reading)
  • 'Angel' pin:  his face was like an angel's (1st reading)
  • 'Boat' tie bar:  Jesus hadn't gone along in the boat (gospel)
  • 'Wheat' pin:  Bread of Life discourse (gospels 4/20-4/24)
  • Tie with food:  You ate and were filled (gospel)
  • White shirt (and socks) for today and Easter season
Listen

Pope Francis Regina Cœli
The Church has the task of continuing during our time the mission of being witnesses with words and actions, that Jesus is risen and present among us.  The contents of our witness is not a theory or ideology but a message of salvation, a concrete event, a person:  the risen Christ.
Christ can be witnessed by those who have had a personal experience of him in prayer and in the Church through the sacraments and continual return to confession.  Let your witness shine through by living the Gospel joyously, courageously, mildly, peacefully, and with mercy.  How can anyone relying on commodity, vanity, and egoism communicate the risen Christ and his liberating power and infinite tenderness?
Read
  • Acts 6:8-15  Stephen was working wonders and signs.  People debated with him but couldn't withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke.  They falsely accused him, stirred up the people, elders, and scribes, brought him before the Sanhedrin, and false witnesses testified.  All saw his face was like an angel's.
  • Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30  "Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!"  Your decrees are my delight, my counselors.  You answered me; teach me your statutes.  I've chosen the way of truth.
  • Jn 6:22-29  After Jesus had fed the 5,000, the crowd found him and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”  Jesus:  “You look for me because you ate the loaves and were filled.  Work for the food that endures for eternal life, that the Son will give you.” / “How can we do God's works?” / “Believe in the one he sent.”
Reflect

    • Fr. Chris Bazyouros homily podcast:  God's word satisfies.  Passion for Good News filled Stephen, whose angel face terrified the Sanhedrin.  Study and follow God's word to get that passion.
    • Creighton:  I hope those in authority will judge fairly, not out of fear of new possibilities.  We must grow in our understanding of how our faith should guide us.  "Don't work for perishable food but for the food that endures for eternal life.”  We're called to live as people filled with grace and power like Stephen, daily asking, “What would Jesus do?”
    • Passionist:  When the crowd found Jesus after the 5,000 were fed, they asked how they can do God's work; he said it's believing in the one he sent.  Stephen did (1st reading) and would pay the ultimate price.  Belief in Jesus changes our perception of and responses to the world:  trust in God, compassion, forgiveness, hope, love....  May we believe in Jesus and be witnesses of our belief.
    • DailyScripture.net:  After Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, he addressed the issue of deep hunger with the crowd.  "Why spend your money for what isn't bread, and your labor for what doesn't satisfy?"  Only God can satisfy our heart and soul's hunger for truth, life, and love.  Jesus:  to do God's works, believe in the Son, who offers a new relationship with God leading to a life of love, service, forgiveness, holiness, purity, obedience, and trust; Jesus calls us to this and enables us to do it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
      •  Marcellinus (bishop), Vincent and Domninus, all missionaries from Africa to Gaul/France 

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