April 14, 2018

April 14

April 14, 2018:  Saturday, 2nd week, Easter
  • 'Silverware' tie bar:  "It's not right for us to neglect God's word to serve at table" (1st reading)
  • 'Dove' and 'owl' pins:  "Select men filled with the Spirit and wisdom" (1st reading)
  • 'Hands' pin:  The apostles prayed, laying hands on the chosen men (1st reading)
  • 'Guitar' (stringed instrument) shirt:  Give thanks to the Lord on harp and lyre (psalm)
  • 'Scales' pin:  The Lord loves justice (psalm)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord's eyes are on those who fear him and hope in him (psalm)
  • 'Boat' tie bar:  Jesus' disciples embarked in a boat... (gospel)
  • 'Walker' pin:  They saw Jesus walking on the sea (gospel)
  • White socks:  Easter season
Listen

For Psalm 33
Pope Francis Gaudete et exsultate nugget

Your mission is a path of holiness, God's will, your sanctification; God planned it to embody an aspect of the Gospel.
It has its fullest meaning in, and can only be understood through, Christ.  Holiness is experiencing, in union with him, the mysteries of his life, uniting yourself to his death and resurrection, constantly dying and rising with him, and reproducing aspects of his earthly life: hidden life, life in community, closeness to outcasts, poverty, self-sacrificing love.  The contemplation of these mysteries leads us to enflesh them in our choices and attitudes (SpEx 102-312).  Because everything in Jesus’ life was a sign of his mystery, his life is a revelation of the Father, a mystery of redemption and recapitulation; he enables us to live what he lived, and he lives it in us.
Christ loves in us; holiness is charity lived to the full, measured by the extent that we model our life on his.  Every saint is a message the Spirit takes from the riches of Christ and gives to his people.  Not everything saints say or do is completely faithful to the Gospel or perfect; contemplate the totality of their journey of growth in holiness, the reflection of Christ emerging from it.
See your whole life as a mission.  Listen to God and recognize the signs he gives you.  Ask the Spirit what Jesus expects from you now, and discern its place in your mission.  Let the Spirit forge in you the mystery that reflects Christ.  May you come to realize the message God wants to speak by your life, and be transformed, renewed by the Spirit. If you stay open to grace, the Lord will bring your mission to fulfillment despite your mistakes. [19-24]
Read

  • Acts 6:1-7  “Brothers, select 7 filled with the Spirit and wisdom for us to appoint to distribute food.”  They chose them; the Apostles prayed and laid hands on them.  The word of God spread and the community kept growing.
  • Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19  "Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."  Exult in the Lord; his word is upright and works trustworthy.  The Lord sees, delivers, and preserves those who fear and hope in him.
  • Jn 6:16-21  The disciples embarked in a boat and went across the sea stirred up by a strong wind.  They saw Jesus walking on the sea coming near:  “Don't be afraid.”  The boat immediately arrived at their destination.
Reflect
    Christ at the Sea of Galilee/ Tintorello
  • Creighton:  Jesus' disciples were facing a strong storm and also seing someone walking on the sea and approaching.  Wouldn't you be afraid too?  Once Jesus spoke, I believe their fear dissipated and they felt peace springing from their trust in and love for him.  God loves and protects us too as we navigate the storms of our lives.  When our boats are tossed, may we recognize our fears, lean into God’s love, let the Lord be our anchor, and open ourselves to peace and new life.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Boat people":  If you want Jesus to come into the boat of your life, give him your life and carry his cross daily.  The yoke of his cross is surprisingly easy.  When we invite Jesus into the boat, we and the world change....
    St. Peter ordains Stephen deacon/ Fra Angelico
  • Passionist:  Fra Angelico painted a famous fresco of the consecrating of the first seven deacons (Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas), occasioned by the need to enlist others to serve the needy while the apostles focused on the ministry of the word.  Thank God for today's good, wise, reputable deacons!
How often I need to take in Jesus' words, “It is I; don't be afraid,” and let them dispel my fear and anxiety, in today's political chaos, violence, grief....  If we recognize the Lord, shed our fear, and respond with resurrection courage, we can change these things....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "It is I; don't be afraid":  John described the situation of the apostles alone at sea in a storm as "dark."  These experienced fishermen feared for their lives, and the Lord's appearance and water-walking likely heightened their fear.  We can be like them in our moments of darkness, fear, and trial.  The Lord is present even if he seems distant; he'll "bring us to our desired haven" and place of rest.  The Lord keeps watch over us, especially in our moments of difficulty.  Do you rely on him for strength and help?   Do I respond to trials with faith and hope?
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