Wednesday, June 01, 2011 {St. Justin, Martyr (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 17:15, 22 -- 18:1
15     Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
22     So Paul, standing in the middle of the Are-op'agus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23     For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, `To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24     The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man,
25     nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything.
26     And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation,
27     that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us,
28     for `In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, `For we are indeed his offspring.'
29     Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man.
30     The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent,
31     because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead."
32     Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We will hear you again about this."
33     So Paul went out from among them.
34     But some men joined him and believed, among them Dionys'ius the Are-op'agite and a woman named Dam'aris and others with them.
Acts 18:1
After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.

Psalms: Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14
1     Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights!
2     Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!
11     Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12     Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
13     Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14     He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!

Gospel: John 16:12-15
12     "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13     When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14     He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
15     All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.


REFLECTION OF THE DAY

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.

-- Byzantine Liturgy, Troparion, Feast of the Dormition, August 15th

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 {The Visitation of the Virgin Mary (Feast)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16
Zephaniah 3:14-18
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing
18 as on a day of festival. "I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.

OR
Romans 12:9-16
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.

Psalms: Isaiah 12:2-6
2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name; make known his deeds among the nations, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
The Christian must keep in mind that the value of his good works depends on the love that motivates him to perform them for God. Those works are most perfect when wrought in the most sincere love of God, and with the least regard to present or future self-interest, joy, and sweetness, consolation and praise.

-- St. John of the Cross

Monday, May 30, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 16:11-15
11 Setting sail therefore from Tro'as, we made a direct voyage to Sam'othrace, and the following day to Ne-ap'olis,
12 and from there to Philip'pi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedo'nia, and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days;
13 and on the sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyati'ra, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

Psalms: Psalm 149:1-6, 9
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!

Gospel: John 15:26 -- 16:1-4
26 But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me;
27 and you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:1-4
1 "I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away.
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
As Scripture says, "Those who instruct many in justice will shine as stars for all eternity." They will attain this more easily if they make a covenant of perpetual obedience and strive to cling to Christ and please him alone, because, in his words, "What you did to one of the least of my brethren, you did to me."

-- Saint Joseph Calasanz

Sunday, May 29, 2011 (Sixth Sunday of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
5     Philip went down to a city of Sama'ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6     And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.
7     For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
8     So there was much joy in that city.
14     Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama'ria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
15     who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16     for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17     Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Psalms: Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
1     Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3     Say to God, "How terrible are thy deeds! So great is thy power that thy enemies cringe before thee.
4     All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name." [Selah]
5     Come and see what God has done: he is terrible in his deeds among men.
6     He turned the sea into dry land; men passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,
7     who rules by his might for ever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations -- let not the rebellious exalt themselves. [Selah]
16     Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.
20     Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
15     but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;
16     and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17     For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.
18     For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit;

Gospel: John 14:15-21
15     "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
16     And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever,
17     even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.
18     "I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.
19     Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also.
20     In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21     He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
To be able to discover the actual will of the Lord in our lives always involves the following: 
1. a receptive listening to the Word of God and the Church;
2. fervent and constant prayer, recourse to a wise spiritual guide; 
3. and a faithful discernment of the gifts and talents given by God, as well as the diverse social and historic situations in which one lives.
-- Pope John Paul ll

Happy Sunday ya all

Saturday, May 28, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS F0R THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 16:1-10
1     And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek.
2     He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Ico'nium.
3     Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4     As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
5     So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6     And they went through the region of Phry'gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7     And when they had come opposite My'sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn'ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them;
8     so, passing by My'sia, they went down to Tro'as.
9     And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo'nia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedo'nia and help us."
10     And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo'nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Psalm: Psalm 100:1-3, 5
1     Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!
2     Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3     Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
5     For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Gospel: John 15: 18 - 21
18     "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19     If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20     Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
21     But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.
   
REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Prayer is the bulwark of chastity.

-- St. Gregory the Great

Friday, May 27, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 15:22-31
22     Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab'bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren,
23     with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili'cia, greeting.
24     Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
25     it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26     men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27     We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28     For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29     that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
30     So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
31     And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation.

Psalms: Psalm 57:8-10, 12
8     Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
9     I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to thee among the nations.
10     For thy steadfast love is great to the heavens, thy faithfulness to the clouds.

Gospel: John 15:12-17
12     "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13     Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14     You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15     No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16     You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17     This I command you, to love one another.    

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.

-- St. Paul of the Cross

Thursday, May 26, 2011 {St. Philip Neri, Priest (Memorial)}

READINGS OF THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 15:7-21
7     And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8     And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us;
9     and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.
10     Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11     But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
12     And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13     After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me.
14     Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15     And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,
16     `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up,
17     that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
18     says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.'
19     Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
20     but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood.
21     For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Psalms: Psalm 96:1-3, 10
1     O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2     Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3     Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
10     Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Gospel: John 15:9-11
9     As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
10     If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11     These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.    


REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
I leave you the spirit of liberty - not that which excludes obedience, for that is the liberty of the flesh; but that which excludes restraint, scruple, and worry.

-- St. Francis De Sales

Wednesday, May 25, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 15:1-6
1     But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
2     And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
3     So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni'cia and Sama'ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren.
4     When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
5     But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses."
6     The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Psalms: Psalm 122:1-5
1     I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2     Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3     Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
4     to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5     There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Gospel: John 15:1-8
1     "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2     Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3     You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you.
4     Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5     I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6     If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.
7     If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
8     By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
He who fights even the smallest distractions faithfully when he says even the very smallest prayer, will also be faithful in great things.

-- St. Louis de Montfort

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 {Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Feast)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Revelation 21:1-5
1     Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2     And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;
3     and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them;
4     he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
5     And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Psalms: Psalm 95:1-7
1     O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2     Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
3     For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4     In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
5     The sea is his, for he made it; for his hands formed the dry land.
6     O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
7     For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would hearken to his voice!

Gospel: John 10:22-30
22     It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem;
23     it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
24     So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25     Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me;
26     but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
27     My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
28     and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29     My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30     I and the Father are one."

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
God will not hear our prayers unless we acknowledge ourselves to be sinners. We do this when we ponder on our own sins alone, and not on those of our neighbor.

-- St. Moses the Ethiopian

Monday, May 23, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 14:5-18
5     When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them,
6     they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycao'nia, and to the surrounding country;
7     and there they preached the gospel.
8     Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked.
9     He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
10     said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and walked.
11     And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycao'nian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
12     Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes.
13     And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.
14     But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying,
15     "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
16     In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways;
17     yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."
18     With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Psalms: Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16
1     Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness!
2     Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3     Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4     Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
15     May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!
16     The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.

Gospel: John 14:21-26
21     He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
22     Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"
23     Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
24     He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
25     "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.
26     But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.   

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
I turn to you, dear parents, and implore you to imitate the Holy Family of Nazareth.

-- St. John Vianney

Sunday, May 22, 2011 (Fifth Sunday of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
1     Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
2     And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
3     Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.
4     But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
5     And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch.
6     These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
7     And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Psalms: Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1     Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2     Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
4     For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5     He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18     Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19     that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
4     Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious;
5     and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6     For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
7     To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,"
8     and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9     But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Gospel: John 14:1-12
1     "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.
2     In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3     And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
4     And you know the way where I am going."
5     Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
6     Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
7     If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."
8     Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."
9     Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
10     Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11     Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
12     "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
There are three things, my brethren, by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer, mercy and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other. Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others you open God's ear to yourself.

-- Saint Peter Chrysologus

Saturday, May 21, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 13:44-52
44     The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God.
45     But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him.
46     And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47     For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'"
48     And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49     And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region.
50     But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
51     But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Ico'nium.
52     And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Psalms: Psalm 98:1-4
1     O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2     The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3     He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4     Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Gospel: John 14:7-14
7     If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."
8     Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."
9     Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
10     Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11     Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
12     "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.
13     Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;
14     if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Courage, my sons, Don't you see that we are leaving on a mission? They pay our fare in the bargain. What a piece of good luck! The thing to do now is to pray well in order to win as many souls as possible. Let us, then, tell the Blessed Virgin that we are content, and that she can do with us anything she wishes. -

-- St. Maximilian Kolbe

Friday, May 20, 2011 {St. Bernadine of Siena, OFM Priest (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 13:26-33
26     "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
27     For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him.
28     Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed.
29     And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
30     But God raised him from the dead;
31     and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
32     And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,
33     this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, `Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.'

Psalms: Psalm 2:6-11
6     "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."
7     I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you.
8     Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
9     You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
10     Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11     Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling

Gospel: John 14:1-6
1     "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.
2     In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3     And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
4     And you know the way where I am going."
5     Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
6     Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
O Sacred Heart of Jesus! Living and life-giving Fountain of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, glowing furnace of Love! You are my refuge and my sanctuary. Oh my adorable and lovely Savior, consume my heart with that burning fire with which You are inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your Love, and let my heart be so united with Yours, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things conformed to Yours. May Your Will be the rule alike of my desires and all my actions. Amen

-- St. Gertrude the Great

Thursday, May 19, 2011 {St. Crispin of Viterbo, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 13:13-25
13     Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphyl'ia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem;
14     but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisid'ia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
15     After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."
16     So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.
17     The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
18     And for about forty years he bore with them in the wilderness.
19     And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years.
20     And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21     Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22     And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, `I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'
23     Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
24     Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25     And as John was finishing his course, he said, `What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

Psalms: Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27
2     For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3     Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
21     so that my hand shall ever abide with him, my arm also shall strengthen him.
22     The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
25     I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
27     And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.

Gospel: John 13:16-20
16     Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17     If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18     I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'
19     I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
20     Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Let us relieve the poverty of those that beg of us and let us not be over-exact about it.

-- St. John Chrysostom

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 {St. Felix Porri of Cantalice, Capuchin, Religious (Feast)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 2:44-47 or Colossians 3:12-17
Acts 2:44-47
44     And all who believed were together and had all things in common;
45     and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.
46     And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts,
47     praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
OR
Colossians 3:12-17
12     Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
13     forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14     And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15     And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
16     Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17     And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Psalms: Psalm 131:1-3
1     O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
2     But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.
3     O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

Gospel: Luke 12:22-31
22     And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on.
23     For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24     Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25     And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life?
26     If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
27     Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28     But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O men of little faith!
29     And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind.
30     For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them.
31     Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well.

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
When anyone reposes all his confidence in God, God continually exercises a special protection over him, and in this state of things he can be assured that no evil will happen to him.

-- St. Vincent de Paul

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 {St. Paschal Baylon, OFM, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 11:19-26
19     Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoeni'cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.
20     But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre'ne, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21     And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.
22     News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23     When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;
24     for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.
25     So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
26     and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

Psalms: Psalm 87:1-7
1     On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2     the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3     Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [Selah]
4     Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -- "This one was born there," they say.
5     And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6     The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." [Selah]
7     Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."

Gospel: John 10:22-30   
22     It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem;
23     it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
24     So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25     Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me;
26     but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
27     My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
28     and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29     My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30     I and the Father are one."

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he of whom you are speaking is your brother, and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness.

-- St. Thomas of Villanova

Monday, May 16, 2011 {St. Margaret of Cortona, III Order (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
1      Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
2     So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him,
3     saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?"
4     But Peter began and explained to them in order:
5     "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me.
6     Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.
7     And I heard a voice saying to me, `Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'
8     But I said, `No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
9     But the voice answered a second time from heaven, `What God has cleansed you must not call common.'
10     This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.
11     At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesare'a.
12     And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
13     And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter;
14     he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'
15     As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
16     And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, `John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
17     If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
18     When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, "Then

Psalms: Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
2      My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
3     My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, "Where is your God?"
43:3-4
 
Gospel: John 10:1-10 or 10:11-18*
John 10:1-10
1      "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber;
2     but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3     To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4     When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5     A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
6     This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7     So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8     All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.
9     I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10     The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.   

OR
John 10:11-18*
 11 “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.
12 When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. 14-15 I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them.
(10.15: Mt 11.27; Lk 10.22)
16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become
10.16 they will become; some manuscripts have there will be.
one flock with one shepherd.
17 “The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free


REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
If we say less than we should, it is easy to add. But having said too much, it is hard to take it away.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Sunday, May 15, 2011 (Fourth Sunday of Easter)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading:Acts 2:14, 36-41
14      But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
36     Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37     Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
38     And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39     For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him."
40     And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
41     So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Psalms: Psalm 23:1-6
1      The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2     he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3     he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4     Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5     Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6     Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
20      For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval.
21     For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22     He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.
23     When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly.
24     He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25     For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Gospel: John 10:1-10
1      "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber;
2     but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3     To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4     When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
5     A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
6     This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7     So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8     All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.
9     I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10     The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.    

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
Yes, my dear bretheren, we shall see at the Judgement that the largest section of Christians practiced a religion of whim or caprice only---that is to say, the greatest number of them practiced their religion merely from motives of routine, and very few sought God alone in what they did.

-- St. John Vianney

Saturday, May 14, 2011 {St. Matthias, Apostle (Feast)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
15      In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16     "Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17     For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.
20     For it is written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it'; and `His office let another take.'
21     So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22     beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us -- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."
23     And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab'bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi'as.
24     And they prayed and said, "Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen
25     to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place."
26     And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi'as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.

Psalms: Psalm 113:1-8
1      Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
2     Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore!
3     From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4     The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!
5     Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
6     who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth?
7     He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8     to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

Gospel: John 15:9-17
9      As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
10     If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11     These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12     "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13     Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14     You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15     No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16     You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17     This I command you, to love one another.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
The pure soul is a beautiful rose, and the Three Divine Persons descend from Heaven to inhale its fragrance.

-- St. John Vianney

Friday, May 13, 2011 {Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
1      But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2     and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3     Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him.
4     And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5     And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting;
6     but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."
7     The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8     Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9     And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10     Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
11     And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying,
12     and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."
13     But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;
14     and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name."
15     But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
16     for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
17     So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18     And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized,
19     and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
20     And in the synagogues immediately he proclaimed Jesus, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Psalms: Psalm 117:1-2
1      Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!
2     For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD!

Gospel: John 6:52-59
52      The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53     So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;
54     he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
55     For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56     He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
57     As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.
58     This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever."
59     This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper'na-um.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
Ah! What years and centuries of torment to punish us! ... How dearly we shall pay for all those faults that we look upon as nothing at all, like those little lies that we tell to amuse ourselves, those little scandals, the despising of the graces which God gives us at every moment, those little murmurings in the difficulties that He sends us! No, my dear brethren, we would never have the courage to commit the least sin if we could understand how much it outrages God and how greatly it deserves to be rigorously punished, even in this world. God is just, my dear brethren, in all that He does. When He recompenses us for the smallest good action, He does so over and above all that we could desire. A good thought, a good desire, that is to say, the desire to do some good work even when we are not able to do it, He never leaves without a reward. But also, when it is a matter of punishing us, it is done with rigor, and though we should have only a light fault, we shall be sent into Purgatory.

-- St. John Vianney

Thursday, May 12, 2011 {St. Leopold Mandic, Capuchin, Priest (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 8:26-40
26     But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert road.
27     And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can'dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship
28     and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29     And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."
30     So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31     And he said, "How can I, unless some one guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32     Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
33     In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth."
34     And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?"
35     Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.
36     And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?"
38     And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39     And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
40     But Philip was found at Azo'tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare'a.

Psalms: Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
8     Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard,
9     who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.
16     Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.
17     I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue.
20     Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

Gospel: John 6:44-51
44     No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
45     It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.
46     Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father.
47     Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
48     I am the bread of life.
49     Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50     This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die.
51     I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."    

REFLECTION OF THE DAY
The soul who is in love with God is a gentle, humble and patient soul.

-- St. John of the Cross

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 {St. Ignatius of Laconi, Religious (Memorial)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 8:1-8
1     And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama'ria, except the apostles.
2     Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3     But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4     Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
5     Philip went down to a city of Sama'ria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6     And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.
7     For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
8     So there was much joy in that city.

Psalms: Psalm 66:1-7
1     Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3     Say to God, "How terrible are thy deeds! So great is thy power that thy enemies cringe before thee.
4     All the earth worships thee; they sing praises to thee, sing praises to thy name." [Selah]
5     Come and see what God has done: he is terrible in his deeds among men.
6     He turned the sea into dry land; men passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,
7     who rules by his might for ever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations -- let not the rebellious exalt themselves. [Selah]

Gospel: John 6:35-40
35     Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.
36     But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
37     All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.
38     For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;
39     and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.
40     For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
Those who trust in themselves are worse than the devil!!

-- St. John of the Cross

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS OF THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 7:51 -- 8:1
51      "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.
52     Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,
53     you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
54     Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him.
55     But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
56     and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."
57     But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him.
58     Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59     And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60     And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Psalms: Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21
3      Yea, thou art my rock and my fortress; for thy name's sake lead me and guide me,
4     take me out of the net which is hidden for me, for thou art my refuge.
6     Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the LORD.
7     I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast taken heed of my adversities,
8     and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a broad place.
17     Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call on thee; let the wicked be put to shame, let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
21     Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as in a besieged city.

Gospel: John 6:30-35
30      So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform?
31     Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
32     Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33     For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world."
34     They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
35     Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.   

REFLECTION FOR THE DAY
Whenever we suffer some affliction, we should regard it both as punishment and as a correction. Our holy Scriptures themselves do not promise us peace, security and rest. On the contrary, the Gospel makes no secret of the troubles and temptations that await us, but it also says that he who perseveres to the end will be saved. So we must not grumble, my brothers, and for as the Apostle says: some of them murmured and were destroyed by serpents. Is there any affliction now endured by mankind that was not endured by our fathers before us? What sufferings of ours even bear comparison with what we know of their sufferings? How then can you think that past ages were better than your own?

-- St. Augustine

Friday, May 06, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 5:34-42
34     But a Pharisee in the council named Gama'li-el, a teacher of the law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a while.
35     And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men.
36     For before these days Theu'das arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37     After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
38     So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail;
39     but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
40     So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41     Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
42     And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Psalms: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
1     The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
4     One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
13     I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14     Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Gospel: John 6:1-15
1     After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as.
2     And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased.
3     Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples.
4     Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
5     Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
6     This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
7     Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
8     One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
9     "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?"
10     Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11     Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
12     And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost."
13     So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
14     When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!"
15     Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.   

REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
He knows how to live well who knows how to pray well.

-- St. Augustine

Thursday, May 05, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 5:27-33
27     And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,
28     saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
29     But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
30     The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
31     God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32     And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
33     When they heard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

Psalms: Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20
2     My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and be glad.
9     O fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want!
17     When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18     The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
19     Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20     He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Gospel: John 3:31-36
31     He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all.
32     He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony;
33     he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.
34     For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit;
35     the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36     He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.   

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
A person is an individual substance of a rational nature.

-- Boethius

Wednesday, May 04, 2011 (Easter Weekday)

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: Acts 5:17-26
17     But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sad'ducees, and filled with jealousy
18     they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19     But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said,
20     "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."
21     And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught. Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22     But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported,
23     "We found the prison securely locked and the sentries standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside."
24     Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.
25     And some one came and told them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."
26     Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Psalm: Psalm 34:2-9
2     My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and be glad.
3     O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4     I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5     Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6     This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7     The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8     O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!
9     O fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want!

Gospel: John 3:16-21
16     For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17     For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
18     He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19     And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20     For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21     But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY
Let us work hard every day at making progress toward God. If we are tested or tempted in our children or in our purses, let's not panic but place our hope in God. We are Christians, and our homeland is not here. Like good children, let us turn our steps homeward, that our course may be approved and guided to its conclusion. Heal and open my eyes, Lord, that I may recognize Your will. Put to flight my foolishness that I may know You.

-- St. Augustine