Pentecost

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”
John 20:19-23 (NAB)

Prayer

Dear Father you sent them Jesus and Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to continue the work of love and forgiveness. You sent them tongues of fire to teach them so they too can teach others. May we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, to learn to grow and to love and forgive our neighbors. May our hearts burn with the desire to forgive the smallest of transgressions as the Father forgives us. May we live in peace and love and live the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

(from the archives)

Follow Jesus

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
John 21:20-25 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father there are many things your son has done that we will never know of because they were so many. You allowed what is important to be kept safe. Is it this then that we are to understand about our fellow disciples that it is Jesus' concern over them not ours. Yet all too often we are concerned about their business without truly loving them as Jesus loves them and cares for them. May we leave all our concerns of others in your Son's capable hands because he knows their hearts more than we do. May our love for God and others be our only concern.Doesn't this remind us of how we too can concern ourselves of what is none of our business. Like when we hear people wanting to know the business of others in our environment at home, work, even at Church. Asking about others often does not include their wellbeing but rather a means of causing harm, such as gossip. We should be more concerned about who we follow such as Jesus rather than what the evil one tempts us to follow.

Tending The Sheep

Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15-19

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father how true these words are. There are many circumstances in life when we are often led where we don't want to go. The elderly come to mind in this instance. They are led to homes that are no longer theirs or they are led on a path that leaves them struggling after a lifetime of hard work. On the other hand we also lead children on the wrong path with wrongful living. O dear God, we don't always have our sensibilites as we age. We make decisions that are often selfish because we don't want to take the time to love and care for those who are too young or too old to care for themselves. But it is you we are to follow and when we do that, those choices often are made with you in our heart and love for others. Many times as we grow older and cannot take care of ourselves in the way we would like to, it's difficult to let go of independence and rely on others. For many it is fear to be led to a place that leaves them alone with strangers while family cease to be a source of comfort. Following you enables them to have strength and to conquer the fear of being abandoned. Peter knew that Jesus would not abandon him, nor should we fear this as well.

Eyes To Heaven

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
John 17:20-26 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father these many prayers Jesus prayed on our behalf and for you reveals so much love. It really is all about love isn't it. When all else failed it was love that spoke the loudest. It's something we all crave in our lives. The simplicity of being loved for who we are. That's how you want to be loved by us, isn't it. With simple hearts that don't put on airs. A love that encompasses everyone, not just a select few. That's why you gave us Jesus, to show us the depths of love we try so hard to understand. For those who are callous toward others often see the beauty of love in the words, in the actions and the hearts of those who are united to you. Being truly in love makes us glow and when we are deeply in love with you it shines brightly. Jesus shone like that because he loved you so much that you gave us to him to take care of for you. Your gift to him, we are then Jesus' treasure. Who would have thought that we are treasures to the Divine Family.

A Beautiful Prayer

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
John 17:11b-19 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we have read so many accounts on behalf of your love for us. Today we have a prayer of deep love for us and for you. A prayer of consecration by your Son. It is the beauty of Jesus' protection in this prayer against the evil one that speaks just as loudly. Who in this world has not been touched by Jesus' prayers and deliverance from sin in their need to repent. How often do we call out Jesus' name when we feel out of control with our lives. Not at peace. Jesus brings us peace, he frees us from evil, he restores truth in our lives. Many have stopped believing in this truth and began believing in the world. Does that truth reveal the depths of how much we rely on the world rather than Jesus when we no longer use the sacrament of penance. It is there where we find freedom from sin and evil, it is there where we begin our journey back to Jesus and to you dear Father. Let our hearts open to the love of God and his son Jesus, let us be cleaned of sin and find the consecration that belongs to our hearts.

A Huge Question

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:29-33 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

The disciples said to Jesus,“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Imagine how much we ask this very thing each day of Jesus. We question whether or not he is from God, we question the truth of his words, we even question his miracles. Yet in all this time he has truly conquered the world with his love for us. And on the flip side of this we also had the same growth in evil as well. All because Jesus came to vanquish sin. To end the many questions that arise from the doubts that sin causes. Most of time when we go to Mass we hear his word, but how often we truly leave him alone when we are there. Are we focused upon him or are we focused on other matters. Or have we let routine close our hearts. Like when we are on a job we have done for the umpteenth time and say to ourselves how we could do it with our eyes closed. The routine in work has lost its zest. But as we work we fail to try to keep it alive and interesting. Same with faith, in a sense we go to Mass, our thought should be on the anticipation of the banquet feast and dinning along with Jesus. The anticipation of being in his presence when the word is read and the meal prepared. A splendid moment where we keep him alive in our day and he is no longer alone, left outside of our hearts.

Prayer

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,
“Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,
just as you gave him authority over all people,
so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.
Now this is eternal life,
that they should know you, the only true God,
and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
I glorified you on earth
by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Now glorify me, Father, with you,
with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,
because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours
and everything of yours is mine,
and I have been glorified in them.
And now I will no longer be in the world,
but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.
John 17:1-11 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father Jesus gave us a beautiful example of his conversation with you in a prayer. He says what he does for you and states what you do for him. In harmony with your Will he has been. He is taking leave of the apostles to be at your side watching over us. To be with us always when they pray over and consecrate the Bread. Where we know the truth of how truly glorious his rising was. He is Risen! It is for us to always believe in his presence, that not only is he sitting at your right hand, but that he is always right beside us. Heaven is a realm that is pure and clear a place where there are no shadows. That's why Jesus seeks us to be with him and you for all time and eternity.

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:6-14

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son is revealed to us as "The Way, the Truth, and the Life," by his own words. How many times he has said that you and he are one. And how often he mentions to us to go through him and believe. Because if we see Him we see you and when we know Jesus we also know you. Today, I ask in faith, in Jesus name, for the conversion of hardened hearts. I pray for a renewal of faith in the World. May today be a day where many know the love of your heart. Amen

(from the archives)

Birthing A Thought

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
John 16:20-23 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we have the technology today that makes childbirthing easier for the mother, without the pain. Imagining all those who have gone before us, have birthed their child naturally. Jesus tells us about the joy a mother has when a child is born. He gave us a normal procedure in the life of a human being when they undergo a change such as the example he gave. Woman most of all can relate to it. How much they endure until the time they birth the child, the elation, not just for the fact that they are now relieved of anguish, pain and suffering, but they now can see the life that was within them. In a sense when we sin we lose part of the holiness that belongs to us, the part where we have Jesus within. As we too grow in faith and at times when we fail, we experience the pain a mother feels when her child is in distress. But as we reconcile our hearts to a loving God and let Jesus be part of our lives we see the beauty and joy of having him part of us as a mother does when the child in the womb is sleeping peacefully. For men it must be hard to imagine this, but as we have read Jesus words, it wasn't hard for him to know this truth. The joy of having him in our lives is a blessing, even he speaks to mens hearts and reveals his presence to them as if they too are about to give birth. When he is truly part of our hearts no one can take him away and I mean no one. Throughout the many years it has been tried with the Saints and Martyrs and look how they have survived.

Forever and Always

The Ascension of the Lord

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father even after these many years we can say that Jesus is still with us as are you. We receive him in the Eucharist where the truth speaks loudly of his presence. Even remarkable is the fact that we have done as he asks and baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Praise God we listened and did what was commanded of us. At least in this regard we have done good. But the part of knowing that he truly is with us for always, always touches the deepest part our lives. We have grown since the time of the disciples in more ways than one. Our faith had become a central means to the belief in what Jesus suffered for us. It is the belief that he is present with us at our Masses, in our Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Tabernacles but most especially in those we meet each day. He will be with us until the end of time, just like when we declare that vow to those we love in our letters, Forever and Always he will always be. That is the beauty of the Divine.

The Truth

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts.
But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation:
sin, because they do not believe in me;
righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
John 16:5-11 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father how easy it is to understand what Jesus is talking about. Those who have had personal encounters with him know of the beauty of his presence, and also the grief that fills their hearts when his presence is not felt. It is their faith that sustains them in those moments of loss. But he does something truly special he sends us the Advocate. We have him in spiritual and we have him as the one chosen to lead the flock. Where truth conquers. If the ruler of this world is condemned at the time of Jesus, who then is the ruler if it isn't man. Because he had just only appointed Peter as head of the Church in his stead. But we battle the unforseen, the foe that delights in sin. The Advocate opposes everytime, don't we see it ourselves when out of the depths of our being we know when we have done wrong and do it anyway. In those moments of clarity haven't we understood that we have lost by choosing to do wrong and the Advocate of righteousness was guiding us to keep us on the right path. In today's world we have lost the sense of following right conscience, we block it out and we have become part of the world that is condemned.

Looking To Heaven

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
John 15:26-16:4a (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

The above picture came to mind when I read this mornings Gospel. Even though the picture is about the Cardinals pointing to the ceiling in the Cathedral. One could say the same in regard to this reading, look up to heaven that is where the Spirit of Truth comes from. We could also look upon our Pope as an Advocate sent from the Father. He speaks on behalf of Jesus and defends his cause, he is an advocat of peace. He is a person who pleads for or in behalf of another, he is an intercessor to God for us. The Holy Spirit works through him from the Father. Our Church suffers persecution and many are ousted from their misdeeds, and it reflects upon the Advocate who leads us in Truth. Many of us try to kill the Church because we are unhappy with ourselves rather than deal with our sinfulness and fix our brokeness. We are called to forgive, but grudges continue to mar the Church. In a sense the Church suffers from us not forgiving her for the errors that have nothing to do with us but only with those it was involved in. The Spirit of Truth speaks to us through the Advocate. Are we listening?

Ten Plus Two

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
John 14:15-21 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we all would love to have the Advocate as part of us, better known as the Holy Spirit. In this regard he is the Spirit of Truth. We all seem to put this aside many times because our human nature cannot handle this type of Truth. Thinking on how we deal with others each day, do we employ honesty and truth. Do we see God and Jesus in each other? Do we love God first and our neighbor? So many questions, yet simple answers. The two commandments Jesus gave us. It's all about love, when we truly love the way these two commandments speak, we will have the Spirit of Truth and see Jesus when he reveals himself to us.

His Suffering

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
John 15:18-21 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father the Bible gives us exactly what Jesus stated, that he would be hated and persecuted. In the account of the ordeal he suffered in what we had recently gone through ourselves in the season of Lent. Holy week brings to us the truth of these words Jesus spoke. He did it for love of us, to save us because he wanted to do it for you dear Father. As Christians we too suffer in many ways, not as profoundly as Jesus did, but in lesser degrees. Mind you, Jesus did the ultimate suffering for us, so we would be able to endure for love of him. Our persecution at the hands of unbelievers, and even Christians themselves can never give us the true meaning of what Jesus went through. It is in keeping His Word bound to our hearts that we find the source of love. The picture below of the Sacrifice of the Mass with the Angels and Saints speak loudly of today's reading and the sacrifice given up for us. But we also have to remember he asks two specific things of us to love God first and love our neighbor. How hard is that, just think if we honestly loved God first, there would be no hatred nor persecution.

The Hands of Hope

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Mark 16:15-20

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son Jesus whom we love gave the disciples the Word to go out and proclaim the Gospel to every nation. It has been accomplished to the degree that it is around the world. Granted there are many places that still do not know of your Word, but after two thousand years plus, the disciples ministry has flourished. They do so much for your flock dear Father, many use their hands to bring healing to others by helping them when they are unable to do so themselves, as well as laying hands on those entering the Priestly Order. We are all called to be the hands of hope for others, giving signs of our belief. It is through those who believe that Jesus works through them. Faith and belief are the keys, how strong is ours that we are signs for others to see.

Remain In His Love

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”
John 15:9-11 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we all know the happiness of being in love. The joy that we have is truly something special. It's quite a blessing to have love in our lives. It's even more so when we have it in you. Love is the greatest commandment and one that we break constantly. We break the hearts of those we say we love when we fall away and seek love elsewhere, not just in the physical sense but from our hearts. Many a times we declare undying love to them, only to end up not long after ending that love. Yet you dear Father love us unconditionaly, you don't do the fickle thing that we do. We've lost the sense of loyalty in each other, but you are loyal, steadfast and true. Why is it then that the one thing that Jesus asks of us to do is the hardest one of all. To love you as Jesus loves you and to love Jesus as you love him.

Pruning

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
John 15:1-8 (NAB)


Prayer Reflection

Dear Father Jesus gave us a visual image of pruning the dead branches as an example of how you constantly prune us. When we live by your Word we notice in our lives the truth of this example. How often in my own life I have noticed your hand pruning out the areas that are not productive to your will. Just as Jesus gave us this example, we too find in our lives many examples of this reading. When we sin and don't reconcile we find our lives like the dead branches. Don't we feel at times as if we need to go to confession to seek absolution from our sins. It's part of the pruning process of clearing away the dead parts of us that hinder growth. It is essential to our growth as part of the vine to prune our behaviors, morals and yes even our faith. In that we too can be dead and need to prune it to restore the luster of faith in our hearts blocked by overgrowing vines and sins that we fail to let go of. Dear Father when we pay attention to your Word we will find how much your hand has been shaping us and come to see the truth of your love. And soon we will discover new growth bear fruit in our lives.

Peace

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
John 14:27-31a

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you," the very words Jesus spoke tells us it is only through him that we will find peace in our hearts. It is not what this world has to offer but what Jesus can only give. We all struggle in our lives to some extent, but where is it that we find true peace. I know where it is for me and that is placing my trust and love in Jesus, a place where I will always find his presence in the Eucharist. The peace that can only come from him. The truth of these words that Jesus spoke in how we feel many times unfulfilled by what the world offers, only shows how honest these words of Jesus are. Ever notice how peaceful we become when we are united to him. Our troubles seem small and insignificant in those moments. That's when we have been given his peace as he had said. Dearest Father it is right to say then that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life after all.

Those Loving Commandments

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
“Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.”
John 14:21-26 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father now that is the truth! Jesus gave us so much to listen to and keep in our hearts in regards to you beloved Father. The commandments Jesus gave are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Anyone who has these in their heart also loves Jesus because if we love you dear Father we also love your son, because you are one. But why is it when we say we are Christians who love God, fail to love our neighbor. If a stranger who was alone came up to us to talk, do we keep our distance because they are not with our group. I witnessed this myself around others and saw how when a person asks a question of another and the rudeness in their not wanting to simply answer. We fail so very often in our day to day dealings with others and we think we are Christians, followers of Christ. God loves us inspite of our failings and forgives us on a constant basis. Those simple gestures speak volumes of how truly much we have followed the commandments Jesus gave us. Some of those very simple gestures tell how much we don't love as we should.

There is Truth

There is an article over at The Curt Jester, that speaks about the music that unfortunately has not been delightful. It makes a person wonder how many times the mute button has been pushed on the remote control.

Pointing The Way

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:1-6 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father a scene comes to mind about working. While taking care of what has to be done on the job, a fellow worker comes by and says, "that's not the way to go, here let me show you." From this a person is guided in a job, shown how to go. We have the same when we go to school, we're shown the path that can lead to success. There are so many things that can lead us, ranging from books that teach us how to build, garden, sew, cook, you name it and you might find it. We have leaders that try to lead us on the right path. The scenarios could go on and on as a case in point. The Gospel is the right path to follow for all our daily living needs. But if you want to get to know God, then following the path that brings us to Jesus will most certainly get us to God. Dear Father it is such a wonderful way to get to you through your Son. He is the go between and a delightful way. There are so many things in this life that point the way to happiness, but none can beat Jesus on the list he is the way, the truth and the life.

Who is standing in for Jesus

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
John 13:16-20 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father Jesus had a tough time when he found betrayal in one of the ones that were chosen. He knew what was to come and he told them so they would believe. He does that with us too, he gives us snippets of things to show us the Truth of your Word. I was captured by the words Jesus spoke in this Gospel message, "The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me." Don't we do this to Jesus too when we receive communion and go out the doors from his sanctuary and gossip with our neighbors. Or commit sins and fail to reconcile ourselves in the sacrament of Penance. In this sense aren't we doing the same as the one who betrayed Jesus. It's amazing that in our Parishes we have Priest who took on the role to live in imitation of Christ, but many have failed to receive the ones Jesus sends us, they leave and turn their backs on the Church when the Truth is spoken through them. Thinking about the many people who leave parishes because they clash with their pastors, did they understand this Gospel and the last words spoken. Probably not and they also failed to receive Jesus in those moments.

The Word

Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
John 12:44-50 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we often forget this truth at least part of it. We remember that Jesus comes to save lives, and the rest of what he says we soon toss aside. No matter what we do at the end we will be judged for it all. Many of us forget this and go about our day and say things that we shouldn't. Jesus asks us to believe in him and when we do we see the one who sent Him. That is beautiful in itself. Look how often our belief in family and friends, don't we see in their faces the joy in their heart for us because we believe in them. It's not just that either, when we are closed we don't see the way we should. When we are angry or just not as faithfilled as we should be what do we see when we look at another human being. Do we see the similarities of their parents in them as we look at them or are we blind by our self-centered ways. Jesus says when we believe in Him we will see the Father in Him because they are one. That's not hard to believe either. But the best part is believing in his presence in the Eucharist where we will always see him on a daily basis in the flesh and blood of the Mass.

Making A Claim

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
John 10:22-30 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father no matter how much we strive to have you as part of us, we all try hard to be the ones who can claim to be your sheep whether we are lost or not. Oh God, how easy it is for us to follow the voice of the world and so hard to hear the voice of your Son. But your Son knows his sheep and they know him. How do we know this? Easily, by the love we have for Him and you . How wanting to follow your Word is foremost in our lives. It is loving you first and our neighbor as ourselves that prove we believe. The devil can try very hard to shake those who follow you loose from your heart, but he will not succeed when they are steadfast and loyal and believe in all that you stand for, love in the first degree. Love conquers and in that regard know that Jesus and you are one. I can make claim to this truth, how about you?

Do You Hear What I Hear

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”
John 10:11-18 (NAB)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father there is much truth to these words spoken by Jesus. It speaks of us in our time as well as two thousand years ago. Yesterday's reading touched upon the gate and listening, today we find how much love Jesus has for us. He gave up his life! The act of love for you dear Father and love for us. Don't we say this to those we love also, that we would die for them. And there are many that would, we have martyrs that did exactly the same, gave their life for Jesus and for us as well. It's possible they were put to the test and answered correctly. Would any of us be able to answer this as well, or is our love superficial. After all, we all say we are God's children and that we all love Jesus, but when he calls us, do we really hear his voice and truly know him. How well do we listen to the Word of God being spoken at our Masses or is our thoughts off on what has to get done when we go home or of the many other things that preoccupy our minds from this world. Is our love more for this world then rather than Jesus and you dear Father? Jesus' love is so great to come in search of those who belong and lost their way. We are one big family why aren't we also helping each other find their way back too.

Good Shepherd

Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
John 10:1-10

Prayer

Dear Father your Son tells us he knows us and we who hear his voice are able to enter the gate through him. It is through your son we will find life and live it in peace. No matter how hard thieves attempt to keep us from you, we are well guarded and safe behind the fence of your love. Should we get lost beyond the fold, your voice, when it is heard draws us ever near to you. May your lost sheep hear your voice calling to them, in hope that they will come back to life and your love. Amen

Decisions, Decisions

These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum. Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it? But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you? If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him. And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.

After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
John 6:60-70 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father there are so many choices to make in our day, often it's the choice of where to dine and what to eat can often frustrate others. We make so many decisions throughout our day from the moment we wake up until it's time to go to bed. Jesus spoke the truth to many people in that time. Should he stand right before us in the flesh and speak these words to us too, would some of us walk away in disbelief at what he just said. Or would we believe in the truth of what he proclaimed and stand by his side. It's not like a decision we would make on where we are going or what we would have for dinner but a decision that speaks of life. When we make all our decisions is Jesus part of them where we choose to love him and trust in him. Or do we happen to decide that today is the day we give Jesus a little bit of our time and then tomorrow it's back to the routine we live. What's your decision going to be this day? Following Jesus and believing in him or going the other way, the way of the world. Remember, the decision to choose eternal life has greater rewards, where the other does not. Choose well then.

Flesh and Blood

If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.
John 6:52-59 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Reflection:

Flesh and blood doesn't sound to appetizing, but many of us do eat flesh and blood in the food we buy from the store. Unless of course you are a true Vegan (vegetarian-sans any animal meat products whatsoever). Any way these products we buy have come from flesh and blood creatures and we have no problem eating them. I think it's because we know the source of where they came from it's easier to digest. Unlike the bread we eat at communion time. That is a wafer we see, but the divine presence is there when it is consecrated. We then eat of the true flesh and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is knowing in our heart the sacrifice Jesus made for us that we believe in His presence. I've had the pleasure to receive in communion this beautiful presence when the host beat upon my tongue as a heart beats in our bodies. It turned to flesh and when that happened I knew that our Lord had graced me with the truth of eating of his flesh. I've had this grace happen several times and truth to tell, I would love to have received him this way all the time, but it was enough for me to know the difference and to witness to this truth.

All About God

No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets:

And they shall all be taught of God.

Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me. Not that any man hath seen the Father; but he who is of God, he hath seen the Father. Amen, amen I say unto you: He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
John 6:44-51 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father there is that one sentence that Jesus quoted: "And they shall all be taught of God." And Jesus did exactly that! He taught them that you are love. He did a good job too, since we are learning this ourselves from what has been passed down from Him and the apostles. That you are all about love, not vengeance, not hatred, but purely love. You sent us your Son to correct a few misconceptions about you. But we have come to see the sacrifice you gave us in giving up the life of your Son Jesus for our sake. To help us come to understand the depths of love you have for us. You sent us the true bread from heaven, the living bread of life in the flesh of your Son Jesus. We truly have been taught of you.

How Assured Are You?

And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that you also have seen me, and you believe not. All that the Father giveth to me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will not cast out. Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day. And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.
John 6:35-40 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it's a shame that Jesus had to say this "But I said unto you, that you also have seen me, and you believe not." For those of us who live in this time period have never seen Jesus, yet many of us believe in him. How truly wonderful that is, because we believe without seeing. What an awesome assurance to know that on the last day we will be raised to life everlasting. In this day and age where do we get this kind of assurance. One could say a person has job assurance and that it is ours for our lifetime, but even then the promise of job security is lost when things change. We don't always have 1o0% assurance in our daily lives because things tend to happen to keep us focused on you dear Father. But there is always the assurance that Jesus is right there by our sides, no matter what. It's time that we take a look and take stock of our surroundings and see what we have placed as a priority in our lives, 1: is it Jesus the very bread of life, or 2: what we have to live with on a daily basis.

Bread of Life

They said therefore to him: What sign therefore dost thou shew, that we may see, and may believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you; Moses gave you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world. They said therefore unto him: Lord, give us always this bread. And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.
John 6:30-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father you have given us the greatest sign ever, you gave us your Son as the bread of life. There is no other sign needed. Jesus gave of himself totally. If we don't believe in him or the fact that he is the bread of life then we have nothing. We will hunger forever for the truth and our thirst will never be quenched. He showed us and gave us so much to believe in his presence in the Eucharist, the bread par excellence. How can we ask for a sign when he is constantly present, just as those who were with him were. They too were looking for signs when he was present with them. Yet we have many who believe, but only a few who come to claim that Jesus is the true Son of God, the bread of life. I had a personal encounter with the bread of life, that didn't give me my belief, but strengthened that belief even more. It wasn't a sign for me, he fed me and gave me what I have thristed for, his love.

Food For Thought

The next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was no other ship there but one, and that Jesus had not entered into the ship with his disciples, but that his disciples were gone away alone. But other ships came in from Tiberias; nigh unto the place where they had eaten the bread, the Lord giving thanks. When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they took shipping, and came to Capharnaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him: Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them, and said: Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him hath God, the Father, sealed. They said therefore unto him: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered, and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent.
John 6:22-29 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Reflection

Dear Father we have to wonder if we are exactly like these people who had just finished eating from the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes. These people went in search of him and knew by what they saw how Divine Jesus really was. In Jesus' question though, he wants to know if they are seeking him because of these miracles, or is it because they have been fed and their stomachs are the reason they search for him. Ever notice how in the food industry, such as restaurants, food stores, many things are upsized or down sized to pay a higher price. Or how there is more emphasis on fast food meals. More or less heat it up and off you go. Food is important in order to allow the body to function, but we have grown in proportion to the products that are pre-made. Even our bodies reflect the chemicals that we ingest. Jesus provided them with a fast food take out, and it seems that they want more of this so they don't have the work that is entailed to make a meal. We've gotten like this haven't we? Jesus questions us too, do we seek him only for the fact that he provides us with miracles or do we seek Him so we will be part of Him because we believe in Him and you dear Father. I believe in Jesus, because he is who he is and not for what he can give. The son of God who came to unite us with him.

The Road to Emmaus

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew night to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:13-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Reflection

Today if your heart is burning, you might be told it is indigestion or some other malady. If your heart is burning to hear the Word of God then you have met up with the two on the road to Emmaus and shared with them what we all come to share in our Mass after we hear the Word of God. Don't our hearts leap when the Gospel is read at Mass as we too walk with Jesus. We continue to walk and talk with him in unity with others as we join in the celebration at his table. Didn't we even realize when the bread was broken that it was Jesus standing there. From the Gospel on we have the road to Emmaus to the breaking of the bread, given to us to join Jesus in the one place we know he will always be present. Even though we are like the two who traveled to Emmaus with Jesus right there spelling it out for them, they didn't see until it was time in the breaking of the bread and their eyes were cleared. Amazing isn't it how each time we can read or hear a Gospel message we can always find something new revealed to us. For me anyway, it is so. I always look forward to those moments when I too can walk with Jesus along the road to Emmaus and let him explain the scriptures to me.

Do Not Fear

And when evening was come, his disciples went down to the sea. And when they had gone up into a ship, they went over the sea to Capharnaum; and it was now dark, and Jesus was not come unto them. And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew. When they had rowed therefore about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking upon the sea, and drawing nigh to the ship, and they were afraid. But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid. They were willing therefore to take him into the ship; and presently the ship was at the land to which they were going.
John 6:16-21 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father in my thoughts I have placed myself where the apostles were on this night in the very boat with them. We've rowed out away from the shore and now the winds have risen up. My thoughts have circulated on Jesus and how he suffered on the cross and died a horrendous death. But as I recalled this with the others in the boat, we also had seen his risen presence. How truly fortunate for us he is still with us. My goodness these winds are beginning to truly rock the boat. It's dark out too and I am beginning to fear the water. I look out toward the shore, and I see, a man walking toward us and I truly become frightened, out of fear he may drown, without thought of his divine nature in this instant. He calls out and tells us to not be afraid, it is I he says. We really were frightened of the sea in the dark and seeing this man come to us. A man who we have known that died and came back to life. He's here, amazing but we are also back at shore, so fast too. He's here, he's really here with us, how can I be afraid then when he just did something extraordinary. My pulse quickens with the realization that he's really here with us.

One had to be there in person with them that night to know, and yet for us we can only imagine with God's grace to understand the truth. But more importantly, how does God's Word affect us in our life? Are we just as afraid as these men in the boat when we hear God's Word spoken. Jesus tells us to not be afraid, so why are we then?

Have You Eaten?

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand. When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes, and seen that a very great multitude cometh to him, he said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to try him; for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would. And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. They gathered up therefore, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet, that is to come into the world. Jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force, and make him king, fled again into the mountain himself alone.
John 6:1-15 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father it is a miracle of great magnitude that we read about. How the loaves and fishes a young boy had turned out to feed the many that were present. Even if people carried some with them to tide them over on their travels, food was passed to all who were there. And to think they collected twelve baskets over and above what was eaten. Nearly impossible, since they stated that it was mostly bread fragments that were collected. The miracle of bread! Jesus throughout his ministry keeps pointing out to us the miracle of the Eucharist, the bread from heaven, his very self. He is truly the Son of God, no mere prophet but the genuine Son of the Most High God. It is in this very miracle that we see Jesus in our daily bread that we receive at Mass. It is no accident that we have such a glorious treasure. Have you eaten of the bread that came down from heaven to feed a multitude? Don't delay, but make time to dine with Jesus where his presence is always.

Being A Witness of Truth

He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth: and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God doth not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son: and he hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:31-36 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we have so much to be thankful for in our lives. One of them is you most of all. Without you in our life we wouldn't be able to witness to the very many things you do for us. But one of the biggest beliefs is about you sending us your son. How in our daily lives Jesus touches each of us personally. Half of the time we are silent about how he touches us. I am reminded about the uniqueness of our Judicial system in this regard. If anyone has ever seen a trial in our Courts, or watched a mock one on TV would know that these courts are all about Truth to the highest degree of the Law. When swearing in they give a solemn oath to tell the truth, to give testimony and witness. Today's Gospel reading is telling us the same that if we are from above then we should be witnessing to this fact with truth and not keeping it hidden. Except we tend to hide who we are rather than live the truth that we are from Above.

The Way

For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment: because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil. For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved. But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, because they are done in God.
John 3:16-21 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we often fail to believe what is right before our eyes when we look up at the Crucifix or when we look at the Broken Bread. Our minds don't always want to believe in such a mystery as the death and resurrection of your son. It's sometimes amazing to hear of so many things that happen in the world that bring death and life and how we rejoice in both at times. We see those in war often gleeful over anothers death, or how some weep over a birth not welcomed. Yet often is the truth that we mourn the loss of those we love and rejoice over a birth as it should be. Many of us wear crosses around our necks, but do we remember the very act of death Jesus went through for us and our salvation. Many go to communion but fail to see his risen appearance in the bread of life. Please let us all begin to believe in the light of truth, that Jesus came and died for us and rose from the dead so we may have life too.

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You.

Our Lord to Sr. Benigna Consolata: "Make as many Spiritual Communions as possible, to supply for the many Sacramental Communions which are not made. One every quarter of an hour is not enough. Make them shorter, but more numerous."

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Dear Father you chose a woman of purity to give us a part of yourself. A chosen woman named Mary whom a prayer has been made from the words spoken. We pray this prayer daily as we pray for her divine intercession on behalf of our needs. Today we pray in thankfulness for chosing a woman so special in your eyes to bring us a gift of immense love, your Son. For as the word was said nothing will be impossible for God in whom we pray. Amen

Doubt No More

Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he saith to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God. Jesus saith to him: Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name.
John 20:19-31 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father you know all about us and what makes us tick, you know our thoughts our feelings and the depth of our belief in your Son. Thomas and the apostles went through much and overcame a lot in the time your Son lived and died and rose from the dead. To see Jesus suffer the way he did and empty himself completely, it's no wonder Thomas doubted. Who could live that suffering let alone be brought back to life with no blood left in their body. Yet throughout Jesus ministry he was pointing the way of the Divine Mystery. But still Thomas wouldn't believe unless he touched the side and holes in the hands of Jesus to know it was really him. Don't we tend to do the same thing with Jesus ourselves in our day. Because we don't see him we want to touch him as Thomas did in order for us to believe in the truth that Jesus rose from the dead. We do touch Him everytime we receive Him in the Eucharist, he becomes part of us in a tangible way. We recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. He touches our lives often in a dramatic and personal way, but we like Thomas often doubt. But you dear Father never let us down and continue to show us the truth when we open our hearts to the Word. That of your Son.

Believe

But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they hearing that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country. And they going told it to the rest: neither did they believe them. At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:9-15 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we read of two accounts of people witnessing Jesus resurrection and telling the disciples. And they had a hard time believing these people. Yet once Jesus stood in their presence he rebuked them, and it's no wonder why either. The people who witnessed seeing Jesus saw him and no one believed them. It happens even today, in our time also. Would we be believed if we saw Jesus standing in our midst and would it take him to stand there among those who didn't believe those who saw him. We would most certainly earn that rebuke then for our lack of faith in the risen Jesus. Do we witness his presence in our lives and spread the gospel message to all the world, to love God first and love our neighbor. Simple really. And to think Jesus challenges us to do something great for the kingdom of God.

Has He Captured You Yet?

After this, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth, and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. And Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish in like manner. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.
John 21:1-14 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father, Jesus not only appeared a third time but gave them a large catch of fish as an added benefit. What an investment that was! Wouldn't we say then that Jesus had caught their attention as well. Doesn't Jesus do that with us? Capture our attention with the many ways he gives of himself. Like the breaking of the bread, peace be with you and now the fish and bread. And look at what he says to the apostles, "Come, and dine." The invitation to be with him at the Eucharistic banquet. How often have we gone to that very banquet without thinking how truly present he is there with us. Just like when we dine at home, it's a routine, isn't it? But when we go to Mass and partake, that is no ordinary banquet to dine at. I wonder how many times he has to appear in this manner for us to realize the truth and the truth of His Word.

Be a Witness

And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.

But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?

And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And you are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:35-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are often so very busy in our lives that we fail to see your hand in it. Like the two men who journeyed on the road to Emmaus were so preoccupied they didn't even realize it was the risen Jesus with them. Today it seems that we are told to be witnesses of Jesus and that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name.

These men were the first witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus. They have passed down to all generations the facts of this. We in our life encounter Jesus in various ways, but are often silent, afraid that people would think us fools. The disciples and the two from Emmaus were not thought of that way, Jesus showed up to prove their testimony. Whether we go through personal encounters of our Lord to something grand, we should be first of all witnesses of his grace and preach penance and reconciliation, because he came to save the lost.