Archive for May 11, 2013

May 12th 2013 – 7th Sunday of Easter

Posted: May 11, 2013 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections by Dr. Scott Hahn

Perfection as One

Readings:

Acts 7:55-60
Psalms 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
John 17:20-26

Jesus is praying for us in today’s Gospel. We are those who have come to believe in Him through the Word of the Apostles, handed on in His Church.

Jesus showed the Apostles His glory, made known the Father’s name, and the love He has had for us from “before the foundation of the world.”

He revealed that He and the Father are one (see John 14:9).

Jesus is the “first and the last” (see Isaiah 44:6), the root of David (see Isaiah 11:10; 2 Samuel 7:12), as today’s Second Reading declares.

Wrapped in clouds and darkness as God was at Sinai (see Exodus 19:16), He is “the king…the Most High over all the earth,” as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Exalted at God’s right hand, as Stephen sees in the First Reading, the Lord calls to us through the Church, His Bride.

He calls us to “the tree of life,” to communion with God. This is the goal of His love, His saving purpose from all eternity – that each of us enter into the life of Blessed Trinity, be “brought to perfection as one” with the Father and Son in the Spirit.

The story of Stephen, the first martyr, shows us how we are to answer His call.

Listen for the echoes of the crucifixion: Stephen, like Jesus, sees the Son of Man in glory and dies with words of forgiveness and self-offering on his lips (compare Acts 7:56-60; Matthew 26:64-65; Luke 23:24,46).

We, too, are to commend our spirits to the Father, to pray and offer our lives in love for our brethren, awaiting His coming in judgment. We renew our vows in every Mass, coming forward to receive the gift of His life.

We answer His call by crying out a call of our own: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

And in our communion we answer our Lord’s prayer: “That they may all be one, as You, Father are in Me and I in You.”

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: May 11, 2013 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Asks the world as to what constitutes the greatest gifts or wants, you’ll likely hear Fame! Success! Fortune! Sex!

What did the Apostles ask God for? We know from scripture and sacred tradition that they were never wealthy and sought neither fame or fortune. They sought only to serve the Lord! When they prayed in Jesus name they prayed for healing for others, they freed men and women from evil spirits and demons and more. Great miracles were worked through them by the power and Graces bestowed to them by God.

All the promises of God our Father is fulfilled in Jesus.

Glory to You oh Lord, our God! Grant us all who love you dearly whatever is necessary to do Your Will. In Jesus name.. Amen

GOSPEL John 16:23b–28

Jesus said to his disciples:“Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”