Archive for April 1, 2017

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Posted: April 1, 2017 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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At Lazarus’ Tomb: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Readings:

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Psalm 130:1-8
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45

As we draw near to the end of Lent, today’s Gospel clearly has Jesus’ passion and death in view.

That’s why John gives us the detail about Lazarus’ sister, Mary—that she is the one who anointed the Lord for burial (see John 12:3,7). His disciples warn against returning to Judea; Thomas even predicts they will “die with Him” if they go back.
When Lazarus is raised, John notices the tombstone being taken away, as well as Lazarus’ burial cloths and head covering—all details he later notices with Jesus’ empty tomb (see John 20:1,6,7).
Like the blind man in last week’s readings, Lazarus represents all humanity. He stands for “dead man”—for all those Jesus loves and wants to liberate from the bands of sin and death.
John even recalls the blind man in his account today (see John 11:37). Like the man’s birth in blindness, Lazarus’ death is used by Jesus to reveal “the glory of God” (see John 9:3). And again like last week, Jesus’ words and deeds give sight to those who believe (see John 11:40).
If we believe, we will see—that Jesus loves each of us as He loved Lazarus, that He calls us out of death and into new life.
By His Resurrection Jesus has fulfilled Ezekiel’s promise in today’s First Reading. He has opened the graves that we may rise, put His Spirit in us that we may live. This is the Spirit that Paul writes of in today’s Epistle. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give life to we who were once dead in sin.
Faith is the key. If we believe as Martha does in today’s Gospel—that Jesus is the resurrection and the life—even if we die, we will live.
“I have promised and I will do it,” the Father assures us in the First Reading. We must trust in His word, as we sing in today’s Psalm—that with Him is forgiveness and salvation.

Two Gardens 

Posted: April 1, 2017 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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Peace everyone, I am not sure why I took so long to share this with you because I’m usually very quick in such things…

A few days ago while in Adoration I was struggling to be silent when eventually I managed to…..

I saw a vision of myself waking side by side in the garden of Eden with our Lord. It was an amazing experience of being one in the Lord, conversing basking in His company.
The next thing I knew I found myself in the garden of Gethsemane and I asked, “Lord what are you trying to tell me?”

Then I knew…. He was showing me that He is with us through it all, good times and in bad. Amidst our greatest trials and challenges He is with us. Just like His Father was with Him in the garden.

Why did I never draw that connection between the two gardens before? Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

On Today’s Gospel 

Posted: April 1, 2017 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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No injustice will go unanswered, for the Lord our God is just. Yet everything in His time. Seek His mercy with contrite hearts lest His patience runs out.

For nothing is hidden from Him, for His light can pierce the darkest soul. He sees too how His servants are persecuted for His namesake, they will get their eternal rewards.

Jesus my Lord, let me never cower in darkness. Let all my sins be laid bare before You. So that I may always walk in Your light. Amen

First reading
Jeremiah 11:18-20

The Lord revealed it to me; I was warned. O Lord, that was when you opened my eyes to their scheming. I for my part was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house, not knowing the schemes they were plotting against me, ‘Let us destroy the tree in its strength, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name may be quickly forgotten!’

But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence,
who probe the loins and heart,
let me see the vengeance you will take on them,
for I have committed my cause to you.

Gospel
John 7:40-52

Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.
The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law– they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus– the same man who had come to Jesus earlier– said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’