Archive for May 18, 2019

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Posted: May 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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New for All Ages: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Easter

Readings:

Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145:8-13
Revelation 21:1-5
John 13:31-35

By God’s goodness and compassion, the doors of His kingdom have been opened to all who have faith, Jew or Gentile.

That’s the good news Paul and Barnabas proclaim in today’s First Reading. With the coming of the Church—the new Jerusalem John sees in today’s Second Reading—God is “making all things new.”
In His Church, the “old order” of death is passing away and God for all time is making His dwelling with the human race, so that all peoples “will be His people and God Himself will always be with them.” In this the promises made through His prophets are accomplished (see Ezekiel 37:27; Isaiah 25:8; 35:10).

The Church is “the kingdom for all ages” that we sing of in today’s Psalm. That’s why we see the Apostles, under the guidance of the Spirit, ordaining “presbyters” or priests (see 1 Timothy 4:14; Titus 1:5).

Anointed priests and bishops will be the Apostles’ successors, ensuring that the Church’s “dominion endures through all generations” (see Philippians 1:1, note that the New American Bible translates episcopois, the Greek word for bishops, as “overseers”).

Until the end of time, the Church will declare to the world God’s mighty deeds, blessing His holy name and giving Him thanks, singing of the glories of His kingdom.
In His Church, we know ourselves as His “faithful ones,” as those Jesus calls “My little children” in today’s Gospel. We live by the new law, the “new commandment” that He gave in His final hours.
The love He commands of us is no human love but a supernatural love. We love each other as Jesus loved us in suffering and dying for us. We love in imitation of His love.
This kind of love is only made possible by the Spirit poured into our hearts at Baptism (see Romans 5:5), renewed in the sacrifice His priests offer in every Mass.

By our love we glorify the Father. And by our love all peoples will know that we are His people, that He is our God.

My… Oh my…

Posted: May 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys
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You would think by now that with a few years of experience, a faith that is quite strong I would not be subject to fear and feelings of inadequacy. Well you and I would both be wrong!

I have been approached twice by two different ministries to take the lead in two separate spiritual matters. I had agreed to both and now wonder how will I be able to deliver that will bring glory to the Lord? Can I feed His sheep and lambs the way I’m expected to? Can I give my all, more so in terms of time?

Yes I know if I remain steadfast in prayer, faith and in His love, He will be there to guide and strengthen me. Thing is I will need prayers not just my own to remain so……

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: May 18, 2019 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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If God our Father is dwelling in our heart, then by and by we become one with Him. This is most profoundly experienced at Holy Eucharist, where through the body and blood of Lord Jesus Christ we are one in Holy Communion with our one triune God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Living a life of Holiness and in the Spirit we are endowed with special gifts to bring His light to all nations. We are empowered to face any obstacles and challenges unafraid for we know God is on our side. God our Father is greater than anyone! Through his Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ we will glorify Him through our deeds. We will bear much fruit, fruit that will last.

The weight of the world will not wear us down, for we live in the joy of our Risen Lord filled with the Holy Spirit. Amen

First reading

Acts 13:44-52 †
Since you have rejected the word of God, we must turn to the pagans

The next sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said:

I have made you a light for the nations,
so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’

It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside.
But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Gospel

John 14:7-14
To have seen me is to have seen the father

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him, ‘and you still do not know me?

‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father, so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do it.’