Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

5TH WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Isidore, farmer

Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

1^st Reading: Acts 14:5-18

A move was made by pagans and Jews, together with their leaders, to harm the apostles and to stone them. But Paul and Barnabas learned of this and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued preaching the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas spent a fairly long time at Lystra. There was a crippled man in Lystra who had never been able to stand or walk. One day, as he was listening to the preaching, Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had the faith to be saved. So he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man leaped up and began walking.

When the people saw what Paul had done, they cried out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come to us in human likeness!” They named Barnabas Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Even the priest of the temple of Zeus, which stood outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gate; together with the people, he wanted to offer sacrifice to them.

When Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their garments, to show their indignation, and rushed into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are human beings, with the same weakness you have, and we are now telling you to turn away from these useless things, to the living God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them. In past generations, he allowed each nation to go its own way, though he never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food, and filling your hearts with gladness.”

Even these words could hardly keep the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.

Gospel: Jn 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples: ”Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him.”

Judas—not Judas Iscariot—asked Jesus, ”Lord, how can it be that you will show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, ”If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and live with him. But if anyone does not love me, he will not keep my words; and these words that you hear are not mine, but the Father‘s who sent me.

”I told you all this while I am still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I have told you.”

REFLECTION:

Obedience, although not always a sure indicator, is a response of love. It manifests outwardly our desire to please the beloved. Thus Jesus uses the criteria of keeping His commandments in knowing who loves Him or not. But experience tells us that obedience per se is not enough. The reasons behind the obedience are more important than the act itself. For obedience can come from a fearful heart. It can be coerced and demanded. It can also be given under protest.

And so Jesus made it clear that an obedient loving heart is where He and the Father find residence. It is a transformed heart worthy as an abode of the divinity. Hence a transformation in one‘s life accompanies once loving obedience to God. The person is slowly being divinized. The Spirit is understood. That transformed person is at ease with all things divine, so much so that listening and getting instructions from the Spirit is nothing but a normal chore. And this kind of person will never forget the word of the Lord. He or she will always be reminded by the Paraclete, the Divine Helper that comes from above.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

1^st Reading: Acts 6:1-7

In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said, ”It is not right, that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte. They presented these men to the apostles, who, first prayed over them, and then, laid hands upon them.

The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith.

2^nd Reading: 1 Pt 2:4-9

Beloved: He is the living stone, rejected by people, but chosen by God, and precious to him; set yourselves close to him, so that, you, too, become living stones, built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests, offering spiritual sacrifices that please God, through Jesus Christ. Scripture says: See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.

This means honor, for you who believed, but for unbelievers, also the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is a stone to stumble over, a rock which lays people low. They stumble over it, in rejecting the word, but the plan of God is fulfilled in this.

You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people God has made his own, to proclaim his wonders. For he called you, from your darkness, to his own wonderful light.

Gospel: Jn 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples: ”Do not be troubled! Trust in God and trust in me! In my Father‘s house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, ”Lord, we don‘t know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said, ”I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him, and you have seen him.”

Philip asked him, ”Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough.” Jesus said to him, ”What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees 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?

”All that I say to you, I do not say of myself. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.

”Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father.”

REFLECTION:

Read: The specific call and commissioning of the deacons. The common call of all Christians to become living stones – spiritual temples – of God. Those who are so called will do the same works as Jesus did.

Reflect: Christian vocation is different from other worldly vocations in form and matter. For, a Christian is called by God and commissioned. And the works are being done through him/her – the agency for the call and the task remains with the one who calls. “The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work,” says Jesus. Are we brave and open enough to let God do His work in and through us?

Pray: Lord, make me a channel of your redemptive work.

Act: Consecrate this day to God and ask Him to use you as He wills. Observe what happens today.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

4TH WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 4 / (White)
Our Lady of Fatima

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1^st Reading: Acts 13:44-52

The following Sabbath almost the entire city gathered to listen to Paul, who spoke a fairly long time about the Lord. But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous. So they began to oppose, with insults, whatever Paul said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying, ”It was necessary, that God‘s word be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it, and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we turn to non-Jewish people. For thus we were commanded by the Lord: I have set you as a light to the pagan nations, so that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Those who were not Jews rejoiced, when they heard this, and praised the message of the Lord; and all those, destined for everlasting life, believed in it. Thus the word spread, throughout the whole region.

Some of the Jews, however, incited God-fearing women of the upper class, and the leading men of the city, as well, and stirred up an intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Finally, they had them expelled from their region. The apostles shook the dust from their feet, in protest against this people, and went to Iconium, leaving; the disciples, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Gospel: Jn 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples: ”If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him, and you have seen him.”

Philip asked him, ”Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough.” Jesus said to him, ”What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees 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?

”All that I say to you, I do not say of myself. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.

”Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father. Everything you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Indeed, anything you ask, calling upon my name, I will do it.”

REFLECTION:

What Philip was asking borders on the extraordinary. For in the mentality of the Jews, no one sees the face of God and live. Yet here now in our gospel is Philip having the temerity to request Jesus to show them the Father. This shows the success of Jesus, by His words and actions, in changing the mindset of His disciples. The Father is not a remote, inaccessible and stern God who can only be approached in holy terror, but a loving and doting Father who revels in sharing His love to His creatures.

Yet this same Philip have missed a truth that has always been there. This Master who relates lovingly to the Father is the actual human face of the Father. Thus to see Jesus is to see the real Father. Jesus and the Father indwells in each other. This substantive unity while preserving the Person of each other attests to the tremendous power of love. It unites without dissolving one to the other. And so Philip has actually seen the Father in Jesus Christ. But he has to be made aware of this. Another mystery has been revealed to the Apostles that day. Jesus gently initiates them into the fullness of the mystery of His life.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

4TH WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 4 / (White/Red)
St. Nereus & St. Achilleus, martyrs & St. Pancras, martyr

Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

1^st Reading: Acts 13:26-33

Brothers, children and descendants of Abraham, and you, also, who fear God, it is to you that this message of salvation has been sent. It is a fact, that the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and their leaders, did not recognize Jesus. Yet, in condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, but not understood. Even though they found no charge against him that deserved death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And after they had carried out all that had been written concerning him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.

But God raised him from the dead, and for many days thereafter, he showed himself, to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They have now become his witnesses before the people. We, ourselves, announce to you this Good News: All that God promised our ancestors, he has fulfilled, for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm: You are my Son, today I have begotten you.

Gospel: Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: ”Do not be troubled! Trust in God and trust in me! In my Father‘s house there are many rooms; otherwise, I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, ”Lord, we don‘t know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said, ”I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”

REFLECTION:

A troubled heart seats on a shaky faith. When the heart is not calm we cannot do well in anything, for our concentration is dispersed, not all that is in us participates in the task. Thus even our act of faith is not solid. It is because of this that Jesus exhorts us not to give in to worries and anxieties. He got our backs covered. All we have to do is trust in Him and trust in His Father who sent Him. And even if He seemed remote and inaccessible, we must rest assure that He does things for our benefit.

This is probably what sustained the countless men and women who walked into the dark nights of unseeing and unknowing. Blind but trusting, they walked on in full confidence that He who loved them will never abandon them at any moment of their life. This is the mature faith of the blessed that Jesus is telling Thomas. To trust in Him is to always find the way into the marvelous light of God no matter how deep and heavy the darkness in our life may be.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com