Daily Reflection

April 21, 2017 Friday

OCTAVE OF EASTER, FRIDAY
Psalter: Proper / (White)
St. Anselm, bishop & doctor (England)

Ps 118:1-2 & 4, 22-24, 25-27a
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

1^st Reading: Acts 4:1-12

While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them. They were greatly disturbed, be cause the apostles were teaching the people, and proclaiming that resurrection from the dead had been proved, in the case of Jesus. Since it was already evening, they arrested them and put them in custody until the following day. But despite this, many of those who heard the Message, believed; and their number increased to about five thousand.

The next day, the Jewish leaders, elders and teachers of the law assembled in Jerusalem. Annas, the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high priestly class were there. They brought Peter and John before them; and began to question them, “How did you do this? Whose name did you use?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke up, “Leaders of the people! Elders! It is a fact, that we are being examined today for a good deed done to a cripple. How was he healed? You, and all the people of Israel, must know, that this man stands before you cured, through the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazorean. You had him crucified. But God raised him from the dead. Jesus is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation in anyone else; for there is no other Name given to humankind, all over the world, by which we may be saved.”

Gospel: Jn 21:1-14

After this, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias. He appeared to them in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They replied, “We will come with you.” And they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Friends, have you anything to eat?” They answered, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find something.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” At these words, “It’s the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish—one hundred and fifty-three but, in spite of this, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And not one of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and he did the same with the fish.

This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after rising from the dead.

REFLECTION:

This is a poignant scene. An encounter between Master and disciples. The latter were trying to preserve their unity. Peter who stands as their leader tries to explore another possibility for their group. He wants to go back to their old trade as fishermen. Perhaps there is something for their group there. And the others with him decided to go along. But even that does not give them a positive hope. They have no fish caught no matter how much they tried. Even the art of fishing abandoned them. As seeming hopelessness slowly settles in, and then the stranger came.

The Lord still unrecognized went to them in their moment of need when all seem bleak. Their very skills abandoned them but the Lord did not. When everything else fail us, the Lord will not. That is why the apostles afterward to the last man remained steadfast and true to Jesus until death. He their Lord proved to them many times over, despite their unfaithfulness that He can always be relied on, no matter what.

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.

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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
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April 20, 2017 Thursday

OCTAVE EASTER, THURSDAY
Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 8:2ab & 5, 6-7, 8-9
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

1^st Reading: Acts 3:11-26

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, struck with astonishment, came running to them in Solomon’s Porch, as it was called. When Peter saw the people, he said to them, “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as if it was by some power or holiness of our own, that we made this man walk? The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over to death and denied before Pilate; when even Pilate had decided to release him. You rejected the Holy and Just One; and you insisted that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Master of life, but God raised him from the dead; and we are witnesses to this. It is his Name, and faith in his Name, that has healed this man, whom you see and recognize. The faith that comes through Jesus has given him wholeness in the presence of all of you.

Yet, I know that you acted out of ignorance, as did your leaders. God has fulfilled, in this way, what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.

Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out; and the time of refreshment may come by the mercy of God, when he sends the Messiah appointed for you, Jesus. For he must remain in heaven, until the time of the universal restoration, which God spoke of long ago, through his holy prophets.

Moses foretold this, when he said: The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet, like me, from among your own people; you shall listen to him in all that he says to you. Whoever does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from among his people.

In fact, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel onward, have announced the events of these days. You are the children of the prophets, and heirs of the Covenant that God gave to your ancestors, when he said to Abraham: All the families of the earth will be blessed through your descendant. It is to you, first, that God sends his Servant; he raised him to life, to bless you, by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Gospel: Lk 24:35-48

Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)

Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them.

Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

REFLECTION:

The journey that made the two disciples flee far from Jerusalem brought them back to the place once again. They recounted to the gathered Apostles what they experienced on the road to Emmaus. They were running away from the center of the chaos of the Holy Week, but found themselves again where they first started. And it is with our life sometimes. We flee from the place only to return there. But in returning, we are not the same as before. Our journey gave us the proper depth and perspectives that helps us realize that what we are looking for are actually nearby. Perhaps it is time for us to take stock of what is there around us. Maybe, we will be able to find that which we have been looking for nearby.

Daily Reflection

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

April 19, 2017 Wednesday

OCTAVE Easter, Wednesday
Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

1^st Reading: Acts 3:1-10

Once when Peter and John were going up to the temple, at three in the afternoon, the hour for prayer, a man, crippled from birth, was being carried in. Every day, they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called “Beautiful;” there, he begged from those who entered the temple.

When he saw Peter and John on their way into the temple, he asked for alms. Then Peter, with John at his side, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” So he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!”

Then, he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up. At once, his feet and ankles became firm, and, jumping up, he stood on his feet and began to walk. And he went with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.

All the people saw him walking and praising God; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him.

Gospel: Lk 24:13-35

That same day, two followers of Jesus were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them, but their eyes were not able to recognize him.

He asked, “What is it you are talking about?” The two stood still, looking sad. Then the one named Cleophas answered, “Why, it seems you are the only traveler to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past few days.” And he asked, “What is it?”

They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. 20 But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.

It is now the third day since all this took place. It is also true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; and they came and told us that they had had a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. Some of our people went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not find a body in the tomb.”

He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! Is the message of the prophets too difficult for you to understand? Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?” Then starting with Moses, and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave each a piece.

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?”

They immediately set out and re turned to Jerusalem. There, they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!” Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.

REFLECTION:

The road to Emmaus is a picture of our own road in this life. We too like the two disciples move away from Life as represented by Jerusalem, for going towards Emmaus is moving away from Jerusalem. Yet the source of life does not allow us easy escape. He finds us and walks with us in our foolishness. Jesus as a mysterious stranger walked with the two and slowly eased their doubts and confusion with regards to Jesus of Nazareth. He cited from their Scriptures, He explained to them its meaning, and then their hearts burned, their minds became illumined. And all that they felt inside were tied up together in the Eucharistic meal where their eyes were opened and they finally recognized the Lord. So in this journey that we call life, we are never alone. The source of life does not abandon us easily. He will walk with us if He has too.

"If today you hear His words, harden not your heart."

Daily Reflection

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

April 18, 2017 Tuesday

OCTAVE Easter, Tuesday
Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 & 22
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

1^st Reading: Acts 2:36-41

Let Israel, then, know for sure, that God has made Lord and Christ this Jesus, whom you crucified.”

When they heard this, they were deeply troubled. And they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, brothers?”

Peter answered: “Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. Then, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise of God was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar, whom our God may call.”

With many other words Peter gave the message; and appealed to them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So, those who accepted his word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day.

Gospel: Jn 20:11-18

Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside. She saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She answered, “Because they have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.”

As she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and answered him, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and take him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned, and said to him, “Rabboni!”which means Master. Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them: I am ascending to my Father, who is your Father, to my God, who is your God.”

So Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord, and this is what he said to me.”

REFLECTION:

The resurrection accounts in all the four gospels have similarities and elements that are unique. Perhaps the mystery was too great for early followers to comprehend that different facets of the account are needed to form a picture of what really happened. But one thing for sure, the role of Mary Magdalene cannot be discounted. This woman who exhibited quiet strength and patient endurance in the face of her Master’s demise has been rewarded with the honor of encountering the Risen Lord first. She in turn will bring this good news to the apostles of the Lord.

And this is love’s reward, to see and experience magical moments with the beloved that will never be repeated again. Mary Magdalene could not control herself from grasping that moment in her hand. She wants to preserve that moment and own it forever. But Jesus Christ told her to share it with His brothers who are still in the dark of His resurrection. That moment with the Risen Lord may be hers, but it is not for her to keep.

Daily Reflection

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

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