Daily Reflections
The last two Sundays, and at Easter, we proclaimed the great Alleluia of the Lord’s resurrection. Today, the fourth Sunday of Eastertide, we continue to read the post-Easter message from the Acts of the Apostles and the Evangelists. The readings continue the testimony of the power of the resurrection and…
Read MoreA middle-aged man went to a photo studio for a photo shoot. He showed the pictures to his friend and said to him: “I took my picture for my funeral, now I look handsome before it is too late. When will you have yours?” He encouraged his friend to leave…
Read MoreThe story of the conversion of Saul started with his bitter aggression against the nascent church, which has a humble but glorious beginning. The Pentecost experience soaked the disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit and gave them a courage they had never known before. They bore witness with…
Read MoreI absolutely love the story of Deacon Philip and the Ethiopian! Many Preachers of the Good News First, it shows how the whole body of believers went out and evangelized after Pentecost, not just the apostles. Unfortunately we have a small written record of the Church after Pentecost, and most…
Read MoreThe first reading today talks about the persecution of the early Catholic Church in Jerusalem. Christians are being scattered, as groups of angry Jews storm into houses, and forcibly evict men, women, and children. Stephen, the first Deacon, and perhaps the first martyr, is dead and recently buried. Saul, who…
Read MoreGod, the Father Today’s readings are an exhortation to believe in God. St. Paul lays out the evidence of why all must believe: because of Christ’s rising from the dead, by studying Scripture, and that the risen Christ was in the physical presence of many. John’s Gospel continues this message…
Read MorePeople have different reasons why they seek God. For some people, God is needed when there is a problem while others try to have Him in their lives as a personal friend, Father, and God. There are many others who do not want to be bothered about God but yet…
Read MoreThe sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel is a profound teaching on the meaning of the bread of life. The chapter starts off with Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 on a mountain near Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. The chapter ends with a lengthy discourse on the great mystery of…
Read MoreWe took the message – the good news – out in all directions, walking miles between each city, eating, and sleeping where we could stop and receive a welcome. It was just as the Lord told John’s disciples – the blind were given sight, the lame walked, lepers were healed,…
Read MoreJoy and Fear After the Resurrection, the Scriptures recount at least six or seven appearances of Jesus. There is His meeting with Mary Magdalene at the tomb. He accompanies two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He invites the disciples to join him for breakfast on the shore of the…
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