Sunday, March 31, 2024

01-APL-'24, Monday in the Octave of Easter


Monday in the Octave of Easter

Lectionary: 261


Reading 1

Acts 2:14, 22-33

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven,

raised his voice, and proclaimed:

“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.

Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.


“You who are children of Israel, hear these words.

Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God

with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,

which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.

This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,

you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.

But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,

because it was impossible for him to be held by it.

For David says of him:


I saw the Lord ever before me,

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;

my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,

because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.

You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence.


My brothers, one can confidently say to you

about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,

and his tomb is in our midst to this day.

But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him

that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,

he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,

that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld

nor did his flesh see corruption.

God raised this Jesus;

of this we are all witnesses.

Exalted at the right hand of God,

he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit

that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”


Responsorial Psalm

16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R.    (1)  Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or:

R.    Alleluia.


Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;

I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you it is who hold fast my lot.

R.    Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or:

R.    Alleluia.


I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

R.    Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or:

R.    Alleluia.


Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence;

Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

R.    Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or:

R.    Alleluia.


You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

R.    Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

or:

R.    Alleluia.


Sequence -- optional

Victimae paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

            Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems;

            Christ, who only is sinless,

            Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:

            The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring

            What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living,

            The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

bright angels attesting,

            The shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;

            to Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.

            Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

            Amen. Alleluia.


Alleluia

Psalm 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,

fearful yet overjoyed,

and ran to announce the news to his disciples.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.

They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,

and there they will see me.”


While they were going, some of the guard went into the city

and told the chief priests all that had happened.

The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel;

then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

telling them, “You are to say,

‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’

And if this gets to the ears of the governor,

we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.

And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.


Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections 


Humility in the Face of the Resurrection


The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” Matthew 28:12–14


The Lord of all rose from the grave, conquering sin and death, making it possible for us all to share in His glorious Resurrection! Death had lost. Satan had lost. The corrupt religious leaders had lost. And all those who believed in Jesus now had their eternal hope renewed. Sadly, though, what was the greatest victory ever known for humanity, a victory that opened the doors to eternal glory for all who believe, could not be accepted by the chief priests and elders of the people. They saw to His death, and, now that He had risen, they scrambled to do all they could to hide that truth.


Pride is hard to overcome. When a person professes they are right, when in fact they are wrong, and when they are then confronted with their error, the sin of pride will inevitably tempt them to further sin. This is what we see today in this passage from our Gospel. The chief priests and elders were informed by the soldiers that when the women came to the tomb early in the morning, there was a great earthquake, and they saw an angel of the Lord descend from Heaven, roll back the stone, and sit on it. When they saw this, “The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men” (Matthew 28:4). And after they heard the angel tell the women that Jesus had risen, the guards went off to tell the chief priests and elders.


After all the miracles and powerful preaching of Jesus, you would think that the chief priests and elders would have believed. But they didn’t. And then, after hearing the testimony of these soldiers, you would think they would have fallen on their knees, repented of their hardness of hearts, and come to believe. But they didn’t. They doubled down in their sin and added sin upon sin.


Some forms of sin can more easily be admitted, especially sins of weakness. When one is weak and falls, it may not be always easy to overcome that sin in the future, but it is easier to acknowledge it as sin when it is caused by human weakness. But a sin of weakness is much different than a sin of obstinate pride. Obstinate pride is not only hard to overcome, it’s hard to admit. It’s hard to admit our sin when it is based on our obstinacy and pride. As a result, this type of sin often leads to other sins such as ongoing deception, manipulation and anger. This is illustrated by these chief priests and elders. But if you can humble yourself and admit your sin when it comes from your pride, that humility can have a powerful and transformative effect upon your life.


Reflect, today, upon these chief priests and elders of the people. Try to ponder their hardness of heart and the sad situation they found themselves in as they attempted to cover up their error and sin. Resolve never to fall into this form of sin yourself. However, if this is a struggle for you, seek humility so that you can be freed of this heavy burden by the grace of the Resurrection of our Lord.


Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body


INCORRUPTIBLE?


“Nor will You suffer Your Faithful One to undergo corruption…” —Acts 2:27


When the chief priests and elders heard that the body of Jesus was no longer present in the tomb, they did not consider the Scripture which prophesied that the Messiah would not undergo corruption (Ps 16:10). Sadly, they hastened headlong into corruption through acts of bribery. They diverted money donated for the worship of God into financing a strategy of lies that opposed the Kingdom of God (Mt 28:11ff).


The chief priests were well aware that God sent a flood upon the earth specifically because He “saw how corrupt the earth had become” (Gn 6:12). The psalmist observed, “Such [people] are corrupt; they do abominable deeds” (Ps 14:1). The prophet Zephaniah’s comment applies well: “ ‘Surely now you will fear Me, you will accept correction’; [Jerusalem] should not fail to see all I have visited upon her. Yet all the more eagerly have they done all their corrupt deeds” (Zep 3:7).


The chief priests and elders, whom God expected to be incorruptible, became completely corrupt! They were not for Jesus, and they ended up turning against Him (see Mt 12:30). “To His own [Jesus] came, yet His own did not accept Him” (Jn 1:11).


As we begin the fifty-day season of Easter, where do you stand? Are you falling into more corrupt behavior? If so, change your lifestyle. “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor 15:33). Corruption does not inherit incorruption (1 Cor 15:50). If there is anything sinful or corrupt in you, repent! Let Jesus, risen in power, cleanse your mind, soul and body.


Prayer:  Father, help me to fix my eyes on the Resurrection of Jesus, to keep me from undergoing corruption.


Promise:  “Apart from You I have no good.” —Ps 16:2


Praise:  “This is the Jesus God has raised up, and we are His witnesses” (Acts 2:32). Alleluia!


Reflection 3

The Servants of the Word


News of the Resurrection


Are you prepared to meet the Risen Lord? The disciples of Jesus were as unprepared for his resurrection as they were for his death. The empty tomb made them fearful and joyful at the same time. "Where did they put the body or did he really rise just as he predicted?" Even though Jesus had spoken to them before of his death and rising, they could not believe until they saw the empty tomb and met the risen Lord. Aren't we the same? We want to see with our own eyes before we believe! The guards brought their testimony to the chief priests and elders who met the news with denial. They were resolved to not believe that Jesus had risen and they bribed the guards in the hope of keeping others from believing.


We live in the joy and hope of the resurrection to new life with Christ

What is the basis of our faith in the resurrection? The Scriptures tell us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1). Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Our faith is a free assent to the whole truth which God reveals to us through his word. Faith is certain because it is based on the very word of God who cannot lie. Faith also seeks understanding. That is why God enlightens the "eyes of our hearts" that we may know what is the hope to which he has called us (Ephesians 1:18). Peter the Apostle says we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).


Through the gift of faith, the Lord reveals himself to those who believe in his word and he fills them with "new life in his Holy Spirit". Do you live in the joy and hope of the resurrection? And do you recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in his word, in the "breaking of the bread", and in his church, the body of Christ?


Prayers

My resurrected Lord, You conquered sin and death and brought forth new life for all who believe in You. Give me the grace, dear Jesus, to never allow my sin of pride to keep me from being open to the glorious and transforming action You desire to do in my life. Please give me the gift of humility so that I may always turn from my sin and turn to You. Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord Jesus, may we always live in the joy and hope of the resurrection and never lose sight of its truth for our lives.


Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy


Reflection 91: Prayer for Another Opens the Door

Only God knows what another truly needs.  We cannot read another’s soul unless this special grace were given to us by God.  But each of us is called to pray fervently for others.  At times, if we are open, God will place on our hearts the need to pray fervently for another.  If we feel called to enter into special prayers for another, we may also be surprised to find that God will suddenly open the door for a holy and heartfelt conversation that this person desperately needs (See Diary #396).


Has God placed a certain person on your heart?  Is there a particular person that often comes to mind?  If so, pray for that person and tell God you are ready and willing to be there for that person if it be His Will.  Then wait and pray some more.  If God so desires, you will find that, at the right time and the right place, your openness to this person could make an eternal difference.


Lord, give me a fervent heart of prayer.  Help me to be open to those whom You place in my path.  And as I pray for those in need, I make myself available to You to be used as You will.  Jesus, I trust in You.



Click on the link below for 9 Days of the Divine Mercy Novena


https://theblessedpeace.blogspot.com/2020/04/nine-days-divine-mercy-novena.html


Saturday, March 30, 2024

31-MAR-'24, Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord


Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord

The Mass of Easter Day

Lectionary: 42


Reading I

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter proceeded to speak and said:

“You know what has happened all over Judea,

beginning in Galilee after the baptism

that John preached,

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth

with the Holy Spirit and power.

He went about doing good

and healing all those oppressed by the devil,

for God was with him.

We are witnesses of all that he did

both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.

They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.

This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,

not to all the people, but to us,

the witnesses chosen by God in advance,

who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

He commissioned us to preach to the people

and testify that he is the one appointed by God

as judge of the living and the dead.

To him all the prophets bear witness,

that everyone who believes in him

will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”


Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23.

R  (24) This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

or:

R  Alleluia.


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

            for his mercy endures forever.

Let the house of Israel say,

            “His mercy endures forever.”

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

or:

R  Alleluia.


“The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;

            the right hand of the LORD is exalted.

I shall not die, but live,

            and declare the works of the LORD.”

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

or:

R  Alleluia.


The stone which the builders rejected

            has become the cornerstone.

By the LORD has this been done;

            it is wonderful in our eyes.

R  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

or:

R  Alleluia.


Reading II

Colossians 3:1-4

Brothers and sisters:

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ your life appears,

then you too will appear with him in glory.


OR:


I Corinthians 5:6b-8


Brothers and sisters:

Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?

Clear out the old yeast,

so that you may become a fresh batch of dough,

inasmuch as you are unleavened.

For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.

Therefore, let us celebrate the feast,

not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness,

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


Sequence

Victimae paschali laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

            Offer your thankful praises!

A Lamb the sheep redeems;

            Christ, who only is sinless,

            Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:

            The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring

            What you saw, wayfaring.

“The tomb of Christ, who is living,

            The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;

bright angels attesting,

            The shroud and napkin resting.

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;

            to Galilee he goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.

            Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!

            Amen. Alleluia.


Alleluia

Cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7b-8a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed;

let us then feast with joy in the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

John 20:1-9

On the first day of the week,

Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,

while it was still dark,

and saw the stone removed from the tomb.

So she ran and went to Simon Peter

and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,

and we don’t know where they put him.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter

and arrived at the tomb first;

he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

When Simon Peter arrived after him,

he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,

and the cloth that had covered his head,

not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

Then the other disciple also went in,

the one who had arrived at the tomb first,

and he saw and believed.

For they did not yet understand the Scripture

that he had to rise from the dead.


Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections


Glory Beyond Imagination!


“Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5–7


The Lord has truly risen! Alleluia! Sin and death have been destroyed, and new life has been offered to all who cling to the Savior in faith. What a glorious day we celebrate today!


Matthew’s Gospel, quoted above, is read at the Easter Vigil Mass. Prior to the reading of this Gospel are seven Old Testament readings, each followed by a psalm, as well as a New Testament reading, another psalm and the Gospel. There are seventeen readings in all at the Easter Vigil! For that reason, the Easter Vigil is called “the mother of all vigils.” Though many people have not had the opportunity to participate in the Easter Vigil, it is helpful to understand it, because its structure and length reflect the awe and wonder we must have at the Resurrection of Christ. 


The Easter Vigil Mass begins in darkness, after the sun sets, with all the lights out in the Church. Outside, a new “blazing fire” is lit and blessed that symbolizes the Light of Christ that dispels all darkness. From that fire, the Easter candle and other candles held by the faithful in the church are lit, and the new light illuminates the church. The procession into the church with the candles is followed by the singing of the ancient hymn the Exaultat. That hymn is the Church’s announcement of the Resurrection of Christ and is filled with profound theology, presented with youthful excitement and amazement. The tabernacle remains empty as a way of inviting the faithful to anticipate the celebration of the Eucharist once again. The lengthy Liturgy of the Word follows, as it recounts the history of God’s plan of salvation. Finally, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated within the Mass that culminates with the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.


Why is so much solemnity given to this celebration? Because Easter is worth it! Nothing ever has been and nothing ever will be more glorious than the triumph of the Son of God over sin and death. Easter must fill us with awe and wonder. Because of His death and Resurrection, our lives are changed forever. Therefore even if you are not able to participate in the “mother of all vigils,” try to learn the lessons this vigil teaches.


Among the many lessons we can learn from the Easter Vigil is that God’s glorious plan of salvation unfolds over time and then culminates with glory beyond imagination. This is especially depicted through the many readings in the Liturgy of the Word. The first reading for that Mass comes from Genesis and recounts the six days of creation. We then read the story of Abraham, our father in faith, and how his trust in God was tested when he was told to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, in a prefiguration of the Father in Heaven offering His only Son for us all. We then read the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt from slavery through the Red Sea. The waters of the Red Sea are a symbol of Baptism that crushes sin and leads us to freedom. Readings from the prophets Isaiah, Baruch and Ezekiel follow, revealing the unfolding of God’s promise of the gift of salvation to come.


At times in life, we can become impatient. We tend to want what we want when we want it. But the lesson of the Holy Scriptures is that God’s plan is not only perfect but is also fulfilled only in accord with God’s timing. This is His perfect wisdom. It’s a wisdom that we cannot always comprehend. In the end, if we embrace the perfect plan of God in our lives, we will share in the Resurrection of Christ. Nothing could ever be better than this. There is nothing that this world can offer us that even comes close to the glorious reward of sharing in the Resurrection of Christ.


As we celebrate the great Solemnity of Easter, reflect, today, upon the fact that God’s plan for your life is perfect. It’s a plan that God wants to unfold for you one step at a time. The end result is the glory of the Resurrection! It’s a life of perfection with Him in Heaven when every tear will be wiped away. It’s a plan that removes every sin, sorrow and suffering, and leads you to the fullness of joy. The way to embrace that plan is to take one step at a time as God leads. Little by little, God wants to change you, free you, forgive you, strengthen you and set you on the path to glory. Believe in the most awe-inspiring glory that you could ever share in. Believe in the promise of the Resurrection. Make sharing in it your one and only goal in life, and let God lead you down that path, one step at a time.


Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body


THE EASTER OFFENSIVE


“Through baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life.” —Romans 6:4


Alleluia! Jesus is risen! The stone is rolled away! The tomb is empty!


The Lord of Life has decided to destroy Satan’s culture of death right now on this Easter Sunday, in this Easter season. Our risen Lord has had it with abortion, racism, war, starvation, contraception, and other injustices. He has decided to get several hundred million Catholic Christians in hundreds of thousands of locations throughout the world to stand up to Satan and publicly reject Him and all his works and promises in this culture of death. This massive mobilization of Catholic Christians to launch a major offensive against Satan is called the renewal of baptismal promises.


Many of you may doubt that this is what happens when we renew our baptismal promises. We renewed them last year and in previous years, and nothing seemed to happen on a grand scale. Yet how many Catholics actually knew what they were doing in renewing their baptismal promises? How many took this seriously? Maybe there’s much more power in the renewal of baptismal promises than we have ever experienced or imagined. Let us renew our baptismal promises not in “corruption and wickedness” but in “sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:8).


Prayer:  Father, make me an extremely effective witness for the risen Christ (see Acts 10:41).


Promise:  “Everyone who believes in [Jesus] has forgiveness of sins through His name.” —Acts 10:43


Praise:  “He is not here; He has been raised up” (Lk 24:6). Alleluia!


Reflection 3

The Servants of the Word


John Saw the Empty Tomb and Believed


What was it like for the disciple who had stood at the cross of Jesus and then laid him in a tomb on Good Friday, to come back three days later and discover that the sealed tomb was now empty? John, along with Peter, was the first apostle to reach the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning. Like Mary Magdalene and the other disciples, John was not ready to see an empty tomb and to hear the angel's message, Why do you seek the living among the dead (Luke 24:5)? What did John see in the tomb that led him to believe in the resurrection of Jesus? It was certainly not a dead body. The dead body of Jesus would have disproven the resurrection and made his death a tragic conclusion to a glorious career as a great teacher and miracle worker. When John saw the empty tomb he must have recalled Jesus' prophecy that he would rise again after three days. Through the gift of faith John realized that no tomb on earth could contain the Lord and giver of life. John saw and believed (John 20:8).


John had to first deal with the empty tomb before he could meet the risen Lord later that evening along with the other apostles who had locked themselves in the upper room out of fear of the Jewish authorities (John 20:19-23). John testified as an eye-witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: What we have seen, heard, and touched we proclaim as the eternal word of life which existed from the beginning (1 John 1:1-4). John bears witness to what has existed from all eternity. This "word of life" is Jesus the word incarnate, but also Jesus as the word announced by the prophets and Jesus the word now preached throughout the Christian church for all ages to come.


One thing is certain, if Jesus had not risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples, we would never have heard of him. Nothing else could have changed sad and despairing men and women into people radiant with joy and courage. The reality of the resurrection is the central fact of the Christian faith. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to know him and the power of his resurrection. The greatest joy we can have is to encounter the living Christ and to know him personally as our Lord and Savior. Do you accept the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection with skeptical doubt and disbelief or with trusting faith and joyful wonderment?


Prayers

My resurrected Lord, the glory that we celebrate today, the glory of Your Resurrection, is far above anything I can imagine. The new life given to all who surrender their lives to You is glorious and awe-inspiring. Please help me to keep my mind and heart fixated upon this glorious promise and to always allow You to lead me toward it, one step at a time. Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won for us new life and resurrection power. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of your great love for us and your great victory over sin and death.


Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy


Reflection 90: Unity With All

We are made for unity with one another.  When there is a lack of unity, the effects are felt in families, communities and among nations.  What is it that unites us more than anything?  First and foremost, we are united with other souls through our Baptism (See Diary #391).


Think about the most basic fact that you share an unbreakable bond with each and every person who is baptized into Christ Jesus.  Regardless of whether or not another is embracing their baptismal calling, the unity still remains.  Think about that unity and cling to it.  Allow yourself to see each and every baptized person as a true brother or sister in Christ.  This will change the way you think about them and act toward them.


Lord, I thank You for the wonderful family You have created through the Sacrament of Baptism.  I thank You that I am blessed to share in this family.  Help me to love all Your children as a result of the simple fact that they are my brothers and sisters in You.  Jesus, I trust in You.



Click on the link below for 9 Days of the Divine Mercy Novena


https://theblessedpeace.blogspot.com/2020/04/nine-days-divine-mercy-novena.html

23-DEC-'24, Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent Lectionary: 199 Reading 1 Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to ...