Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Mass in the Morning
Lectionary: 302
Reading 1
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,
with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.
When they had gathered he said to them, "My brothers,
although I had done nothing against our people
or our ancestral customs,
I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,
because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar,
even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains."
He remained for two full years in his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7
R. (see 7b) The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia
John 16:7, 13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will guide you to all truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?"
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me."
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just "What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?"
It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
A Holy Awe
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. John 21:24–25
As we conclude our Easter season, we are given the conclusion of the Gospel of Saint John to ponder. Recall that John’s Gospel has been a central focus throughout the Easter Season. Therefore, if you have been prayerfully reading the Gospel for Mass each day for the past several weeks, then you have truly immersed yourself in this holy Gospel.
The Gospel of Saint John is much different from the other three Synoptic Gospels. John’s language is mystical and symbolic. John presents the seven miracles as the seven “signs” that reveal Jesus’ divinity. Jesus is identified as I AM, the Son of the Father, the Vine, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Eternal Word, and more. John points to the Crucifixion as Jesus’ hour of glory in which He takes up His throne of the Cross for the salvation of the world. And John’s teaching on the Eucharist is truly profound.
John states that the reason he wrote his Gospel was so “that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). John clearly loved our Lord and understood Him, not only by personal experiences while Jesus was alive on earth but also through a profound level of prayer in his later years. And this depth of understanding and mystical knowledge is communicated in such a way that the reader is easily drawn into John’s prayerful understanding.
As John concludes His testimony about Jesus, he states something worth pondering. He states that Jesus did so many things that were not recorded by him or others, that if they were all written down, the whole world would not contain the books that would be written. First of all, everything that was written down could be the source of prayerful study for a lifetime. John’s Gospel alone could never be exhausted of its meaning. But then consider this final line of John’s Gospel and try to take it as a literal statement for a moment. If that statement were literally true, that the whole world could not contain the books that would record all that Jesus did, then this fact should leave us with a holy awe. In fact, the reason this must be true is because what Jesus did within each and every mind and heart He touched is truly indescribable. Volumes upon volumes could not thoroughly describe it. His divine action of saving souls, rescuing people from sin and death, and pointing them to eternal life is more than our feeble minds can fully comprehend.
Reflect, today, upon the holy Gospel of Saint John. As we do conclude this Easter Season and our reading of John’s Gospel, allow yourself to sit in awe of the infinite activity of our divine Lord in the lives of those who have turned to Him. Consider every movement of grace in their lives that has been accomplished with such care and love by our Lord. Reflect upon the fact that for eternity you will be contemplating the Eternal Word made Flesh, the Messiah, the Great I AM, the Son of the Father and every other name given to Him Who is our God and King. Saint John loved our Lord and understood Him deeply because he spent his life prayerfully pondering all that Jesus did. Continue to commit yourself to this holy pondering so that you will be drawn more deeply into this contemplation with holy awe.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
THE SPIRIT OF INFINITY
“With full assurance and without any hindrance whatever, he preached the reign of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” —Acts 28:31
Paul was under house arrest for two years in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30). Before that, he was in prison for two additional years (Acts 24:27). Prior to that, he was in prison several other times (see 2 Cor 11:23). Trial, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, and the sword made it very difficult for Paul to preach the Gospel (Rm 8:35). Nevertheless, the last word of Acts of the Apostles is that Paul preached God’s kingdom with full assurance and without any hindrance (Acts 28:31).
Jesus is God and therefore infinite. If the Apostle John had written about the many other things Jesus had done in a few short years on this earth, he doubted “there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them” (Jn 21:25). Because Jesus is infinite and because we are in Him, we are unstoppable — no matter how many human limitations we have and how great are the obstacles we face. We are unhindered because He is infinite.
We enter into the infinity and victory of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. In one Spirit we have been baptized into the one Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). On this last day of the Pentecost Novena, pray: “Come, infinite Spirit transcending our finitude and making us free, unhindered, and victorious.”
Prayer: Father, this Pentecost, may it be apparent to all who see me that I am obviously more than a conqueror in Jesus (Rm 8:37).
Promise: “Jesus replied, ‘How does that concern you? Your business is to follow Me.’ ” —Jn 21:22
Praise: Pope St. John I was imprisoned by the king, but freed by the King of the universe.
Reflection 3
Shared from God's Word
After having known what God’s plan for him was, Peter wanted to know what was in store for the Beloved Disciple. The question earned Peter a reprimand from Jesus: “If it is my will .... You follow me!" Jesus does not want his disciples to make comparisons. They ought to be concerned about following him more closely by listening and obeying his word; they need to focus on growing in greater holiness and intimacy with him. What is important is to accept the path he has assigned to each one and remain faithful to it. There is no place for rivalry or competition. Comparisons are odious. When we make comparisons, says Pope Francis, “We end up feeling bitter and envious. Envy corrodes the Christian community and does so much harm.”
Prayers
Jesus, Messiah, You are truly beyond comprehension in Your beauty, glory and holiness. You are God from God and Light from Light. You are the Great I AM, and all the books in the world could not properly describe the depth of Your greatness. Fill my mind and heart with the gift of deep spiritual insight so that I, like Saint John the Evangelist, will be continually drawn into a holy awe of You. Jesus, I trust in You.
May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 138: God’s Mercy is Infinite
Perhaps it’s no surprise to hear it said that the Mercy of God is infinite. But “infinity” is quite a concept to grasp. In fact, some would argue that it is impossible to grasp. Delving into something that is infinite and has no bounds is beyond what we could ever fathom. So it is with the Mercy of God. Being infinite, we should realize that we will spend eternity, an infinite existence, seeking and receiving this Mercy that will never end. Right now, on Earth, our experience of the infinite Mercy of God is quite limited. It’s as if we can take in a thimble full while the endless oceans await (See Diary #687 & 692).
Do you ever spend time reflecting upon infinity? Think of outer space, which never ends. And how could it? What would be at the other end of the end of space? So it is with God’s Mercy. How could it ever end? How could it ever be exhausted? His Mercy is as vast and wide as God is Himself. Reflect upon the essence of God, and as you marvel at His infinite nature, allow yourself to be drawn into His unending gift of Love. For when you can begin to grasp it, you will desire it. And when you desire it, you will have begun your journey into infinity.
Lord, Your love for me is beyond what I can ever imagine. Help me to at least understand that I will never understand, fully, the depth of Your love. Help me to see that Your Mercy is endless and help me to begin my journey into eternity with You. Jesus, I trust in You.
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