Friday, April 30, 2021

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 1, 2021, Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker, Year B

Gen 1:26-2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24;

Ps 90:2-4, 12-14, 16-17;

Give Success to the Work of our hands Lord.

Brethren, today the mother church celebrates the optional memorial of St Joseph the worker, a humble servant of God through his faith and obedience to carry out the Mission God had entrusted him, that is, to take care of the Holy Family. St Joseph is a good example and a role model of all workers. This year’s celebration gives more emphasis and meaning to the year of St Joseph which Pope Francis declared on 8th December 2020. May St Joseph continue to pray for us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 30, 2021, Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 13:26-33,

Psalm 2:6-7.8-9.10-12a,

Jesus, the way, The truth and the life

Brethren, today's Gospel reading is taken from the beginning of Jesus’ discourse after the Last Supper. In the classical form, it is a speech by a departing leader, preparing his followers to carry on his mission after his departure. It is right and fitting to read it as we prepare for the ascension of Christ as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 29, 2021, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, Year B

Acts 13:13-25,

Psalm 89:2-3.21 -22.25.27,

John 13: 16-20 Full Readings

Saint Catherine of Siena

Servant of Christ.

Brethren today's Gospel presents to us the last supper discourse. After he had washed the feet of his disciple, he gave his teachings on servantiship, and the benefits of receiving those he has sent in his name. Let us reflect on the three aspects from his teachings in today’s gospel.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 28,2021, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 12:24- 13: 5a,

Ps :2-3.5.6.8,

Jesus the light of the World

Brethren, light and darkness, eternal life and death just to say are outstanding themes in John's Gospel. After we have seen Jesus as the way to eternal life, John presents another theme, Jesus as the light who came into the world so that whoever believes in him should never walk in darkness. In today's Gospel John equates light as belief in Jesus, that is, when we believe in Jesus, we are walking in the light and no longer in darkness. Believing in Jesus is also believing in the one who sent him, his father in heaven.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 27, 2021, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 11:19-26,

Psalm 87: 1-3.4-5.6-7,

John 10:22-30 Full Readings

Saint Louis Mary Grignion de Montfort

Christians: The Flock of Christ.

Brethren, do you know our roots as Christians? Why are we called Christians? How can you explain your origin as a Christian when asked to? Christianity has a long history but the first reading today presents to us the very first day when a certain group of people were first called Christians. They were called Christians because they followed Jesus Christ imitated him in both word and deed and in all aspects of life. These were true Christians, not like today where you find some of us are Christians by name.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 26, 2021, Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 11 : 1-18,

Psalm 42:2-3; 43 :3.4,

John 10: 1- 10 Full Readings

Saint Pedro de San José Betancur

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Brethren, for three consecutive days of this week, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, we shall be reading from the Gospel of John 10, which presents Jesus as a Good Shepherd. Today’s Gospel reading points it out very clearly that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the shepherd who enters through the gate, who calls and knows the sheep by name, he calls them and they hear him and a shepherd who leads them to the green pastures and restful waters, where himself is the gate. With these, they gain life and have it in abundance. But what does the Shepherd mean? Shepherd means one who rears or takes care of the Sheep. It can also be used synonymously with a Pastor. Jesus being Good Shepherd means we are his people: The Sheep of his flock and he is always taking care of us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 25, 2021, Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday, year B

Acts 4:8-12,

Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29,

1 Jn 3:1-2

Jn 10:11-18 Full Readings

Saint Mark

Jesus the Chief and Good Shepherd

Brethren, this Good Shepherd Sunday, is mostly dedicated to praying for increase in vocations in the church as well as praying for priests, and religious so that they may serve God and his people diligently and with love following the example of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

The image of the shepherd comes from the Old Testament which is used to explain the relationship God had with His chosen people Israel. He was a protector, one who leads them from slavery to the promised Land, provider, one who cares and with all the good qualities we can think of. This can be pointed out in some Bible verses and Psalms like: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11) and many others texts.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 24, 2021, Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 9:31-42,

Psalm 116: 12-13.14-15.16-17,

John 6: 60-69 Full Readings

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Jesus alone has Words of eternal Life

Brethren, for the last few days, we have been hearing from Jesus presenting himself as the true bread from heaven, and the bread of life. This bread of life constitutes his body/flesh and his blood. However this was not good news to the people as we see in today's Gospel. People could not imagine eating his body and drinking his blood. This is why we see after his discourse on this true bread (Eucharist) many disciples who had followed him started going away and no longer followed him, saying to themselves, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?”. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:66–68.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 23,2021, Friday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 9:1-20

Psalm 117:1.2

John 6:52-59 Full Readings

Saint George

Jesus, The Bread of Life

Brethren, from the first reading, we see that God can use any one for his glory and for the proclamation of his Gospel, despite the sinful past and unfaithfulness to the covenant. Obviously, the saint has a past, and a sinner has the future. Saint Paul who was the chief persecutor of the church is now made an instrument of God to carry his name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and God even promised that he will show him what he will have to suffer for His (God) name. Us too can be like St Paul, let us always be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in us, who invites us daily to be witnesses to the Gospel through our life, words and deeds.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 22, 2021, Thursday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 8:26-40,

PSALM 65(66):8-9,16-17,20),

John 6 :41 -51 Full Readings

Saint Anselm

Being Drawn to Jesus.

Brethren, today Jesus explicitly says that nobody can come to Him, unless he is drawn by the Father who sent Him. This statement tells us that our communion with Jesus, our love for him and our meeting him in prayer, in scripture and in the most Holy Eucharist is not by our own making. It's only God who grants us that chance, who draws us to Jesus to be in communion with Him and at last as he promises in the Gospel, to raise us up with him.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 21, 2021, Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 8: 1b-8,

Psalm 66:1-3a.4-5.6-7a,

John 6:35-40 Full Readings

St Anselm

Believing in the Son is believing in the Father

After all attempts by prophets, Jesus himself and the apostles as well as disciples of Jesus, to convert the Jews to listen to the Gospel, failed, the mission was transferred to the Gentiles. In the first reading today, we see that because of persecution, all disciples and apostles ran to different places and there they proclaimed the gospel and many people believed. Do you allow the gospel to pass over you or you accept it and believe in Jesus? Do you take part in persecuting those Jesus has chosen for his mission, or you support them in any way possible.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 20, 2021, Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 7 : 51-8:1a,

Ps 31:3bc-4.5 and 7b-8a.17,

John 6:30-35 Full Readings

Saint Conrad of Parzham

Jesus, the Bread of Heaven

Brethren, in the previous day's Gospel, Jesus was telling the crowd to always work for the food that endures and leads to eternal life, today's Gospel in a way reveals that food that lasts forever and endures to eternal life as Jesus Christ himself. Jesus told the people, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst." Jesus reveals himself as that spiritual food, the true bread from heaven, the source of eternal life. This will become the first reason for the rejection of Jesus; how can Jesus give his body to be eaten? May people as we shall see in the following gospels will stop following Jesus because he could not meet their expectations.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 19, 2021, Monday of the Third Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 6:8-15,

Psalm 119:23-24.26-27.29-30,

John 6:22-29 Full Readings

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

Working For Spiritual Food

Brethren, today’s first reading begins the process of the martyrdom of Stephen. This martyrdom concludes the first section of the Acts (exhortation to the Jews to repent and believe in the Risen Christ), for Luke sees it as the end of the second chance given to Jerusalem. Jesus attempted to convert them and they refused. Then came the second chance as the apostles attempted to convince them, and again they failed. Now Luke marks this failure with Stephen’s arrest and testimony. The Gospel now is to move on to other areas, even the Gentiles.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 18, 2021, Third Sunday of Easter, Year B

Acts 3: 13- 15.17 -19ab,

Psalm 4:2.4.7.9,

1 John 2: 1-5a,

Luke 24:35-48 Full Readings

Blessed James Oldo

You Are Witnesses to these Things

Brethren, there are seven Sundays in the Easter season and on this third Sunday we reflect on the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the Gospel of Luke. Today's Gospel is the continuation of the meeting of Jesus with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they were still telling their experience to the disciples in the upper room, Jesus appeared to them, and greeted them with peace. He comforted and calmed their unanswered questions by showing his body and even eating something. He finally explained to them that these things happened to fulfill the scripture and that they are witnesses to these things and they must proclaim them Jerusalem and beyond.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 17, 2021, Saturday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 6: 1-7,

Psalm 33:1-2.4-5. 18-19,

John 6: 16-21 Full Readings

Saint Benedict Joseph Labre

Do Not Be Afraid

Brethren, the first reading shows us how the apostles handled the problem of ethnicity within their ideal community of believers, but also shows us the example off how to share and help each other in the ministry by appointing the seven deacons, who were to serve people at the table and attend to their needs while the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer and proclaiming the word of God. The tendency to cater to “people from my place” to the detriment of others’ welfare is still very strong among us. It exists in all walks of life, even in pious church communities. The problem always arises with sharing of material goods. The inclusion of Spirit-filled people from different ethnic groups ensures equitable sharing of material resources and guards against partiality and injustice.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 16, 2021, Friday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 5:34-42,

Psalm 27:1.4. 13- 14,

John 6: 1- 15) Full Readings

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Fed by His Divine Providence

Brethren, today's Gospel message of feeding the 5000 men reflects the real heavenly banquet which God will give us when we are all gathered there (Jesus' miracles were all pointing to what it will be like in the kingdom of God), but also reflects the sharing of the Eucharistic banquet when we are all gathered as a people and as mystical body of Christ, the church. Through his divine Providence, God is always feeding us with his word, the spiritual food as well as providing our physical needs. Today's message is therefore centred on trusting in the Divine Providence.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 15, 2021, Thursday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 5:27-33,

Ps 34:2, 9, 17-18.19-20,

John 3:31 -36) Full Readings

Blessed Caesar de Bus

Revealed by His Son

"The Father loves the son and has entrusted everything to Him." Brethren, yesterday we saw that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son for us who believe in him to have eternal life and today's Gospel reading shows us that it was because the father loves his Son that he entrusted everything to him even the task of saving us. Jesus was not forced to come into the world but he willingly accepted to come out of his Father's Love for him and for all humanity as the Father's true revelation.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 14, 2021, Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 5: 17-26,

Psalm 34: 2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9,

John 3: 16-21 Full Readings

Blessed Peter Gonzalez

Saved by Love

Brethren, the colloquium between Jesus and Nicodemus which we have heard for three days now ends with showing us the love of God which he has for his people and the source of eternal life: perhaps the most well known verse in the Bible John 3:16 "God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life." Almost every Christian knows this verse but do we respond to that love!

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 13, 2021, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 4: 32-37,

Psalm 93:1-2,5,

John 3 :7-15 Full Reading

Saint Martin I

Being led by the Holy Spirit

Brethren, today in the Gospel we see a continuation of Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus about being born again in the spirit in relation to entering the Divine Mysteries of the kingdom of God. Nicodemus was the first one of the few Pharisees who ultimately converted, became a follower of Jesus, in addition to later converts of Saint Paul, Gamaliel and a few recorded in Acts 15:15. Nicodemus is considered a saint today and a patron of curiosity. He made a difference from other Pharisees of Jesus’ time, to come and seek guidance and teaching from Jesus (Is this why he came at night?).

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 12, 2021, Monday of the Second Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 4:23-31,

Psalm 2:1-3. 4-6.7-9,

John 3 :1-8 Full Readings

Saint Teresa of Los Andes

Being Born Again

Brethren, as soon as the first week of rejoicing at the Resurrection of Jesus is over the Church begins to put before us the great discourses of Jesus (the teaching rather than the happenings) in the Gospel of John. These readings from John will continue right through Paschaltide. Today Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, praising Jesus as being a great teacher and being with God. Jesus tells him that unless one is born again (in water and Sprit), he or she cannot enter the kingdom of God. It is surely not an accident that the series begins with the response to Jesus from the faithful in the great sacraments of initiation, Baptism (and confirmation) in John 3 and Eucharist which we will read in John 6. Or, to be more exact, the offer of Jesus in these two great sacraments to which the faithful respond.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 11, 2021, Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy, Year B

Acts 4: 32-35;

Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24;

1 John 5: 1-6;

Jn 20: 19-31. Full Readings

Saint Stanislaus

Sent to be instruments of Mercy

Brethren, today, the eighth day of Easter, marks the end of Octave Easter but in a special way the mother church celebrates the Divine Mercy Sunday. When Jesus appeared to St Faustina Kowalska, he gave her ways in which devotion to his Mercy in life should be lived. One of the ways was through the celebration of Divine Mercy on this eighth day after Easter. On this day the door gates of Mercy are opened and “every soul which feels sorry, go for confession and receive Holy Communion will receive complete forgiveness of sins and no punishment.” Therefore this is a very important Sunday in the life of the church, the church is Holy but with sinful human beings.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 10, 2021, Saturday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 4:13-21,

Ps 118:1 and 14- I5ab.15c-18.19-21,

Mark 16:9- 15 Full Readings

Saint Magdalen of Canossa

Bold Proclamation of the Risen Lord

Brethren, today let us learn and Reflect on the boldness of the Apostles who despite all the threats and warnings they got from the Sanhedrin, to stop speaking in Jesus' name, could not stop proclaiming the Gospel of the resurrection, what they had seen and heard. This is because they were filled by the Holy Spirit after a great commissioning by the risen Lord on the time he appeared to them in the room. This boldness also comes after they believed in the resurrection.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 9, 2021, Friday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 4:1-12,

Ps 118:1-2 and 4.22-24.25-27ab,

John 21: 1-14) Full Readings

Saint Casilda

Casting into the deep

Brethren, today Jesus appears to the disciples again, the third time at Lake Tiberias, which is called the Sea of Galilee. We remember the significance of this sea in Jesus' mission. It is where he called his first disciples and did many miracles around there and it was where his ministry started from. The disciples had gone back for fishing and could not get anything the whole night. Jesus then orders them to cast into the deep for a big catch. What an amazing catch! This Gospel has a fundamental message which Jesus gives to his disciples and to all of us.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 08, 2021, Thursday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 3 : 11-26,

Psalm 8:2ab and 5.6-7a.7b-9 ,

Luke 24:35-48) Full Readings

Saint Julie Billiart

Peace be With You

Brethren, Jesus after appearing to various groups of people, we see him today appearing to his disciples in the room they were hiding and greeted them "Peace be with You." They were all astonished and thought they were seeing a ghost but Jesus proved by showing himself, the wounds, the flesh and by eating with them so that they may come to believe. Jerome (347-420 AD), an early church bible scholar, comments:

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 7, 2021, Wednesday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 3 : 1-10,

Psalm 105:1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9,

Luke 24 :13-35 Full Readings

Saint John Baptist de La Salle

Recognising Jesus in the Eucharist

Brethren, we continue to celebrate Easter and Jesus is appearing to different groups of people while on the other hand the Apostles are using the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the light of the Risen Lord to perform miracles and show that really the Lord who was crucified died and was buried is indeed alive. Do we ourselves believe in this Resurrection, if Yes, let us take that light of resurrection to others.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 6, 2021, Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 2:36-41,

Psalm 33:4-5.18-19.20 and 22,

John 20:11 - 18 Full Readings

Saint Crescentia Hoess

Recognising Jesus' Voice

Brethren as we continue to rejoice and be glad in Easter, let us also continue to reflect on the reality of resurrection in our lives, and on recognising the Risen Christ as he appears to us in different ways and experiences in our lives. Today's readings bring to us again another message of proclaiming the Risen Christ and his appearance to Mary of Magdala.

Daily Catholic Reflection: April 5, 2021, Monday in the Octave of Easter, Year B

Acts 2: 14.22-33,

Psalm 16: 1-2a and 5.7-8.9-10.11,

Matthew 28:8-15 Full Readings

Saint Vincent Ferrer

Where is your Galilee?

Brethren, today is Easter Monday in the Easter Octave, meaning it is Easter once again, we celebrate this for eight consecutive days which is culminated by Divine Mercy Sunday (hope you are praying the Divine Mercy Novena). During these days we encounter the Risen Lord meeting various groups and commissioning many of them at once when he meets them. Are you prepared to meet the Risen Lord? Today in a particular way, he meets the women and behold, he tells them "Don't be afraid, go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee, they will see me there"

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