Monday, May 17, 2021

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 18, 2021, Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 20: 17-27,

Psalm 68: 1 0-11, 20-21,

John 17:1-11a Full Readings

Finishing the Mission

The two readings today present to us a similar message, about finishing the mission which one has been entrusted with. In the First Reading, Paul rejoices from having finished the mission which Christ had entrusted to him. He did not hesitate to preach the Gospel with all humility and despite all persecution and rejections he boldly preached the Good news of Christ even up to dying. In this way he glorified God and he is now giving farewell to all his hearers and awaits the way Jesus will glorify Him.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 17, 2021, Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter, year B

Acts 19:1-8,

Psalm 68:2-3.4-5ac 6-7ab,

John 16:29-33) Full Readings

Have you come to believe in Jesus?

Today's Gospel reading brings to a conclusion the second version of the discourse after the Last Supper which began with John 15.1. It concludes with an inspiring re-assurance of the certainty of the teaching which has been given. The themes of the whole discourse are love and belief, which have been constant throughout the teaching of Jesus which we have read in the weeks of Eastertide. Now the disciples are to be scattered over the earth on their mission, and though the world will be full of trouble, they can still rest secure in Jesus because of his union with the Father and because of conquering the world. Now, we are ready, with the Apostles, for the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 16, 2021, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B

Acts 1:1-11,

Psalm 47:2-3,6-9,

Ephesians 1:17-23, or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13

For those who celebrated Ascension on Last Thursday, see the Seventh Sunday of Easter Reflection here.

Go into the Whole World

Brethren, the time has come, Jesus is leaving His Apostles as he has always been telling them since Easter; it is the end of Jesus’ mission here on earth, a mission he has carefully, dedicatedly, and fully finished, leaving the mantle to the Apostles to carry it on not only in Jerusalem but to all the ends of the earth in his name under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will come on the Pentecost day. The mission he leaves to the Apostles and to all of us is: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” This mission will be accompanied by signs like: “in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” After this mission, Jesus left the and the Apostles saw him face to face as He ascended to heaven. This of course might have been a sad experience for them, but they had a promise of the Paraclete and a continuing presence among them (Mark 16: 15-20).

Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20

1 Jn 4:11-16

John 17: 11b-19 Full Readings

Saint Margaret of Cortona

That they may be One

The Gospel today presents the middle part of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John’s discourse after last supper. This middle part of the high priestly prayer of Jesus centres on the separation of the followers of Jesus from the world. He prays that they may remain One as Father and Him are one. Jesus has given them his Word and prays that they may remain uncontaminated by the world and the Evil One. This part justifies the title ‘High Priestly Prayer’ because the priestly function involves consecrating/sanctifying others. Here Jesus speaks of consecrating/sanctifying himself, so that his followers may not only be protected from the Evil One, but also may be consecrated/sanctified as he is consecrated/sanctified.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 15, 2021, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 18:23-28,

Psalm 47:2-3.8-9.1,

John 16:23b-28 Full Readings

Saint Isidore the Farmer

Whatever you ask in my name you shall get

The farewell speech of Jesus is drawing to an end. Today he tells his Apostles that: "...anything you ask for from my Father he will grant in my name...so that your joy will be complete" Of course when Jesus was with them, they would lack nothing. They had everything they needed but since Jesus was going to the Father they had to start asking in the form of prayer. Their relationship was to be no longer physical but spiritual and the only way to communicate spiritually to God is through prayer.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 14, 2021, Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle

Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26,

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Jn 15: 9-17 Full Readings

Saint Matthias

Friends With Jesus

Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of Saint Matthias, the Apostle, a man who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after he had chosen to go his way by betraying Jesus. Matthias was chosen not only after the intense prayer and guidance of the Holy but also he was a longtime friend of Jesus and his Apostles and from the first reading we see Peter saying that is is necessary to choose a man ”who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” The celebration of today’s feast is not only the Apostleship of Matthias but also the friendship with Jesus that led him to be chosen as an Apostle.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 13, 2021, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B (Or Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter)

Acts 1:1-11,

Psalm 47:2-3,6-9,

Ephesians 1:17-23, or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13

Mt 28:16-20 Full Readings

For those who shift Ascension to Sunday, see the Reflection here.

Our Lady of Fatima

Go into the Whole World

Brethren, the time has come, Jesus is leaving His Apostles as he has always been telling them since Easter; it is the end of Jesus’ mission here on earth, a mission he has carefully, dedicatedly, and fully finished, leaving the mantle to the Apostles to carry it on not only in Jerusalem but to all the ends of the earth in his name under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will come on the Pentecost day. The mission he leaves to the Apostles and to all of us is: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” This mission will be accompanied by signs like: “in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” After this mission, Jesus left the and the Apostles saw him face to face as He ascended to heaven. This of course might have been a sad experience for them, but they had a promise of the Paraclete and a continuing presence among them (Mark 16: 15-20).

Reading 1 ACTS 18:1-8

Responsorial Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

Gospel JN 16:16-20 Full Readings

See here for the Ascension of the Lord Reflection for those who celebrate it today

Our Lady of Fatima

Sorrow to Joy

Today Jesus continues to make his apostles aware that he is soon leaving them, and having told them that “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me,” they got confused but Jesus told them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.” John 16:20

Daily Catholic Reflection: May12, 2021, Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 17: 15.22-18:1,

Psalm 148:1-2.11-12.13.14,

John 16:12-15 Full Readings

Saint Leopold Mandic, Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs, Saint Pancras, Martyr

The Spirit of Truth.

Today, Jesus continues with His farewell words to his Apostles as well as ensuring them of His promise of the Holy Spirit and today, He introduces this Spirit under the title, Spirit of Truth as he says: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” John 16:12–13

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 11, 2021, Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 16:22-34,

Psalm 138: 1ac-2a.2bcd-3.7c-8,

John 16:5- 11 Full Readings

Saint Ignatius of Laconi

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Brethren, Jesus continues to prepare his Apostles for his departure to his Father in heaven and today tells his Apostles that His going to His Father is for their own good and our own good too. This is because when He goes will send us an Advocate, who will be with us forever. If Jesus does not go to His Father, the Advocate will not come.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 10, 2021, Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 16:11-15,

Psalm 149: 1bc-2.3-4.5-6a and 9bc,

John 15:26-16:4a Full Readings

Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka’i

The Spirit of truth will be my witness.

As days draw near to His ascension, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the life when He will not be them. He is telling them what will really happen and prepares them in time so that they will not be surprised when the time comes. Today He tells His Apostles that they will be expelled from synagogues and even killed but no worry the Spirit of truth will be with them.

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 9, 2021, Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

1 Jn 4:7-10

John 15: 15:9-17 Full Readings

Saint John of Avila

I chose you to go and bear Fruit

Brethren, on this sixth Sunday of Easter, let us Reflect on Jesus' words: "You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last."

Daily Catholic Reflection: May 8, 2021, Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Year B

Acts 16: 1-10,

Psalm 100: 1-2.3.5,

John 15:18-21 Full Readings

Saint Peter of Tarentaise

The Reality of following Jesus

Brethren, today's Gospel reading presents to us the reality of following Jesus. It's Jesus Himself who speaks to us 'If the world hates you, remember that they hated me first...if they persecuted me, they will persecute you too.'