Easter 4th Week, Friday, May 8th

Acts 13:26-33 / John 14:1-6 

Jesus makes a promise: “I will come back.”

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in World War II on December 7,1941, they invaded and occupied the Philippines. Three months later, on March 11,1942, General Douglas MacArthur was forced to flee from the Philippines. Before leaving for Australia, he told the islanders, “I shall return.” Two and a half years later, on October 20,1944, he kept his promise. Landing on Leyte Island, General MacArthur said, “I have returned.” Jesus, too, promised to return after he departed from this world. Like MacArthur, he will reappear someday and say, “I have returned.” When Jesus returns at the end of time, will we greet him with the same joy that the islanders greeted MacArthur? “I am going to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

Easter 4th Week: Thursday, Prayer Reflection

We are the Disciples of the Lord

We are Jesus’ disciples, following him even as he moves toward the cross. Even as he wraps a towel around his waist. Even as he kneels to wash the filth from the feet of his friends.

We are Jesus’ disciples, longing to be faithful even as the night grows dark. Even as betrayers loom. Even as the powers that oppose the way of Christ press in around us.

Easter 4th Week, Thursday, May 7th

Acts 13:13-25 / John 13:16-20 

Jesus teaches about service: “No slave is greater than his master”

Eastern Mennonite College ran an unusual ad in Campus Life magazine. After describing how everyone today is striving to be “on top,” the ad noted that it wasn’t much different in Jesus’ day. Even Jesus’ closest disciples wanted to be “on top.” Jesus made a dramatic statement about this attitude. He simply tied a towel around his waist and washed their feet. In other words, he dramatized in action what he had taught in words:

2 Capuchin Friars Entertaining Covid Patients through Net

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: We pray for other sheep and shepherds- #4

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: We pray for other sheep and shepherds- #4 

Prayer for Others

Lord, we ask for the courage and compassion of the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep.

Caritas Campaign Against Corona Virus

Easter 4th Week, Wednesday, May 6th

Acts 12:24 - 13:5 / John 12:44-50 

Jesus talks about his mission: “I came into the world as light.”

A group of Chinese Christian clergymen invited an American professor of Scripture to give them a workshop on the Bible. In the course of the workshop the professor asked the clergymen to pick out the episode in the Gospel that impressed them most. To his surprise, they did not choose the Sermon on the Mount, the crucifixion of Jesus, or the resurrection of Jesus. They chose Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet. The choice of the Chinese clergymen fits in perfectly with what Jesus says in today’s gospel about his mission: He came into the world to be its light. In other words, he came into the world to serve.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: I need a Shepherd - #3

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: I need a Shepherd- #3

I believe I need a shepherd.
Because I am sometimes timid and other times overconfident,
because I often don't know the best path yet pretend I do,
because I rush into dead ends or lead others into hazardous places, because my brightest ideas are seamed with darkness,
because the things I crave may not be what is good for me.

Easter 4th Week, Tuesday, May 5th

Acts 11:19-26 / John 10:22-30 

Jesus speaks about discipleship: “My sheep hear my voice and follow me.”

Two shepherds were separating their flocks after their sheep had shared the same pen for the night. The first shepherd called, “Manah” (Arabic for “Follow me”). At once his sheep came to him. The second shepherd did the same with the same results. A visitor, familiar with Jesus’ words in today’s gospel and interested in testing them, put on the outer cloak and turban of the first shepherd and called, “Manah!" The sheep didn’t budge. “Will your flock ever follow someone other than you?” asked the visitor. “Yes,” said the shepherd. “Sometimes a sheep gets sick and will follow anyone.”

May 4-9: Easter 4th Week - Reflections

May 4 Monday: Jn 10:11-16: 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16…USCCB reflections: (https://youtu.be/KbA1bcD679s?list=PLpTzvCOJa7DA8uaxE25BlBvINntS5bWpi )