CATHOLIC DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

Welcome to my blog. The Catholic Church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives us each day at least two readings from the Bible, plus several verses from a psalm which is an inspired response to one of the readings, normally the first.

There is a cycle (a two year cycle for weekdays and a three year cycle for Sundays) which covers the major parts of the Old Testament, the Gospels and the New Testament writings.

Through these readings we can get our spiritual nourishment. In my blog I give the readings and the inspirations I have received in my prayer. I want to share them with others. If they help some to get in touch with God and his image in this world, Jesus the Christ, then my purpose will be fulfilled. May God bless you through his Holy Spirit.

Tuesday 12 May 2020

LOVE AND PEACE

Prayer:

Jesus, you have risen from the dead and live among us. Through your Holy Spirit, show us the way to meet you. Speak to us and grant us the grace that we may never lose hope in your promises.

First reading

Acts 14:19-28

They gave an account of how God had opened the door of faith to the pagans

Some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and turned the people against the apostles. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town. The next day he and Barnabas went off to Derbe.

Having preached the Good News in that town and made a considerable number of disciples, they went back through Lystra and Iconium to Antioch. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. ‘We all have to experience many hardships’ they said ‘before we enter the kingdom of God.’ In each of these churches they appointed elders, and with prayer and fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.

They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. Then after proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia and from there sailed for Antioch, where they had originally been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the pagans. They stayed there with the disciples for some time.

There is no doubt that Paul was gifted with a personality which desired to excel in all things. He could not tolerate mediocrity in himself, nor really in others. He had met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He knew him – ‘he loved me and gave his life for me’. His love for Jesus was deep and passionate. There was nothing he would not suffer for the one who had given his life for him. He wanted everyone to know Jesus, Son of God and Lord and have the same experience. Thus, he was driven on relentlessly by his love.

Such Christians are an example to us all. Have you really met Jesus?

____________________

Our response to the reading

Psalm 144(145):10-13a,21

Your friends, O Lord, shall make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

or

Alleluia!

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign

and declare your might, O God,

to make known to men your mighty deeds

and the glorious splendour of your reign.

Your friends, O Lord, shall make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

or

Alleluia!

Yours is an everlasting kingdom;

your rule lasts from age to age.

Your friends, O Lord, shall make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

or

Alleluia!

Let me speak the praise of the Lord,

let all mankind bless his holy name

for ever, for ages unending.

Your friends, O Lord, shall make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

or

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 14:27-31

A peace the world cannot give is my gift to you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,

a peace the world cannot give,

this is my gift to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.

If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,

for the Father is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it happens,

so that when it does happen you may believe.

I shall not talk with you any longer,

because the prince of this world is on his way.

He has no power over me,

but the world must be brought to know

that I love the Father

and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’

The whole of the Gospel hangs together. In order to receive his gift of peace – a gift which we enjoy whatever happens in our life – we must love Jesus. A mutually loving relationship is the key to everything. But to love Jesus, I must know him. To know him, I must meet him. Meeting him often, I will build up a relationship with him. There is no end to this, as to any relationship. But how do I meet him? How can I get to know him?

For Catholic Christians the supreme way is through the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is truly present with his Body, Body, Soul and Divinity. Our faith makes us absolutely certain of his presence. Through the Holy Eucharist we can have the experience of Jesus, present. It is through this Sacrament that we must cultivate our relationship with him. There is no end to the depth of this very personal relationship. It is in proportion to our faith in his presence.

Through the Gospels and the inspiration of the Spirit to us personally, he will speak to us and tell us who is – for us, as individuals. In this loving relationship he will give us his peace. This peace will become the hallmark of our life.

This is only the starting point. Through the Spirit’s inspiration we will find Jesus everywhere

and in everyone. Life become our living and loving relationship with him.

Do you want to know Jesus, as someone real in your life?

____________________

Rm 6: 8

If we have died with Christ,

we believe that we shall also live with Christ, alleluia.

Lord Jesus, through your Word, may we come to know you. May we, who through your infinite mercy, believe in you, come one day to share, in our own bodies, the glory of your Resurrection.