Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“Jesus,” reclining, “grew deeply troubled.” –John 13:21 Mass Readings: April 11 First: Acts 5:27-32,40-41;Resp: Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Second: Revelation 5:11-14; Gospel: John 21:1-19 During Holy Week, we recall a week of extreme suffering, pain, and trauma for Jesus. As we reflect on Jesus’ sufferings, we too may be having an extremely difficult week. As we look at our lives, we may feel we have “toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent” our strength (Is 49:4). Like Jesus, we may grow “deeply troubled” (Jn 13:21). We are tempted to let Satan enter our hearts (see Jn 13:27), or we are broken-hearted...

“Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.” –Psalm 27:14 Mass Readings: April 10 First: Acts 6:1-7; Resp: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; Gospel: John 6:16-21 We wait for what we cannot see; the return of the Master seems to take so long. We wait with courage, not in doubt. We wait not because there is no other alternative but because we faithfully choose to persevere in hope while waiting for the Master to appear (see Mt 25:1ff). We call people who serve in a restaurant “waiters.” The waiter serves us. Thus, serving the Lord and His people...

“He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together.” –Jeremiah 31:10 Mass Readings: April 8 First: Acts 5:27-33;Resp: Psalm 34:2,9,17-20;Gospel: John 3:31-36 Jesus died on the cross “to gather into one all the dispersed children of God” (Jn 11:52). He is praying that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Jesus makes us one by His being lifted up on the cross, in the Resurrection and the Ascension, to the right hand of the Father. Then He draws us to Himself, as He promised: “I – once I am lifted up from earth – will draw...

“You Who are only a man are making Yourself God.” –John 10:33 Mass Readings: April 7 First: Acts 5:17-26; Resp: Psalm 34:2-9; Gospel: John 3:16-21 In the Gospel of John, Jesus claims that He is God. He says: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30). He uses the phrase “I AM” to refer to Himself (Jn 8:24, 28, 58), and that phrase is God’s name as revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14). When the Jewish leaders accused Jesus of making Himself God, Jesus was presented with the perfect opportunity to clarify exactly Who He was (Jn 10:33). Jesus’ life was...