Category: Message of the Day

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart.” –Psalm 138:1 Mass Readings: May 8 First: Acts 16:22-34; Resp: Psalm 138:1-3,7-8; Gospel: John 16:5-11 Listen to the Mass Readings The “radical newness” of the Christian life (see Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10) is sometimes buried under our sins and lukewarmness (see Rv 3:16). In our refusal to abandon ourselves totally to the Lord, we make Christianity a club, game, organization, or private avocation. However, life in Christ is not merely one option as a possible way of life. It is...

“When the Paraclete comes, the Spirit of truth Who comes from the Father – and Whom I Myself will send from the Father – He will bear witness on My behalf.” –John 15:26 The Holy Spirit bears witness for Jesus, and we must bear witness too (Jn 15:27). When we witness for Jesus, we will see God open the hearts of many people, and they will give their lives to Jesus (see Acts 16:14-15). On the other hand, in our witnessing for Jesus, we will encounter strong opposition. Some of those putting us to death will even think they are...

“As Peter entered, Cornelius went to meet him, dropped to his knees before him and bowed low.” –Acts 10:25 The Holy Spirit wants to teach us all things (Jn 14:26). For example, He wants to teach us how to be parents, wives, husbands, lay single people, and members of religious communities. The Spirit wants to teach us how to spend our money, eat, talk, think, work, love, live, and die. Because the Holy Spirit wants to teach us so much, the proper relationship with Him is to be teachable, that is, docile. Most of the time the Spirit does not...

“The congregations grew stronger in faith and daily increased in numbers.” –Acts 16:5 The Lord is very interested in the growth of individuals and congregations. He delights in our growth as a parent delights in their child’s first step or first word. The Lord wants congregations to grow both in faith and in numbers (see Acts 16:5). Growing in quality and quantity are not two separate types of growth, but eventually go together. If we truly have a strong faith, we will be strong in evangelizing and leading many to Christ. The Lord wants every Christian and every Christian congregation...

“Your fruit must endure.” –John 15:16 Mass Readings: May 4 First: Acts 15:22-31; Resp: Psalm 57:8-12; Gospel: John 15:12-17 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus, the Vine, commands us, the branches, to bear fruit that is not only abundant but also lasting (Jn 15:16). Our commitment to the Lord and the commitments of those whom we have led to the Lord will last, if these commitments are: “rooted in [Jesus] and built up in Him” (Col 2:7), confirmed by the Holy Spirit, founded on the rock of hearing and obeying God’s Word (Mt 7:24ff), in submission to the authority of...