Category: Memory Verse

CAUSE FOR REJOICING” (1 Pt 1:6)

“He rejoiced to see the evidence of God’s favor.” –Acts 11:23 Mass Readings: May 9 First: Acts 11:19-26; Resp: Psalm 87:1-7; Gospel: John 10:22-30 Listen to the Mass Readings I was just handed several letters from readers of One Bread, One Body (OBOB). Each letter was an encouragement from a faithful reader who uses OBOB during prayer time, and each person expressed their gratitude, encouragement, and love. These readers are like Barnabas, offering encouragement for us to remain firm in our commitment to produce OBOB (see Acts 11:23). These letters cause us to rejoice as we “see the evidence of...

THE “DIED-FOR”

“The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” –John 10:11 Mass Readings: May 8 First: Acts 11:1-18; Resp: Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4;Gospel: John 10:11-18 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came that we “might have life more abundantly” (see Jn 10:10, RNAB). Paradoxically, life is given through death (see Jn 12:24). To give life to His sheep, Jesus the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep (Jn 10:11, 15, 17). “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life” (Jn 15:13). “It is rare that anyone should lay down his life...

WALKING THROUGH A MINED-FIELD

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” –Psalm 23:1 Mass Readings: May 7 First: Acts 2:14,36-41; Resp: Psalm 23:1-6; Second: 1 Peter 2:20-25;Gospel: John 10:1-10 Listen to the Mass Readings Few of us have ever pastured, fleeced, or slaughtered a sheep. So we don’t have the experience to understand the image of the Good Shepherd. Nevertheless, many people are fascinated with this image. Perhaps they instinctively know the deep and compelling need of the human person to be shepherded. One of the main works of a shepherd is to guide the sheep. If we are on the road...

MAKE A RUN FOR IT

“There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you! Get up and make your bed.’ The man got up at once.” –Acts 9:33-34 Mass Readings: May 6 First: Acts 9:31-42; Resp: Psalm 116:12-17;Gospel: John 6:60-69 Listen to the Mass Readings The first healing by the newborn Church recorded in Acts of the Apostles was the healing of the man born lame (Acts 3:1ff). Later, Peter healed “Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years” (Acts 9:33). Paul also healed a man lame...

WHATEVER IT TAKES

“The Lord said to him: ‘You must go! This man is the instrument I have chosen to bring My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I Myself shall indicate to him how much he will have to suffer for My name.’” –Acts 9:15-16 Mass Readings: May 5 First: Acts 9:1-20; Resp: Psalm 117:1-2; Gospel: John 6:52-59 Listen to the Mass Readings The Lord converted Saul of Tarsus by: grace (see Eph 2:8), the martyrdom of St. Stephen (Acts 7:60–8:1), the redemptive suffering of the early Church (Acts 8:1, 3; 9:4), the prayers of...