Category: Verse for the day

“What must we do to perform the works of God?” —John 6:28 As a witness for the risen Christ, are you more fired up for Jesus as the Easter season progresses? Or is your fire out? Are you burnt out? Worse yet, have you never been on fire for Jesus? A piece of paper can be set afire by focusing the sun’s rays on it for an extended time through a magnifying glass. We can be set afire by exposing ourselves for an extended time to God’s grace magnified through Bible study (see Lk 24:32), the sacraments, community life (see...

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” —John 21:16 Three times Jesus addressed Peter not as “Peter,” the name Jesus had given him, but as “Simon, son of John,” Peter’s name before he met Christ (Jn 21:15, 16, 17). Jesus asked Peter three times: “Do you love Me?” Was Jesus questioning Simon about his love? Two weeks ago, every Catholic in the world who went to Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass renewed baptismal promises by rejecting Satan and professing faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. What if Jesus asked you today...

“Look around among your own number, brothers, for seven men acknowledged to be deeply spiritual and prudent.” —Acts 6:3 Did you notice that the leaders of the early Church placed the responsibility for finding deacons on the “community of the disciples”? (Acts 6:2) That’s us! We are to be on the lookout for those who would make good leaders in the Church. This was new for the early Christians. Jewish priests and Levites were born into their positions. The apostles were called and chosen by Jesus Himself. The early Church, however, called the whole community of disciples to raise up...

” ‘Philip,’ Jesus replied, ‘after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?’ ” —John 14:9 St. Philip asked Jesus a question to which Jesus clearly expected Philip to already know the answer. Unfortunately, I can relate all too well to St. Philip, and perhaps some of you can relate as well. Often I must hear information several times before it finally sinks into my mind. Thankfully, Philip was not too proud to offer Jesus his ignorance and lack of understanding. Philip allowed Jesus to take it away and replace it with the Holy...

“Better for us to obey God than men! The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus.” —Acts 5:29 Jesus of Nazareth died for our salvation and rose from the dead. After He poured out the Holy Spirit, people began to realize His name was above every other name. At His name, every knee must bend and every tongue proclaim that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:10-11). The Spirit inspired the apostles to teach about Jesus’ name and fill Jerusalem with it (Acts 5:28). Nonetheless, the authorities gave “strict orders not to teach” about Jesus’ name (Acts 5:28). The apostles defied...