Category: Verse for the day

HEY, WAITER!

“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...

THAT’S A NO-KNOW?

Peter “began cursing, and swore, ‘I do not even know the Man!’ ” –Matthew 26:74 Mass Readings: April 9 First: Acts 5:34-42;Resp: Psalm 27:1,4,13-14;Gospel: John 6:1-15 Peter was privileged to know Jesus in ways not granted to the other disciples (see Mt 16:17; Mt 14:29; Mt 17:1; Mk 5:37; Mt 26:37). If anyone was in a position to know Jesus intimately, Peter was. He knew Jesus the Messiah, Teacher, Deliverer, Raiser of the dead, and Master of the crowds. Yet, on Good Friday, Peter saw a Man before him standing bound, captive, mocked, and silent before His accusers. When asked...

THE MAGNET OF UNITY

“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...

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” (Mt 16:15)

“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...

A HEART-WARMING LENT

“When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him.” –Genesis 17:3 Mass Readings: April 6 First: Acts 4:32-37; Resp: Psalm 93:1-2,5;Gospel: John 3:7-15 Will you let the Lord say anything to you, even if you don’t understand it or if it seems “too good to be true”? If today you hear His voice, is your heart hardened or opened? (Ps 95:7-8) The Lord wishes we would listen to Him. He pleads: “If only My people would hear Me…” (Ps 81:14). One week from today will be the last day of Lent. Throughout Lent, the Lord has been preparing us...