Tag: Prayer

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

In today’s Gospel, there is so much to ponder in the miracle of the loaves and the fishes. On encountering the large crowd coming to him, Jesus isn’t startled or alarmed. He knows with unshaken confidence that his Father will provide for him. The question he asks Philip, John tells us, is a test; it’s an opportunity for Philip to answer for himself that God will provide for their needs. By a simple leap of logic, I recognize that Jesus himself is asking me the same question: “Where is enough?” Philip answers this question in human terms with a human solution: they would need two hundred days worth of wages to feed the crowd only a little. And in response, the miracle Jesus provides is not in a little way but is generous to the nth degree: after the crowd had eaten, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered. Human solutions fail; God’s divine intervention exceeds all human expectation.

God, for the times when my mind goes into overdrive searching for a solution, give me the grace to turn to you for assistance. Give me the eyes of Jesus when overwhelming needs approach that call for a solution. I am often caught up in using the gifts you have given me, trying to do all I can, but am slow to recognize that the best solution is not mine but yours to carry through. Lord, give me the peace to know that it’s okay to step off of the mental treadmill to give you space to work miracles. Relieve me from the sole burden of making things happen and draw me into your will so that I see and accomplish it.

Thank you, Lord, for the gifts of reasoning that you have given me and for your extravagant generosity. Give me the peace of Christ in confronting the problems that seem to be too big for me to handle.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

In giving everything over to the Son, the Father shows complete love for him and at the same time provides a means for all of us to have complete trust in the Son. Eternal life is the promise, and it is through the work of the Son that the Father accomplishes this for all who believe in the Son. The wrath of God—is that a kind of burning within each of us, a kind of suffering that finds no peace until obedience to the Son restores us to life?

God, another day of my life begins, and I am given the choice to believe without seeing or to fail to trust and face isolation from you. Give me the grace today of quiet confidence in you. Help me remain obedient to your Son today and every day of this earthly life so that one day I will see you in your glory. Strengthen my faith!

Hear me today, Lord. Make clear to me in moments of the day when I am unsettled and perturbed, that it is you I am missing and need to return to. Lord, lead me to the fullness of life in you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Today’s Gospel picks up from yesterday’s passage, where Jesus teaches Nicodemus. So that everyone might have eternal life, God gave his only-begotten Son. In the words of John: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” The saving light of Christ did not stop people from preferring darkness to light, just as the Sanhedrin in the first reading from Acts had the Apostles put into prison. But God would not have it that darkness would overcome light. During the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and by morning the court officers found the prison locked but empty. There are times, Lord, when I prefer darkness so that my sins might not be exposed. What can I do but turn to you for help?

God, I want to live in the light of your truth so that I know your will and do your works. Today there will be moments when darkness seems desirable, where choosing to do wrong and the captivity of sin seems preferable to believing in your Son. I ask you to come into those moments today and bring them into your light. Save me from the darkness of sin that has power over me only in so far as I keep it hidden from you. With the psalmist, I pray: “Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.”

Lord, be my companion today. Disperse the darkness with the breath of your Spirit, and save me from the darkness that I tend toward if left alone. Give me the grace today to take refuge in you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to teach Nicodemus about the kingdom of God. He says to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” Nicodemus struggles with faith in the work of the Holy Spirit, action that comes from beyond what is earthly. “No one has gone up to heaven,” Jesus tells him, “except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.” By saying this, Jesus reveals his divinity as the Son who, by being lifted on the cross, brings salvation to the whole world. Jesus says to Nicodemus: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” With these words, Jesus speaks not only to Nicodemus but to everyone who would hear and believe him.

God, help me understand the heavenly things Jesus teaches Nicodemus. It is clear that your Son goes ahead of anyone who believes in him, dying and rising, and now at your right hand in majesty. In imperative form, Jesus says, “You must be born from above.” There is no questions about the necessity of being born of the Spirit. Yet, human shortcomings often tend to derail me from that goal, and it is only with your grace that I allow my will to be your will. “The wind blows where it wills,” Jesus says, “and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” Lord, grant me the grace to listen for your will and to abandon myself to it in this life so that I may one day be born to eternal life in your kingdom.

The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Monday of the Second Week of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.”

In today’s Gospel, Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher who has come from God, and he asks him how a person can be born again. Jesus explains that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, he tells him, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. Nicodemus is confused and asks how this can be, but Jesus compares it to the wind, which blows where it pleases and is not seen. Not through our own power do we enter the kingdom of God but by being born again of the Holy Spirit, which transforms us from the inside out, making us new creatures in Christ. Nicodemus’s response to Jesus is almost comical—that it isn’t possible for a man once grown old to be born again. Yet, Nicodemus merely reflects on the natural order, following common sense. But the divine order—the Holy Spirit—is outside of the natural order and blows where it wills.

God, help me break free from the confines of the natural order. Most of the time things happen according to it, but if I come to believe that is always true, I miss taking part in the boldness that faith in your Son allows. As Peter and John prayed in the first reading, let me be confident in the wonders you can work that defy logic: “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord. Lord, give me the grace to turn to you to take refuge.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples who are gathered together in a locked room out of fear of some of the Jewish leaders. Jesus suddenly appears and says, “Peace be with you.” He then shows them his hands and side, which bear the marks of the crucifixion, and they see and believe that he has truly risen from the dead. Jesus then breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He also gives them the authority to forgive sins. Thomas is not present when Jesus appears, and he refuses to believe that Jesus has risen unless he sees the wounds for himself. A week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again, and this time Thomas is there. Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds and to believe, and Thomas confesses, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus’ response to Thomas is spoken not only to Thomas but to all who would believe without seeing. Peter describes this beautifully in the second reading: “Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him.”

Lord, help me understand that the words you spoke to Thomas you speak to me in your mercy to meet me in my unbelief. “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” The eleven disciples had the benefit of your appearance to them; Thomas at first did not, and neither do I. Although I cannot see you in the same way, you invite me to believe without seeing. You are alive, body and soul, at the right hand of the Father, and you are present in the sacraments. Give me the grace to trust in what I cannot see, mercy itself, that through this belief I may have life in your name.

Thank you, Lord, for the quiet moments in your presence. Make yourself known to me today so that I’m aware of you in ways I wouldn’t ordinarily recognize. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the Eleven and rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, for not believing those who saw him after the resurrection. I can only imagine what it was like as the risen Jesus called out those closest to him for their lack of faith.

God, help me understand how this event from long ago applies to me. If the Eleven lacked faith, surely my lack of faith is something Jesus would address on meeting me. Yet, what he says next to the disciples is not out of step with his rebuke; it is, instead, a means Jesus gives them to increase their faith. In telling them to go out and proclaim the Gospel to every creature, Jesus the Divine Physician diagnoses them and provides a cure: in order to confront unbelief, go out in faith to the whole world and boldly proclaim the Good News. To do this, Lord, is to do your will in the same way Peter and John proclaimed the Good News and performed miracles. When told not to speak the name of Jesus, Peter told the people who opposed him: “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” God, give me courage to speak the name of your Son, and help me recognize when you place the opportunity before me.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Friday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Jesus appears again to the disciples. They have been out fishing but catch nothing all night. At dawn, Jesus stands on the shore, although they do not recognize him. He asks if they caught anything, and they reply no. Jesus then instructs them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they catch so many fish they are unable to pull the net ashore. John recognizes that it is Jesus who has performed this miracle. When they arrive on the shore, they find that Jesus had made a fire; fish and bread already on it, Jesus invites them to eat. This is the third time Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. Like yesterday’s reading, the disciples recognize Jesus as he gives them something to eat.

God, help me see how Jesus provides for every small need and also in superabundance—as in the catch of 153 large fish—for those he comes to. It is in Jesus’ overflowing care of the most basic needs that Jesus provides and is recognized by his disciples as the Son of God. In his earthly life, Jesus once asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” Here, John tells us how the disciples have come to recognize your Son: “And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.”

Thank you, Lord, for all that you give me. As the psalmist says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let those who fear the LORD say, ‘His mercy endures forever.'”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

And Jesus said to the disciples, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, or the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

In today’s Gospel, continuing from yesterday’s reading, Jesus appears to the disciples in the room where they had gathered and greets them with “Peace be with you,” showing them his hands and feet to prove that he is not a ghost. By eating a piece of baked fish in their presence, Jesus further shows them that he is truly present to them in both body and soul. Jesus tells them that everything that had happened to him had been prophesied in the Scriptures and that he had to suffer and die in order to rise from the dead and bring salvation to all people. He also tells them that they are witnesses of these things, and that they are to go out and proclaim the good news of his resurrection to all nations. Jesus gives them confidence by telling them that they are witnesses to the resurrection of the Son of God. Later, in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter himself says to people that they were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection.

God, help me trust in your Son; increase my faith so that I understand that he always seeks to give me confidence in him and in your word. At table with the disciples in Emmaus, Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. In his appearance to the other disciples, Jesus strengthens their faith, first by addressing their fears and uncertainty and then by telling them that they themselves witnessed the fulfillment of the scriptures through his dying and rising. In the same way, Jesus comes to me through the reassurance of the scriptures and the sacraments, bringing with him the true peace of his presence.

Be with me today, Lord, as I strive to remember you and put aside the desire for things that are not of you and that fail to lead to you. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

As two of Jesus’ disciples are going to the village of Emmaus, Jesus approached them and walked with them, but they didn’t know it was the Lord. Jesus enters into their conversation about the events of the past week and hears in their voices that they are downcast and discouraged. Just as Mary saw the empty tomb, some members of the group also saw the empty tomb, but Jesus did not appear to them. Because of lack of faith, they are uncertain about what has taken place. They say, “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Not until Jesus speaks to them of the prophets and Scriptures that referred to him did they begin to recognize that this is no ordinary man. When Jesus stays with them and they eat together, they come to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. After Jesus vanishes from their sight, their faith in him restored, they say, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

God, help me understand the richness of these Easter Octave Gospel readings. Just as Jesus meets Mary Magdalene along the way, he also meets the two disciples heading toward Emmaus. In their uncertainty, as they struggle to understand what has happened in the last week, they see Jesus meeting them where they are. Their encounter with him leaves them with hope restored and faith strengthened. Your Son, the risen Christ, is no less present to me as he was to them. Help me open my eyes to him as I strive to hear your voice throughout the day. In the breaking of the bread, the disciples recognized Jesus. Through your word, through the sacraments, and through the Eucharist, grant me the grace to see the glory of your presence today and every day.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY