April 1
Tuesday

2nd Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 4:32-37

The whole community of believers was one in heart and mind. No one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but rather they shared all things in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.
There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale. And they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed it according to each one's need. This is what a certain Joseph did. He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning: "The encouraging one." He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 40:7-8, 8-9, 10-11
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Gospel Reading: Jn 3:7b-15

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Don't be surprised when I say: 'You must be born again from above.'
"The wind blows where it pleases and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus asked again, "How can this be?" And Jesus answered, "You are a teacher in Israel, and you don't know these things!
"Truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we witness to the things we have seen, but you don't accept our testimony. If you don't believe when I speak of earthly things, what then, when I speak to you of heavenly things? No one has ever gone up to heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

Commentary
Stewardship is a way of life for the early Christian community because the members were one in heart and mind. Giving was practiced not because there was a need but because everyone had a need to give. That is why there was no needy person among them. Generosity was not something to be coaxed from them but a response to the witness of the apostles. All of them were living in an exceptional time of grace (Acts 4:34).
We pray for that exceptional time of grace to happen again in our Church today. We need more grateful and generous men and women to witness the great power of the resurrection of the Lord. For that, Jesus reminded Nicodemus in the Gospel, "You must be born again from above." If much giving and sharing are manifested in the material sphere how much more abundance will there be in the spiritual realm? God cannot be outdone in his generosity.

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April 2
Wednesday

2nd Week of Easter
Francis of Paola

First Reading: Acts 5:17-26

The High Priest and all his supporters, that is the party of the Sadducees, became very jealous of the apostles; so they arrested them and had them thrown into the public jail. But an angel of the Lord opened the door of the prison during the night, brought them out, and said to them, "Go and stand in the Temple court and tell the people the whole of this living message." Accordingly they entered the Temple at dawn and resumed their teaching.
When the High Priest and his supporters arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin, that is the full Council of the elders of Israel. They sent word to the jail to have the prisoners brought in. But when the Temple guards arrived at the jail, they did not find them inside, so they returned with the news, "We found the prison securely locked and the prison guards at their post outside the gate, but when we opened the gate, we found no one inside."
Upon hearing these words, the captain of the Temple guard and the high priests were baffled, wondering where all of this would end. Just then someone arrived with the report, "Look, those men whom you put in prison are standing in the Temple, teaching the people." ?Then the captain went off with the guards and brought them back, but without any show of force, for fear of being stoned by the people.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Gospel Reading: Jn 3:16-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through him the world is to be saved. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned. He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God.
"This is how the Judgment is made: Light has come into the world and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For whoever does wrong hates the light and doesn't come to the light for fear that his deeds will be shown as evil. But whoever lives according to the truth comes into the light so that it can be clearly seen that his works have been done in God."

Commentary
The salvation of the human race is the magnanimous gift of the Father. Sending His Son into the world to save poor sinners far exceeds anything that we could ever have hoped for. God fully enters into our human experience so as to show us how far He will go to show us His love. Like the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep, our Heavenly Father treasures every single lost soul. Like the father who runs out to greet his wayward son, our Heavenly Father shows that He cannot be outdone in generosity.

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April 3
Thursday

2nd Week of Easter
Bl. Pedro Calungsod

First Reading: Acts 5:27-33

So the temple guards brought them in and made them stand before the Council and the High Priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders not to preach such a Savior; but you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend charging us with the killing of this man." To this Peter and the apostles replied, "Better for us to obey God rather than any human authority!
"The God of our ancestors raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a wooden post. God set him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses to all these things, as well as the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
When the Council heard this, they became very angry and wanted to kill them.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Gospel Reading: Jn 3:31-36

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "He who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and his words, too, are earthly. The One who comes from heaven speaks of the things he has seen and heard; he bears witness to this but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does receive his testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of God.
"The one sent by God speaks God's words and gives the Spirit without measure. For the Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life, but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life and always faces the justice of God."

Commentary
Just as the Son of God comes from heaven to speak of the things He has seen and heard, so too are we called to be witnesses of the Good News of the Lord. Our testimony before others is given in word and deed, and we pray that we might always be credible.
The world today is hungry for the life giving Word of God, even if many in it try to quell their hunger by seeking food that does not satisfy the hungry heart. How else will the world know the path of life unless you and I am are diligent in living our faith?

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April 4
Friday

2nd Week of Easter
Isidore of  Seville

First Reading: Acts 5:34-42

But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin. He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly.
"Fellow Israelites, consider well what you intend to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him. But he too perished and his whole following was scattered. So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men. Leave them alone. If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. If, on the other hand, it is from God, you will not be able to destroy it and you may indeed find yourselves fighting against God."
The Council let themselves be persuaded. They called in the apostles and had them whipped, and ordered them not to speak again of Jesus Savior. Then they set them free.
The apostles went out from the Council rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name. Day after day, both in the Temple and in people's homes, they continued to teach and to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:1-15

Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias, and large crowds followed him because of the miraculous signs they saw when he healed the sick. So he went up into the hills and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
Then lifting up his eyes, Jesus saw the crowds that were coming to him and said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread so that these people may eat?" He said this to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred silver coins would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a piece."
Then one of Jesus' disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?"
Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was plenty of grass there so the people, about five thousand men, sat down to rest. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed them to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish and gave them as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten enough, he told his disciples, "Gather up the pieces left over, that nothing may be lost."
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with bread, that is with pieces of the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.
When the people saw this sign that Jesus had just given, they said, "This is really the Prophet, he who is to come into the world." Jesus realized that they would come and take him by force to make him king; so he fled to the hills by himself.

Commentary
Notice that Jesus uses what others have to give in order to accomplish the miracle. Loaves and fish do not appear out of thin air. They are multiplied into banquet proportions from the little that is at hand.
In the same way, Jesus uses the talents and abilities of each of us to accomplish His purpose today. We might not have much, but in the Lord's eye each of us has enough to accomplish great things. He should know, for all that we have is pure gift from Him, given so that we might use what He has given to participate in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God.

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April 5
Saturday

2nd Week of Easter
Vincent Ferrer

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7

In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
The whole community agreed and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch who was a proselyte. They presented these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them.
The Word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly and even many priests accepted the faith.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:16-21

When evening came, the disciples went down to the shore. After a while they got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the sea, for it was now dark and Jesus had not yet come to them. But the sea was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing.
They had rowed about three or four miles, when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and he was drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, "It is Me; don't be afraid."
They wanted to take him into the boat, but immediately the boat was at the shore to which they were going.

Commentary
The circumstances of our lives can cause us great fear. We can find ourselves in great difficulty, rowing against the wind, as it were.
The Lord says to us in those times of anguish, "Don't be afraid." He reassures us that if we have the Lord in our lives we need not fear the wind and waves that threaten us, for He is fully capable of rescuing us from even the greatest danger. Not only is he capable, but He deeply desires that no one be lost in the sea of sin and death. And He gives His life to prove it.

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April 6
Sunday

3rd Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and, with a loud voice, addressed them, "Fellow Jews and all foreigners now staying in Jerusalem, listen to what I have to say.
Fellow Israelites, listen to what I am going to tell you about Jesus of Nazareth. God accredited him and through him did powerful deeds and wonders and signs in your midst, as you well know. You delivered him to sinners to be crucified and killed, and in this way the purpose of God from all times was fulfilled. But God raised him to life and released him from the pain of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in the power of death. David spoke of him when he said: I saw the Lord before me at all times; he is by my side, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body too will live in hope. Because you will not forsake me in the abode of the dead, nor allow your Holy One to experience corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life, and your presence will fill me with joy.
Friends, I don't need to prove that the patriarch David died and was buried; his tomb is with us to this day. But he knew that God had sworn to him that one of his descendants would sit upon his throne and, as he was a prophet, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah. So he said that he would not be left in the region of the dead, nor would his body experience corruption.
This Messiah is Jesus and we are all witnesses that God raised him to life. He has been exalted at God's right side and the Father has entrusted the Holy Spirit to him; this Spirit he has just poured upon us as you now see and hear.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Lord, you will show us the path of life.

Second Reading: 1 P 1:17-21

Dear brothers and sisters, you call upon a Father who makes no distinction between persons but judges according to each one's deeds; take seriously, then, these years which you spend in a strange land. Remember that you were freed from the useless way of life of your ancestors, not with gold and silver but with the precious blood of the Lamb without spot or blemish. God, who has known Christ before the world began, revealed him to you in the last days. Through him, you have faith in God who raised him from the dead and glorified him in order that you might put all your faith and hope in God.

Gospel Reading: Lk 24:13-35

Two of the disciples were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, and they talked about what had happened. While they were talking and wondering, Jesus came up and walked with them, but their eyes were held and they did not recognize him.
He asked, "What is this you are talking about?" The two stood still, looking sad. Then one named Cleophas answered, "Why, it seems you are the only traveler in Jerusalem who doesn't know what has happened there these past few days." And he asked, "What is it?"
They replied, "It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.
"It is now the third day since all this took place. It is true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; they came to tell us that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Some friends of our group went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not see him."
He said to them, "How dull you are, how slow of understanding! You fail to believe the message of the prophets. Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this and then enter his glory?" Then starting with Moses and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, "Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it and gave each a piece.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to each other, "Were not our hearts filled with ardent yearning when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?"
They immediately set out and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: "Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!" Then the two told what had happened on the road and how Jesus made himself known when he broke bread with them.

Commentary
The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament of the real presence of the Risen Lord. Bread and wine are changed, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of Jesus spoken by the priest, into treasures infinitely more valuable than silver or gold. They become the gifts that moth cannot destroy nor rust tarnish nor thief steal away.
Through the Holy Eucharist our Lord keeps His promise to remain with us always, even until the end of the age. May we be grateful that we have the faith to recognize Him in the breaking of the Bread.

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April 7
Monday

3rd Week of Easter
John Baptist de la Salle

First Reading: Acts 6:8-15

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen but they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. As they were unable to face the truth, they bribed some men to say, "We heard him speak against Moses and against God."
So they stirred up the people, the elders and the teachers of the Law; they took him by surprise, seized him and brought him before the Council. Then they produced false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking against our Holy Place and the Law. We even heard him say that Jesus the Nazarean will destroy our Holy Place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us." And all who sat in the Council fixed their eyes on him, and his face appeared to them like the face of an angel.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:22-29

After Jesus has fed the five thousand, his disciples saw him walking on the water. Next day the people who had stayed on the other side realized that only one boat had been there and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples; rather, the disciples had gone away alone. Bigger boats from Tiberias came near the place where all these people had eaten the bread. When they saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Master, when did you come here?"
Jesus answered, "Truly, I say to you, you look for me, not because you have seen through the signs, but because you ate bread and were satisfied. Work then, not for perishable food, but for the lasting food which gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give it to you, for he is the one the Father has marked."
Then the Jews asked him, "What shall we do? What are the works that God wants us to do?" And Jesus answered them, "The work God wants is this: that you believe in the One whom God has sent."

Commentary
The gift of the Holy Eucharist is a treasure beyond compare. Jesus, who once fed the multitudes upon the hillside with bread miraculously multiplied, now feeds us with the bread that truly satisfies the hungry heart, the only food that never leaves us hungry. What greater sign can the Lord give us than the Sacrament of the Bread of Life? For in this sign, that which is signified is made present. As incredible as it might seem, this miracle occurs at every single offering of the Holy Mass. How blessed are those who are called to His supper.

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April 8
Tuesday

3rd Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 7:51-8:1a

But you are a stubborn people, you hardened your hearts and closed your ears. You have always resisted the Holy Spirit just as your fathers did. Was there a prophet whom your ancestors did not persecute? They killed those who announced the coming of the Just One whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the Law through the angels but did not fulfill it."
When they heard this reproach, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus at God's right hand, so he declared: "I see the heavens open and the Son of Man at the right hand of God."
But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and said in a loud voice: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he died.
Saul was there, approving his murder. This was the beginning of a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:30-35

The people said to Jesus, "Show us miraculous signs, that we may see and believe you. What sign do you perform? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert; as Scripture says: They were given bread from heaven to eat."
Jesus then said to them, "Truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread God gives is the One who comes from heaven and gives life to the world." And they said to him, "Give us this bread always."
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty."

Commentary
Eating the wrong foods at a meal can leave us terribly hungry within a short period of time. The so-called "junk" food might provide momentary enjoyment, but it always fails to satisfy our needs. Even proper quantities of the choicest cuts of meat and the most nutritious foods will, within a few hours, leave us needing even more to eat.
Only Jesus satisfies the longings of our heart. The pursuit of holiness is the only wor-thy endeavor for those who seek the finest things in life, for it is our spiritual treasures that endure.

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April 9
Wednesday

3rd Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 8:1b-8

All, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. Saul meanwhile was trying to destroy the Church; he entered house after house and dragged off men and women and had them put in jail.
At the same time those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a town of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. All the people paid close attention to what Philip said as they listened to him and saw the miraculous signs that he did. For in cases of possession, the unclean spirits came out shrieking loudly. Many people who were paralyzed or crippled were healed. So there was great joy in that town.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:35-40

Jesus said to the crowd, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. Nevertheless, as I said, you refuse to believe, even when you have seen. Yet, all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I shall not turn away. For I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me.
"And the will of him who sent me is that I lose nothing of what he has given me, but instead that I raise it up on the last day. This is the will of the Father, that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall live with eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day."

Commentary
In the powerful "Bread of Life" discourse that is read in this week's daily gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as the one sent by the Father to draw all people to Himself, and to nourish all people with the gift of His divine presence. Jesus wants us to regard Him as bread: daily food without which we would die.
Jesus is our daily bread. He invites us to allow Him into our lives not only on special occasions, but throughout every day of our lives. And He promises eternal life to those who are so wise.

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April 10
Thursday

3rd Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 8:26-40

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south towards the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert road." So he set out and it happened that an Ethiopian was passing along that way. He was an official in charge of the treasury of the queen of the Ethiopians; he had come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was on his way home. He was sitting in his carriage and reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and catch up with that carriage." So Philip ran up and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah; and he asked, "Do you really understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian replied, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" He then invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. This was the passage of Scripture he was reading:
He was led like a sheep to be slaughtered; like a lamb that is dumb before the shearer, he did not open his mouth. He was humbled and deprived of his rights. Who can speak of his descendants? For he was uprooted from the earth.
The official asked Philip, "Tell me, please, does the prophet speak of himself or of someone else?"
Then Philip began to tell him the Good News of Jesus, using this text of Scripture as his starting point. As they traveled down the road they came to a place where there was some water. Then the Ethiopian official said, "Look, here is water; what is to keep me from being baptized?"
Then he ordered the carriage to stop; both Philip and the Ethiopian went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. The Ethiopian saw him no more, but he continued on his way full of joy.
Philip found himself at Azotus, and he went about announcing the Good News in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds, "No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise him up on the last day. It has been written in the Prophets: They shall all be taught by God. So whoever listens and learns from the Father comes to me.
"For no one has seen the Father except the One who comes from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
"I am the bread of life. Though your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, they died. But here you have the bread which comes from heaven so that you may eat of it and not die.
"I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world."

Commentary
Again, Jesus makes the point that He is the Bread of Life, the One sent by the Father to give life to the whole human race. Just as the people of Israel would have been foolish to decline the opportunity to gather daily the manna that God rained down from above, so too are we sadly mistaken when we ignore opportunities to welcome the great gift that the Lord offers us in Word and in Sacrament.
Without the manna the Israelites would have perished. Without the Eucharistic Lord Jesus we cannot hope to live.

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April 11
Friday

3rd Week of Easter
Stanislaus

First Reading: Acts 9:1-20

Meanwhile Saul considered nothing but violence and death for the disciples of the Lord. He went to the High Priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues of Damascus that would authorize him to arrest and bring to Jerusalem anyone he might find, man or woman, belonging to the Way.
As he traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" And he asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus whom you persecute. Now get up and go into the city; there you will be told what you are to do."
The men who were traveling with him stood there speechless: they had heard the sound, but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground and, opening his eyes, he could not see. They took him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. He was blind and he did not eat or drink for three days.
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, to whom the Lord called in a vision, "Ananias!" He answered, "Here I am, Lord!" Then the Lord said to him, "Go at once to Straight Street and ask, at the house of Judas, for a man of Tarsus named Saul. You will find him praying, ?for he has just seen in a vision that a man named Ananias has come in and placed his hands upon him, to restore his sight."
Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, and now he is here with authority from the High Priest to arrest all who call upon your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to bring my name to the pagan nations and their kings, and the people of Israel as well. I myself will show him how much he will have to suffer for my name."
So Ananias left and went to the house. He laid his hands upon Saul and said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me to you so that you may receive your sight and be filled with Holy Spirit." Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see; he got up and was baptized. Then he took food and was strengthened.
?For several days Saul stayed with the disciples at Damascus, and he soon began to proclaim in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 117:1bc, 2
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:52-59

The Jews were arguing among themselves, "How can this man give us flesh to eat?" So Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood live with eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day.
"My flesh is really food and my blood is drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them. Just as the Father, who is life, sent me and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me. This is the bread which came from heaven; unlike that of your ancestors, who ate and later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever."
Jesus spoke in this way in Capernaum when he taught them in the synagogue.

Commentary
Those who heard Jesus could not believe their ears. Surely Jesus was speaking in a metaphorical sense. The flesh of which Jesus spoke could not have been His very Body and Blood.
Jesus understands their way of thinking and answers their objections by firmly stating that He does give His very flesh and blood as food and drink, the body and blood that would hang upon the cross and be made present through the memorial of the Holy Eucharist. The blessing and the doctrine of the Lord's real, substantial presence is at the core of our Catholic faith.

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April 12
Saturday

3rd Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 9:31-42

Meanwhile, the Church had peace. It was building up throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria with eyes turned to the Lord and filled with comfort from the Holy Spirit.
As Peter traveled around, he went to visit the saints who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas who was paralyzed, and had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!" And the man got up at once. All the people living in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
There was a disciple in Joppa named Tabitha, which means Dorcas or Gazelle. She was always doing good works and helping the poor. At that time she fell sick and died. After having washed her body, they laid her in the upstairs room.
As Lydda is near Joppa, the disciples, on hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay."
So Peter went with them. On his arrival they took him upstairs to the room. All the widows crowded around him in tears, showing him the clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter made them all leave the room and then he knelt down and prayed. Turning to the dead body he said, "Tabitha, stand up." She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. This became known throughout all of Joppa and many people believed in the Lord because of it.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?

Gospel Reading: Jn 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' followers said, "This language is very hard! Who can accept it?" Jesus was aware that his disciples were murmuring about this and so he said to them, "Does this offend you? Then how will you react when you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh cannot help. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. But among you there are some who do not believe."
From the beginning, Jesus knew who would betray him. So he added, "As I have told you, no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."
After this many disciples withdrew and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We now believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Commentary
St. Peter answers Jesus' question not only for himself, but for the other apostles and the entire Church. In spite of the fact that he would not fully understand the meaning of Jesus' Bread of Life discourse until the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, St. Peter puts his faith unequivocally in Jesus when he asks, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"
The mystery of the Holy Eucharist is much bigger than our intellect can contain. Still, because we trust the words of Jesus to be true, we do not hesitate to express our belief in and devotion for the Sacrament that truly satisfies our hungry hearts.

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April 13
Sunday

4th Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41

On Pentecost day, Peter stood up with the Eleven and, with a loud voice, addressed them, "Fellow Jews and all foreigners now staying in Jerusalem, listen to what I have to say.
"Let Israel then know for sure that God has made Lord and Christ this Jesus whom you crucified."
When they heard this, they were deeply troubled. And they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do, brothers?"
Peter answered: "Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise of God was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar whom our God may call."
With many other words Peter gave the message and appealed to them saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who accepted his word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: 1 P 2:20-25

What merit would there be in taking a beating when you have done wrong? But if you endure punishment when you have done well, that is a grace before God.
This is your calling: remember Christ who suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you may follow in his way. He did no wrong and there was no deceit in his mouth. He did not return insult for insult and, when suffering, he did not curse but put himself in the hands of God who judges justly. He went to the cross burdened with our sins so that we might die to sin and live an upright life. For by his wounds you have been healed. You were like stray sheep, but you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Gospel Reading: Jn 10:1-10

Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the shepherd of the sheep enters by the gate. The keeper opens the gate to him and the sheep hear his voice; he calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, rather they will run away from him because they don't recognize a stranger's voice."
Jesus used this comparison, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. All who came were thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not hear them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out freely and find food.
"The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness."

Commentary
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called "Good Shepherd Sunday." The Gospel recalls the reassuring words of Jesus that he will watch over His flock and protect it from the dangers of the enemy, the one who seeks only to scatter, steal and slaughter the sheep.
Jesus is the gateway to new and abundant life. When we search for security outside of him we find only chaos. But with the Lord Jesus we find salvation. We find new life here on earth, and we enter upon the pathway that leads to the restful waters and verdant pastures of heaven.

April 14
Monday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18

News came to the apostles and the brothers and sisters in Judea that even foreigners had received the Word of God. So, when Peter went up to Jerusalem, these Jewish believers began to argue with him, "You went to the home of uncircumcised people and ate with them!"
So Peter began to give them the facts as they had happened, "I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when, in a trance, I saw a vision. Something like a large sheet came down from the sky and drew near to me, landing on the ground by its four corners. As I stared at it, I saw four-legged creatures of the earth, wild beasts and reptiles, and birds of the sky. Then I heard a voice saying to me: 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!' ?I replied, 'Certainly not, Lord! No common or unclean creature has ever entered my mouth.' A second time the voice from the heavens spoke, "What God has made clean, you must not call unclean." This happened three times, and then it was all drawn up into the sky. At that moment three men, who had been sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were staying. The Spirit instructed me to go with them without hesitation; so these six brothers came along with me and we entered into the man's house. He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and telling him: Send someone to Joppa and fetch Simon,? also? known? as? Peter.? He will bring you a message by which you and all your household will be saved."
I had begun to address them when suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as it had come upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If, then, God had given them the same gift that he had given us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to resist God?"
When they heard this they set their minds at rest and praised God saying, "Then God has granted life-giving repentance to the pagan nations as well."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4
Athirst is my soul for the living God.

Gospel Reading: Jn 10:11-18

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Not so the hired hand or any other person who is not the shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong. They abandon the sheep as soon as they see the wolf coming; then the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep. This is because the hired hand works for pay and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father. Because of this I give my life for my sheep.
"I have other sheep that are not of this fold. These I have to lead as well, and they shall listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock since there is one Shepherd. The Father loves me because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down freely. It is mine to lay down and to take up again: this mission I received from my Father."

Commentary
In the days of Jesus the shepherd took great pride in his flock. He inherited the flock from his father, who could trace family ownership for many generations before him. The shepherd was there when the lambs were born, and he guarded the sheep from anything that could harm them. Pride of ownership made the shepherd much more than a hired hand. A keen sense of duty moved the shepherd to put his own life at risk so that the sheep might have life and have it in abundance.
Our Good Shepherd cares for His flock in exactly the same way.

April 15
Tuesday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 11:19-26

Those who had been scattered because of the persecution over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message, but only to the Jews. But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who, on coming into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, giving them the good news of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God's favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.
Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7
All you nations, praise the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Jn 10:22-30

The time came for the feast of the Dedication. It was winter and Jesus walked back and forth in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in doubt? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have already told you but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name proclaim who I am, but you don't believe because, as I said, you are not my sheep.
"My sheep hear my voice and I know them; they follow me and I give them eternal life. They shall never perish and no one will ever steal them from me. What the Father has given me is stronger than everything and no one can snatch it from the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

Commentary
Jesus' mission from His heavenly Father is to lead to everlasting life God's holy people, the flock that is His own. Nothing will deter Him from His mission, not even the threats of His enemies and the misdeeds of those who would seek to bring his mission to an untimely end.
As brave as a shepherd facing down a pack of wolves, the Lord looks death in the eye and does not blink. Through His death on the cross, His beloved flock would be safeguarded from the powers of sin and death.
There is no snatching the flock from the hand of the Lord.

April 16
Wednesday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 12:24-13:5a

Meanwhile the word of God was increasing and spreading. Barnabas and Saul carried out their mission and then came back from Jerusalem, taking with them John also called Mark.
There were at Antioch-in the Church which was there-prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod, and Saul. On one occasion while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them." So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
These then, sent by the Holy Spirit, went down to the port of Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. Upon their arrival in Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogue; John was with them as an assistant.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8
O God, let all the nations praise you!

Gospel Reading: Jn 12:44-50

Jesus had said, and even cried out, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
"If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me, and does not receive my word, already has a judge: the very word I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.
"For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has instructed me in what to say and how to speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life, and that is why the message I give, I give as the Father instructed me."

Commentary
God would have been within His rights to condemn the human race for its many transgressions against His will. History shows that human beings possess a reprehensible capacity for evil.
Yet God would become man not to condemn but to save the human race. Teaching the law of love, Jesus would show us the way that would lead us beyond our human failings into the true freedom that comes from being sons and daughters of God.
Following the teachings of Jesus leads us not only to heaven, but to a new and abundant way of living here on earth.

April 17
Thursday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and came to Perga in Pamphylia. There John left them and returned to Jerusalem while they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent this message to them, "Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the assembly, please speak up."
So Paul arose, motioned to them for silence and began, "Fellow Israelites and also all you who fear God, listen. The God of our people Israel chose our ancestors, and after he had made them increase during their stay in Egypt, he led them out by powerful deeds. For forty years he fed them in the desert, and after he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took four hundred and fifty years. After that, he gave them Judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, and he was king for forty years. After that time, God removed him and raised up David as king, to whom he bore witness saying: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all I want him to do.
"It is from the descendants of David that God has now raised up the promised savior of Israel, Jesus. Before he appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was ending his life's work, he said: 'I am not what you think I am, for after me another one is coming whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'"

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Jn 13:16-20

After Jesus had washed the feet of the disciples he said. "Truly, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than he who sent him. Understand this, and blessed are you if you put it into practice.
"I am not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen and the Scripture has to be fulfilled that says, The one who shared my table has risen against me. I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know that I am He.
"Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me."

Commentary
Just as Jesus is sent by the Father to accomplish the mission of salvation, so too does the Lord send each of us to accomplish a mission in life. Each of us has something to do in this life that no one else on earth can do. Each of us is called to build up the kingdom of God in a manner that is unique to our circumstances in life.
We pray that we will have the wisdom to know the Lord's will, and the courage to put His will into practice. The Lord builds up the Kingdom, but He chooses to do so through you and me.

April 18
Friday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 13:26-33

Brothers, children and descendants of Abraham, and you also who fear God, it is to you that this message of salvation has been sent. ?It is a fact that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus. Yet in condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath but not understood. Even though they found no charge against him that deserved death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And after they had carried out all that had been written concerning him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead, and for many days thereafter he showed himself to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They have now become his witnesses before the people. We ourselves announce to you this Good News: All that God promised our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm: You are my Son, today I have begotten you.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."

Commentary
When we are lost and cannot find the way, we welcome any and all help that is offered. Our hearts rejoice when someone not only offers directions, but invites us to follow him as he leads us to our destination.
Jesus not only teaches us about the joys of heaven, He leads us by His own death through the waters of death, and by His glorious resurrection He leads us to the place prepared for us from the beginning of creation. We are wise to listen to the directions of the Lord, and even wiser when we follow Him where He leads.

April 19
Saturday

4th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 13:44-52

The following Sabbath almost the entire city gathered to listen to Paul, who spoke a fairly long time about the Lord. But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous. So they began to oppose with insults whatever Paul said.
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying, "It was necessary that God's word be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we turn to non-Jewish people. For thus we were commanded by the Lord: I have set you as a light to the pagan nations, so that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
Those who were not Jews rejoiced when they heard this and praised the message of the Lord, and all those destined for everlasting life believed in it. Thus the Word spread throughout the whole region.
Some of the Jews, however, incited God-fearing women of the upper class and the leading men of the city, as well, and stirred up an intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Finally they had them expelled from their region. The apostles shook the dust from their feet in protest against this people and went to Iconium, leaving the disciples filled with joy and Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples, "If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him and you have seen him."
Philip asked him, "Lord, show us the Father and that is enough." Jesus said to him, "What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the Father; how can you say: 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
"All that I say to you, I do not say of myself. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.
"Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father. Everything you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And everything you ask in calling upon my Name, I will do."

Commentary
As Jesus spent time with His apostles, He revealed to them the mystery of His person. He taught them gradually, all in accord with their ability to understand His identity and His purpose.
Words alone would not suffice to teach the apostles His divine nature. Only after the resurrection would they understand that they had experienced first-hand in Jesus the only begotten Son of God. That understanding would allow them to preach with all of their might the Good News of His resurrection, and His invitation to share in His divine life.

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April 20
Sunday

5th Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7

In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
The whole community agreed and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch who was a proselyte. They presented these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them.
The Word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly and even many priests accepted the faith.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Second Reading: 1 P 2:4-9

Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus is the living stone rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him. On drawing close to him, you also became living stones built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests offering spiritual sacrifices which please God through Jesus Christ. Scripture says: See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.
This means honor for you who believed, but for unbelievers also the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is a stone to stumble over, a rock which lays people low. They stumble over it in rejecting the Word, but the plan of God is fulfilled in this.
You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people God has made his own to proclaim his wonders. For he called you from your darkness to his own wonderful light.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him and you have seen him."
Philip asked him, "Lord, show us the Father and that is enough." Jesus said to him, "What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the Father; how can you say: 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
"All that I say to you, I do not say of myself. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.
"Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father."

Commentary
Fearfulness has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus. In Him we have our security, for He is the sure foundation upon which we can live our lives. We need not fear that we are going in the wrong direction, for He is the Way. We need not worry whether we have an adequate understanding of the meaning of life, for He is the Truth. We need not be troubled about what will happen to our souls after death, for He is the Life.
Confidence in the Lord Jesus gives us the ability to move forward in faith and to make progress on the way that leads to the Father.

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April 21
Monday

5th Week of Easter
Anselm

First Reading: Acts 14:5-18

A move was made by pagans and Jews, together with their leaders, to harm the apostles and to stone them. But Paul and Barnabas learned of this and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued preaching the Good News.
Paul and Barnabas spent a fairly long time at Lystra. There was a crippled man in Lystra who had never been able to stand or walk. One day, as he was listening to the preaching, Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had the faith to be saved. So he spoke to him in a loud voice, "In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to stand up on your feet!" And the man stood up and began to walk around.
When the people saw what Paul had done, they cried out in the language of Lycaonia, "The gods have come to us in human likeness!" They named Barnabas Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Even the priest of the Temple of Zeus, which stood outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gate; together with the people, he wanted to offer sacrifice to them.
When Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their garments to show their indignation and rushed into the crowd, shouting, "Friends, why are you doing this? We are human beings with the same weakness you have and we are now telling you to turn away from these useless things to the living God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed each nation to go its own way, though he?never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food and filling your hearts with gladness."
Even these words could hardly keep the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him."
Judas-not the Iscariot-asked Jesus, "Lord, how can it be that you will show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make a room in his home. But if anyone does not love me, he will not keep my words, and these words that you hear are not mine but the Father's who sent me.
"I told you all this while I was still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you."

Commentary
Jesus speaks of the Helper, the Holy Spirit who will abide with the Church after He ascends into heaven. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, the one who teaches us how to pray and how to recognize the Lord's will in our lives. Just as Jesus instructed personally His apostles during His earthly ministry, so does the Holy Spirit instruct the hearts of the faithful so that we might remain steadfast in following the will of the Lord.
Come Holy Spirit! Teach us all things, that we might be truly wise and ever rejoice in the consolations of the Lord.

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April 22
Tuesday

5th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 14:19-28

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the people against Paul and Barnabas. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, leaving him for dead. But when his disciples gathered around him, he stood up and returned to the town. And the next day he left for Derbe with Barnabas.
After proclaiming the gospel in that town and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and on to Antioch. They were strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, for they said, "We must go through many trials to enter the Kingdom of God." In each church they appointed elders and, after praying and fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had placed their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. They preached the Word in Perga and went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had first been commended to God's grace for the task they had now completed.
On their arrival they gathered the Church together and told them all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the non-Jews. They spent a fairly long time there with the disciples.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples, "Peace be with you; I give you my peace. Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you. Do not be troubled; do not be afraid. You heard me say: 'I am going away, but I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
"I have told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe. It is very little what I may still tell you, for the ruler of this world is at hand, although there is nothing in me that he can claim. But see, the world must know that I love the Father and that I do what the Father has taught me to do."

Commentary
Peace is not the mere absence of war. Rather, peace is the state of being in accord with the will of God. When people live together as God intends them to live, they know peace. And when we live our lives according to the light of the Gospel, we know a peace that this world cannot bring.
We pray at every Mass for peace, and we exchange a sign of peace with one another. We do so not to exchange pleasant greetings, but to assure one another of the peace of Jesus Christ that rests within our hearts when we draw near to Him.

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April 23
Wednesday

5th Week of Easter
George / Adalbert

First Reading: Acts 15:1-6

Some persons who had come from Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers in this way, "Unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Because of this there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments with them. For Paul told the people to remain as they were when they became believers. Finally those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and Barnabas and some others go up to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders.
They were sent on their way by the Church. As they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they reported how the non-Jews had turned to God, and there was great joy among all the brothers and sisters.
On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, the apostles and the elders, to whom they told all that God had done through them. Some believers, however, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, stood up and said that non-Jewish men must be circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders met together to consider this matter.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Jn 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower. If any of my branches doesn't bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.
"You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you; live in me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you if you don't remain in me.
"I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away as they do with branches and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.
"If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples."

Commentary
The image of the vine and the branches is simple yet challenging. We know from human experience that branches must stay connected to the vine in order to live and bear fruit. Still, in our moments of weakness we can try to find success and happiness when living disconnected from the Lord who is the vine, the source of life. Sin separates us from God, making it impossible for us to bear fruit.
Only God can reconnect a withered branch to the vine and fill it with life and fruitfulness. Such is the power and the mystery of His Divine Mercy.

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April 24
Thursday

5th Week of Easter
Fidelis of Sigmaringen

First Reading: Acts 15:7-21

As the discussions became heated, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that from the beginning God chose me among you so that non-Jews could hear the Good News from me and believe. God, who can read hearts, put himself on their side by giving the Holy Spirit to them just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them and cleansed their hearts through faith. So why do you want to put God to the test? Why do you lay on the disciples a burden that neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry? We believe, indeed, that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
The whole assembly kept silent as they listened to Paul and Barnabas tell of all the miraculous signs and wonders that God had done through them among the non-Jews.
After they had finished, James spoke up, "Listen to me, brothers. Symeon has just explained how God first showed his care by taking a people for himself from non-Jewish nations. And the words of the prophets agree with this, for Scripture says,
"After this I will return and rebuild the booth of David which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again. Then the rest of humanity will look for the Lord, and all the nations will be consecrated to my Name. So says the Lord, who does today what he decided from the beginning.
"Because of this, I think that we should not make difficulties for those non-Jews who are turning to God. Let us just tell them not to eat food that is unclean from having been offered to idols; to keep themselves from prohibited marriages; and not to eat the flesh of animals that have been strangled, or any blood. For from the earliest times Moses has been taught in every place, and every Sabbath his laws are recalled."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Gospel Reading: Jn 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
"I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

Commentary
Imagine the joy the apostles experienced when they saw the Risen Lord. Imagine the profound joy in the heart of the Blessed Mother when she saw renewed and reinvigorated the same body of her Son that laid lifeless in her arms after the crucifixion.
Joy is a gift of God, a blessing given us by the Risen Lord. Though we are not exempt from earthly suffering, the Lord gives joy to our hearts by assuring us that there is no difficulty that we need to face alone. The Lord rises from the dead never to die again. In Him do we find true joy.

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April 25
Friday

5th Week of Easter
St. Mark

First Reading: 1 P 5:5b-14

All of you must clothe yourself with humility in your dealings with one another, because God opposes the proud but gives his grace to the humble.
Bow down, then, before the power of God so that he will raise you up at the appointed time. Place all your worries on him since he takes care of you.
Be sober and alert because your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Stand your ground, firm in your faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters, scattered throughout the world, are confronting similar sufferings. God, the giver of all grace, has called you to share in Christ's eternal Glory and after you have suffered a little he will bring you to perfection: he will confirm, strengthen and establish you forever. Glory be to him forever and ever. Amen.
I have had these few lines of encouragement written to you by Silvanus, our brother, whom I know to be trustworthy. For I wanted to remind you of the kindness of God really present in all this. Hold on to it.
Greetings from the community in Babylon, gathered by God, and from my son, Mark.
Greet one another with a friendly embrace. Peace to you all who are in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Mk 16:15-20

Jesus told his disciples, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed."
"So then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs which accompanied them."

Commentary
Saint Mark concludes his Gospel by telling of how the work of Jesus continues through the ministry of His apostles. To this day the ministry of bishops, the successors to the apostles, ensures that Jesus' teachings will be communicated authentically, and that His presence will be effected through the ministration of the sacraments. The apostles and their successors labor as well for the unity of the Church.
Jesus founds His Church upon the apostles so that we might experience today what the crowds around Jesus experienced: His wisdom, His healing, and His divine presence that keeps us united in the holy fellowship of the Church.

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April 26
Saturday

5th Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 16:1-10

Paul traveled on to Derbe and then to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy lived there, whose mother was a believer of Jewish origin but whose father was a Greek. As the believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him, Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him. So he took him and, because of the Jews of that place who all knew that his father was a Greek, he circumcised him.
As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, for the people to obey. Meanwhile, the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number every day.
They traveled through Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
There one night Paul had a vision. A Macedonian stood before him and begged him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" When he awoke, he told us of this vision and we understood that the Lord was calling us to give the Good News to the Macedonian people.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Gospel Reading: Jn 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples, "If the world hates you, remember that the world hated me before you. This would not be so if you belonged to the world, because the world loves its own. But you are not of the world since I have chosen you from the world; because of this the world hates you.
"Remember what I told you: the servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted me, they will persecute you, too. Have they kept my teaching? Will they then keep yours? All this they will do to you for the sake of my name because they do not know the One who sent me."

Commentary
Unless we are aware of its seductive influences, the world will shape us according to its values and priorities. If we do not resist the world, we will bear its mark: selfish, materialistic, hedonistic, atheistic. And when we do stand up against the prevailing winds of our culture we become easy marks for ridicule and persecution.
As followers of Jesus we are different. We should not try to blend in to the world around us. Rather, we stand as signs of contradiction against the values promoted by Satan, the prince of this world.

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April 27
Sunday

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Philip went down to a town of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. All the people paid close attention to what Philip said as they listened to him and saw the miraculous signs that he did. For in cases of possession, the unclean spirits came out shrieking loudly. Many people who were paralyzed or crippled were healed. So there was great joy in that town.
Now, when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. They went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not as yet come down upon any of them since they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. So Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Second Reading: 1 P 3:15-18

But bless the Lord Christ in your hearts. Always have an answer ready when you are called upon to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect. Keep your conscience clear so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your upright, Christian living. Better to suffer for doing good, if it is God's will, than for doing wrong.
Remember how Christ died, once and for all, for our sins. He, the just one, died for the unjust in order to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the Spirit he was raised to life.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, that Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he is with you and will be in you.
"I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you. A little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me because I live and you will also live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you.
"Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him."

Commentary
An orphan might be well cared for and loved, but he or she does not know the personal love that only a parent can give. To be an orphan is to be alone.
Jesus' assurance that we will not be left alone in this world gives our hearts cause to leap. No one can love us the way that our God loves us, for He created us, fashioning each of us in our mother's womb. The Holy Spirit is given to us so that we might experience the tender love that our God has for us, the love without bounds, the love that is truly unconditional.

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April 28
Monday

6th Week of Easter
Peter Chanel / Louis Mary de Montfort

First Reading: Acts 16:11-15

So we put out to sea from Troas and sailed straight across to Samothrace Island, and the next day to Neapolis. From there we went inland to Philippi, the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. We spent some days in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate to the bank of the river where we thought the Jews would gather to pray. We sat down and began speaking to the women who were gathering there. One of them was a God-fearing woman named Lydia from Thyatira City, a dealer in purple cloth.
As she listened, the Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. After she had been baptized together with her household, she invited us to her house, "If you think I am faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us to accept her invitation.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
The Lord takes delight in his people.

Gospel Reading: Jn 15:26-16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples, "From the Father, I will send you the Spirit of truth. When this Helper has come from the Father, he will be my witness, and you, too, will be my witnesses for you have been with me from the beginning.
"I tell you all this to keep you from stumbling and falling away. They will put you out of the Jewish communities. Still more, the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will claim to be serving God; they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. I tell you all these things now so that when the time comes you may remember that I told you.
"I did not tell you about this in the beginning because I was with you."

Commentary
Persecution looms for those who follow Jesus. His message is counter-cultural, and is offensive to those who are of this world. Because Jesus met with opposition from the established powers, so too can we expect to meet resistance in living out the faith.
Since the beginning of the Church, a thin red line of martyrs' blood has borne witness to Jesus' promise that persecution and death awaits his followers. Though we might not be called to wear the crown of martyrdom, we are still expected to live our faith in a conspicuous manner, even if that brings us hardship or difficulty.
The Lord sustains all who place their trust in Him.

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April 29
Tuesday

6th Week of Easter
Catherine of Siena

First Reading: Acts 16:22-34

So they set the crowd against them and the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be flogged. And after inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely. Upon receiving these instructions, he threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly a severe earthquake shook the place, rocking the prison to its foundations. Immediately all the doors flew open and the chains of all the prisoners fell off. The jailer woke up to see the prison gates wide open. Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself, but Paul shouted to him, "Do not harm yourself! We are all still here."
The jailer asked for a light, then rushed in, and fell at the feet of Paul and Silas. After he had secured the other prisoners, he led them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household will be saved." Then they spoke the word of God to him and to all his household.
Even at that hour of the night, the jailer took care of them and washed their wounds; and he and his whole household were baptized at once. He led them to his house, spread a meal before them and joyfully celebrated with his whole household his newfound faith in God.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

Gospel Reading: Jn 16:5-11

Jesus said to his disciples, "But now I am going to the One who sent me and none of you asks me where I am going; instead you are overcome with grief because of what I have said.
"Indeed believe me: It is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go away, it is to send him to you, and when he comes, he will vindicate the truth in face of the world with regard to sin, to the way of righteousness, and to the Judgment.
"What has been the sin? They did not believe in me. What is the way of righteousness? I am on the way to the Father, meanwhile you will not see me. What Judgment? The Ruler of this world has himself been condemned."

Commentary
Jesus coming into the world demands that we make a profound decision: to follow Him, or to ignore Him. The choice to follow Him is not made once and for all, but is made and then renewed on a daily basis. Every day gives us the opportunity to put our faith into action and to make our discipleship the primary focus of our lives.
Following Jesus is not a part of our lives, it is our very life. He calls us to be disciples for a lifetime, learning from Him throughout our lives what the most important things in life really are.

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April 30
Wednesday

6th Week of Easter
Pius V

First Reading: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1

Paul was taken as far as Athens by his escort, who then returned to Beroea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible.
Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus hall and said, "Athenian citizens, I note that in every way you are very religious.
"As I walked around looking at your shrines, I even discovered an altar with this inscription: To an unknown God. Now, what you worship as unknown, I intend to make known to you.
"God, who made the world and all that is in it, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands, being as he is Lord of heaven and earth. Nor does his worship depend on anything made by human hands, as if he were in need. Rather it is he who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. From one stock he created the whole human race to live throughout all the earth, and he fixed the time and the boundaries of each nation. He wanted them to seek him by themselves, even if it were only by groping for him, succeed in finding him.
"Yet he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being, as some of your poets have said: for we too are his offspring. If we are indeed God's offspring, we ought not to think of divinity as something like a statue of gold or silver or stone, a product of human art and imagination.
"But now God prefers to overlook this time of ignorance and he calls on all people to change their ways. He has already set a day on which he will judge the world with justice through a man he has appointed. And, so that all may believe it, he has just given a sign by raising this man from the dead."
When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection from death, some made fun of him, while others said, "We must hear you on this topic some other time." At that point Paul left. But a few did join him, and believed. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus court, a woman named Damaris, and some others.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Gospel Reading: Jn 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples, "I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the whole truth.
"He has nothing to say of himself but he will speak of what he hears, and he will tell you of the things to come. He will take what is mine and make it known to you; in doing this, he will glorify me. All that the Father has is mine; because of this I have just told you, that the Spirit will take what is mine and make it known to you."

Commentary
The apostles knew the Holy Spirit as a driving wind. The Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost and breathed into them the courage they needed to go forth to the whole world proclaiming the Good News. The Holy Spirit reminded them of the truth of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and prompted them to share that Good News with others.
The Holy Spirit continues to animate the Church with a spirit of truth: the truth about the knowledge and insight that comes from a close relationship with the Lord Jesus. We pray that the Holy Spirit will touch us this day, and help us to know what is right, good, holy and true.

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