4th Sunday of Easter

 God is Light

The Eclipse has been big news lately. 

And one thing for sure was that you could not look at the sun without glasses because it was too bright. 

It is the same with God   

God is Light!

Brighter than a million suns. 

Throughout the Old Testament,

No one could look at God and live. 

His Holiness was too bright for sinners. 

So the Son of God who is Light from Light,

Hid the brightness of His glory behind the shadow of His humanity. 

Jesus eclipsed His Divinity with His Humanity;

Just as the moon eclipsed the sun. 

This is why some people did not see Jesus as the Divine Son of God

They only saw His humanity. 

Although there were momentary glimpses whern Jesus revealed His Divinity such as at the Transfiguration and when He performed miracles. 

But then they passed and the brightness of His Divinity was hidden once again  behind His humanity. 

After the Resurrection the glory He had with His Heavenly Father was restored and once again we cannot see Him. 

So He left us the Sacraments. 

Christ is truly and fully present in the Sacraments,

But the glory of His Divinity is hidden behind the veil of bread and wine, oil and water. 

Just as the moon gave way and no longer eclipsed the brightness of the sun. 

So will the veil of the Sacraments be pulled back,

And we will see Him Face to face. 

For  on that day  Sacraments will no longer be needed,

As we will be transformed and share His glory,

And  we will see Him Face to Face.  1Jn. 3:2

Saturday 3rd week of Easter

This is one of four Marian antiphons, with following versicles and prayers, traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep. It is said throughout Eastertide. (That is, from Easter Day through Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter.

The Regina caeli is also said in place of the Angelus during Eastertide.

Queen of Heaven

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 
R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia. 
V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia. 
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. 
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Friday 3rd week of Easter

 From Saul to Paul Acts. 9:1-20

Saul went from breathing murderous threats against the followers of Jesus,

to Paul the greatest preacher of Christ. 

Most people would not pick a murderer to be their friend let alone the promoter of their cause. 

But when Jesus calls,

He transforms!

He transforms the person in to what he needs them to be be. 

So do not be afraid if you feel that you do not have what it takes to follow Jesus or share His message. 

If Jesus can change Saul to Paul,

He can do the same with us. 

Thursday 3rd Week of Easter

 Living Bread Jn. 6:44-51

When one goes to the grocery store there are all kinds of bread to choose from except one. 

The Bread of Life!

The Bread of Life can only be found at Mass. 

for at Mass the Bread from Heaven comes down to us on the altar;

So that one may eat it and not die. 

This bread is the Flesh of Christ that He give for the life of the world. 

The bread from the grocery store may taste good,

But those who eat of it will surely die. 

While those who eat the Bread of Life,

The Flesh of Christ that He feeds us from this table,

Will live forever. 

Wednesday 3rd Week of Easter

Persecution Acts 8:1-8

The early Church was based in Jerusalem until there was a persecution. 

Then they fled to the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 

The persecution however had the opposite effect. 

Instead of stamping out the Faith. 

It only planted the Faith in other places. 

Sometimes Peace can lull the Faithful to sleep 

While Persecution can awaken it,

And spread it like seeds on the wind. 

Tuesday 3rd Week of Easter

 Lord, receive my spirit. Acts 8:1

The way in which we die is different for everyone. 

The time we go is different as well for everyone. 

Death is a totally unique and personal experience. 

But one thing that seems to be common for many,

Is seeing the Light……

This Light is Christ for He is the Light of the world. 

As St. Stephen was being stoned,

The Heavens opened and He saw the Light,

The Son of Man standing at the right had of God,

And he prayed “Lord receive my spirit.”

Every night, before I sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep. 

If I should die before I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take. 

Monday 3rd Week of Easter

 Religious arguing. Acts. 6:8-15

Nothing gets people going more than a good religious or political argument. 

Both sides are trying to prove the other wrong. 

The Sanhedrin hauled Stephen into court and put him on trial. 

Rather than respond, Stephen remained silent with the face of an angel. 

Sometimes silence is the best response,

Especially when the other side has no intention of listening!