Sunday, May 5, 2013

Readings:

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 ; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn 14:23-29

Reflection:  Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure and ascension into heaven.  He reminds us of the presence of the Holy Spirit and the amazing guidance and wisdom we can receive from listening to the Holy Spirit.  He also tells the disciples “peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”  Jesus continues to provide us with great peace through our knowledge of the faith and our hope in the glory of heaven.  Our peace comes through knowledge of and acceptance of the truth of Jesus and the truth of His Church.  While we may not always feel peace in our hearts, and we might at times experience stress and anxiety, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus continually offers us peace if we seek Him.  He does not offer us the fleeting peace of this world, but the everlasting peace of our life in heaven.

Big Picture:  Peace of heaven, not peace of worldly measures

Discussion Starters:

Younger saints:  What does Jesus tell His disciples?  (“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”)  How do we have peace in Jesus?  (By knowing about His life and accepting the truth He taught us and the truth the Catholic Church continues to teach us.)  What is the greatest peace Jesus gives us?  (Knowing we will be with Him in heaven one day.)

Older saints:  What does it mean to you to have peace?  Does it mean you will never be anxious or experience stress in your life?  Do you experience peace in your faith and your understanding of the truth of the teachings of the Catholic Church?  Do you experience peace in knowing you will be in haven with our Lord one day?

Scripture Verse for the Week:  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”  John 14:27

You are now entering the mission field:  Make a habit of praying for the souls of the deceased when you drive past a cemetery (Spiritual work of mercy:  to pray for the living and the dead).

 

Notes:

 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Daily Readings:
Acts 16:1-10; PS 100:1b-2, 3, 5; Jn 15:18-21

Reflection:  Too often we try to fit in and conform to the world, but we have been called to stand out.  “Because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”  But, we are not alone, many have gone before us and suffered greater persecution than we ever will.  We can always find strength in knowing that the world hated Jesus, but God glorified Him in heaven.  If we conform and fit in we will receive praise and gifts in this world, but if we stand out boldly for Christ we will receive grace and blessings and a place with God in heaven.

Reflection for younger saints:  People sometimes dislike us and treat us in unkind ways because we love and serve God.  We can find strength in knowing people were unkind to Jesus too.  One day we will be in heaven, and none of their unkind words will matter anymore.

Big Picture:  We do not belong to the world.

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:  Who should we try to serve and honor:  the opinions of people around us or God?  Will others always be kind to us?  Were people always kind to Jesus?  Who do we find strength in when others treat us poorly?
     Older saints:  Reflect on the statement that “you do not belong to the world.”  Are you living your life for this world?  Or are you living your life for heaven?  How do you think those around you would answer those questions?

Fun Fact:  The ninth commandment is:  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.  In this we are commanded to guard our thoughts and desires about others (St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, 2008, p. 98).

Saint of the day: 
     Name:  Saint Florian
     What they are remembered for:  St. Florian was an officer in the Roman army who was martyred for his faith during the reign of Diocletian.
     Feast day:  May 4
    
Daily Notes: 

Please share your thoughts!

What do you see as the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church that too few Catholics and non-Catholics really know and understand?

How do we go about re-educating adults and parents about the teachings of the Catholic Church so they can pass along the beauty of the Church to their children?

Do you act with love and kindness only when others are watching?

Today I was struck by the behavior of the car following me down the road.  As I was heading out of town this particular vehicle was following very closely behind me.  Clearly they had somewhere to go and did not appreciate my obedience of the speed limit!  What struck me was their quick change in driving habits when a police car approached us in the oncoming lane.  Suddenly, they dropped back 20 feet and drove well below the speed limit.  What struck me was their obedience and kindness only when someone of authority was present.

If we change our driving habits when a police car is present, who do we not drive with kindness and caution all the time?  Do we only behave properly out of fear of punishment?  What message does this convey to our children? 

If we change the way we speak and interact with our children when others are around, who do we not speak and interact with them in that kind and loving way all the time? 

If we change our behavior and family habits when guests are visiting our home, who do we not behave in that manner all the time, rather than just when we are trying to impress someone?

It seems that our behaviors, our manner of speech, our habits at home, and our love and kindness change to the way they should always be only when others are present.  While it is good that we recognize a need to behave properly and recognize what that positive behavior is, shouldn’t we be striving to always act with love and kindness? 

As we can quickly forget, someone is always watching us:  God.  God knows all our thought and all our actions.  While we cannot see Him, He is always watching and longing for us to live lives of service and love.  What would God have to say about your behavior today?  Are you being kind and loving only when others are watching?  Or are you striving to live the life of Christ even when God is the only one watching?

Friday, May 3, 2013

Daily Readings:
1 Cor 15:1-8; PS 19:2-3, 4-5; Jn 14:6-14

Reflection:  Just as Paul is reminding his brothers and sisters of the truth and the life of Jesus, sometimes the people in our lives need the same reminders.  It is only through knowledge of and lived example of the Gospel that we will be saved.  Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life.”  We must always work to remind those around us of that, so they may share in the glory of heaven as well.

Reflection for younger saints:  Paul is writing to remind people of everything he taught them about Jesus.  We must also tell others about Jesus and remind them of all He did for us so they can know, love, and serve Jesus.

Big Picture:  Let your life be a reminder of Jesus’ life

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:  Why did Paul write this letter to the Corinthians?  What do we need to do just like Paul was doing?  How do we do that?
     Older saints:  Do you verbally discuss your faith and Jesus’ teachings with others?  Why or why not?  Is your life a lived example of Jesus’ teaching?  Who is your life needs to be reminded of the truth and the life of Jesus?

Fun Fact:  The eighth commandment is:  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.  In this we are commanded to always speak the truth in all things.  The eighth commandment forbids lies (St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, 2008, p. 98).

Saint of the day: 
     Name:  Saints Philip and James
     What they are remembered for:  St. Philip was a disciple of John the Baptist, who later became a follower of Jesus.  St. James was a cousin of Jesus who ruled over the Church at Jerusalem and converted many Jewish people to the faith.
     Feast day:  May 3
    
Daily Notes: 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Daily Readings:
Acts 15:7-21; PS 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11

Reflection:  What great and abundant love God has for His children.  God loves us and desires great happiness for us.  “Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.”  While God’s love is never ending, He does ask for our love and devotion in return.  God is always waiting to love us back, but He wants to know He has our love and devotion in return.  We show our love for God by obeying His commandments and following the teachings of His Church, the Catholic Church.  As we seek joy and happiness, may we always remember that true joy and true happiness can only be found in a life committed to God.  As Jesus said, “I have told you think so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

Reflection for younger saints:  God always loves us, even when we are naughty.  But, God also asks us to be kind, to love Him, and to obey His commandments.  If we love and obey God we will find joy.

Big Picture:  We find joy in love and obedience to God

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:  What does God ask us to do?  (To love and obey Him).  What will He give us in return?  (Joy and love.)  How do we obey God?  (By following His commandments and following the teachings of His Church, the Catholic Church.)
     Older saints:  Reflect on Jesus’ statement:  “Remain in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.”  Take 15 minutes today to examine your conscience.  Slowly walk through the commandments and reflect on how you have kept them or not. 

Fun Fact:  The seventh commandment is:  Thou shalt not steal.  In this we are commanded to respect things that belong to other people.  The seventh commandment forbids dishonesty, stealing, cheating, and unjust damage to the property of others (St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, 2008, p. 97).

Saint of the day: 
     Name:  Saint Athanasius
     What they are remembered for:  St. Athanasius was present at the Council of Nicaea and was later elected as bishop of Alexandria.  He is remembered for his defense of and teaching on the faith.
     Feast day:  May 2
    
Daily Notes: 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Daily Readings:
Acts 15:1-6; PS 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5; Jn 15:1-8

Reflection:  We are reminded yet again today that we can do anything through God, but there is very little we can do on our own.  “Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”  God has blessed us all with varied and unique talents, and with His help and guidance we can bear much fruit in this world.  In those times when we think we have life under control and we no longer needs God’s help, let us always be reminded that all that we have comes from Him.  We were created by God and we have been blessed by God with many things, so all that we do and all that we accomplish is done through God as well.

Reflection for younger saints:  We always need God’s help and God’s guidance in living our life the best way that we can.  When we try to live without God, we will fail.  With God’s help, we can do great things.

Big Picture:  With God’s help, we can do great things.

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:  Where do all of our gifts and talents come from?  How do we thank God for those gifts and talents?  (By sharing them with others, and by giving praise and thanks to God for the ways He has blessed us.)  What gifts and talents has God given you?  How can you share them with others?
     Older saints:  How has God blessed you and helped you to bear great fruit?  How have you given praise and thanks to God for all your blessings? 

Fun Fact:  The sixth commandment is:  Thou shalt not commit adultery.  In this we are commanded to be pure and modest in our behavior, as the Holy Spirit lives in us and we are called to prepare a proper dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.  The sixth commandment forbids all impurity and immodesty in words, looks and actions (St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, 2008, p. 93).

Saint of the day: 
     Name:  Saint Joseph the Worker
     What they are remembered for:  The feast of St. Joseph the worker is meant to remind us of the very human nature of Jesus’ upbringing, as well as our need to “build” something just as Jesus and Joseph did.  We may not all be called to carpentry, but we are called to build up the Church in whatever way God asks us to.
     Feast day:  May 1
    
Daily Notes: