SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY : Saturday - May 01, 2021

  

Saturday - May 01, 2021

"As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary."

 - Saint Thomas Aquinas

May 1, 2021

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 284

 

Reading 1                                                     Acts 13:44-52

On the following sabbath

almost the whole city

gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy

and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.

Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,

“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,

but since you reject it

and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,

we now turn to the Gentiles.

For so the Lord has commanded us,

    I have made you a light to the Gentiles,

    that you may be an instrument of salvation

    to the ends of the earth.”

 

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this

and glorified the word of the Lord.

All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,

and the word of the Lord continued to spread

through the whole region.

The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers

and the leading men of the city,

stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,

and expelled them from their territory.

So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them

and went to Iconium.

The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm                                              98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

 

R.    (3cd)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

Sing to the LORD a new song,

    for he has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for him,

    his holy arm.

R.    All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

    in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

    toward the house of Israel.

R.    All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

All the ends of the earth have seen

    the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

    break into song; sing praise.

R.    All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

Alleluia                                                                      Jn 8:31b-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

and you will know the truth, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel                                                                       Jn 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples:

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.

From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to Jesus,

“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time

and you still do not know me, Philip?

Whoever has seen me has seen 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?

The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.

Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,

or else, believe because of the works themselves.

Amen, amen, I say to you,

whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,

and will do greater ones than these,

because I am going to the Father.

And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,

so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

 

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Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in order to Christianize the concept of labor and give to all workmen a model and a protector. By the daily labor in his shop, offered to God with patience and joy, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God, and thus became an example to all laborers. "Workmen and all those laboring in conditions of poverty will have reasons to rejoice rather than grieve, since they have in common with the Holy Family daily preoccupations and cares"(Leo XIII).

A Prayer on Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker

God My Father, the Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted to draw attention to the dignity of labor, and to remind us of the spirituality of our jobs. I give the workers of my family and circle of friends—and their jobs—to Saint Joseph’s intercession, and I especially ask for his prayers in the protection and guidance of husbands and fathers. Help us to view these men—and all workers—with the same appreciation as You have, O Lord. Teach us to prioritize our jobs rightly, for the sake of loving our families, and lead the unemployed to work that is right for them. Saint Joseph the Worker, pray for us. Amen.

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God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”

SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY : Friday - April 30, 2021

Friday - April 30, 2021

TODAY'S READINGS

April 30, 2021

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Lectionary: 283

 

Reading I                                          Acts 13:26-33

 

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:

 “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,

and those others among you who are God-fearing,

to us this word of salvation has been sent.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,

and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets

that are read sabbath after sabbath.

For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,

they asked Pilate to have him put to death,

and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,

they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.

But God raised him from the dead,

and for many days he appeared to those

who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.

These are now his witnesses before the people.

We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you

that what God promised our fathers

he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,

as it is written in the second psalm,

    You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”

 

Responsorial Psalm                                              2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

 

R.    (7bc)  You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

“I myself have set up my king

    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:

    The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;

    this day I have begotten you.”

R.    You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

“Ask of me and I will give you

    the nations for an inheritance

    and the ends of the earth for your possession.

You shall rule them with an iron rod;

    you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”

R.    You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

And now, O kings, give heed;

    take warning, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;

    with trembling rejoice.

R.    You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

Alleluia                                              Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;

no one comes to the Father except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel                                                                       Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.

If there were not,

would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come back again and take you to myself,

so that where I am you also may be.

Where I am going you know the way.”

Thomas said to him,

“Master, we do not know where you are going;

how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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The many dwelling places of God's kingdom

In the Gospel reading today, Jesus talks about preparing a place for us in heaven. But is that the only reason why he says: "Don't let your hearts be troubled"? Is he only speaking of our afterlife? We need to find peace in the midst of the troubling times we have right now!

 

He said: "In my Father's house are many dwelling places." Think of it this way: Our hearts are dwelling places where Christ lives here on earth, right? The Father's house is the entire kingdom of God -- i.e., not just heaven, which we'll experience someday, but his kingdom right now, wherever it exists in this world. In God's kingdom, there are many hearts that hold Christ. And wherever Christ dwells, his love reaches out to us.

 

"I am going to prepare a place for you," Jesus says. Feeling lonely? Are you worn out and beaten down from dealing with troublesome people? Could you benefit from having more friends who hold Christ in their hearts and who understand your needs and problems, people who could be companions on your journey, who can be the voice of Jesus when you can't hear him in the storm?

 

Jesus is preparing a place for you in the hearts of others! Have you asked for this? There are people around you who have given their lives to him, who are allowing him to transform their hearts, who know him as the way, the truth, and the life they live. And because he cares so much about you, he will come back again and take you to himself through their gestures of love, so that where he is in them you also will be.

 

He has hand-selected certain people for you and he wants you to find the place in their hearts that he's already prepared for you. Will you open yourself to them? Will you take the risk and trust God in them? Will you take action and make time to develop these relationships or will you neglect some potentially wonderful opportunities?

 

Just as Jesus has prepared a place for you in the hearts of others, so too has he been preparing a place for them in your heart.

 

Closed hearts are troubled hearts. Ironically, we close our hearts to protect them from trouble. We know that, sooner or later, everyone to whom we open ourselves will hurt us. Ahhh, but the fear of being vulnerable and open means we're forgetting that Jesus dwells in our hearts and he can heal our hearts when others sin against us.

 

Someday, we will go to the home that Jesus is preparing for us in heaven. There, everyone will love us as much as Jesus loves us. What about today? Are you willing to trust Jesus to carry you through the imperfections of earthly relationships?

 

Today's Prayer

 

In times of concern and difficulties, You Lord, are the peace and hope and strength that lead me forward. Amen.

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God Bless You.....



The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Thursday - April 29, 2021

Thursday - April 29, 2021

TODAY'S READINGS

April 29, 2021

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 282

 

Reading I                                          Acts 13:13-25

 

From Paphos, Paul and his companions

set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.

But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.

On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.

After the reading of the law and the prophets,

the synagogue officials sent word to them,

“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation

for the people, please speak.”

 

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,

“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.

The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors

and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.

With uplifted arm he led them out,

and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.

When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,

he gave them their land as an inheritance

at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.

After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.

Then they asked for a king.

God gave them Saul, son of Kish,

a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;

of him he testified,

    I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

    he will carry out my every wish.

From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance

to all the people of Israel;

and as John was completing his course, he would say,

‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me;

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’“

 

Responsorial Psalm                                              89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

 

R.    (2)  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;

    through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;

    in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

“I have found David, my servant;

    with my holy oil I have anointed him,

That my hand may be always with him,

    and that my arm may make him strong.”

R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,

    and through my name shall his horn be exalted.

He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,

    my God, the Rock, my savior.’”

R.    For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

 

Alleluia                                              Rv 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,

the firstborn of the dead,

you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel                                                                       Jn 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master

nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.

If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.

I am not speaking of all of you.

I know those whom I have chosen.

But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,

    The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.

From now on I am telling you before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send

receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

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St. Catherine of Siena

Catherine, the youngest of twenty-five children, was born in Siena on March 25, 1347. During her youth she had to contend with great difficulties on the part of her parents. They were planning marriage for their favorite daughter; but Catherine, who at the age of seven had already taken a vow of virginity, refused. To break her resistance, her beautiful golden brown tresses were shorn to the very skin and she was forced to do the most menial tasks. Undone by her patience, mother and father finally relented and their child entered the Third Order of St. Dominic.

Unbelievable were her austerities, her miracles, her ecstasies. The reputation of her sanctity soon spread abroad; thousands came to see her, to be converted by her. The priests associated with her, having received extraordinary faculties of absolution, were unable to accommodate the crowds of penitents. She was a helper and a consoler in every need. As time went on, her influence reached out to secular and ecclesiastical matters. She made peace between worldly princes. The heads of Church and State bowed to her words. She weaned Italy away from an anti-pope, and made cardinals and princes promise allegiance to the rightful pontiff. She journeyed to Avignon and persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. Even though she barely reached the age of thirty-three her accomplishments place her among the great women of the Middle Ages. The virgin Catherine was espoused to Christ by a precious nuptial ring which, although visible only to her, always remained on her finger.

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord's Passion and her service or your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen

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God Bless You.....



The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”