GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Friday - May 13, 2022

  

Friday - May 13, 2022

"In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear."

- Saint Therese of Lisieux

May 13, 2022

 

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.

 

“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.

 

“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.

 

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.

 

Alleluia                                              Phil 2:8          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

 

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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Our Father’s House

“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.”  John 14:2–3

 

From time to time it’s important that we focus in on the glorious reality of Heaven!  Heaven is real and, God willing, one day we will all be united there with our Triune God.  If we properly understood Heaven, we’d long for it with a deep and burning love and we’d look forward to it with a powerful desire, being filled with peace and joy every time we think of it.

 

Unfortunately, however, the thought of leaving this Earth and meeting our Maker is a frightening thought for some.  Perhaps it’s the fear of the unknown, the realization that we will leave our loved ones behind, or possibly even a fear that Heaven will not be our final resting place. 

 

As Christians, it’s essential that we work at fostering a great love of Heaven by gaining a proper understanding of not only Heaven itself, but also the purpose of our lives on Earth.  Heaven helps order our lives and helps us stay on the path that leads to this eternal beatitude.

 

In the passage above, we are given a very consoling image of Heaven.  It’s the image of the “Father’s house.”  This image is a good one to reflect upon because it reveals that Heaven is our home.  Home is a safe place.  It’s a place where we can be ourselves, relax, be with loved ones, and feel as if we belong.  We are God’s sons and daughters and He has decided that we belong there with Him. 

 

Reflecting on this image of Heaven should also console those who have lost a loved one.  The experience of saying goodbye, for now, is very difficult.  And it should be difficult.  The difficulty of losing a loved one reveals that there is true love in that relationship.  And that is good.  But God does want the feelings of loss to also be mingled with joy as we ponder the reality of our loved one being with the Father in His home for eternity.  They are happier there than we will ever be able to imagine, and we will one day be called to share in that joy.

 

Reflect, today, upon this image of Heaven: our Father’s House.  Sit with that image and let God speak to you.  As you do, let your heart be drawn to Heaven so that this desire will help to direct your actions here and now.

 

Today's Prayer

 

Lord of Heaven and Earth, I do long to be with You eternally in Heaven.  I long to be comforted, consoled and filled with joy in Your home.  Help me to always keep this as my goal in life and to grow, daily in a desire for this final resting place.  Jesus, I trust in You. 

 

 

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!”