GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Thursday - May 12, 2022

  

Thursday - May 12, 2022

"The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most blessed virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them."

- Saint Louis Marie de Montfort

May 12, 2022

 

THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

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.

 

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.

 

“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.

 

“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.

 

Alleluia                                              Phil 2:8          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

 

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.”

 

**********************************

Slaves of Christ

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.”  John 13:16

 

If we read between the lines we can hear Jesus telling us two things.  First, that it’s good to see ourselves as slaves and messengers of God, and second, that we are to always give the glory to God.  These are important points to live in the spiritual life.  Let’s look at both.

 

Normally, the idea of being a “slave” is not all that desirable.  We are not as familiar with slavery in our day and age, but it is real and has caused extreme damage throughout the history of our world in many cultures and at many times.  The worst part about slavery is the cruelty with which the slaves are treated.  They are treated as objects and property which is completely contrary to their human dignity.

 

But imagine the scenario where a person is a slave to one who loves him perfectly and has as his primary mission to help that “slave” realize his true potential and fulfillment in life.  In this case, the master would “command” the slave to embrace love and happiness and would never violate his human dignity.

 

This is the way it is with God.  We should never fear the idea of being a slave of God.  Though this language may carry baggage from abuses of human dignity of the past, slavery to God should be our goal.  Why?  Because God is the one we should want as our master.  In fact, we should desire God as our master even more than we desire to be our own master.  God will treat us better than we treat ourselves!  He will dictate to us a perfect life of holiness and happiness and we will be humbly submissive to His divine will.  And what’s more, He will give us the necessary means to achieve all that He dictates to us if we let Him.  Being a “slave of God” is a good thing and should be our goal in life.

 

As we grow in our ability to let God take control of our life, we must also regularly enter into an attitude of thanks and praise of God for all that He does in us.  We must point all the glory to Him for letting us share in His mission and for being sent by Him to fulfill His will.  He is greater in every way, but He also wants us to share in that greatness and glory.  So, the good news is that when we glorify and thank God for all He does in us and for all the dictates of His law and His commands, we will be elevated by God to participate in and share in His glory!  This is one fruit of the Christian life that blesses us beyond what we could ever come up with ourselves. 

 

Reflect, today, upon letting yourself become a complete slave of God and His will today.  That commitment will start you down a path of tremendous delight.

 

Today's Prayer

 

My Lord and Master, I submit myself to Your every command.  May Your will be done in me and only Your will.  I choose You as my Master in all things and trust in Your perfect love for me.  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!”