Quote of the Day "The limitless loving devotion to God, and the gift God makes of Himself to you, are the highest elevation of which the heart is capable; it is the highest degree of prayer." — St. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) Today's Meditation "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Even though the Disciples suffered persecution, they were filled with joy. One would have expected them to be depressed or angry or resentful. The very fact that they responded to persecution with joy is a sign that the Spirit was guiding their actions. We can use that same test with our own words and actions." —Rev. Jude Winkler, O.F.M., p. 11 An excerpt from Daily Meditations With the Holy Spirit Daily Verse "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." — Job 12:7-10 | St. George St. George (d. 303 A.D.) was born in Palestine to noble Christian parents. Like his father, he enlisted as a soldier in the Roman army serving under Emperor Diocletian. He was renowned for his bravery and outstanding military prowess, and was a favorite of the Emperor. Many fantastical legends are ascribed to him, however, none are known to be true with any certainty. The most famous legend is St. George and the Dragon, where St. George, after making the Sign of the Cross, saved a king's daughter from being devoured by a man-eating dragon. St. George killed the elusive dragon, and by this feat persuaded many souls to accept baptism. He also admonished the king, in gratitude for his princess being saved by Christ's power, to support the cause of the Church. What is known with certainty is that St. George, after confessing and refusing to renounce his faith in Christ, was martyred in Palestine during the Christian persecution of Diocletian. He became a highly venerated saint in antiquity, and many early churches were dedicated in his honor. St. George is the patron of many causes and countries, including soldiers, knights, chivalry, horsemen, farmers, Canada, England, and Germany, to name a few. His feast day is April 23. | Wednesday in the Octave of Easter Lectionary: 263
Reading 1
Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John were going up to the temple area
for the three o'clock hour of prayer.
And a man crippled from birth was carried
and placed at the gate of the temple called "the Beautiful Gate" every day
to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple.
When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked for alms.
But Peter looked intently at him, as did John,
and said, "Look at us."
He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.
Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold,
but what I do have I give you:
in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk."
Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up,
and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong.
He leaped up, stood, and walked around,
and went into the temple with them,
walking and jumping and praising God.
When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
they recognized him as the one
who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple,
and they were filled with amazement and astonishment
at what had happened to him. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9 R.(3b) Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds. R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly. R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail. R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. Victimae paschali laudes Christians, to the Paschal Victim Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless, Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring What you saw, wayfaring.
"The tomb of Christ, who is living, The glory of Jesus' resurrection;
bright angels attesting, The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he goes before you."
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen. Alleluia.
Alleluia Psalm 118:24 R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Luke 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus' disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"
They said to him,
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his Body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the Eleven and those with them who were saying,
"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. | Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ! | Daily Meditation: Luke 24:13-35 How foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe! (Luke 24:25) The Gospels make it clear that Jesus had an amazing ability to rebuke people in a loving way. Today's Gospel is a perfect example. The two disciples on their way to Emmaus are confused and deeply disappointed with the way recent events have played out. Not only have they lost Jesus, but they have also lost the hope that he was the Messiah, the one who would "redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). Appearing to them but disguised, Jesus addresses the heart of the issue—their hearts! They have been "slow of heart to believe" what God had revealed through his prophets (Luke 24:25). Yes, they had seen Jesus perform miracles. Yes, they had heard him preach. Yes, they knew the Scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Yet despite all they knew, they could not conceive that God could bring good out of the tragedy of his death. Their trust in God and his plan just couldn't extend that far. Perhaps you find yourself in the shoes of these disciples: your heart, like theirs, has been slow to believe what God has revealed to you. Yes, you know the Scriptures. Yes, you have encountered God's love in your life. Yes, you have the teaching and traditions of the Church. Yet you still have difficulty trusting that God's goodness will shine through the darkness and gloom you see all around you—and maybe within you. If this describes you, then fix your mind and heart on the risen Christ. God was able to transform the terrible events of his passion into the glory of the resurrection. But because he knew that we are often "slow to believe," he gave us a lasting reminder of all that he has done for us: Jesus himself, present in the Eucharist. Just as the Emmaus disciples recognized him in the breaking of the bread, we can recognize his presence with us every time we "break bread" at the table of the Lord. This Easter season, God wants us to remember that he has held nothing back from us. He went so far as to give us his only Son, both on the cross and in the Eucharist. Let him reassure you that, however dark a situation may seem, you can always trust him. "Jesus, thank you for the precious gift of your Body and Blood!" Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: |  Hear AI Read it for u | From today's Holy Gospel: In the Gospel we hear today:
"As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"......" - Word of the Lord! | From Roberto Juarez:
"When they broke the bread, they recognized him. The Mass is that privileged moment where Christ gives himself to us and reveals himself. Do I go to the altar hungry for God and with attentive eyes?
The disciples ran back to Jerusalem. The encounter with the Risen One is not kept, it is shared. To whom can I proclaim today that Christ lives?
Lord Jesus,
silent walker of my days,
accompany me when sadness clouds my soul.
Make my heart burn as I hear your Word
and may my eyes recognize you in the breaking of bread.
Give me the joy of proclaiming with joy
that you have risen and live among us. Amen.... " End quote.
From brother Adrian:
Were our hearts not burning while He spoke to us on the way?"
Our Lord wants to make our hearts burn on fire.
As a matter of fact it is the driving force in me, something burns so much, so much good for the Lord, His message, it comes, and I have to share it to find relief. The Holy Spirit is at work until now.
I want your heart on fire, and this is the purpose for the message. If your life is dull, and feels stagnate, then come to the living waters, the waterfall inundating the world from out of this world. It is His grace. If only.
You see, the disciples had gone to see what was going on. And then, our Lord met them.
Seek and ye shall find. Amen? And it happened when a couple of them were discussing our Lord when He appeared.
May we never cease to seek Him. When we bring Him into our lives, in conversation, in sacrifices, in giving, then He begins to appear. And on that note, I have seen Him. I have seen the Eucharist turn into flesh in the hands of the priests. And my heart begins to burn, for a long, LONG time, years and years, an amazing fuel for the soul? Or Him burning inside my chest... I will let you taste and see, the goodness of the Lord. | Random Bible Verse 1
Psalm 50:14–15 [Psalm 50] 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,1 and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
