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Friday, April 25, 2025

† "This was now the third time... "

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Quote of the Day


Quote of the Day
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"Since happiness is nothing other than the enjoyment of the highest good, and since the highest good is above, no one can be happy unless he rises above himself, not by an ascent of the body, but of the heart."
— St. Bonaventure

Today's Meditation

"My Lord, I offer you myself in turn as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. You have died for me, and I in turn make myself over to you. I am not my own. You have bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase. My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake, and not for yours. I put away reputation and honor, and influence, and power, for my praise and strength shall be in you. Enable me to carry out what I profess." —St. John Henry Newman, p. 135

Daily Verse

"One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
— Mark 12:28-31

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St. Mark

St. Mark the Evangelist (1st c.) was born to Jewish parents living in Libya in North Africa, later settling in Cana of Galilee not far from Jerusalem. Mark became one of the 70 disciples of Jesus and the author of the Gospel that bears his name. According to tradition, St. Peter the Apostle was married to a relative of St. Mark's father, and after Mark's father died, Peter looked after him like his own son. Being a close disciple of St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, Mark's Gospel is addressed to Gentile converts to the Christian faith living in Rome. Most of what we know about his life and missionary activity is recorded in the New Testament. He traveled to Egypt and founded the Church there, and was martyred c. 68 A.D. by being dragged through the streets of Alexandria until his body was torn to pieces. St. Mark is the patron of lawyers and prisoners. His feast day is April 25

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Friday in the Octave of Easter

Lectionary: 265
Reading 1
Acts 4:1-12

After the crippled man had been cured,
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
"By what power or by what name have you done this?"
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved."

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

R.(22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His mercy endures forever."

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Sequence -- optional
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

John 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing."
They said to him, "We also will come with you."
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"
They answered him, "No."
So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something."
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

agosp

Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ!

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Daily Meditation: John 21:1-14

Peter . . . jumped into the sea. (John 21:7)

When you have only a moment to make a decision, your choice can reveal a lot about who you are, what you believe, and what you value. Some people perform great acts of heroism in a split second, such as the father who instinctively shields his family in a car accident. Some people reveal their selfishness or their fear, such as the employee who pockets some unattended cash.

In the Gospels, St. Peter is certainly portrayed as impulsive and even brash. And many times that impulsiveness reveals his flaws. He speaks his mind when it might have been wiser to listen. He uses violence to try to defend Jesus, the Prince of Peace. And in his darkest moment, he denies even knowing Jesus.

In today's Gospel, we see Peter diving from his boat and rushing against the waves just to get to Jesus. It doesn't matter that he is already close to the beach and that it wouldn't have taken long to steer the boat ashore. The sheer elation of seeing the risen Lord virtually pushed him into the water. You can imagine him thinking, "I need to get to Jesus—right now!" He just couldn't resist. Not even the shame over his past actions could keep him away. Deep down, he knew that the only way out of shame is not in running from Jesus but running toward him.

That instinct to run toward Jesus develops over time through a growing relationship with him. Jesus' magnetism had drawn Peter from the start. Then, as his relationship with Jesus deepened, he was drawn more and more deeply toward him—even as he maintained his impetuous, passionate ways!

Jesus remains just as compelling today. Deep within, we all long to jump out of our boats and run toward him. Even if there are times when you feel unworthy to be in his presence or when temptation seeks to hold you back, that longing is still there. So the next time you feel an inner tug to be near to the Lord, act on it! Drop what you're doing (if you can) and turn your heart toward him. Every time you do, you'll discover greater freedom and joy—just as Peter did!

"Lord, help me to hear when you call me today and to respond by running toward you!"

Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27

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Reflections with Brother Adrian:

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No audio available today

From today's Holy Gospel:

In the Gospel we hear today:
"Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast."
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?"
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead......." - Word of the Lord!

From Roberto Juarez:
"It is beautiful how the disciples discover together that he is the Lord. The journey of faith is not solitary. The love of the beloved disciple and the ardor of Peter complement each other. The Church is also born in the fraternity that encounters the risen Christ.

What "nights of empty fishing" am I going through?
Am I willing to listen to Jesus' voice and cast my nets again?
Do I recognize the Lord in the small gestures of each day?
Lord Jesus, you await me each day on the shore of my life. Help me to recognize your voice when you invite me to trust, to begin again. Nourish my heart with your presence, and make me a fisher of hope, a witness to your risen love. Amen. .... " End quote.


From brother Adrian:
The disciples went fishing knowing nothing else to do since our Lord was buried.
And in their work...He encounters them.
They knew it was Him.
What a strange notion and words to say. They must have approached with caution. I can imagine their curious looks as they approached the man with the voice from the seashore who reassured them and fed them...again. Just like He had done for the previous 3 years.
Yahweh Yireh.
The Lord provides.
And His food not only nourishes the body...but the soul.
He said "bring your fishes you have caught...now, we will go catch men..all humanity...bring them to the Lord our God"
He awaits on the other shore...the other side.
Have faith.
I Am always with you, even until the end of time.

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Random Bible Verse 1
2 Corinthians 7:1

7" Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body1 and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
Word of the Lord.

If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace

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