When we were called to be the Shepherds of an ME class, we did a lot of soul searching because we almost embarked on a threefold denial of our love for Jesus by giving these reasons for not accepting His call: (1) We did not want to leave the ministry we were in because of the relationships we had established; (2) we thought it was too soon to leave the programs we have started in our ministry (3) we did not want to leave our comfort zone and felt we were not ready to shepherd the spiritual growth of many couples.
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Imagine this scene in Acts 1:9-11. “… as they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight”… ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?’”
What does this scene remind you of? It is the airport departure scene. For many of us, immigrants to the United States, or who have family and friends who have migrated to and worked in some foreign country, this scene is very familiar to us. It is the poignant picture of a family member sadly left behind, while Mom, Dad, brother, sister or relative leaves for a foreign country to work. Another successful Community Teaching Seminar was held at Connell Hall, last Saturday, May 9th, 2015. Father Paul Lehman lectured on “Contemplative Praying” and Patrick McGrail from the Singles Ministry, presented an overview of the “Cloud of Unknowing,” an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in the latter half of the 14th century. This text from the Middle Ages is considered as the spiritual guide on contemplative prayer.
When our Lord Jesus’ time here on earth was coming to an end, He told His disciples in John 15:12, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.” He wanted His disciples to remain united and determined to spread the Gospel. This command is the reason why they became one family, then grew into a community of believers, and now have become His church which reaches to the far corners of the world.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
As I reflect on this verse, I find great comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit has promised us His Peace. I am in the midst of recovering from an illness. The physical pain seems so unbearable at times. My head hurts from a migraine headache. My body feels week from the effects of the flu. My back hurts. I feel chills all over my body. And while suffering through this physical pain, I also have to care for my young children. They are still so dependent on me for most of their needs. Have you ever noticed that our Blessed Mother’s first words in the Gospel of St. Luke are repeated, in one form or another, throughout the gospels? Luke 1:34a reads, “But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be?’"
During the month of May Catholics traditionally honor Mary, the mother of God. Marian devotions predominate during May centering around “Mothers’ Day” and even first Communion. The rosary is a favorite all year round. It can be used as a vocal prayer, but primarily it is a method of mental prayer. The mental prayer aspect can be looked at in a number of different ways. When for instance St. Ignatius of Loyola uses the word “contemplation” he is using it almost in an opposite sense than St. John of the Cross. Ignatius will emphasize the “composition of place”, picturing the events in the life of Jesus or Mary in one’s imagination.
From the earliest days the apostles encountered hostility from the Jewish leaders just as Jesus Himself had. Even so, the First Reading shows “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8) fearlessly proclaiming to them the risen Christ; that he had cured a man, crippled from birth, through the power of One whom the Sanhedrin had thought was silenced forever when they forced Pilate to crucify Him. By rejecting Christ as the true Messiah, they had fulfilled the Messianic prophecy: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Ps 118:22)
“Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30-31)
The Ethiopian, whom Philip met on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, must have been a great and knowledgeable man, since he served as the Nubian queen’s treasurer. Though he was a man of position, he was also humble. He readily admitted that he did not understand what he was reading in the Book of Isaiah and needed someone to help him discern its meaning. Philip explained the scripture to the Ethiopian and helped him to understand how it applied to Jesus. Ultimately, Philip baptized the Ethiopian and continued on his way home rejoicing. “But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, ‘Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.’” (Acts 5:19-20)
This passage is taken from St. Luke’s account of the disciples’ trial before the Sanhedrin. The Sadducees, filled with envy, imprisoned them. But the Lord rescued the apostles and sent His angels to bring them out of the darkness and solitude of their prison cells. They were led by the angels, and with this they were instructed to “Go …, and tell the people everything about this life.” (Acts 5:20) |
To nurture and promote the love of the Gospel of Christ.
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