Message of 4-5-12

Published: Thu, 04/05/12


A Daily Spiritual Seed
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Message of the Day

Fr. Raymond Suriani also said in his homily that now what's extremely important for us to take note of on this Holy Thursday's Last Supper celebration is the fact that this act of service performed by Jesus, that is, the washing of His apostles' feet, took place immediately after the meal at which He instituted the Eucharist. This gives us the pattern that Jesus wants us to follow in our own lives: Eucharist, then Service . . .
- Justmehomily Blog

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Lectionary Readings of the Day
   http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14;    Ps 116:12-13, 15-18;    1 Cor 11:23-26;    Jn 13:1-15

R. (cf. 1 Cor 10:16) Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.

To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.

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Reflection on the Gospel
- from http://www.dailyscripture.net/

Saint Augustine in his sermon for this day, wrote: "He had the power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only in his death. His body did not see corruption; our body will see corruption and only then be clothed through him in incorruption at the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us; without him we can do nothing. He gave himself to us as the vine to the branches; apart from him we cannot have life. Finally, even if brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought forgiveness to us. In this he gave us, not an example to imitate but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided "the same kind of meal" as they had received at the Lord's table.   Let us then love one another as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us."

"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion , kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife."

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Spiritual Reading
    - Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A. Kempis

The Disciple

Such affection and devotion, such mighty love and zeal are often far beyond me. Be merciful to me, O sweet, good, kind Jesus, and grant me, Your poor suppliant, sometimes at least to feel in Holy Communion a little of the tenderness of Your love, that my faith may grow stronger, that my hope in Your goodness may increase, and that charity, once perfectly kindled within me by tasting heavenly manna, may never fail.
   - Book 4, Chapter 14

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