Message of the Day
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Whatever the program, for whatever purpose or cause, if love is not there, then beware. Without love there can be temporary successes, but with time they crumble."
- Pope John XXIII
(Small acts of love throughout the day . . . starting now.)
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Readings of the Day
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ACTS 19:1-8; PS 68:2-7; JN 16:29-33 R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Gospel
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I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
Goodbye: It's a word we say almost without thinking. We have all said goodbye probably more times than we can count. Much of Jesus' ministry, at least in John's Gospel, was spent saying goodbye, preparing his disciples for his eventual absence. This was not the time for easy assurances or false promises. It was a time to be realistic: "In the world you will have trouble." But it was also a time to remember God's steadfast presence even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. We trust in your promises and your presence, O God.
- by Jeanne Lischer
My Daily Bread
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Spiritual Reading
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The Sparkling Stone, by St. John of Rusybroeck (1293-1381)
Behold, this is the sparkling stone which is given to the God-seeing man, and in this stone a new name is written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. You should know that all spirits in their return towards God receive names; each one in particular, according to the nobleness of its service and the loftiness of its love. For only the first name of innocence, which we receive at baptism, is adorned with the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when we have lost this name of innocence through sin, if we are willing still to follow God;especially in three works which He wishes to work in us if we are baptized once more in the Holy Ghost. And thereby we receive a new name which shall remain with us throughout eternity. - Chapter Four: "Of the Sparkling Stone, and the New Name Written in the Book of Secrets of God"
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