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One God, the Maker of all: this is the first and foremost article of our faith. But the second article is the Word of God, the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord, who . . . in the end of times, for the recapitulation of all things, is become a man among us, visible and tangible, in order to abolish death and bring to light life, and bring about the communion of God and people.
- Irenaeus of Lyons -
(Note the "work" accomplished by the incarnate Word. Open yourself to allow this work to happen within you, and, through you, to the entire world.)
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ACTS 25:13B-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20AB
JN 21:15-19
After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them,
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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"I issued orders that he be kept in custody until I could send him to the emperor." —Acts 25:21
St. Paul's ongoing imprisonment featured a mockery of justice. Accusers charged him with nonsensical "crimes." He experienced interminable delays as he was handed from one authority to another. It seemed like Paul was "for nothing, uselessly," spending his strength (Is 49:4). Yet from an evangelistic standpoint, the aimless circumstances were not useless or aimless at all. As persecutions and mismanagement
increased, so did Paul's opportunities to spread the Gospel, witness to Jesus, and evangelize. Paul wasn't frustrated or worn down, partly because the Holy Spirit mercifully gave Paul advance notice as he traveled "from city to city that chains and hardship" awaited him (Acts 20:23).
Paul prepared his soul for the upcoming trials. He decided to give evidence of his love for Jesus (Jn 21:15). He evangelized those insulated from hearing the Gospel, such as Agrippa, Festus, and the Emperor. He realized that without his testimony as a prisoner, these people might never hear the Gospel.
Paul heeded the Spirit's warning. He purified himself (Acts 21:26). He testified to some disciples: "I am prepared to die for the name of the Lord Jesus" (see Acts 21:13). When Paul's hearings arrived, he could testify powerfully to the Resurrection of Jesus.
How about you? What warnings has the Spirit given you during this Pentecost Novena? Will you receive the Spirit even though hardships await you? Will you be ready to tell those you meet about Jesus? Will you love Him enough to feed His sheep? (Jn 21:17)
Prayer: Jesus, may all prisoners who read this receive the Spirit on Pentecost and joyfully witness to You. Bless them with hope.
Promise: "His kingdom rules over all." —Ps 103:19
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER II. THE DUTIES OF THOSE SOULS CALLED BY GOD TO THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT
SECTION VIII. This total abandonment is as simple as its effects are marvelous.
Such then is the straight path to sanctity. Such is the state of perfection, and of the duties imposed by it; such the great and incomparable secret of abandonment; a secret that is, in reality, no secret, an art without art.
God, who exacts it of all, has explained it clearly, and made it intelligible, and quite simple. What is obscure in the way of pure faith is not necessary for the soul in that way, to practise; there is, in fact, nothing more easy to understand, nor more luminous; the mystery is only in what is done by God.
This is what takes place in the Blessed Eucharist. That which is necessary to change bread into the Body of Jesus Christ, is so clear and so easy that the most ignorant priest is capable of doing it; yet it is the mystery of mysteries, where all is so hidden, so obscure, so incomprehensible that the more spiritual and enlightened one is, the more faith is required to believe it. The way of pure faith presents much that
is similar. Its effect is to enable one to find God at each moment; it is this that makes it so exalted, so mystical, so blessed. It is an inexhaustible fund of thought, of discourse, of writing, it is a whole collection, and source of wonders. To produce so prodigious an effect but one thing is necessary; to let God act, and to do all that He wills according to one’s state. Nothing in the spiritual life could be easier; nor more within the power of everyone; and yet nothing could be more
wonderful, nor any path more obscure. To walk in it the soul has need of great faith, all the more so as reason is always suspicious, and has always some argument against it. All its ideas are confused. There is nothing in it that reason has ever known or read about, or been accustomed to admire; it is something quite new. "The Prophets were saints, but this Jesus is a sorcerer,‚" said the Jews. If the soul following their example, is scandalised, it shows but little faith, and well deserves to
be deprived of those wonderful things that God is so ready to work in the faithful soul.
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