Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Jn 14:1-6

Jesus is telling his disciples that they must have faith in God. They are fearful that when he is gone they will not know what to do or where to go. They will have no leadership, no direction. He is telling them that he will be in their hearts and minds and will lead them, through his spirit, down the proper path. They need to believe that when the time has come he will lead them to the heavenly kingdom.

Ron Czachowski

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

In today's first reading, Paul reminds those in the synagogue that God wanted them as his chosen people. Paul lets them know where they as a people historically have been, but exhorts them to become more conscious of the fact that, from their descendants, God brought forth a savior, Jesus Christ. Paul is saying that God, through his own son, Jesus Christ, is choosing them again. We are all God's chosen people. Christ will be our strength. We must learn to know and follow him.

In today's Gospel, Jesus having washed the feet of his disciples, says, "Amen, Amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater that the one who sent him. Whoever receives the one I send receives me and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me". We are all equal and no one greater than another.

We all have been chosen to hear his "word". We are given the alternative of believing and the choice of path to follow.

Peggie Czachowski

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Jn 12 : 44-50

Today’s Gospel reinforces that Jesus was the Son of God sent to spread the word of His Father. Jesus, now having overcome death, seems to have a very mild manner about Him as He tells us that the significance of believing in Him and hearing His word really means believing in and hearing the word of the Father. Jesus does not take credit for any of the messages He delivers. Instead, He makes it quite clear that He is simply the messenger for the Father. Furthermore, it is not Jesus who stands to judge those who reject Him, but the Father.

The Gospel shows us by Jesus’ example that we are not expected to come up with anything new or earth moving in order to be disciples of God. Our role is much more ordinary, like that of Jesus, where we are simply to pass on the word of the Father. In order to achieve the Father’s goal of everlasting life, we too, must live by example the teachings of the Father as we were instructed by Jesus. Opportunities present to us each day in which we can exemplify, dialogue, or perhaps even teach the word of God. It is in this way that ordinary people can accomplish great things acting as today’s disciples by practicing and demonstrating belief in God and His Word.

Sue Talocka

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Acts 11:19-26
Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
Jn 10:22-30

As we approach the half way mark of Easter, today’s Gospel according to John, is Powerful! Very Powerful! The depth of the word of Christ is far deeper than after you read it several times. The similarities of Today and 2000 years ago are so frightening.

While at the “Feast of the Dedication” which is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC (Hannukah) our Shepherd was quietly walking in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon when people around confronted and doubted Him. Today we are having more people doubting the existence of Our Savior. With the contribution of “new media” the atheists are running wild but they should be failing like the ratings of the Larry King show. Christ’s continuous Love and Miracles are not enough for them then and now!

Are you really living the Gospel? Do you listen to the words of our Shepherd and are you among his flock? These questions should be quick to answer. If you have to take time, your flame may be doused on top of the blaze of the Easter Candle.

The Gospel is screaming at you to listen! Look, listen and feel… that is the presence of Christ within you.

Spend this 2^nd half of Easter renewing your promises to Christ. Let the waters of baptism wash you in Christ’s Love.

Trust in God – monitor all others.

Peace,

Austin Kostik

Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Just as a shepherd is going to show his sheep the way to where they need to be, Jesus is going to show us the way to his Father. The path of our lives has been set by God, but we must be willing to listen to Him to understand this. God sent Jesus to bring us to that path, and lead us on our journey.

It's a journey that allows for no shortcuts. However, when we wander from God's Word, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is there to guide us back in the right direction.

Mike Kosty

Fourth Sunday of Easter

With the words of the Father, you need not to worry about the troubles of life. The blessings and guidance of the Lord shall keep all away from harm, evil, and temptations. Trust and belief in the scriptures of the Lord will give righteousness, eternal life, and true peace of body, mind and spirit. He is your shepherd, your guardian and gives you His word of protection and guidance.

Daniel Lezama

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

As a person semi-new to the church I lack a lot of knowledge about the catholic religion. After finishing today’s reading I was even more fascinated with the Lord’s might. Able to heal, cure, and even revive human beings reminded me of the endless power of our eternal God. Looking at this passage over and over again made me reminisce past experiences that led me to officially become one with the Lord. Once reading the part about Tabitha, an archetype of a true follower, that fell very ill, passed away and later was revitalized by Peter, I was stunned by the astonishing miracles and abilities our Lord performs. Nowadays we don’t have Jesus’ disciples walking around prospering others, like Peter did throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, but in my perspective I believe that we (doctors, scientists, police officers, and just all and every common person) replaced those deceased and we now survive by helping each other out. Jesus sacrificed himself for the survival of our race and I with every fiber of my existence feel that with faith, the practice of good deeds and almsgiving we will have a reserved spot in the kingdom of heaven.

Jose Villeda