27 Apr
Fri
2nd Week of Easter
Acts 5:34-42
Ps. 26:1, 4, 13-14
Jn. 6:1-15
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     After reading chapter three of John with its allusions to Baptism we now turn to the eucharistic motif of chapter six. Jesus' work of feeding the people evokes recognition in them that He is prophet. He sees their very real need and responds to it in a super-abundant way. The faith that this act brings forth is not perfect christian faith. Jesus builds His disciples slowly. In giving the bread Jesus alludes to the liberating journey of the Exodus, at the time of the Passover - Exodus, both in its historical memory and also its fulfilment in the journey that Jesus will make to His Father.

     This is a journey the disciples too must embark on. So the words of Gamaliel are almost a paraphrase of Jesus' words 'by their fruits you shall know them'. The learned rabbi quotes the example of other Gallileans who had been given messianic fame but whose movements collapsed after their death. Should Jesus' way be another such movement it would also fade. Like most sound advice Gamaliel's was not followed. The final act of witness of the apostles in Jerusalem is their contentment at suffering for Jesus and constancy in their preaching. Their trust in God expressed itself in very definite attitudes.
    

     Lord guide as we journey towards You.
DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world

In the world of today there is a widespread search for joy, happiness, serenity, liberty. That is why the consecrated religious is called on to remind every person that the life of a human being comes from God. Religious give outstanding and striking testimony that the world cannot be transformed and offered to God without the spirit of the Beatitudes which proposes a way of living and for people to relate to each other. The consecrated life is for all the faithful a luminous sign of the common vocation to holiness, a model on which to draw inspiration and courage. Besides, the religious community based on motivations of faith, on mutual love and on sharing presents itself as a call to the constant reform of ecclesial communities.

The commitment asked of consecrated people needs the support, awareness and prayer of the entire Christian community, so that human weakness may not prevail but may always allow itself to be led and transformed by God's action. In fact, the attitudes indicated by the Beatitudes not only point a sure way towards fulfilment and charity, but also lead directly to the Person of Christ who came so that men and women not only might have life but have it to the full.




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