11 Apr
Thu 		2nd Week of Easter
Acts 5:27-33
Ps. 34:2,9,17-18,19-20
Jn. 3:31-36
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"Obedience to God comes before obedience to men" (Acts 5:29a).

This reply of Peter and the apostles to the Sanhedrin spells out very clearly the disposition of all believers in terms of living out 'obedience' in life. In our decision-making, how often have we obeyed the other voices than that of God? How have these other voices 'blocked' us from listening to the voice of God.

We are also reminded in the Gospel reading that as followers of Christ, if we reject Christ by listening to the other voices of the world, we are rejecting God, the source of our existence. How can we really adhere to the will of God? We need to anchor ourselves in Christ from whom God's power and love flows. We can sense the extent of Father God's love for His Son in the Gospel reading.

It is also from the realization of the things that God gives the Son, that is judgement (5:22, 27), life (5:26), power over 'all flesh' to give life (17:2), his followers (6:37, 10:29, 17:6), what he says (12:49, 17:8), divine nature (17:11-12) and glory (17:22) that we too as his followers are called to share in such. However, how many of us are aware of this privilege?

As Easter people, let us rely on the love of Christ from which we can make our choices in accordance with what God wants of us.


Jesus, the life giver, help us to remain always obedient to the will of the Father.

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 in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values
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 in the many rapid changes taking place in today's world, the importance of the family may be recognised in its fundamental vocation as cradle of life and school of faith and right values

The family as a domestic Church and cradle of life is the appropriate setting in which faith can increase. It is here that faith can be nourished through an attitude of appreciation of the treasure which parents are called on to transmit to their children through personal words and testimonies of life. This attitude must then be nourished with a sense of wonder and hope and it must be contemplated as Mary contemplated it in the face of the Word she received and the events of her life.

This deep sense of faith helps parents and their children to fulfil the vocation received from God. Parents, teaching their children and bearing witness to the true sense of suffering and dying, lead the young to be more attentive to all forms of suffering. They, thus develop positive attitudes of assistance and sharing with others, especially with weaker people like the sick and the aged. This life of faith must be continually nourished through individual and family prayer.

On the strength of this foundation the family becomes a place for training in justice, self-control, temperance, respect for the personal dignity of each individual and the service of the poor and needy.



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