THE BREAD OF LIFE

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

 

               FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – CYCLE B

 

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

 

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.  “THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

 

Application

 

The first reading challenges us to ask, am I ready to die? The second reading tells us that God is our permanent and loving Father. The Gospel shows us that we are being called to be “good shepherds.”

 

This week:

 

-Pray, listen, and love with your actions to your              children.

     -Pray, listen, and forgive your father, dead or alive.

-Pray, listen, and pray for forgiveness of all earthly          fathers, that they will repent and seek healing               in Jesus Christ.

-Pray, listen, listen, and listen to your Heavenly             Father.

 

FIRST DAY  Reread last week’s readings.

 

1.   What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or    from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

2.   From what you learned, what personal application did      you choose to apply to your life this week?

 

 

SECOND DAY             READ ACTS 9:26-31          FIRST READING

 

     (“…he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”)

 

l.   Who arrived in Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples? Acts 9:4, Acts 13:9

 

 

2.   What were the disciples towards Saul, and what did   they not believe?  Acts 9:26

 

 

 

3.   What do I do when I become afraid?  Psalm 56:4-5

 

 

 

Personal – When someone has wronged you and decides to do right, how do you respond?

 

 

 

4.   Who was Barnabas, what did he do with Saul, and what      did he report to the disciples about him?  Acts 4:36, 9:27

 

 

 

5.   What did Saul proclaim in Damascus about Jesus, what      did all who heard him say, and what happened to the     Jews? Acts 9:20-22

 

 

 

6.   How did Saul move about, and how did he speak out in      the name of the Lord?   Acts 9:28

 

 

 

7.   What did the servants ask the Lord to enable them to      speak? Acts 4:29

 

 

 

8.   With whom did Saul speak and debate, what did they try    to do to him, and where did the brothers take him   after learning of this?   Acts 9:29-30

 

 

9.   As the number of disciples continued to grow, who    complained, and for what reason?  Acts 6:1

 

 

 

10.  What did the church enjoy, what was happening to the      church, and with whose consolation did it grow?

     Acts 9:31

 

 

 

11.  When did the Holy Spirit speak to the church at      Antioch, and what did he say?   Acts 13:1-2

 

 

 

Personal – In what way have you been a support to someone who has made a conversion?

 

 

 

THIRD DAY             READ 1 JOHN 3:18-24        SECOND READING

 

      (“Those who keep his commandments remain in him,”)

 

1.   What are we called, how are we not to love, and how are we to love?   1 John 3:18

 

 

 

2.   What are we to love?   Romans 12:9

 

 

 

3.   “My people come to you as people always do; they sit      down before you and hear your words,” but what do they    not do, and for what reason?   Ezekiel 33:31 

 

 

 

4.   What is God greater than, and what does he know? 1   John 3:20

 

 

 

5.   If our hearts do not condemn us, what do we have, what    do we receive, and for what reason?   1 John 3:21-22

 

 

 

6.   How are our hearts purified?   Acts 15:9

 

 

7.   When does God hear us?   1 John 5:14

 

 

 

8.   What does our heavenly Father give to those who ask?

Matthew 7:11

 

 

 

9.   What is God’s commandment?   1 John 3:23

 

 

 

10.  What is the work of God?   John 6:29

 

 

 

11.  How ought we to live if we claim to abide in Jesus?

1 John 2:6

 

 

 

Personal – How have you loved God and those around you in deed and in truth?  Do your words contradict your actions?

 

 

 

FOURTH DAY             READ JOHN 15:1-8                 GOSPEL

 

(“You are already pruned

because of the word that I spoke to you.”)

 

1.   What is Jesus, and what is the Father?  John 15:1

 

 

 

2.   What does he take away, and what does he prune so that    it bears more?   John 15:2

 

 

 

3.   What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

     Galatians 5:22-23

 

 

 

4.   Because of what are you already pruned?  John 15:3

 

 

 

5.   What is the word?  John 17:17

 

 

 

6.   As Jesus remains in us, in whom are we to remain?    What can a branch not do on its own, and what can we not do?  John 15:4

 

 

 

7.   What will we bear if we remain in Jesus, and what can

we do without him?   John 15:5

 

 

 

8.   What happens to the builders unless the Lord builds the house?   Psalm 127:1

 

 

 

9.   What will happen to anyone who does not remain in    Jesus, and what will people do with them?   John 15:6

 

 

 

10.  What will happen to every tree that does not bear good

fruit?   Matthew 3:10

 

 

 

11.  Ask for whatever we want and it will be done for us,      if we do what?    John 15:7

 

 

 

12.  How is the Father glorified?   John 15:8, Matthew 5:16

 

 

 

13.  What will we be if we remain in Jesus’ word, what will    we know, and what will it do to us?    John 8:31-32

 

 

Personal – How have you abided in Jesus, and how do others see Jesus abiding in you through your actions?   What kind of fruit do they see?

 

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 22:26-32

 

 

              (“The lowly shall eat their fill,”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 22:26-32.

 

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY         READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

 

                         ACTS 9:26-31

 

When Barnabas brought Paul, who was still being called Saul, to Jerusalem to join the disciples, he found them very much  afraid of him.   We must remember that Saul was an arch-enemy of the Christian movement until he met the Lord on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-9). Soon after his conversion his name Saul (Hebrew emphasizing his Jewish background) was changed to Paul (Roman emphasizing the Gentile world). Ananias is told that Paul is the Lord’s chosen instrument to carry his name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

 

Barnabas was an early disciple of Christ and his name meant “son of prophecy.” He was a converted Jew and a Levite, so he knew very well the apostles’ fear of Paul’s reputation. Barnabas was the bridge between Paul and the apostles and boldly intro­duced the newly-converted Paul to them.

 

Today’s reading really challenges all of us to believe that with God nothing is impossible. We all know that it is very difficult to change our reputation and new Christians especially need sponsors. We must encourage, teach, and introduce new belie­vers to other members of our Christian community. The challenge to us is to find ways by which we can become a Barnabas to new believ­ers.

Paul became a Christian and the church enjoyed a brief time of peace. The believers learned how to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We might do well to do the same in our world today. A real and lasting peace can come only when men and women are free, and it is only Jesus Christ that really sets us free (John 8:32).

 

                        1 JOHN 3:18-24

 

This letter of John was written so that we who believe will realize that we possess eternal life (1 John 5:13). John under­stood that to know God is to keep his commandments.  Love, if it is genuine, comes from the heart and is directed toward God and man. A serious problem of John’s day as well as today is the question, “Am I saved, and if so, how can I know?” Throughout the entire letter John assures us believers that we can know.  The phrase “we know” was used 13 times to signify that it is a part of the normal spiritual consciousness (3:14).

 

Today’s reading gives us an example of how to lay down our lives for others. How clearly do our actions say we real­ly love others?  Are we as generous with our money, possessions and time as we could be? Today many people feel that they do not love others as they should, and their conscience bothers them. How do we escape the gnawing accusations of our conscience?  We certain­ly do not escape it by ignoring or rationalizing our behavior.

 

John tells us that only by right actions can our conscience be cleansed. God knows our hearts as well as our actions. If we are in Christ, he will not condemn us (Romans 8:1). If we are walking in the way of the Lord but still feel that we are not good enough, remember that God is much more powerful than our conscience. He knows that we belong to him and he will not allow anything to separate us from his love (Rom. 8:31-39).

 

We can come to God anytime and he will be there for us. Our conscience will be clear when we realize that fear has to do with punishment, but true love drives out punishment (1 John 4:18). Christianity is a religion of the heart, and outward compliance is not enough. Real love is an action, a decision, not a feeling. It produces sacrificial giving whether it be ourself, money, posses­sions or time. The greatest example of love is to lay down our life for others, which involved putting others’ needs first (John 15:13).

 

                          JOHN 15:1-8

 

Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches. The grapevine is a prolific plant and a single vine bears many grapes. In the Passover meal the fruit of the vine was a symbol of God’s good­ness to his people. Jesus shows us the difference between two kinds of pruning. One type is separating and the other is cutting back the branches (15:3). Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth, but branches that do not bear fruit are cut off at the trunk. In other words, those who will not bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be separated from the divine flow of life.

 

The Christian character includes the qualities of excellent fruit, such as prayer, joy, and love. To abide in Christ is to live in Christ. It really means to take up residence with him. He will reside within us if we truly believe that he is God’s Son (1 John 4:15) and that we receive him as our Lord and Savior (John 1:12). We are called to keep his commandments (1 John 3:24), continuing in faith (1 John 2:24), and relating to the community of Christian believers, Christ’s body.

 

Many people today try to do what is good and right. Jesus tells us that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to him, like a branch attached to the vine.  What about us? Are we receiving the nourishment and life offered to us by our Lord Jesus Christ?  A rich harvest honors the harvester, for he has gathered the fruits.

 

Be a disciple of the Lord and help bring people into a right relationship with Jesus Christ. If your relationship is not right, then take a moment right now and confess to him, ask his forgive­ness, and enjoy the fruit of his harvest which is peace, joy, and love.

 

Application    

 

The first reading tells us how to be a bridge for new believers. The second reading shows us that love is a decision, not a feeling.  The Gospel reveals that to abide means to take up residence.

 

This week, be a bridge between family members, school or work

associates. Try to encourage others to be the best that they can be. Let God’s love abide in you, and you will make a terrific Barnabas.  Remember, be a peacemaker and be a friend, make a friend, and bring that friend to Christ.

 

 4th Sunday of Easter

CYCLE B

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

Application

The first reading tells us to have courage to speak out for Christ just as the apostles spoke out. The second reading reveals to us that Jesus is our defense lawyer and he has already won our case. The Gospel calls for all to call on his name and be witnesses to his penance and forgiveness.

This week look at your values and priorities. What is important to you? Where is God on that list? Think about how to put God first in each of your activities each day this week. Your example will cause others to repent and turn to the Lord.

FIRST DAY

1. What was a helpful or a new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?
2. From what you learned, what Personal?  application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

SECOND DAY READ ACTS 4:8-12 FIRST READING (“…in his name this man stands before you healed.”)

1. With what was Peter filled, and who is he answering? Acts 4:8
2. Who was great in the sight of the Lord, and with what was he filled? Luke 1:13-15
3. What did Peter say you need to do to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:38
4. What did Peter ask the leaders about a good deed done to a cripple? Acts 4:9
5. What did Peter say to the cripple, and in whose name? Acts 3:6
6. What did Peter say all of the people of Israel should know, and how does the man stand before them healed? Acts 4:10
7. What happens to him who calls on the name of the Lord? Acts 2:21
8. Who are the builders, what did they do to the stone, and what has it become? Acts 4:11
9. How are we to be saved? Acts 4:10-12
10. How do we come to the Father? John 14:6
11. Who wills everyone to be saved and to come to full knowledge of the truth? 1 Timothy 2:3-6

Personal? – Who is Jesus to you? If he were to come for you tonight, what would you say to him? Where would you go?

THIRD DAY READ 1 JOHN 3:1-2 SECOND READING (“Beloved, we are God’s children now.”)

1. What has the Father bestowed on us, and what may we be called? 1 John 3:1
2. To those who did accept Jesus, what did he give them power to become, and in what must they believe? John 1:12
3. What came through Jesus? John 1:17
4. In love, what did God destine us to be, and through whom? Ephesians 1:4-5
5. What is the reason the world does not know us? 1 John 3:1
6. What does Jesus, who knows the Father, keep? John 8:54-55
7. What are we now, and what has not yet been revealed? 1 John 3:2
8. Whom will we be like when it is revealed to us, and what will we see? 1 John 3:2
9. What will God do to our bodies? How will he do it? What will he bring into subjection to himself? Philippians 3:21
10. To whom has God revealed the Son, and to whom does he reveal things? Matthew 11:25-27

Personal? – When and how do you come to God in prayer as a child? Picture yourself as a small child, maybe with a hurt knee, and go to him and let him hold you and make it better.

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 10:11-18 GOSPEL (“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me.”)

1. Who is the Good Shepherd, and what does he do for the sheep? John 10:7, 11
2. How did the God of peace bring up from the dead the Good Shepherd of the sheep? Hebrews 13:20
3. What does a hired hand, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, do when he sees a wolf coming? John 10:12
4. What will the foolish shepherd not do, and what may happen to him? Zechariah 11:16-17
5. Why does he have no concern for the sheep? John 10:13
6. What does the Good Shepherd know? John 10:14
7. What do the Good Shepherd’s sheep hear? Whom do they know, and what do they do? John 10:27
8. Whom does the Good Shepherd know? Who knows him, and what will they do? John 10:15
9. What does the Good Shepherd have that does not belong to this fold? What must he do with these, and what will they hear? John 10:16
10. What happened to those who were far off? What did he break down, and through what did he do it? Ephesians 2:13-14
11. Why does the Father love Jesus? John 10:17
12. How have we been consecrated? Hebrews 10:9-10
13. What is the command Jesus received from the Father? John 10:18
14. How did Jesus humble himself? Philippians 2:8

Personal? – How are you like the Good Shepherd, and how are you like the hired hand with your family, friends, co-workers, etc?

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26-29 (“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26-29.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

How can you apply this to your life?

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ACTS 4:8-12

Jesus tells us in scripture that he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He also tells us that he has left his Spirit of truth to be always with each one of us who believe in him (John 14:16-17). Jesus has left us the same Spirit that was within Peter when he healed that crippled man.

The Holy Spirit that was given to the apostles by Christ has been given to us also. Yes, that’s right, to you. Do you really believe that? Do you really believe that the power to heal, to prophesy, to preach, to teach, to forgive, and to love is within you and that this power comes from the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4)? If God wills that everyone be saved, and he leaves his Holy Spirit to empower us, why do so many people still reject him? Jesus tells us that all who abide in him and keep his commandments will experience his abiding in them. To abide means to live with, to take up residence, and to really know someone; one has to live with that person. Many people do not respond to the protection of the Holy Spirit’s power because it calls for obedience and obedience calls for humility. Jesus knew obedience and humility. In fact, it was in complete humility that he went in full obedience to his death on the cross.

Jesus, not the apostles, received the glory for the healing. In those days a man’s name represented his character and stood for his authority and power. Like the apostles, we must not emphasize what we can do but what God can do through us. Jesus’ name is not to be used as magic – it must be used by faith. When we pray in Jesus’ name, it is important to remember that it is Jesus himself who gives our prayers their power.

In this reading, Peter reminds the people and their leaders that they, the so-called builders of the community, had thought by rejecting a stone in the new building, they would prevent a new and permanent temple from being erected. But Jesus was more than the stone, he was the cornerstone. The church was the new temple, and Jesus was the cornerstone that held it together.

Scripture tells us that Jesus himself stated that the gates of hell would not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18). Today all across the many nations, the Catholic Church is under attack from non-believers and lukewarm believers. The power of the Holy Spirit is filling up the hearts of believers and they are going forth and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), even in the face of persecution.

1 JOHN 3:1-2

Today’s reading reveals to us that we have been chosen to be part of God’s family. Every single person who has ever lived has always wanted to belong, to be accepted as we are and not for what we do, but we just do not know how to belong. To belong is to be loved unconditionally, not only when we are being productive or loving in return, but even when we are unlovable.

God has called us to be part of his family, but we still have to say “Yes, Lord” before anything happens. We do that when we become baptized and we begin our new relationship as a child of God. As believers, we have self-worth that is based on the fact that God loves us and calls us his children. We are his children now, not some time in the future, and he is our “Abba” daddy. Some people have had fathers who were very harmful to them, and the memories of being physically, sexually, and emotionally assaulted are still very vivid and painful even, in some cases, after many years.

We see in today’s reading that God is our real Father, our permanent Father, and he heals all of his children through his loving Son, Jesus. This is tremendous good news for all of us, and it means that he encourages us to live like Jesus and to believe that Jesus and his Holy Spirit will empower us to overcome any type of injury. He tells us in scripture that nothing, not even death will separate us from him or his love (Rom. 8:31-39).

Our Christian life is a process that calls for us to be more Christ-like every day. Let us celebrate with thanks and praise for the gift of the loving, earthly father that he has given us, and let us pray also for the healing of the broken spirit of the many earthly fathers of yesterday and today.

JOHN 10:11-18

This Gospel is a powerful reminder that every living person on this earth is under the loving care and concern of our “Good Shepherd,” Jesus Christ. We call him the Good Shepherd because he not only took many risks for his flock, but he also died defending it.

A shepherd was someone who grew up knowing, caring and protecting a flock of sheep. He was born for that noble, lonely and very dangerous role. Shepherds were not in the business for money, and when danger such as wolves, lions or bears attacked the flock the shepherd would fight back to the bitter end. A shepherd had to show evidence that he fought against the attackers. The hireling, on the other hand, would run from the attack and expose the flock to very serious danger. The shepherd is committed to his sheep. The term “good shepherd,” like the term “good doctor,” meant not only did he have the necessary skills to do the job, but he also had a quality of love and gentleness.

Jesus was “The Good Shepherd” par excellence. He was not just doing his job; he was committed to love us and he laid down his life for us. Today the flock is the church and the Good Shepherd is Jesus Christ. Today there is the danger of the hirelings not taking proper care of their flocks. When the dangers of the world attack the flock, the hirelings of today’s church run away from their flocks.

The church is always liable to attack from the outside and it is also liable to trouble from the inside due to the tragedy of bad leadership. The second danger is by far the worst, because if the shepherd is faithful and good, there is a strong defense against the outside attack. But if the shepherd is a hireling and is faithless, then the foes can penetrate into the flock and severely damage it. The church’s first essential is a leadership based on the example of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Let us hold our shepherds up in prayer constantly, so that they may become, not only shepherds, but “good shepherds.”

Application

The first reading challenges us to ask, am I ready to die? The second reading tells us that God is our permanent and loving Father. The Gospel shows us that we are being called to be “good shepherds.”

This week: Pray, listen, and love with your actions to your children. -Pray, listen, and forgive your father, dead or alive. -Pray, listen, and pray for forgiveness of all earthly fathers, that they will repent and seek healing in Jesus Christ. -Pray, listen, listen, and listen to your Heavenly Father.

 

3rd Sunday of Easter

CYCLE B

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (JOHN 14:26)

Application

The first reading reveals that the Holy Spirit brings unity and power. The second reading shows us that belief in Jesus allows us to become God’s children. The Gospel lifts disciples out of fear into becoming mighty warriors of the Lord.

This week, practice loving God’s family members at home, school or work by doing something specific for them without taking any glory. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to do this. An example: clean up the kitchen for your spouse or parent or speak, and then listen, to someone with whom you do not really get along at school or work. Can others tell by the way you act that the Holy Spirit dwells within you?

FIRST DAY

1. What was a helpful or a new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?
2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

SECOND DAY READ ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19 FIRST READING (“Repent, therefore, and be converted,”)

1. Who is speaking? To whom is he speaking? Who has glorified his servant, Jesus? Acts 3:12-13
2. What did the people do to Jesus in Pilate’s presence, when Pilate was ready to release him? Acts 3:13
3. What did Jesus say about whoever denies him? Matthew 10:33
4. Whom did the people deny, and what did they ask to be done? Acts 3:14
5. Whom did the people put to death? What did God do, and what are Peter and John? Acts 3:15
6. Who will be Jesus’ witnesses, and what will they receive? Acts 1:8
7. Out of what did the people act, just as their leaders had acted? Acts 3:17
8. What did the people fulfill, and when did they hear this read? Acts 13:27
9. What did God bring to fulfillment? Acts 3:18
10. What must we do, and what will happen? Acts 3:19
11. Whom does God demand to repent? Acts 17:30

Personal? – In what way are you denying Christ in your life? Do you see the power of the Holy Spirit working through you as you love those around you? If you do not see the power of God in your life, ask him to show you where the blockage is, and repent and believe.

THIRD DAY READ 1 JOHN 2:1-5 SECOND READING (“…whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.”)

1. Why is John writing? 1 John 2:1
2. If anyone does sin, what do we have, and who is he? 1 John 2:1
3. What has Jesus become, and what is he able to do? Hebrews 7:22, 25
4. What has Jesus done for our sins, and to whom else does he do this? 1 John 2:2
5. What is love? Who loves us? What did he do for us? 1 John 4:8, 10
6. How are we sure of knowing Jesus? 1 John 2:3
7. If we love Jesus, what will we do? John 14:15
8. What is the one who says I know Jesus, but does not keep his commandments, and what is not in him? 1 John 2:4
9. Who is a liar? 1 John 4:20
10. In what is the one who keeps Jesus’ word perfected? 1 John 2:5
11. What will the one who loves Jesus do, who will love him, and who will dwell with him? John 14:15-17, 23

Personal? – In what way have you kept the commandment of God today? Be specific. What can you do in your environment to improve the commandment to love others? How well do you really know God?

FOURTH DAY READ LUKE 24:35-48 GOSPEL (“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.”)

1. What did the two recount about Jesus? Luke 24:30-31, 35

Personal? – How does Jesus reveal himself to you at Eucharist?

2. While they were still speaking, what did Jesus do, and what did he say to them? Luke 24:36
3. How did the disciples react, and what did they think they were seeing? Luke 24:37
4. What two questions did Jesus ask? Luke 24:38
5. What two things did he tell them to do, and what does a ghost not have? Luke 24:39
6. As he said this, what did he show them? Luke 24:40
7. How does God show his love for us, and what happened to all who touched Jesus? 1 John 4:9, Matthew 14:36
8. What did Jesus ask them while they were still incredulous for joy and amazed? Luke 24:41
9. What did they give Jesus, and what did he do with it? Luke 24:42-43
10. Who ate and drank with Jesus after he rose from the dead? Acts 10:41
11. What did Jesus say about the law, the prophets, and the Psalms? Luke 24:44
12. What did Jesus tell his disciples, and what did they fail to comprehend? Luke 18:31-34
13. To what did Jesus open their minds? Luke 24:45

Personal – When did you become open to the scriptures?

14. What did Jesus say to them, and what would be preached in his name? Luke 24:46-47
15. What did he say the disciples were? Luke 24:48
16. Who will testify, and for what reason? John 15:26-27

Personal? – How long have you been with Jesus and how long has he been with you? And to what can you testify?

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 4:2, 4, 7-9 (“You alone, O Lord, bring security to my dwelling.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 4: 2, 4, 7-9.

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

How can you apply this to your life?

SIXTH DAY READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter spoke out boldly to his audience, and he certainly knew how to share Jesus Christ. He presented his message very clearly to them in stating who Jesus Christ was and how they rejected him. He told them why their rejection was fatal, and what they needed to do to correct the situation. He told them what he would tell you and me today, and that is that we still have a choice. God is still offering us freedom and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Peter challenged the people when he confronted them with “You disowned the Holy and Just One and you preferred instead the release of a murderer.” The crowd was made up of many people who were there or heard about the events in detail. Some of them probably even took part in condemning him. The confidence of the religious leaders was shaken when Peter told them that Jesus was alive again and that this time they could not harm him. Peter showed everyone in that crowd the significance of the resurrection, God’s power and triumph over death.

We all need to pray that we have the courage, like Peter, to see the opportunities to speak up for Christ. We create teachable moments when, by our actions, we show that Jesus is the Lord of our life. We may find that our audience is protesting against the injustice of abortion and pornography which is crippling the societies of many nations.

To speak out against the crowd and call for the teachings of Jesus Christ is not only courageous today, but in many areas very dangerous. The term servant comes to us from Isaiah 52:13, and the servant is the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. He would be exalted because of his sacrifice which was to die for the sins of all people. We are all being called to be like Christ in his role as the suffering servant.

1 JOHN 2:1-5

John is speaking in a warm, fatherly way by addressing his audience as little children. We must remember that John was a very old man, and he had very many spiritual children. This reading is a tremendous comfort to people who are feeling full of guilt and condemnation. They know they have sinned and Satan is demanding the death penalty. We do not need to feel that way. In fact, the best defense attorney in the universe is pleading our case, Jesus Christ.

Our advocate is the judge’s son. He has already paid the price for our crimes, and we cannot be tried again for a case that is no longer on the docket. United with Christ is the ultimate of being safely protected. Do not be afraid to ask him to plead your case for he has already won it for you (Romans 8:33).

It is hard to put this kind of love and forgiveness into words. Can you imagine telling everyone that we would forgive them no matter what they had done? This is what God has done in Jesus. No one, absolutely no one, is beyond hope or forgiveness. All we have to do is turn to Jesus and commit our lives to him. We might ask, how can we be sure we belong to Christ? We need to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.

The results of true Christian faith are in the behavior, not in the intentions or pious words (1 John 3:23). This is why John, the beloved old apostle, can call us children and can assure us that by our behavior we indeed belong to Jesus Christ.

LUKE 24:35-48

Our Gospel today begins with the finishing of the story about how Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Now Jesus appears to the disciples behind locked doors, and they were terribly frightened. They thought they were looking at a ghost, but Jesus’ body was not just a vision or a ghost. The disciples, in spite of their shock, touched him as he asked. Then he asked for some food, and they watched him eat. Now his body was different from that of someone like Lazarus, in that Lazarus had just a restored body (John 11). Jesus was able to appear and disappear, and his resurrected body was even more real than before. His body was immortal like the kind we will be given at the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:42-50).

For several days Jesus traveled around the countryside before he returned to heaven. In the Book of Acts, Luke makes it clear that Jesus spent about 40 days between his resurrection and ascension. Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to understand the scriptures.

The Holy Spirit does for us what was done for the apostles, and that is to speak to each one of us right where we are. We need to pray the scriptures as well as read and study them. God speaks to us through his church, sacraments, fellowship, and, of course, his Holy Word.

Pray that God will give you a teachable spirit and watch how his Holy Words strike you into action. Today a hunger and a thirst are upon the land like never before. Peace is just an empty, meaningless word to so many people. The only real peace that is available is the peace that comes with repentance and forgiveness. Jesus tells us that there is forgiveness of sins, but we have to turn to him. The message today to all people of all nations is to repent or perish.

Application

The first reading tells us to have courage to speak out for Christ just as the apostles spoke out. The second reading reveals to us that Jesus is our defense lawyer and he has already won our case. The Gospel calls for all to call on his name and be witnesses to his penance and forgiveness.

This week look at your values and priorities. What is important to you? Where is God on that list? Think about how to put God first in each of your activities each day this week. Your example will cause others to repent and turn to the Lord.