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Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (May 16th) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

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 OFALL THAT I TOLD YOU.” (John 14:26)

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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

 

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

 

 

SECOND DAY READ ACTS 1:1-11 FIRST READING

(“He presented Himself alive to them…”)

1. What was dealt with before Jesus was taken up to heaven? Acts 1:1

 

2. How did Jesus instruct the Apostles He had chosen? Acts 1:2

 

3. After Jesus had suffered, what did He show His Apostles and how did He show them? Acts 1:3.

 

Personal – How have you been convinced that Jesus is alive today?

 

4. Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to leave Jerusalem? Acts 1:4

 

5. What did John baptize with and what would happen in a few days? Acts 1:5

 

6. What did the Apostles ask Jesus and what did He tell them? Acts 1:6-7

 

7. What did Jesus tell them they would receive when the Holy Spirit came down on them and what would that make them? Acts 1:8

 

8. As the Apostles were looking on what happened to Jesus and how did it happen? Acts 1:9

 

9. As they were looking up who appeared to them and what did they say? Acts 1:10-11

 

10. How will the Lord come down from heaven and what will happen to the living, the believers in Him? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

 

Personal – How are you preparing for Jesus’ return?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ EPHESIANS 1:17-23 SECOND READING

(“What is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe?”)

1. What is Paul asking our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, to give you? Ephesians 1:17

 

2. What three things does he want your innermost vision, the eyes of your hearts, to know? Ephesians 1:18-19

 

3. What do your eyes represent, and if your eyes are good what will your body be? Matthew 6:22

 

4. What is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path? Psalm 119:105

 

5. What is it like, this immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe? Ephesians 1: 19-20

 

6. Where is Christ seated? Ephesians 1:20-21

 

7. What has God put beneath Jesus’ feet and what has He made Him over the Church, His body? Ephesians 1:22

 

8. Who is the head of every man; who is the head of the woman and who is head of Christ? I Corinthians 11:3

 

9. There is one what? Ephesians 4:4

 

10. How is the body of Christ built up? Ephesians 4:11-12

 

Personal – How have the eyes of your heart been enlightened to the surpassing greatness of His power in you?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ MARK 16:15-20 GOSPEL

(“The Lord continued to work with then; throughout…. “)

1. What did Jesus tell his disciples to do and to whom? Mark 16:15

 

2. What happens to whoever believes in the gospel and is baptized? Mark 16:16

 

3. What happens to whoever does not believe in the gospel if it has been proclaimed to them? Mark 16:16

 

4. When is there no condemnation? Romans 8:1

 

5. What will accompany those who believe, in whose name will they drive out demons, and what will they speak? Mark 16:17

 

6. What will they be able to handle and drink? Mark 16:18

 

7. What will they do to the sick and what will happen to them? Mark 16:18

 

8. What happened to the Lord Jesus after he was through speaking to them and where was He seated? Mark 16:19

 

9. What did the Eleven go forth doing and what did the Lord continue to do? Mark 16:20

 

10. How did the Lord confirm the message? Mark 16:20

 

Personal – What signs are accompanying your belief in Jesus at home, at work or at school?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 47:2-3, 6-9

(“God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9.

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 1:1-11

This passage begins with Luke addressing the Roman official called Theophilus. Luke was implying that Jesus’ work continues in Acts through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts is called by many the fifth Gospel in that it tells about the lives and events of the new Church.

Jesus showed the Apostles after His suffering and death His many wounds. He gave them many convincing proofs that He was alive. He told them that they would then receive the Holy Spirit and they would receive power and become His witnesses to the ends of the earth. He then was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

Today, He is still alive in the Power that lives within His Church and within you as a member of the community of His disciples. You have become a Temple of that Power by your Baptism and Confirmation. The Power that split the Red Sea for Moses lives within you. The Power that impregnated Mary with Jesus lives within you. The Power that baptized Jesus in the Jordan River lives within you. The power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you. He is alive and He lives in you waiting to be given freely to the hurt, the lost, the sick, the lonely, and the captive throughout the ends of the earth.

 

EPHESIANS 1:17-23

In this passage St. Paul is praying and giving thanks for the gifts that have been given to the believers. We today are reminded to thank God for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge that are available to us today.

We grow in wisdom and knowledge through prayer, scripture, sacraments and Catholic Church teaching.

This follows an order of discipline and humility.

Our hope for the future is not an ambiguous feeling, on the contrary; it is a complete assurance of victory through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ. We see many on all sides fearing nuclear disaster, computer meltdown and the collapse of morals. We must always remember we belong to the God of the Universe, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God’s great power is available to help us today through the Holy Spirit in the community of faith. Scripture tells us that with God nothing is impossible (Philippians 4:13). Paul tells us in scripture that we do not have to fear anything or anyone because nothing can separate us from God and His love (Romans 8:31-39).

When we talk about the fullness of the Catholic Church, we are talking about Christ filling the Church with gifts and blessings. The Church itself is the full expression of Christ who Himself is the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). The image of the body shows the Church’s unity. We should not attempt to work, serve or worship on our own. There are no Lone Rangers in the Body of Christ. Each one of us is involved with all the others as we go about doing God’s work on earth.

 

MARK 16:15-20

We hear Jesus telling His disciples to go into the world and tell everyone the good news that He has reconciled us with God, and those who believe in Him can be forgiven and live eternally with God. The number one priority in the Church today is evangelization. We have disciples today in all parts of the world who are preaching this gospel to people who have never heard about Christ and also to people who have turned away from Christ. The driving power that carries Missionaries around the world proclaiming Christ is the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we will experience with the Power of the Holy Spirit. We have heard about and seen the times when God intervenes miraculously to protect His followers. We have seen on occasions special powers given to them. Paul handled a snake safely (Acts 28:5) and some disciples did some healing (Matthew 10:1,Acts 31:7-8).We must always remember that we are to trust God, not test Him, by putting yourself in dangerous situations, but that should we find ourselves in danger, God will protect us.

The Church continues to lay hands on the sick and to pray for their healing, in body and in spirit, in the Anointing of the Sick. As a great blessing from God, the healing power of Christ is always at our disposal.

This passage emphasizes Christ’s power as well as His servant hood. Jesus’ life and teaching turned the world upside down. As believers we are called to be servants of Christ. Jesus’ physical work was complete when He ascended into heaven. Our work in His name continues on.

 

Application

The first reading tells us as the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up and you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. In the second reading God seated Jesus at His right hand in the heavens and gave Him as head over all things to the Church, and in the Gospel the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God and the Lord worked with His disciples and confirmed the Word through accompanying signs.

This week let us go to someone who is sick in our family, our community or our parish, to pray with them. Proclaim the Good News to them that Jesus is alive as you lay hands on them. Pray for their healing and watch for the accompanying signs that God will perform, of hope, joy and peace, healing in spirit and in body, as God sees fit to bless them.

Lectio Divina – Sixth Sunday in Easter (May 9th) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 15:9-17 – Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Sexto Domingo de Pascua (9 de Mayo) – Ciclo B

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

Ora y pidele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA  Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE HECHOS 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“Dios no hace diferencia entre la personas, sino que acepta a todo el que lo honra y obra justamente, sea cual sea su raza.”)

1. ¿Cuando Pedro entró, qué hizo Cornelio? Hechos 10:25

 

2. ¿Qué hizo y qué dijo Pedro a Cornelio? Hechos 10:26

 

3. ¿Qué dijeron de si mismos Pablo y Bernabé y qué proclamaban ellos? Hechos 14:15

 

4. ¿Qué es lo que nosotros no debemos hacer y porqué? Apocalipsis 19:10 y 22:8-9

 

5. ¿Cuando Pedro habló en verdad, qué dijo que Dios no mostraba? Hechos 10:34, y tambien Romanos 2:11

 

6. ¿Quién es Dios? ¿Qué es lo que El no tiene y no acepta? Deuteronomio 10:17

 

7. ¿Por qué el Señor no toma partido con nadie?  Job 34:19

 

8. ¿Quién es aceptable al Señor? Hechos 10:35

 

9. ¿Qué sucedió a todos los que escuchaban la Palabra? Hechos 10:44

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has percibido al Espíritu Santo al oir la palabra de Dios?

 

10. ¿Qué asombró a los creyentes circuncidados que acompañaban a Pedro? Hechos 10:45

 

11. ¿Qué oyeron ellos que hacian, que les sorprendió tanto? Hechos 10:46

 

12. ¿Cuál fue la pregunta que hizo Pedro? Hechos 10:47

 

13. ¿Qué ordenó Pedro y que le pidieron ellos hacer? Hechos 10:48-49

 

14. ¿Qué sabe Dios y qué nos concede El a nosotros? Hechos 15:8

 

Personal – ¿En que forma muestras respeto y temor de Dios y actuas rectamente?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE 1 JUAN 4:7-10 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“El que no ama, no ha conocido a Dios, pues Dios es amor.”)

1. ¿Qué debemos hacer, qué es de Dios y quién es nacido de Dios y conoce a Dios? 1 Juan 4:7

 

2. ¿Cuál es el mensaje que has oido desde el principio? 1 Juan 3:11

 

3. Todo el que no tiene amor, ¿qué es lo que no hace y qué es Dios? 1 Juan 4:8

 

4. El que permanece en el amor, ¿permanece en quién,? ¿y quién permanece en él? 1 Juan 4:16

 

5. ¿En qué forma se revela el amor de Dios hacia nosotros? 1 Juan 4:9-10

 

6. ¿Quién ha visto y revelado a Dios? Juan 1:18

 

7. ¿Qué mandó Dios a Su Hijo de no hacer en el mundo, pero qué le mandó hacer? ¿Por qué mandó Dios a Su Hijo al mundo? Juan 3:16-17

 

8. ¿Donde encontramos vida? 1 Juan 5:11

 

9. “Así se manifestó el amor de Dios entre nosotros. No somos nosotros los que hemos amado a Dios,” ¿Sino qué pasó primero? ¿Qué mando Dios a Su Hijo hacer? 1 Juan 4:10

 

10. ¿Cómo prueba Dios Su amor por nosotros? Romanos 5:8, 10

 

11. Dios destinó como una expiación a Jesús, ¿a través de qué y por medio de qué? Romanos 3:25

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has percibido el amor de Dios de una manera personal? ¿Cómo podrias experimentar Su amor por ti mas a menudo?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 15:9-17 EVANGELIO

(“Mi mandamiento es éste: Aménse unos con otros.”)

1. ¿Cómo nos ama Jesús y en qué debemos nosotros permanecer? Juan 15:9

 

2. ¿Cómo somos traidos a la perfección y qué sabrá el mundo? Juan 17:22-23

 

3. ¿Cómo permanecerás en el amor de Jesús, qué ha hecho Jesús y por que El te ha dicho esto? Juan 15:10-11

 

4. ¿Por qué el Padre nunca abandona a Jesús? Juan 8:29

 

5. ¿Qué será completo al pedir cualquier cosa en el nombre de Jesús? Juan 16:24

 

6. ¿Cuál es el nuevo mandamiento de Jesús? Juan 15:12 Y 13:34

 

7. ¿Cuál es el amor mas grande que uno puede tener? Juan 15:13

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has entregado tu vida por tus amigos?

 

8. ¿Cuando estabamos aun desamparados, ¿por quién murió Cristo y en qué tiempo? Romanos 5:6

 

9. ¿Cómo llegamos a conocer el amor y qué debemos hacer por nuestros hermanos? 1 Juan 3:16

 

10. ¿Cómo nos hacemos amigos de Jesús? Juan 15:14

 

11. ¿Un verdadero amigo es mas leal que qué? Proverb 18:24

 

12. ¿Cómo no nos llama ya Jesús y por qué razón? ¿Cómo nos llama El y por qué? Juan 15:15

 

13. ¿Qué nos dice Jesús que ha escuchado del Padre? Juan 8:26

 

Personal – ¿Qué te ha dicho Jesús acerca del Padre?

 

14. ¿Quién te escogió a ti, para que te escogió y que sucederá? Juan 15:16

 

15. ¿Por qué Jesús te dará todo lo que pidas en Su nombre? Juan 14:13

 

16. ¿Qué eres para el Señor y para qué has sido elegido? Deuteronomio 7:6

 

17. ¿Qué te ordena Dios? Juan 15:17

 

Personal – ¿En que forma el fruto de amor se presenta en tu vida? ¿Alguien ve gozo en tu servicio, en tu morir a ti mismo negandote tus necesidades y deseos por llenar las necesidades de ellos? Pasa mas tiempo a solas en tu alcoba rezando, y deja que Jesús te llene y te ame.

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 98:1-4

(“…ha mostrado su justicia a la vista de las naciones.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 98:1-4.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

HECHOS 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

La barrera entre judios y gentiles (paganos) fue en gran parte la causa que impidió la difusión del Evangelio. Pero Dios sobrepasa todas las barreras y no muestra favoritismo en los tiempos de Pedro, ni tampoco lo hace en nuestros dias. Dios estaba haciendo claro como el cristal que las Buenas Nuevas son para todos, y hoy, porque nuestro mundo es mucho mas pequeño dado los medios de comunicación, la tentación de pensar qué solo algunos pocos son los hijos favoritos de Dios es devastadora. No debemos permitir que ninguna clase de barreras, lenguaje, cultura, prejuicio, geografia, clase económica o educación, nos mantenga lejos de propagar el Evangelio. Corazones, mentes y oidos en cada nación estan inclinados para escuchar la Sagrada Palabra de Dios, pero alguien debe llevarla a ellos.

Querer saber acerca de Dios no es suficiente, la gente lo debe encontrar a El y entonces tener la experiencia de El. El atraer otros hacia Cristo es una vocación especial, y nosotros necesitamos siempre tomar tiempo para escucharlo (Salmo 46:10) para que podamos conocer y seguir Su voluntad.

Las “Buenas Nuevas” son para todos porque es un mensaje de esperanza. Cornelio era un gentil (pagano) muy acaudalado y de rango militar. Pedro en cambio, era un judio, un ordinario pescador convertido en predicador. El plan de Dios los incluia a ambos tal como eran y hoy El nos incluye a nosotros en Su plan. Un nuevo capitulo fue escrito en la historia ese dia, cuando un jefe cristiano de procedencia judia y un pagano convertido en cristiano descubren el trabajo de Dios del uno al otro. Cornelio necesitó a Pedro y su Evangelio para saber que el podia ser salvado. Pedro necesitó a Cornelio y su experiencia de salvación para descubrir que Dios estaba al alcance de cualquiera que creyese en Jesucristo, Su unigénito hijo.

Nosotros que somos creyentes en Cristo nos necesitamos mutuamente para entender como trabaja Dios. Pedro fue invitado a compartir y enseñar mas acerca de su fé. ¿Estas ansioso de aprender mas acerca de Jesús tal como los nuevos creyentes estan ansiosos? Pasa tanto tiempo como puedas alrededor de cristianos maduros y procura aprender de ellos. Recuerda, el resto del mundo sabrá que somos cristianos por la forma como nos amamos unos a otros.

 

1 JUAN 4:7-10

Amar es una decisión que implica una elección seguida por una acción. Amor no es el ponerse sentimental o desplegar exagerados sentimientos. El amor no es nunca interesado o manifestado con rudeza. El amor es ser veraz y leal, sin importar el costo. Este tipo de amor no es natural, es posible solamente si Dios nos ayuda a poner de lado nuestros propios deseos e instintos. Cuanto mas cerca lleguemos a Cristo, mas podremos amar a otros sin esperar nada en retorno.

La sociedad querria hacernos creer que amar es importante porque es una expresión de nuestros sentimientos. En realidad, el amar es una decisión y Jesús es nuestro ejemplo de lo que amor y amar es. El se dió completamente a nosotros, aun yendo a la cruz y muriendo por aquellos que blasfemaron contra El, lo rechazaron y hasta lo mataron. Del Espíritu Santo es de donde recibimos el poder para amar aun frente al rechazo y ridículo.

El amor de Dios siempre envuelve una elección y una acción y nuestro amor deberia ser tal como el de El. Toma un momento ahora mismo y preguntate que tan bien se manifiesta mi amor a Dios en otros, en las elecciones que yo hago y en las acciones que tomo? Dios es amor y nuestro mundo con sus interesados puntos de vista en lo que llama amor, trata de contaminar su verdadero significado. El mundo piensa que amar es lo que le hace sentirse satifecho y está dispuesto a sacrificar principios morales y otros derechos con tal de obtener ese “amor.” No necesitamos ser engañados porque ese no es amor verdadero. Es exactamente lo contrario egoismo. Nuestra definición del amor debe venir de Dios, quien es Santo, justo y perfecto. El mundo de hoy debe aprender a amar como Dios ama.

 

JUAN 15:9-17

El pasaje clave del mensaje del Evangelio de hoy, son las palabras de Jesus diciendo a sus discípulos que ellos no lo eligieron a El, sino que El los eligió a ellos. No fuimos nosotros quienes elegimos a Dios, sino Dios en Su misericordia y gracia se aproxima a nosotros con un llamado y un ofrecimiento que viene de Su amor. El nos eligió por amor y para ir al mundo y amarnos unos a otros. El nos eligió para gozar haciendo lo justo. Un cristiano melancólico es una contradicción en términos. Es verdad que el cristiano es un pecador, pero el es un pecador redimido y en esto se apoya su gozo.

Un cristiano contento es un cristiano que ama y exponiendo su vida por otros es la manera máxima de probarlo. Puede ser que alguna vez en nuestra vida hayamos cuestionado este gran mandamiento de Jesús. El nos miraria cariñosamente en los ojos y nos diria que nadie puede mostrar amor mas grande que el de entregar su propia vida por su amigo – y El hizo eso.

Jesus nos eligió para ser sus amigos y El quiso morar en nosotros mucho mas de lo que nosotros podriamos desear de morar en El. El nos ha ofrecido una intimidad con Dios la cual ni siquiera el mas grande hombre supo antes de que El viniera a esta tierra. Quiere decir que nosotros tenemos el privilegio de entrar en la presencia del Maestro sin ningun anuncio especial. Piensa sobre esto, el Señor de los Señores, el Principe de la Paz, el Rey de Reyes está siempre disponible cuando nosotros llamamos, aun cuando sea por unos pocos momentos.

Jesús nos eligió para ser sus embajadores y El nos eligió para mandarnos afuera (Mateo 28:19) para hacer discípulos de todas las naciones. El nos eligió para que primero vayamos hacia El y luego, despues de haber pasado tiempo viviendo con El y en El (Juan 15:7), nos manda ir al mundo. El nos eligió para que seamos Suyos.

Tú has sido elegido por Cristo para ir adelante y hacer discípulos de todas las naciones porque El te ama. El no te ama por lo que haces, o por quien seas. El te ama por ser El quien es. Tú eres una persona amada porque El te ha amado a ti. primero eligiéndote para ser Su amigo. Las Buenas Nuevas, mi querido amigo, es que El nos ha elegido para amar y por El nosotros somos mas que conquistadores.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos muestra que no debemos olvidar la devoción pública. La segunda lectura nos dice que amor es una decisión, no un sentimiento. El Evangelio nos revela que Dios nos eligió a nosotros, nosotros no lo elegimos a El.

Esta semana proponte de elegir y actuar queriendo a alguien incondiciomalmente. Elije alguien en tu familia, escuela o area de trabajo. Busca a alguien que parezca difícil de amar. Ruega cada mañana por la gracia y poder del Espíritu Santo. Sé especifico en tu elección y tipo de acción. Prepárate para un milagro increíble en tu vida y participa este milagro con tu testimonio.

Sixth Sunday in Easter (May 9th) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

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)

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 FIRST READING
(“In every nation whoever fears the Lord and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”)

1. When Peter entered, what did Cornelius do? Acts 10:25

 

2. What did Peter do and say to Cornelius? Acts 10:26

 

3. What did Barnabas and Paul say about themselves, and what do they proclaim? Acts 14:15

 

4. What are we not to do, and for what reason? Revelation 19:10, Revelation 22:8-9

 

5. As Peter spoke in truth, what did he say that God does not show? Acts 10:34 and also Romans 2:11

 

6. Who is God? What does he not have and accept? Deuteronomy 10:17

 

7. Why does the Lord not favor anyone? Job 34:19

 

8. Who is acceptable to the Lord? Acts 10:35

 

9. What happened to all who were listening to the word? Acts 10:44

 

Personal? – How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as you have listened to the Word of God?

 

10. What astounded the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter? Acts 10:45

 

11. What could they hear them doing that astounded them? Acts 10:46

 

12. What was the question asked by Peter? Acts 10:47

 

13. What did Peter order, and what did they invite him to do? Acts 10:48-49

 

14. What does God know, and what does he grant us? Acts 15:8

 

Personal? – In what way do you show respect and fear of the Lord and act uprightly?

 

 

THIRD DAY READ 1 JOHN 4:7-10 SECOND READING
(“Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.”)

1. What are we to do, what is of God, and who is begotten by God, and knows God? 1 John 4:7

 

2. What is the message we have heard from the beginning? 1 John 3:11

 

3. Whoever is without love does not do what, and what is God? 1 John 4:8

 

4. Whoever remains in love remains in whom, and who remains in him? 1 John 4:16

 

5. In what way is the love of God revealed to us? 1 John 4:9

 

6. Who has seen God and revealed him? John 1:18

 

7. What did God send his Son into the world not to do, but what did he send him to do? John 3:16-17

 

8. Where do we find life? 1 John 5:11

 

9. “In this is love, not that we have loved God,” but what? What did God send his Son to do? 1 John 4:10

 

10. How does God prove his love for us? Romans 5:8, 10

 

11. God set forth as an expiation Jesus through and by what? Romans 3:25

 

Personal? – How have you experienced God’s love for you personally?

 

 

FOURTH DAY READ JOHN 15:9-17 GOSPEL
(“This I command you: love one another.”)

1. How does Jesus love us, and in what are we to remain? John 15:9

 

2. How are we brought to perfection, and what will the world know? John 17:22-23

 

3. How will we remain in Jesus’ love, what has Jesus done, and why has he told us this? John 15:10-11

 

4. Why does the Father never leave Jesus? John 8:29

 

5. What will be made complete by asking anything in Jesus’ name? John 16:24

 

6. What is Jesus’ new commandment? John 15:12, John 13:34

 

7. What is there nothing greater than? John 15:13

 

Personal? – How have you laid down your life for your friends?

 

8. While we were still helpless, for whom did Christ die at the appointed time? Romans 5:6

 

9. How did we come to know love, and what ought we do for our brothers? 1 John 3:16

 

10. How do we become Jesus’ friends? John 15:14

 

11. What is a true friend more loyal than? Proverbs 18:24

 

12. What does Jesus no longer call us, and for what reason? What does he call us, and for what reason? John 15:15

 

13. Who does Jesus tell of what he has heard from the Father? John 8:26

 

Personal? – What has Jesus told you about the Father?

 

14. Who chose us, what did he appoint us to do, and what would happen? John 15:16

 

15. Why will Jesus give us whatever we ask in his name? John 14:13

 

16. What are we to the Lord, and what has he chosen us to be? Deuteronomy 7:6

 

17. What does God command us? John 15:17

 

Personal? – In what way does the fruit of love show forth in your life? Do others see joy in your service?

 

 

FIFTH DAY READ PSALM 98:1-4
(“…in the sight of the nation he has revealed his justice.”)

Read and meditate on Psalm 98:1-4.

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 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

The barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles did much to prevent the spread of the Gospel. God, however, overcomes all barriers and shows no favoritism in Peter’s time, nor does he in our day. God was making it crystal clear that the Good News is for everyone. Today, because our world is much smaller due to the media, the temptation to think that only a certain few are God’s favorite children is very deadly. We should not allow any barriers, such as language, culture, prejudice, geography, economic class or education, keep us from spreading the Gospel. In every nation hearts, minds, and ears are bent toward hearing God’s holy word, but someone must take it to them.

To want to know about God is not enough. People must find him, and then experience him. Leading others to Christ is a special vocation, and we always need to take time to listen to him (Psalm 46:10) so that we will be able to know and follow his will.

The “Good News” is for everyone because it is a message of hope. Cornelius was a very wealthy Gentile and a powerful military man. Peter, on the other hand, was a Jew and a common fisherman turned preacher. God’s plan included both of them just as they were, and today he includes us in his plan. A new chapter was written in history that day when a Jewish Christian leader and a Gentile Christian convert each discovered God at work in the other person. Cornelius needed Peter and his Gospel to know he could be saved. Peter needed Cornelius and his salvation experience to know that God was available to anyone who believed in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son.

We who are believers in Christ need each other to understand how God works. Peter was invited to share and teach more about his faith, and Cornelius was very eager to learn more about his new faith. Are you as eager to learn more about Jesus as new believers are eager? Spend as much time as you can around mature Christians and strive to learn from them. Remember, the rest of the world will know that we are Christians by the way we love one another.

1 JOHN 4:7-10

Love is a decision that involves a choice followed by an action. Love is not being sentimental or displaying mushy feelings. Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious. Love is never selfish or being rude. Love is being truthful and loyal, no matter what the cost. This kind of love is not natural; it is possible only if God helps us to set aside our own desires and instincts. The closer we come to Christ, the more we will be able to love others while expecting nothing in return.

Society wants us to believe that love is important because it is an expression of our feelings. In reality, love is a decision and Jesus is our example of what love is. He gave us everything of himself, even going to the cross and dying for those who cursed him, rejected and even killed him. The Holy Spirit is where we get the power to love in the face of rejections and ridicule.

God’s love always involved a choice and an action, and our love should be like his. Take a moment right now and ask yourself, “How well is my love of God displayed to others, in the choices I make, and in the actions I take?” God is love, and our world with its selfish views on what it calls love tries to contaminate its true meaning. The world thinks love is what makes you feel good and is willing to sacrifice moral principles and other rights in order to obtain such “love.” We need not be fooled, because it is not real love. It is the exact opposite – selfishness. Our definition of love must come from God who is holy, just and perfect. The world today must learn to love like God loves.

JOHN 15:9-17

The key passage in today’s gospel message is the words of Jesus telling his disciples that they have not chosen him, but he has chosen them. It was not we who chose God, but God in his mercy and grace approaches us with a call and an offer made out of his love. He chose us for love and to go out into the world to love one another. He chose us for joy in doing the right thing. A gloomy Christian is a contradiction in terms. It is true that the Christian is a sinner, but he is a redeemed sinner, and therein lies his joy.

A joyful Christian is a loving Christian, and laying down your life for another is the ultimate way of proving it. We may at some time in our life have questioned this great command of Jesus. He would look us lovingly in the eye and tell us that no one can show greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friend – and he did that.

Jesus chose us to be his friends, and he wanted to abide in us more than we could ever want to abide in him. He has offered us an intimacy with God which not even the greatest men knew before he came upon this earth. It meant that we have the privilege to enter into the presence of the Master without any special announcement. Think about it, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings is always available when we call, even if it is for just a few moments.

Jesus chose us to be his ambassadors, and he chose us to send us out (Matt. 28:19) to make disciples of all nations. He chose us to come first to him, and then after we have spent time living with and in him (John 15:7), he sends us to go out to the world. He chose us to be his.

You have been chosen by Christ to go forth and make disciples of all nations because he loves you. He does not love you because of what you do, or who you are. He loves you because of who he is. You are a loving person because he loved you first by choosing you to be his friend. The Good News, my loving friend, is that he has chosen us to love and because of him we are more than conquerors.

Application

The first reading shows us that we are not to forget public worship. The second reading tells us that love is a decision, not a feeling. The Gospel reveals to us that God chose us; we did not choose him.

This week commit yourself to a choice and action of loving someone unconditionally. Choose someone in your family, school or work area. Pick someone who seems to be difficult to love. Pray each morning for the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Be specific in your choice and type of action. Be prepared for an incredible miracle in your life, and then share that miracle in your testimony.

Lectio Divina – Fifth Sunday in Easter (May 2nd) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me.  AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 15:1-8 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Quinto Domingo de Pascua (2 de Mayo) – Ciclo B

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

Ora y pidele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.” (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE HECHOS 9:26-31 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“…habia predicado valientemente en el nombre de Jesús.”)

1. ¿Quién llegó a Jerusalen intentando unirse a los discípulos? Hechos 9:4 y Hechos 13:9

 

2. ¿Qué sentian los discípulos hacia Saulo y que era lo que no creian? Hechos 9:26

 

3. ¿Qué hago cuando tengo miedo? Salmo 56:4-5

 

Personal – ¿Cómo respondes cuando alguien que te ha perjudicado quiere corregir el mal?

 

4. ¿Quién era Bernabé, qué hizo con Saulo y qué les dijo a los discípulos acerca de éste? Hechos 4:36, 9:27

 

5. ¿Qué proclamó Saulo en Damasco acerca de Jesús? ¿Qué decian todos los que lo oian y qué pasaba con los Judios? Hechos 9:20-22

 

6. ¿Cómo empezó a vivir Saulo y cómo predicó en el nombre del Señor? Hechos 9:28

 

7. ¿Qué le pedia la gente al Señor que les concediera anunciar? Hechos 4:29

 

8. ¿Con quién hablaba y discutia Saulo? ¿Qué trataron de hacerle y a donde lo mandaron los hermanos cuando supieron esto? Hechos 9:29-30

 

9. Al continuar creciendo el número de discípulos, ¿quién se quejó y por qué razon? Hechos 6:1

 

10. ¿De qué gozaba la iglesia, qué le pasaba y con la ayuda de quién aumentaba? Hechos 9:31

 

11. ¿Cuándo habló el Espíritu Santo a la iglesia de Antioquia y qué fue lo que dijo? Hechos 13:1-2

 

Personal – ¿De que modo has sido un apoyo para alguien que se haya convertido?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE 1 JUAN 3:18-24 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Aquellos que guardan Sus mandatos permanecen en El,”)

1. ¿Cómo somos llamados? ¿De qué modo no debemos amar? ¿Como debemos hacerlo? 1 Juan 3:18

 

2. ¿Cómo debe ser el amor? Romanos 12:9

 

3. “La gente viene a ti como lo hace siempre; se sientan delante de ti y escuchan tus palabras” pero, ¿que es lo que no hacen y por que razon? Ezequiel 33:31

 

4. ¿Dios es mas grande que qué y qué es lo que conoce? 1 Juan 3:20

 

5. Si nuestros corazones no nos condenan, ¿qué tenemos, qué recibimos y por qué? 1 Juan 3:21-22

 

6. ¿Cómo se purifican nuestros corazones? Hechos 15:9

 

7. ¿Cuándo nos escucha Dios? 1 Juan 5:14

 

8. ¿Qué les dá nuestro Padre Celestial a aquellos que piden? Mateo 7:11

 

9. ¿Cuál es el mandato de Dios? 1 Juan 3:23

 

10. ¿Cuál es la obra de Dios? Juan 6:29

 

11. ¿Cómo debemos vivir si proclamamos que vivimos en Jesús? 1 Juan 2:6

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has amado a Dios y a los que estan a tu alrededor atraves de tus obras y de modo verdadero? Se

contradicen tus palabras con tus acciones?

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 15:1-8 EVANGELIO

(“Ustedes ya estan limpios debido a la palabra que les he dirigido.”)

1. ¿Quién es Jesús y quién es Su Padre? Juan 15:1

 

2. ¿Qué es lo que El quita y qué lo que poda para que produzca mas? Juan 15:2

 

3. ¿Cuál es el fruto del Espíritu Santo? Gálatas 5:22-23

 

4. ¿Debido a qué estás tu ya limpio? Juan 15:3

 

5. ¿Qué es la palabra? Juan 17:17

 

6. Asi como Jesús permanece en ti, ¿en quién debes tu permanecer? ¿Qué es lo que una rama no puede hacer por si misma y qué es lo que tu no puedes hacer? Juan 15:4

 

7. ¿Qué puedes producir si permaneces en Jesús y qué puedes hacer sin El? Juan 15:5

 

8. ¿Qué pasa con los constructores a menos que sea el Señor quien construya la casa? Salmo 127:1

 

9. ¿Qué pasará al que no permanezca en Jesús y qué hará la gente con él? Juan 15:6

 

10. ¿Qué pasará con el árbol que no da buen fruto? Mateo 3:10

 

11. ¿Pide lo que quieras y se te dará si haces que? Juan 15:7

 

12. ¿Cómo es glorificado el Padre? Juan 15:8 y Mateo 5:16

 

13. ¿Qué serás si permaneces en la Palabra de Dios, qué sabras y que hará esta por ti? Juan 8:31-32

 

Personal – ¿Cómo habitas en Jesús y cómo ven otros a Jesús habitando en ti a traves de tus acciones? ¿Qué clase de fruto ven?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 22:26-32

(“Los pobres comerán hasta saciarse,”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 22:26-32.
¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

HECHOS 9:26-31

Cuando Bernabé trajo a Pablo, cuyo nombre todavia era Saulo, para que se uniera a los discípulos se dió cuenta de que estos tenian miedo de él. Recordemos que Saulo era un super-enemigo del movimiento Cristiano hasta el momento en que se encontró con el Señor en el camino a Damasco (Hechos 9:3-9). Casi inmediatamente despues de su conversión le fue cambiado el nombre de Saulo (Hebreo enfatizando su proceder Judio) al de Pablo (Romano enfatizando el mundo Gentil). El Señor le dice a Ananias que Pablo es Su escogido como instrumento para llevar Su nombre a los Gentiles (Hechos 9:15).

Bernabé era uno de los primeros discípulos de Cristo y su nombre queria decir “hijo de la profesia.” Era un Judio convertido y un Levita, asi que entendia bien el miedo que los apostoles tenian a la reputacion de Pablo. Bernabé era el puente entre Pablo y los apóstoles y audazmente lo introduce como el nuevo-convertido.

La lectura de hoy nos pide que creamos que con Dios nada es imposible. Sabemos que es muy dificil cambiar nuestra reputación y sabemos que los nuevos Cristianos necesitan quien los patrocine. Debemos animar, enseñar e introducir a los nuevos creyentes con los otros miembros de nuestra comunidad Cristiana. Lo que debemos hacer es encontrar el modo para llegar a ser como Bernabé para los nuevos creyentes.

Pablo se vuelve Cristiano y la iglesia por un breve tiempo goza de paz. Los creyentes aprendieron a caminar en el temor al Señor y con el consuelo del Espíritu Santo. Hariamos bien en hacer lo mismo en nuestro mundo de hoy. La paz real y verdadera puede llegar cuando los hombres y mujeres son libres y es unicamente Jesucristo el que realmente nos libera (Juan 8:32).

 

1 JUAN 3:18-24

Esta carta de Juan fue escrita para que nosotros que creemos sepamos que poseemos la vida eterna (1 Juan 5:13). Juan entendió que conocer a Dios es guardar Sus mandamientos. El amor cuando es genuino viene del corazón y se dirige hacia Dios y el hombre. En los tiempos de Juan tanto como hoy en dia existe un serio problema cuya pregunta es “¿Estoy salvado?, si lo estoy ¿como puedo saberlo?” Juan nos asegura a los creyentes que podemos saberlo a traves de toda esta carta. La frase “sabemos” se usó 13 veces para darnos a entender que es parte de la conciencia espiritual normal. (3:14)

La lectura de hoy nos dá un ejemplo de como podemos dar nuestra vida por otros. ¿Qué tan claramente se puede ver a traves de nuestras acciones que realmente queremos a los demas? ¿Somos realmente generosos con nuestro dinero, pertenencias y tiempo? Mucha gente siente que no aman a otros tanto como debieran y sus conciencias les remuerden. ¿Cómo podemos escapar de esas acusaciones que nos corroen la conciencia? Ciertamente no lo sera ignorándolo o tratando de racionalizar nuestra conducta.

Juan nos dice que solo por medio de las acciones correctas podra limpiarse nuestra conciencia. Dios conoce nuestros corazones tanto como nuestras acciones. Si estamos en Cristo, El no nos condenará (Romanos 8:1). Si caminamos por el camino del Señor pero sentimos que no somos suficientemente buenos, recordemos que Dios es mucho mas poderoso que nuestras conciencias. Sabemos que le pertenecemos y que El no permitira que nada nos separe de Su amor (Romanos 8:31-39).

Podemos acercarnos a Dios en cualquier momento y El estará ahi para nosotros. Nuestra conciencia estará limpia cuando nos demos cuenta de que el miedo tiene que ver con el castigo, pero el verdadero amor echa fuera el castigo (1 Juan 4:18). El Cristianismo es una religión del corazón y una conformidad externa no es suficiente. El verdadero amor es una acción, una decision, no un sentimiento. Se convierte en un darse y sacrificarse ya sea uno mismo o su dinero o sus pertenencias o su tiempo. El mayor ejemplo de amor es dar la vida por otros, lo cual involucra poner por delante los deseos de otros (Juan 15:13).

 

JUAN 15:1-8

Jesus predica acerca de la vid y las ramas. La vid es una planta muy prolífica y una sola guia da muchas uvas. En la comida de la Pascua el fruto de la vid fue el símbolo de la bondad de Dios hacia Su pueblo. Jesús nos muestra la diferencia entre dos clases de poda. Una es separando y la otra es cortando las ramas (15:3) Las ramas con fruto se podan para que crezcan mejor, pero las ramas que no dan fruto se podan del tronco. O sea aquellos que no produzcan fruto para El Señor o que traten de bloquear los esfuerzos de los seguidores de Dios serán separados del divino flujo de vida.

El caracter Cristiano incluye las cualidades de la fruta excelente, como es la oración, la alegria y el amor. Permanecer en Cristo es vivir en Cristo. Lo que realmente significa residir con El. El residirá con nosotros si realmente creemos que El es el Hijo de Dios (1 Juan 4:15) y que lo recibimos como nuestro Señor y Salvador (Juan 1:12). Debemos guardar Sus mandamientos (1 Juan 3:24), y relacionarnos con la comunidad de creyentes Cristianos, o sea el cuerpo de Cristo.

Mucha gente de hoy trata de hacer lo que es bueno y correcto. Jesus nos dice que la única manera de vivir una verdaderamente buena vida será estar cerca de El, como la rama pegada a la vid. ¿Cómo estamos nosotros? ¿Estamos recibiendo el alimento y la vida ofrecida por nuestro Señor Jesucristo? Una cosecha abundante hace honor al que la recoge ya que este ha recolectado los frutos.

Sé un discípulo del Señor y ayúdale a traer gente hacia una correta relación con Jesucristo. Si tu relación no es la correcta, toma un momento ahora y confiésate con El, pídele Su perdón y disfruta de Su cosecha que es la paz, la alegria y el amor.

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice como ser un puente para los nuevos creyentes. La segunda nos muestra que el amor es una decisión, no un sentimiento. El Evangelio revela que permanecer significa residir.

Esta semana, sé un puente entre los miembros de tu familia, la escuela o el trabajo. Trata de animar a esa persona para que sea lo mejor que se pueda. Permite que el amor de Dios resida en ti y harás de ti un fantástico Bernabé. Recuerda, sé un pacificador, sé un amigo, haz un amigo y traelo a Cristo.

Fifth Sunday in Easter (May 2nd) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

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)

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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 9:26-31 FIRST READING
(“…he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”)

1. 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.

Lectio Divina – Fourth Sunday in Easter (April 25th) – Cycle B

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PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer.
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so Your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me.  AMEN

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

John 10:11-18 – “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

 

 

What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

 

Cuarto Domingo de Pascua (25 de Abril) – Ciclo B

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El Pan de Vida Estudio de Biblia Católico

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

Ora y pidele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.” (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilia o de las lecturas que oiste en misa el domingo?

 

2. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

 

SEGUNDO DIA LEE HECHOS 4:8-12 PRIMERA LECTURA

(“…gracias a El, este hombre esta de pie y sano ante ustedes.”)

1. ¿De qué estaba lleno Pedro y a quien le está respondiendo? Hechos 4:8

 

2. ¿Quién fue grande ante la vista del Señor y de qué estaba lleno? Lucas 1:13-15

 

3. ¿Qué dice Pedro que se necesita para recibir al Espíritu Santo? Hechos 2:38

 

4. ¿Qué preguntó Pedro a los jefes acerca de la curación de un enfermo? Hechos 4:9

 

5. ¿Qué le dijo Pedro al tullido y en nombre de Quién? Hechos 3:6

 

6. ¿Qué dice Pedro que debe saber toda la gente de Israel, y cómo es que ese hombre estaba de pie y sano ante ellos? Hechos 4:10

 

7. ¿Qué le sucede a aquel que invoque el nombre del Señor? Hechos 2:21

 

8. ¿Quiénes son los constructores, qué le hicieron a la piedra y en que se convirtió ésta? Hechos 4:11

 

9. ¿Cómo podremos ser salvados? Hechos 4:10-12

 

10. ¿Cómo venimos al Padre? Juan 14:6

 

11. ¿Quién desea que todos se salven y lleguen a conocer plenamente la verdad? 1 Timoteo 2:3-6

 

Personal – ¿Quién es Jesus para ti? ¿Si El viniera a verte esta noche, qué le dirias? ¿A donde irias?

 

 

TERCER DIA LEE 1 JUAN 3:1-2 SEGUNDA LECTURA

(“Amados mios, desde ahora somos hijos de Dios,”)

1. ¿Qué nos ha dado el Padre y cómo seremos llamados? 1 Juan 3:1

 

2. A los que aceptaron a Dios, ¿qué se les concedió y en que deben creer? Juan 1:12

 

3. ¿Qué llegó a traves de Jesus? Juan 1:17

 

4. En el amor, ¿a qué nos destinó Dios y a traves de quién? Efesios 1:4-5

 

5. ¿Cuál es la razón por la qué el mundo no nos conoce? 1 Juan 3:1

 

6. ¿Qué es lo que guarda Jesús, quien conoce al Padre? Juan 8:54-55

 

7. ¿Qué somos ya aunque no se ha manifestado? 1 Juan 3:2

 

8. ¿A quién seremos semejantes cuando El se manifieste y que será lo que veremos? 1 Juan 3:2

 

9. ¿Qué hará Dios a nuestros cuerpos, cómo lo hará y qué someterá a Si mismo? Filipenses 3:21

 

10. ¿A quién le ha revelado Dios a su Hijo y a quién le revela El las cosas? Mateo 11:25-27

 

Personal – ¿Cuándo y cómo vienes a hacer oración a Dios como un niño? Imaginate a ti mismo como si fueras un niño pequeño, tal vez con una rodilla lastimada, ve a El y permítele que te abraze y te alivie.

 

 

CUARTO DIA LEE JUAN 10:11-18 EVANGELIO

(“Yo soy el Buen Pastor, conozco las mias y las mias me conocen a Mi.”)

1. ¿Quién es el Buen Pastor y que hace por las ovejas? Juan 10:7, 11

 

2. ¿Cómo resucitó el Dios de la Paz al Buen Pastor de las ovejas? Hebreos 13:20

 

3. ¿Qué hace el empleado que no es el pastor y cuyas ovejas no son suyas cuando ve venir al lobo? Juan 10:12

 

4. ¿Qué no hará el Pastor tonto y qué le pasará por ello? Zacarias 11:16-17

 

5. ¿Por qué no se preocupa de las ovejas? Juan 10:13

 

6. ¿Qué sabe el Buen Pastor? Juan 10:14

 

7. ¿Qué escuchan las ovejas del Buen Pastor, a quién conocen y que es lo que hacen? Juan 10:27

 

8. ¿A quién conoce el Buen Pastor, quién lo conoce a El y qué hará? Juan 10:15

 

9. ¿Qué otra cosa tiene el Buen Pastor que no pertenece a este corral, qué hará con ellas y qué oiran estas? Juan 10:16

 

10. ¿Qué pasó con los que estaban lejos, qué destruyó y a traves de qué lo hizo? Efesios 2:13-14

 

11. ¿Por qué ama el Padre a Jesús? Juan 10:17

 

12. ¿Cómo hemos sido consagrados? Hebreos 10:9-10

 

13. ¿Cuál es el mandato que Jesús recibió del Padre? Juan 10:18

 

14. ¿Cómo se humilló Jesús a si mismo? Filipenses 2:8

 

Personal – ¿Cómo eres cuando te pareces al Buen Pastor y cuando te pareces al empleado en relación con tu familia, amigos, compañeros de trabajo, etc.?

 

 

QUINTO DIA LEE SALMO 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26-29

(“Mas vale refugiarse en el Señor que confiarse en el hombre.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26-29.
¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor a través de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

 

SEXTO DIA LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

HECHOS 4:8-12

Jesús nos dice en la escritura que El es el camino, la verdad y la vida (Juan 14:6). También nos dice que nos ha dejado Su Espiritu de la verdad para que esté con cada uno de nosotros, que creamos en El (Juan 14:16-17). Jesus nos ha dejado el mismo Espíritu que estaba con Pedro cuando éste sano al Hombre tullido.

El Espíritu Santo que fue dado a los apóstoles por el mismo Cristo te ha sido dado tambien a tí. Si, asi es, a tí. ¿Lo creés realmente? ¿Creés realmente que el poder de curar, profetizar, predicar, enseñar, perdonar y amar está dentro de ti y que ese poder viene del Espíritu Santo (1 Juan 4:4)? Si Dios desea que todos sean salvados y deja a su Espíritu Santo para darnos poder, por qué es que todavia mucha gente lo rechaza? Jesús nos dice que todos los que vivan en El y guarde Sus mandamientos sentirán cómo El habita en ellos. Habitar significa vivir con, residir con, y para realmente conocer a alguien uno tiene que vivir con esa persona. Mucha gente no responde a la protección del Espíritu Santo, a su poder, por que eso significa obedecer y la obediencia pide humildad. Jesús conocia la obediencia y la humildad. De hecho fue en completa humildad y con una obediencia absoluta a Su muerte en la cruz.

Jesús, no los apóstoles, recibió la gloria por la curación. En aquellos dias el nombre de un hombre representaba su caracter y representaba su autoridad y poder. Como los apóstoles, no debemos enfatizar lo que nosotros podemos hacer, sino lo que Dios puede hacer a traves de nosotros. El nombre de Jesús no ha de usarse como algo de magia – debe usarse con fé. Cuando oremos en el nombre de Jesús será importante recordar que es Jesús mismo el que le dá poder a nuestra oración.

En esta lectura, Pedro le recuerda a la gente y a sus jefes que ellos, los que se dicen constructores de la comunidad han considerado que, al rechazar a la piedra en el nuevo edificio, evitarian que se levantara un templo nuevo y permanente. Pero Jesús era mas que la piedra, El era la piedra angular. La iglesia era el templo nuevo y Jesús era la piedra angular que lo mantenia unido.

La escritura nos dice que el mismo Jesús declaró que las puertas del infierno no prevalecerian contra Su iglesia (Mateo 16:18). Hoy en dia y a traves de muchas naciones, la Iglesia Católica es atacada por los no creyentes y por los creyentes tibios. El poder del Espíritu Santo esta llenando los corazones de los creyentes y ellos van adelante haciendo discípulos en todas las naciones (Mateo 28:19), aun cuando tengan que encarar la persecusión.

 

1 JUAN 3:1-2

La lectura de hoy nos revela que hemos sido escogidos para formar parte de la familia de Dios. Cada persona que ha existido ha tenido el deseo de pertenecer, de ser aceptada como es y no por lo que haga, pero simplemente no sabemos como pertenecer. Pertenecer es ser amado incondicionalmente, no solo cuando somos productivos o cuando retornamos amor sino aun cuando no somos muy dignos de ser amados.

Dios nos ha llamado a formar parte de Su familia, pero nosotros tenemos que decir “Sí Señor” antes de que sucedan las cosas. Lo hacemos cuando somos bautizados y asi empezamos nuestras nuevas relaciones como hijos de Dios. Como creyentes, nuestro valor propio se basa en el hecho de que Dios nos ama y nos llama Sus hijos. Somos sus hijos hoy, no algun dia en el futuro y El es nuestro “Abba” papá. Algunas personas han tenido padres que les han hecho daño y los recuerdos de haber sido ofendidos física, sexual o emocionalmente estan aún muy vivos y todavia duelen, a veces esto dura por muchos años.

Vemos en la lectura de hoy que Dios es realmente nuestro Padre, el verdadero, el perdurable y que cura a todos Sus hijos a traves de Su amoroso Hijo, Jesús. Estas son buenas y grandiosas noticias para todos nosotros, lo que quiere decir que El nos anima a que vivamos como Jesús y a creer que Jesús y su Espíritu Santo nos darán la fuerza para salir adelante de cualquier clase de daño. Nos dice en la Escritura que nada ni la muerte podrá separarnos de El y de Su amor (Romanos 8:31-39).

Nuestra vida Cristiana es un proceso que nos indica que cada dia debemos ser mas como Cristo. Celebremos con gratitud y alabanzas el regalo que nos Ha dado de tener un padre en la tierra que sea amoroso y recemos tambien por aquellos padres terrenales cuyos espíritus hayan estado o estén desquebrajados.

 

JUAN 10:11-18

Este Evangelio recuerda con mucha fuerza que toda persona viviente en la tierra está bajo el cuidado amoroso y es la preocupacion de nuestro “Buen Pastor,” Jesucristo. Lo llamamos el Buen Pastor por que no solo se arriesgó muchas veces por su rebaño sino que murió defendiendolo.

Los pastores eran gentes que crecian sabiendo como cuidar y proteger al rebaño de ovejas. El nació para esa noble, solitaria y muy peligrosa tarea. Los pastores no estaban en ese negocio por dinero y cuando habia peligro de que su rebaño fuera atacado por lobos, leones u osos peleaban hasta el final. El pastor tenia que mostrar evidencias de que habia peleado contra los atacadores. El asalariado por el contrario correria del ataque y dejaria expuesto al rebaño y en mucho peligro. El pastor se debe a sus ovejas. El termino “buen pastor,” como el término “buen doctor” significaba que esa persona no solo tenia las habilidades necesarias para el trabajo sino que tambien tenia una calidad especial de amor y gentileza.

Jesús era “El Buen Pastor” por excelencia. No solo estaba desarrollando su trabajo sino que estaba dedicado a amarnos y a dar Su vida por nosotros. El rebaño de hoy es la iglesia y el Buen Pastor es Jesucristo. Existe el peligro de los empleados que no tienen un buen cuidado de sus rebaños. Cuando los peligros del mundo atacan al rebaño, los empleados de la iglesia de hoy huyen de ellos. La iglesia está propensa todo el tiempo al ataque de afuera y tambien esta propensa a tener problemas de adentro debido a que a veces hay la tragedia de un liderazgo malo. El segundo peligro es el peor de todos pues si el pastor tiene fé y es bueno habrá una defensa fuerte contra el ataque que venga de fuera. Pero si el pastor es un empleado y no tiene fé, entonces los enemigos podran penetrar y dañar seriamente al rebaño. Lo esencial de la iglesia es que haya un liderazgo basado en el ejemplo de Jesucristo, nuestro Buen Pastor. Oremos constantemente por nuestros pastores para que ellos sean no solo pastores sino “buenos pastores.”

 

Aplicación

La primera lectura se atreve a preguntarnos, ¿estamos listos para morir? La segunda nos dice que Dios es nuestro Padre amoroso y perdurable. El Evangelio nos muestra que somos llamados a ser “buenos pastores.”

Esta semana:
Ora, escucha y ama con tus acciones a tus hijos.
Ora, escucha y perdona a tu padre muerto o vivo.
Ora, escucha y pide para que todos los padres terrenales se arrepientan y busquen la curación en Jesucristo.
Ora, escucha, escucha y escucha a tu Padre Celestial.

Fourth Sunday in Easter (April 25th) – Cycle B

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THE BREAD OF LIFE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

By Deacon Ken and Marie Finn

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)

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

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.”)

l. 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.