Stephen, filled with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, boldly speaks about Jesus Christ in the context of great persecution.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter
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Tag Archives: Catholic
Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter
Study: What do the readings say?
Pray: What do the readings say to me?
Serve: What do the readings make me do or say…today?
Let’s take a look at some of the main themes that we find in the Scripture readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter, often known as Good Shepherd Sunday.
1st Reading – Acts 4:8-12
- Peter preaches the Good News immediately after a healing miracle.
- Jesus Christ is “the stone rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118)
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29
- This psalm is quoted by St. Peter in the passage of Acts.
- God’s power and might transcends human limitations.
2nd Reading – 1 John 3:1-2
- The baptized are “children of God” and have the same relationship as the first disciples.
- Our relationship with the Father is in opposition with the world.
- There is more to be revealed, and then we shall be like him and see him as he truly is.
Gospel – John 10:11-18
- The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
- There are “wolves” who catch and scatter the sheep.
- The sheep (disciples) know the Lord, who also goes out and serves “other sheep” as well.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter
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3rd Sunday of Easter: Peace be with you. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord says, “Peace be with you” and invites us to draw serenity from His love in our lives. May we call upon His peace as we face the challenges of life with trusting faith.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
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Daily Mass: The crucial role of Christian service. Catholic Inspiration
The sixth chapter of Acts shows how the early Church empowered people to serve, highlighting the crucial role of service for all Christian disciples.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: A life in God is a blessed life. Catholic Inspiration
The words of Gamaliel offer an insight into how we live our lives: if our efforts are rooted in the Lord, they will thrive…perhaps in ways that we could never imagine.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: The faith that fosters courage and casts out fear. Catholic Inspiration
The power of the Holy Spirit and the joy of the resurrection shine forth in the apostles as they confront the threat of death for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Their witness inspires us to face our fears as we embrace our faith.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: Living the Lord’s love in the face of persecution. Catholic Inspiration
The disciples face persecution with Easter joy and the power of the Holy Spirit. May their example inspire us to live the love of Jesus Christ, even as we face obstacles and hostility in the world today.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: An example of Christian community. Catholic Inspiration
The early Christian community shared their resources so that no one was in need. Their example inspires us to consider how we might use wisely our material goods in order to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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Daily Mass: The boldness of the disciples. Catholic Inspiration
Released from custody, Peter and John return to the disciples to recount what happened. As they pray, the Holy Spirit comes upon them while the ground shakes and they preach with boldness.
Mass Readings – Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter
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Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of Easter
Study: What do the readings say?
Pray: What do the readings say to me?
Serve: What do the readings make me do or say…today?
Let’s take a look at some of the main themes of the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter.
1st Reading – Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
- Christ is “the Holy and Righteous One” who is the “Author of Life.”
- We are called to repent, that our sins may be wiped away.
Psalm – 4:2, 4, 7-8
- The psalm is a lament to God for deliverance from suffering.
- The Church applies these words to Jesus, who delivers us through His death and resurrection.
2nd Reading – 1 John 2:1-5a
- Jesus is our Advocate with the Father.
- By keeping his commandments we show that we know Jesus Christ.
Gospel – Luke 24:35-48
- The Risen Lord says “Peace be with you” and addresses the doubts in the hearts of the disciples.
- Christ “opened their minds” to understand the Scriptures.
- Repentance is crucial for the forgiveness of our sins, made possible by the death and resurrection of the Lord.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
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