Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid

May 5, 2015 8:58 am

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (JN 14: 27)

We can’t eliminate from our lives difficult moments, unexpected turns of events or bad news. We can’t eliminate them, but we can be guardians of our hearts, which should be protected from any troubles or fears. Our hearts, united by prayer with God, will help us keep our faith and hope in Him, Who is our merciful and powerful Father and Who takes care of us in any kind of situation. Our hearts are responsible for directing us to Him as an answer and solution for all of these problems. We can find this theological sense in a popular song: “in every life we have some trouble, when you worry, you make it double, so don’t worry.”

“Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The Advocate – Parakletos (gr.)

May 4, 2015 7:13 am

“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” (JN 14: 26) 

The Holy Spirit, called here the Advocate—Parakletos, is also translated into English as Comforter or Consoler, which better describe His mission:  “he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” And we know that Our Lord’s teaching was about God’s unconditional love for us. When we are in trouble or when we are under Satan’s attack,losing our hope, the Holy Spirit comes to remind us of God’s love. He comes as our Comforter and Consoler.

“The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Pruned because of the word

May 3, 2015 7:00 am

“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.” (JN 15: 1-3)

We should remember that God prunes us so that we “bear more fruit.” God’s merciful love comes to us, makes us a new creation and from us goes out to our brothers and sisters. When we listen to His word, He can clean us and bring us closer to Him and to His love.

“Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To hear the word of the Lord

May 2, 2015 7:00 am

“On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” (ACTS 13: 44)

Probably this is the best activity we can do on the “sabbath”: “to hear the word of the Lord.” He brings with every word the unconditional love of the Father to everyone. How different our world would look if “almost the whole city” could gather to hear. When we give a priority to “hear the word of the Lord,” there is less room for the evil patterns of our internal dialog. The more we listen to Him, the less we focus on us; the less we focus on ourselves, the more we listen to and respect others.

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Where I am you also may be

May 1, 2015 7:00 am

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (JN 14: 2-3)

Our Lord takes care of us not only here on earth but also prepares a place for us with Him in Heaven, and He is also for us the Way. He “will come back again and take us to Himself.” We are always connected and never alone because He likes to be with us: “where I am you also may be.”

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The one who sent me—the one I send

April 30, 2015 7:00 am

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (JN 13: 20)

Our Lord is so connected with us: “ whoever receives the one I send receives me.” And much more than this: “whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” We are between God the Father and Our Lord Jesus Christ. He connects us with God the Father and Himself. When we are working for His mission, we are the most protected people in the world. Both Father and Son are with us. And we know that wherever they are,there is always the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is not celebrating their Unity far away from us but very close to us.

“Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The light of the world

April 29, 2015 1:58 pm

“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” (JN 12: 46-47)

Jesus is the answer in our darkness and the answer for our weaknesses and in our doubts. He called Himself “the light of the world,” and came “to save this world, not to condemn it.” Whenever we need support or whenever we need to make important decisions, we can trust in Him. He is with us at every moment.

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Father’s hand

April 28, 2015 7:00 am

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (JN 10: 27-30)

Can you imagine? We are in the most secure place in the Universe—“in the Father’s hand.” And “no one can take us out of His hand.” It is so good and beneficial to remember this every day, and especially when we feel trapped in difficult situations or with troubling thoughts.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The gate for the sheep

April 27, 2015 7:00 am

“Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (JN 10: 7-10)

Every morning, when we first open our eyes, we can see Our Lord calling us to start this day with Him. He knows where to take us, how to protect us and how to teach us to enjoy life more abundantly. He is our Shepherd, and He is “the gate for us.” The more we listen to His words, the better we know Him and follow Him.

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

There is no salvation through anyone else

April 26, 2015 8:45 am

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (ACTS 4: 12)

Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. Every day He brings us the same gift—salvation. And we celebrate not only on Sundays but also on every single day the mystery of the Eucharist, God’s gift of redemption, forgiveness and adoption. This is nothing that we can achieve, nothing that we deserve or nothing that is a consequence of our devotion. “There is no salvation through anyone else…”

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation)