₦airaland Forum

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture John 16:16-20)
THEME: Jesus has not only revealed to us where our home is, but He has also shown us the way to the Father and back to our homeland

Why did Jesus leave his disciples forty days after his resurrection? Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus appeared numerous times to his disciples to assure them that he had risen indeed and to prepare them for the task of carrying on the work which he began during his earthy ministry.
 
Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
 
Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the gospel – the good news of salvation – not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. God's love and gift of salvation is not reserved for a few or for one nation alone, but it is for the whole world – for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to release people from their burden of guilt, sin, and oppression, and the power to heal, restore, and make us whole. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?
 
This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

PRAYER:“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

THEME:THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH IN JESUS IS UNFOLDED TO US GRADUALLY THROUGH THE SPIRIT
MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 16: 12-15)
These few remaining weekdays before the Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension on May 20 are a timely prelude. What we have in our Gospel readings are somehow conditioning us, making us ready for the “departure” of Jesus.
For instance, in today’s Gospel reading, taken from Jesus’ tender Farewell Discourse (John 13:31 to 17:26), He promises to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples, as though to make up for His future absence. As the “Spirit of truth,” the Holy Spirit “will guide us in all truth,” announcing “to [us] the things to come.” This doesn’t necessarily mean new revelations (as Jesus Himself is already the fullness of revelation). Rather, it is making such revelation of Jesus relevant for the future age.
As Jesus stated, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” In consideration of our limited capacities, maybe He really intended not to tell us everything. But aside from the Holy Spirit who will assist us in grasping God’s message, we have the likes of St. Paul who elaborate and deepen it for us. Thank God for them, we need not worry about Jesus no longer being with us and speaking to us directly.
Truth has become a commodity of inconvenience for a society largely inspired by relativism. This is very unfortunate as it is only the truth that can set us free. And it is only with the truth that the Holy Spirit can do its work within us. There is no doubt that the world needs to rediscover the value of truth no matter what the cost. Scientists know this when they use billions of dollars to build a superconducting super collider to investigate the nature of matter. They are looking for the truth and they know that they cannot seek anything less than this, or it will not answer their questions, or make sense at all.

PRAYER:Lord Jesus, thank You for evangelists in our midst.who have helped us or are helping us now in understanding God’s Word grant them more wisdom, perseverance and patience to proclaim Your message to the ends of the earth.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Acts 16:22-34)
THEME: Praising God changes lives and situations.

In today’s passage from Acts we are told of how the chains fell from the prisoners, including Paul and Silas, after an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. This can be seen as a picture of God’s intervention to release our souls from the imprisonment of original sin. God loosens the chains. Our baptism has set us free and has left an indelible mark on our character. But like the apostles, we do not run away in our freedom, but are called to stay among those whom God also loves and desires to receive this immense gift. How easy it would have been for Paul and the others to run the minute the chains broke! And yet his concern is tangible as he first saves the prison guard’s physical life, and then aims to save him spiritually by explaining the gospel to him.
Flogged and thrown into prison just for preaching the Gospel — these are what Paul and so many others after him suffered. Yet it didn’t stop them. What does this tell us about the nature of the Gospel and the character of those who truly give their lives in its service? It tells us that there is an urgency and imperative to proclaim the Gospel, which is difficult to resist when one has committed one’s life to its purpose.
 
PRAYER:Dear Lord, Help me to take a quiet moment and place myself in your presence, particularly during those times when life has made me weary and I lose sight of the forest through the trees.  This is the time I most need your helping hand and wise words.  For more than anything my joy lies in glorifying you.  Amen.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture:Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
THEME:"Let Another Take His Office"

St. Matthias, whose feast we celebrate today, seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and was drawn by lots to replace Judas.Yes, he seemed to have appeared out of nowhere as there were no mention of him in the four gospels.

But St. Peter made clear the criterion for the selection of the candidate 
“We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us – and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.”  Right from the outset of the primitive Church, the Christians were aware that they needed to appoint successors to the apostles in order that the mission of the Church could continue.   It was fitting therefore that they quickly took action in appointing Matthias to succeed Judas lest the unity and mission of the Church was compromised.

That this feast of St Matthias is celebrated between the Feasts of Ascension and Pentecost reminds us that like Matthias, we are all called be His witnesses since Jesus is no longer present physically.  Indeed, Jesus has chosen and commissioned us “to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.”  As His disciples and apostles, we are called to be witnesses to the life, passion, and death of Jesus so that His resurrection can be seen in and through us.  It entails dying to self and living for God and for others.  It means observing His commandments. “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.”  It also entails sacrificing our lives for others as Jesus said, “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”  This is easier said than done.  Although we claim we love God and our fellowmen, it is never easy to die to self and to give ourselves totally to God and to our fellowmen in altruistic love.  So often, we forget that to be a Christian requires us to bear the crucified Christ in our lives as we live a life of poverty, simplicity, generosity, love and humility.

But how can we claim to be witnesses of His life, death and resurrection if the death and resurrection of Christ is not manifested in our lives?  Clearly, St Matthias the apostle was nominated for election only because he fulfilled the criteria for apostleship, which is someone who has been walking with Jesus, who knew Him personally and most of all, was a witness to His death and resurrection.   If we find ourselves unable to bear witness to His death and resurrection in our lives, we must perhaps inquire how we can receive the grace of transformation and courage to proclaim Jesus, especially in a hostile environment.

PRAYER:Lord give us the grace to make ourselves available for your service,Like St. Matthias we would also be made worthy for your service.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 15: 9-17)
THEME:LOVING THROUGH CHRIST IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A famous Christian once said that preachers should preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I made it a point to pay careful attention to the headlines on newspapers. As always, there were the inevitable stories of sadness. I read of people who engaged in terrorist bombings, gross sexual misconduct, bribery and corruption, human rights violations, ID theft, murder, violent crime, and war.

As I read these things, I recalled today’s gospel reading and thought: "No wonder Jesus had to command us to love!" There’s so much hate and sin in our broken world that there’d be no other way we could begin to love some of these people! In fact, we might even conclude that by commanding us to love people such as these, Jesus is asking us to do the impossible.

However, we need to pay careful attention to what Jesus actually says to us. Before he commands us to love others, he first tells us to "remain" in his love. This is important to remember. Jesus is telling us that it’s in our loving relationship with him that we’ll find the strength to love others- especially those we find most difficult to love. Pope Benedict makes this very point wrote in his encyclical letter, called "God is Love." He said, "No longer is it a question of a ‘commandment’ imposed from without and calling for the impossible, but rather of a freely-bestowed experience from within, a love which by it’s very nature then must be shared with others."

The challenge of today’s gospel, then, is for us to love those people we love to hate. And we all have them, don’t we? Maybe it’s an ex-spouse, a cruel boss, someone who really harmed or hurt us, an Islamist terrorist, a political figure, or somebody from another background or nationality. Or maybe it’s just that annoying person at the office we wish we could just blink and make them go away.

When considering the prospect of loving such people, we might say to Jesus: "Can’t you strike them with lightning first, and then we’ll talk? It’s just not fair! They don’t deserve it! It simply isn’t possible!" And then Jesus looks at us with eyes of love and says, "Yes, it is possible. Because I have first loved you." He’d remind us that he gave his commandment to love the very night he was to be betrayed, and just hours before he was beaten and executed. And he’d ask us to remember that when he hung upon the cross and looked down upon people who hated him, abused him, mocked him, and rejected him, he looked down upon them with eyes of love.

Sometime this week, I encourage you to picture the faces of the people you love to hate in your imagination. Say to these people, "You are worthy of my love." And then pray, "Jesus, help me to love them in the same way you love them." How we do love them will depend upon the circumstances. Maybe we need to forgive them, be kind to them, help them in some way, stop slandering or gossiping about them, have a Mass said for them, or pray that they will be filled with joy and peace.

Think about it: If we loved each other as much as Jesus loves us, the world would be a wonderful, joyful place, wouldn’t it? It would truly be heaven on earth. By loving others as Jesus has commanded us to do, in the same way he loves us, and in the same way as he’s loved by God the Father, we can experience a little bit today what we have been promised to enjoy for all eternity.

Jesus’ words to us today are indeed hard. Yet we cannot ignore them or explain them away or try to look for loopholes, because we won’t find any. We need to try to love the people we love to hate. It will be a struggle. The Lord will use this struggle to remind us of our weakness, and our need for his mercy. And he’ll also use this struggle to remind us of how much he loves us- in spite of how hard to love we might sometimes be.

"Love one another as I have loved you." This is Jesus’ challenge to us. But at the same time, it’s also his good news! It says that such a love is possible, when most of the world doesn’t really believe it is.
PRAYER: Today, let us ask the Lord to make us better and real Christians. As we remember Jesus, let us ask Him to make us better lovers.

THEME:BE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD.
MEDITATION OF THE DAY( Scripture: John 15: 18-21)

The world is not necessarily our friend. In John’s Gospel, the “world” refers to the powers that do not accept the Gospel during the time of Jesus. This same “world” exists today. If we are not careful, we will see the Gospel erode before our eyes until we can no longer distinguish it from the comfort seeking, self-focused world in which we live. We must fight  against this trend whatever the cost may be.

What does Jesus mean when he says "you are not of this world"? The world in scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and opposed to his will. The world rejected Jesus, and his disciples can expect the same treatment. Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the kingdom of darkness. The prophet Isaiah warned that people who separate themselves from God because of their rebellion and spiritual blindness would end up calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
A Christian remains a sign of contradiction to the world, like Jesus, His master.  Jesus made it clear that our thinking, as St Paul said in his letter to Romans, must not conform to the values of the world.  The truth, as Jesus taught, is that we “do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world.” The world, in the context of John and Paul, does not refer to a disdain of what is earthly.  It is the worldly attitudes toward life based on selfishness, individualism and greed that are condemned.  When a person is a slave to the pursuits of pleasure, success, glory and power, disregarding the human values of love, compassion and the virtues, his life is considered worldly.  A Christian’s mind and thinking must always conform to the values of the gospel.

If we want to live in the light of God's truth, how can we rightly distinguish good from evil? True love of God and his ways draw us to all that is lovely, truthful and good. If we truly love God then we will submit to his truth and will for our lives. A friend of God cannot expect to be a friend of the world because the world opposes God. Jesus' demand is unequivocal and without compromise. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We must make a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to please God in all your thoughts, actions, and relationships? Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with the love of God (Romans 5:5).

"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love fill my heart with an eagerness to please you in all things. May there be no rivals to my love and devotion to you who are my all."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 15: 22-31; JN 15:12-17
THEME:UNITY IN ESSENTIALS AS THE WAY TO LOVE

Yesterday, we were told that Jesus came to give us joy, a joy that is complete because it is His own joy.  What then is this joy?  It is the joy of loving unto death.  So great is His love for us that He calls us ‘friends’, because He has made known to us everything He had learnt from His Father.  But most of all, He proved His love when He died for us, for “a man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.”  This, then, is the joy that Jesus was speaking about.  The joy that comes from self-emptying love is the most complete joy that anyone can possibly have.  But we all know that loving each other is not so simple.  All of us want to love but when we live in a community where the members come from different background with varied interests, talents and personalities, such harmonious and fraternal concern is certainly very challenging. This was the reality that confronted the early Christians. With the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles, the early Church was faced with the difficulty of living with the non-Jews who did not observe Jewish customs and sensitivities.  Although the Jews had been converted to Christianity, many of them still could not give up their customs and beliefs.  Consequently, they found themselves discomforted by the behavior and life-style of the non-Jews.  As a result, some tried to impose their Jewish customs on the non-Jewish Christians. Inevitably, this brought about resentment and grievances.

How, then, can we preserve unity and love in community life?  The key to unity in diversity is simply this: distinguish the essentials from the non-essentials. This was the basic principle that guided the apostles and elders in Jerusalem in their decisions.  Whatever guidelines that were given, were motivated by this one principle, namely, that the gentiles should not be saddled “with any burden beyond these essentials.”  In other words, the apostles recognized that there were things that were truly essential and there were practices that were non-essential. Only what was essential were insisted upon. Everything else was negotiable and was not to be imposed on others.

This is certainly a very important and enlightened manner of building community life.  Very often we fight over non-essentials and petty matters.  And the irony of it all is that so often the community breaks up over petty problems rather than over fundamental principles.  This should not be the case as most of our disagreements are over minor issues, e.g. over some secondary rubrics in liturgy; the way we dress, pray and sing; live our lives and over some material needs.

PRAYER: God has made the decision to love us and save us. May we also make the decision to love God and to love others as we share with them the Good News of salvation in Jesus Name.Amen

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 15: 9-11)
THEME:FINDING JOY IN KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS


In the Gospel today, Jesus admonishes His disciples to live out concretely their intentions of loving Him. How? By living out His commandments. This is a continuous challenge of the Easter season. As I sit here writing out this reflection, I feel the weight of this Christian obligation. I remember once reading, “The Word was made flesh, not ink.” What I type here will soon be printed in ink. People will read these reflections. For me, it is a continuous summon not to confine my personal discipleship to the beautiful words I’m punching on my computer keyboards.
Jesus now tells us that love is the heart of the matter. We must all remain in the love of God if we are truly to become His disciples. The processes of conversion and discipleship all make much more sense when we consider them from within the context of God’s love for us. And when we remain in God’s love, we will be better able to love one another.
Christian discipleship is inseparable from obedience. Do you follow only those commands which do not exact much from you?

Once, a not-so-good-looking man visited a photographer known to be very good in his trade. He had his picture taken and instructed the photographer to make him look good. After the session, the photographer gave him his portrait and true enough it was a very beautiful picture. He proudly showed it to his friend. After looking at the picture, his friend exclaimed, “You look so handsome in this photo, it doesn’t look like you!”
Isn’t it true that sometimes we can say beautiful things in our prayers to the Lord yet our actions show the reverse? So much so that when the Lord hears our words and compares it with our actions, He would say, “What you said is very beautiful... It doesn’t seem like you.”

Today, express your desire of loving the Lord. Put flesh to the words you read printed in ink. Let us make sure that when the Lord listens to our beautiful words and compares them with our actions, He will not say, “You say so many beautiful things, they don’t seem like you.”

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, may I abound in hope, joy, and love. Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for my neighbor. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 15:1-6; JN 15:1-8 )
THEME:BEING PRUNED IN FAITH THROUGH THE WORD AND THE BODY OF CHRIST.

In our spiritual life, it is important that we realize that faith in Christ is only the beginning of salvation. This is because salvation entails that we become more and more Christ in our life. The truth is that although all of us are baptized in Christ, we have yet to become Christ in our lives.  Most of us still have much residues of sin in us.  We know very well that human beings are not robots.  We do not change overnight.  The grace of God does not destroy human nature.  More often than not, God’s grace will work slowly and gradually, transforming us into more and more like Christ.  Thus, as Jesus tells us in the gospel, we need to be pruned.  Even though some of us might be bearing fruit, we need to be pruned further so that we can bear even more.

This was certainly the case of the early Christians as well.  Today, we read in the first reading how some members of the Pharisees who were converted to Christianity insisted that the Gentles who would became believers must be circumcised and be instructed to keep the Law of Moses or else they could not be saved.  Yes, the Jewish Christians still could not let go of their old yeast, their Jewish traditions, even when they became Christians.  Not only did they still want to cling to their old and past traditions but they wanted to impose them on others.  Of course, they did it in good will, believing that observing the Mosaic Laws were necessary for salvation.  But we will find out later that they were mistaken, because the basis of Christian salvation is not founded on observance of the Traditions of Moses but on the grace of Jesus Christ. They, like us, also need to grow in faith, in understanding and in authentic love.

How then can we be pruned so that our faith will become purer, more authentic and liberating? Pruning requires that we keep in constant union with Jesus since Jesus is the vine and we are His branches.  It is only by remaining in Him that we can bear fruit in plenty. Indeed, as Jesus tells us in today’s gospel, we become truly His disciples only when we are in union with Him.  And that is not all, He also promised us that when we become identified with Him, we will bear fruit and all that we ask we shall get, since we will only pray and ask in the mind of Christ which is the mind of God.  In other words, if our prayers and our lives bear fruit, it is because being grafted onto Christ, He will work in and through us.

But how can we maintain our union with Jesus so that we can be pruned to become more and more like Him? The first way of pruning of course is to deepen our personal prayer life.  This deepening of our prayer life entails first and foremost an assimilation of His word.  He told His disciples, “You are pruned already by means of the word that I have spoken to you.”  Yes, it is by being in contact with the Word, praying, reflecting and meditating on the Word of God, which is Jesus Himself, that we become enlightened in the truth.
PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, may I be one with you in all that I say and do. Draw me close that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your kingdom. Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything that would make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving you as my all."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 14: 27-31)
THEME:FINDING PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Reading today’s Gospel passage, we might be tempted to ask, “Wasn’t Jesus fooling His disciples when He promised to give them peace?” Didn’t they all get the opposite of peace — namely trouble, rejection, persecution and eventually a cruel death? Just read today’s First Reading about some of St. Paul’s very bad experiences on one of his missionary journeys. Wasn’t St. Paul more honest when he told his newly converted Christians, “We all have to experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God”? What did Jesus mean when He promised peace? That He did not mean what we understand as peace becomes clear when we listen well to what He said next, “My peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give.”
In the Bible, peace never means simply the absence of trouble. It means something that is good for a person, even if it means trouble. The peace which the world offers is very often a peace of compromise, a peace which comes from avoiding trouble and from refusing to face difficulties. The peace which Jesus offers is different. He Himself faced trouble, persecution and even death. And He was aware that His followers also would experience similar difficulties because they would go into a hostile world and proclaim values opposite to those of the world. Confrontation would be unavoidable.
What Jesus promised His disciples – and us – is an inner peace that is so profound that no trouble and problem could disturb. It is grounded in the assurance of the Lord’s love and constant presence. When I was a child and felt afraid of the dark, all fear was gone when my mother accompanied me. It is the same inner peace that gives the strength to face problems in life.
Pagans were puzzled when they saw Christians being tortured and then dying with a song of praise on their lips. If our troubles disturb us, it might mean we have to deepen our trust in the Lord’s presence.

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, may your peace be always with me. May no circumstance, trouble, or vexation rob me of the peace which passes all understanding. You, alone, O Lord, are my Peace. May I always reside in that peace by believing your word and by doing your will.”

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(SCRIPTURE READINGS: ACTS 14:5-18; JOHN 14:21-26)
THEME:GOD WANTS TO MAKE HIS HOME IN US  

In the gospel today, Jesus promises us that, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.”   This is indeed a wonderful promise from God.  Our Christian dignity is not merely that we are human beings and therefore have human rights, but more because we are people whom God chooses to dwell within.  Indeed, it is unthinkable that we are called to be the dwelling place of God.  But this promise is real as we read how the apostles were mistaken as gods.

After healing a crippled man from birth, Paul was mistaken with Barnabas as the manifestation of the Greek gods.  They called Barnabas, Zeus and Paul, Hermes.   So amazed were they at the power of Paul to heal that even the priests of Zeus proposed “that all the people should offer sacrifice with them, brought garlanded oxen to the gates.”  And in spite of their objections, the people still worshipped them.  In fact, they were shocked as they said, “’Friends, what do you think you are doing? We are only human beings like you. We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that these hold.”  But we read, “Even this speech, however, was scarcely enough to stop the crowd offering them sacrifice.”

We can understand the concerns of Paul and Barnabas.  They knew that there was only one true God and being strict monotheists, it was unspeakable and a great heresy to accept such homage from the people.  Clearly, they knew that they were not the ones who healed the crippled man but the Lord Jesus.  That is why the psalmist says, “Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory because of your mercy, because of your truth.”  Only God is the Lord and there is no other.  What the people of Lystra saw was the power of God working through Paul.  As a result, they mistook them for the Greek gods.  How could such a thing happen?  We can learn three lessons from today’s scripture readings.

Firstly, if the apostles were mistaken for gods, it was because they themselves had surrendered to the Lord Jesus that indeed, God dwelt in them.  That is what Jesus promises us too.  He said, “Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.”   To be effective proclaimers of God’s love and mercy, it is important that we are channels of God’s love and mercy by living a holy and righteous life.  This is the case of many holy men and women who have given their hearts and souls to God.  Whenever we surrender ourselves to God, He will work wonders in our lives.  Even Mother Teresa is recognized as the incarnation of God by many Hindus in India because of her holiness, displayed in a life of obedience, faith and love for God and for humanity.

Secondly, if the pagans perceived them to be gods for healing the crippled one, it was because they have not encountered the Lord Jesus yet.  Believing that only God can do what Paul did, they came to conclude that he must be one of the gods living in their midst.  Many people are seeking to see the power and presence of God in their midst especially when we live in a world of technology where God is either dead or redundant.  Man thinks that technology is the new savior of the world.  Our task as Christians is to lead people into a personal encounter with the Risen Lord.  Unless people encounter the personal presence of the Risen Lord, they cannot give their lives to Him.

However, in the process, we must avoid falling into the trap of being worshipped and idolized.  Sometimes, we can get carried away by our success in ministry work.  We unconsciously or secretly think that success is due to our talents and hard work.  Instead of giving glory to God, we become proud and arrogant.  Instead of drawing people to God, we end up drawing people to ourselves.  That is why we must ask ourselves if we are truly drawing people to God, or are we happy to simply draw people to ourselves in ministry work?  We feel great when people compliment us.  Do we feel great instead because lives are changed and people have come to know the Lord?  Like John the Baptist, we must decrease and let Christ increase.  Like the apostles, we must consciously help our people to focus on Jesus rather than on ourselves.  When people are over-dependent on us, we are doing them a disfavor because we cannot be around always.  That is why we must give them Jesus instead who will dwell in them, and make His home in them.

Thirdly, if we truly want to bear fruit in our ministry and in our lives, we need to become the dwelling place of God more and more.  This is not possible without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.  We know that we can be in union with Jesus and His Father only by a spiritual reading of the Word of God and by living the values in our lives.  In loving Jesus, the Father will come to dwell in us in the Holy Spirit.  But both the work of contemplation of the Word of God and putting them into practice is not possible without the help of the Holy Spirit.  That is why we must consciously turn to the Holy Spirit for His help as Jesus said, “I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.”  So let us in the Holy Spirit come to know Jesus more deeply and through Him, come to the Father.  In this way the promise of Jesus is fulfilled because the Father and the Son come to live in us in the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  Truly, “if anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.”

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, in love you created me and you drew me to yourself. May I never lose sight of you nor forget your steadfast love and faithfulness. And may I daily dwell upon your word and give you praise in the sanctuary of my heart, You who are my All."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 15: 1-
THEME:ARE YOU THREATENED OR ENCOURAGED?

Why does Jesus speak of himself as the true vine? The image of the vine was a rich one for the Jews since the land of Israel was covered with numerous vineyards. It had religious connotations to it as well. Isaiah spoke of the house of Israel as “the vineyard of the Lord” (Isaiah 5:7). Jeremiah said that God had planted Israel “as his choice vine” (Jeremiah 2:21). While the vine became a symbol of Israel as a nation, it also was used in the scriptures as a sign of degeneration. Isaiah’s prophecy spoke of Israel as a vineyard which “yielded wild grapes” (see Isaiah 5:1-7). Jeremiah said that Israel had become a “degenerate and wild vine” (Jeremiah 2:21). When Jesus calls himself the true vine he makes clear that no one can claim their spiritual inheritance through association with a particular people or bloodline. Rather, it is only through Jesus Christ that one can become grafted into the true “vineyard of the Lord”.
 
Jesus offers true life – the abundant life which comes from God and which results in great fruitfulness. How does the vine become fruitful? The vinedresser must carefully prune the vine before it can bear good fruit. Vines characteristically have two kinds of branches – those which bear fruit and those which don’t. The non-bearing branches must be carefully pruned back in order for the vine to conserve its strength for bearing good fruit. Jesus used this image to describe the kind of life he produces in those who are united with him – the fruit of “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Jesus says there can be no fruit in our lives apart from him. The fruit he speaks of here is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).
 
There is a simple truth here: We are either fruit-bearing or non-fruit-bearing. There is no in-between. But the bearing of healthy fruit requires drastic pruning. The Lord promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him and allow him to purify us. Do you trust in the Lord's abiding presence with you?

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, may I be one with you in all that I say and do. Draw me close that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your kingdom. Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything that would make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving you as my All."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 14: 1-6)
THEME:JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER, WHO IS THE GOAL OF HISTORY

Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God's peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter trouble and difficulties we find hard to endure. Jesus knew his disciples would have to face trials and persecution after he left them to return to his Father in heaven. Adversity can make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it can press us closer to God and to his promises. "It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:. Just as God went ahead of the Israelites in the wilderness to lead them safely to the promised land, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going ahead to prepare a place for them in God's house – a place of refuge, peace, and security, and everlasting happiness. God's house is never closed nor crowded – there is plenty of room for everyone who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The greatest fear in this present life – whether it be the separation and loss of life to a loved one or the threat to one's own life – is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him and the Father in their heavenly home with a great company of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
 
Do you know the way to the Father's house? Jesus expected his disciples to know where he was going and what their ultimate destination would be as well. Thomas, who was both a doubter and a realist, spoke for all the disciples when he said, "we neither know where you are going nor how we shall get there on our own?"  If you have never been to another land or traveled down an unfamiliar road, you naturally want to know what your destination is and how to get there safe and sound. During the middle of the 15 year civil war in Lebanon, at a time when many believers had been isolated and cut off from contact with outside Christians, I attempted to find a way to visit. Since I had never traveled there before, nor spoke the language, I was helpless without a guide. Fortunately a Christian friend from Lebanon met me half-way and personally guided me safely through unfamiliar territory, including some challenging road-blocks and check-points along the way.
 
Jesus knew that his followers could not find the way to the Father in heaven on their own without his help. In fact, that is why the Father sent his Son into the world on a rescue mission to restore those who were lost and without a guide. Jesus made a statement which only God could make and deliver. Jesus proclaimed: I am the Way. Through Moses and the prophets, God promised to guide his people in a "holy way" so they could walk and live in his peace and blessing. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein (Isaiah 35:. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). Teach me your way, O Lord; and lead me on a level path (Psalm 27:11).
 
The Lord Jesus came to fulfill God's promise to bring his people, not simply to a land flowing with milk and honey, but to a restored paradise and new creation where we can dwell with God in perfect peace and unity. That is why Jesus proclaims, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Jesus does not simply give advice and direction. He personally is the Way, and we cannot miss it. Through his life-giving word and Spirit, Jesus leads and guides us personally every day. The Lord Jesus also is the Truth. Many can say, "I have taught you the truth." Only Jesus can say, I am the Truth. Moral truth cannot be conveyed in words alone; it must be conveyed in example. Jesus embodies the truth in his person. Jesus also is the Life. He not only shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the kind of life which only God can give – abundant life which never fails nor ends. Is there any fear or trouble that keeps you from the perfect peace and happiness of a life surrendered to Jesus Christ?
PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the hope of everlasting life with the Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may always know and glorify him."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 13: 16-20)
THEME:"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them

How do you treat those who cause you grief or harm, especially those who are close to you in some way? In his last supper discourse, Jesus addressed the issue of fidelity and disloyalty in relationships. Jesus knew beforehand that one of his own disciples would betray him. Such knowledge could have easily led Jesus to distance himself from such a person and to protect himself from harm's way. Instead, Jesus expresses his love, affection, and loyalty to those who were his own, even to the one he knew would "stab him in the back" when he got the opportunity. Jesus used a quotation from Psalm 4:9 which describes an act of treachery by one's closest friend. In the culture of Jesus' day, to eat bread with someone was a gesture of friendship and trust. Jesus extends such friendship to Judas right at the moment when Judas is conspiring to betray his master. The expression lift his heel against me reinforces the brute nature of this act of violent rejection.
 
Jesus loved his disciples to the end and proved his faithfulness to them even to death on the cross. Through his death and resurrection Jesus opened a new way of relationship and friendship with God. Jesus tells his disciples that if they accept him they also accept the Father who sent him. This principle extends to all who belong to Christ and who speak in his name. To accept the Lord's messenger is to accept Jesus himself. The great honor and the great responsibility a Christian has is to stand in the world for Jesus Christ. As his disciples and ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20), we are called to speak for him and to act on his behalf.  Are you ready to stand for Jesus at the cross of humiliation, rejection, opposition, and suffering?

PRAYER:"Eternal God, who are the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you; grant us so to know you, that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom, in Jesus our Lord." (Prayer of Saint Augustine)

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 12: 44-50)
THEME:God does not leave us in spiritual darkness – in our ignorance and unbelief.

What kind of darkness does Jesus warn us to avoid? It is the darkness of unbelief and rejection – not only of the Son who came into the world to save it – but rejection of the Father who offers us healing and reconciliation through his Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ last public discourse before his death and resurrection (according to John’s Gospel), Jesus speaks of himself as the light of the world. In the scriptures light is associated with God's truth and life. Psalm 27 exclaims, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Just as natural light exposes the darkness and reveals what is hidden, so God's word enables those with eyes of faith to perceive the hidden truths of God's kingdom. Our universe could not exist without light – and no living thing could be sustained without it. Just as natural light produces warmth and energy – enabling seed to sprout and living things to grow – in like manner, God's light and truth enables us to grow in the life he offers us. Jesus' words produce life – the very life of God – within those who receive it with faith.
 
To see Jesus is to see God. To hear his words is to hear the voice of God. He is the very light of God that has power to overcome the darkness of sin, ignorance, and unbelief. God's light and truth brings healing, pardon, and transformation. This light is not only for the chosen people of Israel, but for the whole world as well.  Jesus warns that if we refuse his word or take it lightly, we choose to remain in spiritual darkness. Jesus made it clear that he did not come to condemn us, but rather to bring abundant life and freedom from the oppression of sin, Satan, and a world opposed to God's way of life. We condemn ourselves when we reject God's word of truth, life, and wisdom. It is one thing to live in ignorance due to lack of knowledge and understanding, but another thing to disdain the very source of truth who is Christ Jesus, the Word of God sent from the Father. Jesus says that his word – which comes from the Father and produces eternal life in us – will be our judge. Do you believe that God's word has power to set you free from sin and ignorance and to transform your life in his way of holiness?
 
God does not leave us in spiritual darkness – in our ignorance and unbelief. He gives light, wisdom, and grace to all who seek him and hunger for his word. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he helps us to grow daily in faith, knowledge, and understanding of his word. Do you want to know more of God and his transforming love? Look to Jesus, the Light of God, and in his truth you will find joy, freedom, and wholeness of mind, body and soul.

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, in your word I find life, truth, and freedom. May I never doubt your word or forget your commandments. Increase my love for your word that I may embrace it fully in my life."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Genesis 1:26-2:3)
THEME:God,give success to the work of our hands.

Since May 1, 1886, this day has become a day of political demonstrations and celebrations organized by labor unions and other groups. It became a celebration of the international labor movement and left-wing movements that organized street demonstrations and marches by the working class. Red flags during these demonstrations indicated a strong Communist influence.
In response to the growing number of “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955.
Labor, the Church teaches, is not punishment for the sin of the first parents, but cooperation with God’s ongoing creative activity in the world.
Work, therefore, belongs to the dignity of man because it makes him a collaborator with God. We find dignity in our work, in raising a family, in participating in God’s creative activity. If we would see our work as such, it would become less boring and more fulfilling.
Sometimes it is difficult to do the right thing especially if it will disadvantage you or your business. However, we all have a moral duty to pay a just wage to our employees as a way of respecting their dignity as human beings. Let us pray for the conviction to protect human dignity in every way we possibly can.
As we remember today the plight of the working class throughout the world, the Church reminds us that all men and women have been created in God’s image and likeness. Work with a just wage is an inherent part of the dignity of the human person. The Church must never shrink from proclaiming to the world this truth and the truth of the dignity of the human person.
How do you regard your work? Do you do it gladly or do you feel forced and burdened by it?

PRAYER:Lord, I am glad to realize that You, too, worked hard when You were growing up. Make me realize more the dignity of my work and so find fulfillment in it.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Acts 11:1-19)
THEME:You were a guest in the home of uncircumcised Gentiles, and you even ate with them!” – Acts 11:3

In the Scripture today the Christian Jews seemed to be making a mountain out of a molehill when they criticized Peter.
We can feel the acidity of those words directed at Peter - So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?
It can be rather awkward and embarrassing that such words and attitudes are recorded in our Holy Bible about how some members of the Church were behaving.
Yet the Church is human and she has never denied it. So there will be times when the slanted and crooked and ugly human behaviour surfaces.
Yet Peter did not become defensive or retaliated. Rather he recounted a spiritual experience and a divine revelation for him.
And in the end, that account satisfied them and they gave glory to God.
So the Church is not just human. It is human as well as divine, because Jesus who is the Head of the Church is human as well as divine.
Peter needs an intervention from God to be convinced that the Gospel is truly meant for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. This radical idea, present in the ministry of Jesus but never explicitly stated in an unequivocal manner, is one we have to be grateful for as we would never have received the Gospel without it. We need to remember that our evangelical activity must include presenting and proclaiming the truths of the Gospel to all men and women. If they choose to reject it, that is their choice. It is our duty and responsibility to make sure we proclaim it to those God places before us.

PEAYER:Lord Jesus, help me to see the great big harvest for Your kingdom before me! and may our humanity be always in union with the divinity, so that we won't make mountains out of molehills, but let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and give glory and thanks to Him.Since God has chosen to use us to bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it.AMEN

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture:  John 10:11-18)
THEME:Are you willing to lay down your life for the Lord in religious, married or single life?

Today the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday. The readings refer to the Good Shepherd, a popular and well-loved image. It is also celebrated as Vocation Sunday where we are encouraged to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life. The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him. Let us pray this day for followers of the Good Shepherd who imitate Him by giving their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
The Father loves Jesus since He lays down His life for His sheep. The Father loves us all, but He is especially drawn to the man and woman who seek a life of loving service. Jesus tells us that He lays His life down freely. His will is completely surrendered to the will of the Father. He knows the Father gives Him power to lay it down and take it up. This is the power of the Resurrection.
By virtue of our baptism, we are called to lay down our life for service in the Kingdom of God. Many are called but few are chosen to the religious life and the call to priesthood. We live in a world that is very egocentric — all about me. The one who follows the Lord as priest or religious is swimming against the tide of the world. So many things claim the attention of the youth today to distract them and turn them away from serving God. So, when we witness and hear a call to the religious life, we are amazed at what the Lord, the Good Shepherd, can achieve in weak human beings whose hearts are open to Him. His is the power at work in them, offering their lives to the glory of His name. Countless men and women have served the Lord in this way. Still the Lord calls His people.
Let us pray for vocations. Let us especially call to mind those whom we know or whom we should approach to discover the call of God in their lives. Perhaps they are waiting to be asked. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation to consider a call to religious life.It could happen to you. Be open.

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over our lives. May I be ever attentive to your voice and submit fully to your wise rule for my life.  Draw me near to you that I may always find peace and joy in your presence.”

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture John 6:60-69)
THEME: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Why do some find it easy and others find it hard 
to accept the claims which Jesus made? Many were attracted to Jesus because 
he offered them something irresitible – a visible sign of God's mercy and 
favor which Jesus demonstrated in his wonderful works of healing, deliverance, 
and the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Many stumbled, however, 
when Jesus made claims which only God can make. Jesus' discourse on "eating 
his flesh and drinking his blood" (see John 6:51-59) which pointed 
to the Last Supper, caused offence to many of his followers. Jesus claimed 
to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God given to us as spiritual 
food to sustain us on our journey to the promised land of heaven. Jesus 
did not leave any middle ground for his hearers. They must either accept 
his word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the apostles 
admitted that this was a "hard saying". This expression meant that it was 
not just hard to understand, but hard to accept. Jesus pressed the issue 
with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty. 
Jesus promised his disciples nothing less than the full blessing of eternal 
life and union with God. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly 
Father who invites and who gives the grace to follow even in the "hard 
sayings". Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, 
but would do so with hatred and violence, even betraying him to his enemies. 
Real faith is not blind nor ignorant. It seeks understanding. That is 
why God gives us the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of 
our mind to understand his truth and wisdom (Ephesians 1:17-18). Jesus 
offers his life-giving word and Spirit to those who believe in him and 
who obey his word. Peter’s profession of faith and loyalty was based on 
a personal relationship with Jesus. His belief was not simply based on 
what he knew about Jesus. He believed in Jesus because he knew that when 
Jesus spoke God spoke – when Jesus acted God acted. Through the gift of 
faith Peter came to understand that Jesus was the true Messiah, the Holy 
One of God. He believed in the words which Jesus spoke, because he accepted 
Jesus as the Son of God and savior of the world. Faith is a personal response 
to God's revelation of himself to us. Faith is the key to understanding 
and experiencing God's action and work in our personal lives. Do you believe, 
as Peter did, that Jesus can change your life because he has the words 
of everlasting life? Ask the Lord to increase your faith that you may 
grow in your relationship with him and in the knowledge of his love for 
you. 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. Help me to cast 
aside doubt and fear and to embrace your word with trust and joy. I surrender 
my life to you.  Be the Lord and master of my heart, my will, my thoughts 
and all my actions. May there be nothing which keeps me from you and your 
love."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture John 6:60-69)
THEME: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Why do some find it easy and others find it hard 
to accept the claims which Jesus made? Many were attracted to Jesus because 
he offered them something irresitible – a visible sign of God's mercy and 
favor which Jesus demonstrated in his wonderful works of healing, deliverance, 
and the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Many stumbled, however, 
when Jesus made claims which only God can make. Jesus' discourse on "eating 
his flesh and drinking his blood" (see John 6:51-59) which pointed 
to the Last Supper, caused offence to many of his followers. Jesus claimed 
to be the bread of heaven, the very life of God given to us as spiritual 
food to sustain us on our journey to the promised land of heaven. Jesus 
did not leave any middle ground for his hearers. They must either accept 
his word as divine or reject it as the claim of an imposter. Even the apostles 
admitted that this was a "hard saying". This expression meant that it was 
not just hard to understand, but hard to accept. Jesus pressed the issue 
with his beloved disciples because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty. 
Jesus promised his disciples nothing less than the full blessing of eternal 
life and union with God. Jesus assures his disciples that it is his heavenly 
Father who invites and who gives the grace to follow even in the "hard 
sayings". Jesus knew that some would not only reject him and his word, 
but would do so with hatred and violence, even betraying him to his enemies. 
Real faith is not blind nor ignorant. It seeks understanding. That is 
why God gives us the help of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of 
our mind to understand his truth and wisdom (Ephesians 1:17-18). Jesus 
offers his life-giving word and Spirit to those who believe in him and 
who obey his word. Peter’s profession of faith and loyalty was based on 
a personal relationship with Jesus. His belief was not simply based on 
what he knew about Jesus. He believed in Jesus because he knew that when 
Jesus spoke God spoke – when Jesus acted God acted. Through the gift of 
faith Peter came to understand that Jesus was the true Messiah, the Holy 
One of God. He believed in the words which Jesus spoke, because he accepted 
Jesus as the Son of God and savior of the world. Faith is a personal response 
to God's revelation of himself to us. Faith is the key to understanding 
and experiencing God's action and work in our personal lives. Do you believe, 
as Peter did, that Jesus can change your life because he has the words 
of everlasting life? Ask the Lord to increase your faith that you may 
grow in your relationship with him and in the knowledge of his love for 
you. 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you have the words of everlasting life. Help me to cast 
aside doubt and fear and to embrace your word with trust and joy. I surrender 
my life to you.  Be the Lord and master of my heart, my will, my thoughts 
and all my actions. May there be nothing which keeps me from you and your 
love."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(scripture Acts 9:1-20)
THEME:The power of a personal encounter with God cannot be underestimated.

The scripture today is about one of the most dramatic conversions in the Bible. Luke recalls the story of Paul’s conversion with vivid and precise details. People are astounded by the change in his life. Even the holy Ananias, sent to heal him, has trouble believing the event. The one who once persecuted Jesus’ followers becomes one of His greatest advocates.
Saul, on his way to carry out the arrest of the followers of the Way, (the name of the first Christians), is stopped by a blinding light. He falls to the ground and, turning blind, he hears the voice crying out to him. His sight is restored through the intercession of Ananias and life is never the same again for Paul. We read a number of letters written by Paul speaking of his love, faithfulness and commitment to the Christ he once persecuted.
Most of us will experience “little conversions” that help us develop and grow in our faith. Conversion takes place when we are captured by the love of God. Our whole attitude towards life changes. We are drawn to serve the Lord, to pray and to carry out His will more fervently in our life. We remember that decisive moment in our lives where we proclaimed with truth and conviction: Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Savior of my life. I live for Him alone. I love Him. I will serve Him.
Conversion takes place in all areas of our lives: intellectual, spiritual, emotional and psychological. All these aspects are in the conversion of Paul. He had to change his whole way of thinking. He had to revisit Scripture, seeing them in the culmination of the Christ Event (i.e., Jesus’ death and resurrection). His emotions underwent conversion as he grappled with the mystery of God hidden in Christ. Saul learned to accept that the Way he once persecuted was truly the Way of the Lord, the God of Israel, in bringing salvation to the world.
Most often, our conversion will be a little less dramatic than Paul. Nevertheless, God still calls us and challenges us to accept His will and follow Him.

PRAYER:Grant me, Lord, a change of heart and mind like Paul that I might love You and follow You more all the days of my life. Amen.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 6:44-51)
THEME:If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever

God offers his people abundant life, but we can miss it. What is the bread of life which Jesus offers? It is first of all the life of God himself – life which sustains us not only now in this age but also in the age to come. The Rabbis said that the generation in the wilderness have no part in the life to come. In the Book of Numbers it is recorded that the people who refused to brave the dangers of the promised land were condemned to wander in the wilderness until they died. The Rabbis believed that the father who missed the promised land also missed the life to come. God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness with manna from heaven. This bread foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers.
 
Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The manna from heaven prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper which Jesus gave to his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice. The manna in the wilderness sustained the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. It could not produce eternal life for the Israelites. The bread which Jesus offers his disciples sustains us not only on our journey to the heavenly paradise, it gives us the abundant supernatural life of God which sustains us for all eternity. When we receive from the Lord’s table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood and partakers of his divine life. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D.) calls it the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (Ad Eph. 20,2). This supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward.
 
Jesus offers us the abundant supernatural life of heaven itself – but we can miss it or even refuse it. To refuse Jesus is to refuse eternal life, unending life with the Heavenly Father. To accept Jesus as the bread of heaven is not only life and spiritual nourishment for this world but glory in the world to come. When you approach the Table of the Lord, what do you expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and rest for your soul? The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist or Lord's Supper is an intimate union with Christ. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ. Do you hunger for the "bread of life"?

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you are the living bread which sustains me in this life. May I always hunger for the bread which comes from heaven and find in it the nourishment and strength I need to love and serve you wholeheartedly. May I always live in the joy, peace, and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and in the age to come."

MEDITATION OF THEBDAY(Scripture: Mark 16:15-20)
THEME:: How can you advance the Gospel in your life? Mark has set an example. What can you do to complete it.
St. Mark, whose feast we celebrate today, was not one of the apostles.
Nonetheless, he was one of the disciples of St. Peter, and he was mentioned in the 1st reading as a "spiritual son" of St. Peter.
He could also possibly be one of the followers of Jesus and later on became a disciple of St. Peter and he eventually wrote the account of the life and ministry of Jesus, which became one of the gospels of the Church.
In his gospel, St. Mark captured the core and essence of the ministry and message of Jesus.
As we heard it in the gospel, and what is often called the "Great Commissioning", the way St. Mark puts it across straight and sharp in just a few words.
"Go out, proclaim the Good News, believe or be condemned, cast out devils, work signs and miracles, heal the sick".
As we hear this, we might be thinking - proclaim the Good News sounds ok, healing the sick sounds ok, work signs and miracles ... hmmm ... cast out devils ...
Well, the gospel is not a supermarket for us to pick and choose whatever we like.
It is one whole message; it's either we take all or we lose all.
To understand and accept the Good News and the commissioning of Jesus, we need to "Go out" like St. Mark did.
Because when we are out there, and there is no dependency and certainty but Jesus Himself, then we will truly experience the power of the Good News and become true disciples of Jesus Christ.

“You know that our Lord does not look at the greatness or difficulty of our action, but at the love with which you do it.” (St. Therese of Lisieux)
 
We are all called to share in the work of the Gospel. The words of Jesus commissioning His disciples are words applicable to us as well. It is important for us to reflect on them and take them into the depths of our hearts so that we will not only be convinced they are for us but that we will act upon them as well.

PRAYER:“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 6:30-35)
THEME:Yes, witnessing for Christ is as personal as that - to be the bread of life for others.

Do you hunger for the bread of life? The Jews had always regarded the mana in the wilderness as the bread of God (Psalm 78:24, Exodus 16:15). There was a strong Rabbinic belief that when the Messiah came he would give manna from heaven. This was the supreme work of Moses. Now the Jewish leaders were demanding that Jesus produce manna from heaven as proof to his claim to be the Messiah. Jesus responds by telling them that it was not Moses who gave the manna, but God. And the manna given to Moses and the people was not the real bread from heaven, but only a symbol of the bread to come.
 
Jesus then makes the claim which only God can make: I am the bread of life. The bread which Jesus offers is none else than the very life of God. This is the true bread which can truly satisfy the hunger in our hearts. The manna from heaven prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper which Jesus gave to his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice. The manna in the wilderness sustained the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. It could not produce eternal life for the Israelites. The bread which Jesus offers his disciples sustains us not only on our journey to the heavenly paradise, it gives us the abundant supernatural life of God which sustains us both now and for all eternity. When we receive from the Lord’s table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood and partakers of his divine life. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D.) calls it the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (Ad Eph. 20,2). This supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward. Do you hunger for God and for the food which produces everlasting life?

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the bread of life. You alone can satisfy the hunger in my heart. May I always find in you, the true bread from heaven, the source of life and nourishment I need to sustain me on my journey to the promised land of heaven."

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MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture: John 6:22-29)
THEME:Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.

What do you most hunger for – wealth, peace, health, love, the good life? Jesus addressed this issue with those who sought him after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves. Were they simply hungry for things which satisfy the body or for that which satisfies the heart and soul? Jesus echoes the question posed by the prophet Isaiah: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy" (Isaiah 55:2)? There are two kinds of hunger – physical and spiritual. Only God can satisfy the hunger in our heart and soul – the hunger for truth, for life, and for love.

Jesus also spoke about the works of God and what we must do to be doing the works of God, namely to believe in God's Son whom he has sent into the world. Jesus offers a new relationship with God which issues in a new kind of life: A life of love and service, and the forgiveness of others which corresponds to God's mercy and kindness; a life of holiness and purity which corresponds to God's holiness; and a life of submission and trust which corresponds to the wisdom of God. This is the work which Jesus directs us to and enables us to perform in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you hunger for the bread which comes down from heaven and thirst for the words of everlasting life?

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing and hunger in our hearts. May I always hunger for the imperishable bread, that I may be satisfied in you alone as the True Bread of Heaven. Nourish and strengthen me that I may serve you with great joy, generosity, and zeal all the days of my life."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(John 3:31-36)
Do you hunger for the true life which God offers through the gift of his Holy Spirit? The Jews understood that God gave a certain portion of his Spirit to his prophets. When Elijah was about to depart for heaven, his servant Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Jesus tells his disciples that they can believe the words he speaks because God the Father has poured his Spirit on him in full measure, without keeping anything back. The function of the Holy Spirit is to reveal God's truth to us. When we receive the Holy Spirit he enables us to recognize and understand God's truth. Jesus is the Word of God and he gives us his Holy Spirit so that we can recognize his truth and live according to it.
 
God's truth has consequences and he gives us the freedom to choose how we will respond. The choice he gives us has eternal consequences – everlasting life or everlasting death. God challenged his people in the Old Covenant: "See I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ...I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). And he issues the same challenge to the people of the New Covenant today. Do you weigh the consequences of your choices? Do they lead you towards life or towards death? If you choose to obey God's voice and to do his will, then you will know and experience that life which comes from God himself. If you choose to follow your own way apart from God and his will, then you choose for death – a spiritual death which poisons and then kills the soul until there is nothing left but an empty person devoid of love, truth, goodness, purity, peace, and joy. Do your choices lead you towards God or away from God?

PRSYER:"Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that I may choose life – abundant life in you and with you. And give me the courage and strength to always discern good from evil and to reject everything that is false and contrary to your holy will."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(John 3:16-21)
THEME:The Unfailing Redemptive Love of God

Do you know the love which surpasses all else? A true lover holds nothing back but gives the best that can be offered, even everything in their possession for the beloved. God proved his love for us by giving us the best he had to offer – his only begotten Son who freely gave himself as an offering to God for our sake and as the atoning sacrifice for our sin and the sin of the world. Abraham's willing sacrifice of his only son, Isaac prefigures the perfect offering and sacrifice of God's beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage in the gospel of John tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created. God is a loving Father who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine says, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love.
 
Jesus shows us the paradox of love and judgment. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God's truth, beauty, and goodness. If our love is guided by what is true, and good and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer. Do you love God above all else? Does he take first place in your life, in your thoughts, and actions?
 
PRAYER:"Lord Jesus Christ, your love is better than life itself. May your love consume and transform my life that I may desire you above all else. Help me to love what you love, to desire what you desire, and to reject what you reject."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(John 3:1-
Do you nourish your faith with prayerful reflection of the word of God? When Nicodemus heard about Jesus' miracles and extraordinary teaching, he decided to meet with him privately, away from the crowds and the public spotlight. Nicodemus was no ordinary Jew. He was a religious ruler and member of the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme court of the Jews, and a teacher of Israel (John 3:10). He was a devout Pharisee who sought to perfectly follow the law of Moses, as prescribed in the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Numbers) and further elaborated in the numerous scribal laws, recorded in the Mishnah and the Talmud. Nicodemus decided to meet with Jesus at night, possibly for two reasons. He may have been cautious and  not ready to publicly associate himself with Jesus since many Pharisees opposed Jesus' teaching and called him a Sabbath breaker. It is also likely that Nicodemus chose the night as the best time for seeking a private and undisturbed conversation with Jesus. The rabbis declared that the best time to study the law was at night after the day's work was completed and the household was at rest. When Nicodemus saw Jesus he addressed him as rabbi (a teacher of God's word and law) and acknowledge that Jesus' teaching came from God.
 
Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus went to the very heart of the Mosaic law - how can one get right with God and enter God's kingdom? Jesus' answer was brief and startling: "Unless one is born anew, he cannot see God." The new birth which Jesus spoke about was not a physical birth but the beginning of a spiritual birth which is something completely new and radical, and from above, namely from God himself.  Jesus said that this rebirth was necessary if one was to enter God's kingdom. Nicodemus thought that to be born again, even spiritually, was impossible. He probably knew too well from experience that anyone who wants to be changed, can't change himself. Jesus explained that this change could only come about through the work and action of the Holy Spirit. This rebirth in the Spirit is very real and experiential, like the wind which can be felt and heard while it is visibly unseen to the naked eye.
 
What does it mean to be reborn in the Spirit? The  new birth Jesus speaks of is a spiritual birth to a new life and experiential relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters (Romans 6:4; 8:10-11). This new birth is made possible when one is baptized into Christ and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. God wants to renew all his people in the gift of new life in his Holy Spirit. This new life brings us into God's kingdom and heavenly way of life. What is God's kingdom? God's kingdom is that society of men and women who acknowledge God as their Lord and who live according to his will on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). To be reborn is to enter that society in which God is honored and obeyed, to live as citizens of heaven and members of God's family – his sons and daughters, and to enter into possession of that life which comes from God himself, a never-ending life of love, peace, joy, and freedom from sin and the fear of death. Do you know the joy and freedom of new life in Jesus Christ?
 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus Christ, you offer us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Renew in me the gift of faith and new life in your Holy Spirit. Help me to draw near to you and to believe in your life-giving word. May your kingdom come and may your will be done in my life today, tomorrow, and always."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Mark 16:9-15)
The first to see the risen Lord was not Peter or 
one of the apostles, but a woman noted for her demonized living! She had 
been forgiven much, and loved her Master greatly. She was first at the 
tomb to pay her respects. Unfortunately for the disciples, they would not 
believe her account of the Risen Master. Jesus had to scold his apostles 
because of their unbelief and stubborn hearts. Are you like the apostles 
or like Mary – slow to believe or quick to run to Jesus? Do you doubt because 
you do not see? The Lord makes his presence known to us through the work 
of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the gift of faith to know him personally 
and to understand the mystery of his death and rising. Do you believe his 
word and do you listen to his voice? 
After his appearance to his beloved apostles, Jesus commissions them 
to go and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim 
the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all 
the nations. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives 
to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task 
– to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the 
only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for 
the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. 
Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection? 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus Christ, increase my faith and hope in the power of your 
resurrection. And give me joy and courage to be your witness to others 
and to boldly speak of what you have done to save us from sin and death."

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(John 21:1-14)
Why didn’t the apostles immediately recognize the Lord when he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias? John gives us a clue. He states that Peter decided to return to his home district of Galilee, very likely so he could resume his fishing career. Peter was discouraged and didn’t know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus’ death! He went back to his previous career out of despair and uncertainty. The other apostles followed him back to Galilee. When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would be ‘catching people” for the kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord.  Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials?  The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his promises.
 
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The gospels, however, give us a vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his resurrection – that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles, after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. Peter’s prompt recognition of the Master and exclamation,  It is the Lord! stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of his Master during the night of arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each of  us as we open our hearts to receive his word. Do you recognize the Lord's presence in your life and do you receive his word with faith?

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Increase my faith in the power of your resurrection that I may never doubt your word  nor stray from

MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Luke 24:35-48)

Aren't we like the apostles? We wont believe unless 
we can see with our own eyes. The gospels attest to the reality of the 
resurrection. Jesus goes to great lengths to assure his disciples that 
he is no mere ghost or illusion. He shows them the marks of his crucifixion 
and he explains how the scriptures foretold his death and rising. Jerome, 
an early church bible scholar, comments: "As he showed them real hands 
and a real side, he really ate with his disciples; really walked with Cleophas; 
conversed with men with a real tongue; really reclined at supper; with 
real hands took bread, blessed and broke it, and was offering it to them. 
..Do not put the power of the Lord on the level with the tricks of magicians, 
so that he may appear to have been what he was not, and may be thought 
to have eaten without teeth, walked without feet, broken bread without 
hands, spoken without a tongue, and showed a side which had no ribs." (From 
a letter to Pammachius against John of Jerusalem 34, 5th century) 
The centrality of the gospel is the cross; but fortunately it does not 
stop there. Through the cross Jesus defeated our enemies – death and Satan 
and won pardon for our sins. His cross is the door to heaven and the key 
to paradise. The way to glory is through the cross. When the disciples 
saw the risen Lord they disbelieved for joy! How can death lead to life, 
the cross to victory? Jesus shows us the way and he gives us the power 
to overcome sin and despair, and everything else that would stand in the 
way of his love and truth. Just as the first disciples were commissioned 
to bring the good news of salvation to all the nations, so, we, too, are 
called to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all who live 
on the face of the earth. Do you witness the joy of the gospel to those 
around you? 

PRAYER:"Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the scriptures that we may 
fully comprehend the truth of your word. Anoint us with your power and give us boldness to proclaim the gospel in word and deed."