Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 04-16-05

April 16, 2005
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter

Psalm: Saturday 18

Reading I
Acts 9:31-42

The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria
was at peace.
She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers.

As Peter was passing through every region,
he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.
There he found a man named Aeneas,
who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.
Peter said to him,
"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed."
He got up at once.
And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him,
and they turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha
(which translated is Dorcas).
She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.
Now during those days she fell sick and died,
so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.
Since Lydda was near Joppa,
the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,
sent two men to him with the request,
"Please come to us without delay."
So Peter got up and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs
where all the widows came to him weeping
and showing him the tunics and cloaks
that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.
Then he turned to her body and said, "Tabitha, rise up."
She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
He gave her his hand and raised her up,
and when he had called the holy ones and the widows,
he presented her alive.
This became known all over Joppa,
and many came to believe in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R (12) How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R Alleluia.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, "Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe."
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father."

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

From: Acts 9:31-42

The Growth of the Church

[31] So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had
peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the
comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

Peter Cures a Paralytic at Lydda

[32] Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also
to the saints that lived in Lydda. [33] There he found a man named
Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. [34]
And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make
your bed." And immediately he rose. [35] And all the residents of
Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Peter Raises Tabitha to Life

[36] Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means
Dorcas or Gazelle. She was full of good works and acts of charity.
[37] In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed
her, they laid her in an upper room. [38] Since Lydda was near Joppa,
the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him
entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." [39] So Peter rose
and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper
room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing coats and
garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. [40] But Peter put
them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he
said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter
she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then
calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. [42] And it
became know throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Commentary:

31. St. Luke breaks his narrative to give an overview of the steady
progress of the Church as a whole and of the various communities that
have grown up as a result of the Christians' flight from Jerusalem (cf.
Acts 2:40, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 11:21, 24; 16:5). He emphasizes the
peace and consolation the Holy Spirit has brought them. This note of
justified optimism and trust in God confirms that God is with His
Church and that no human force can destroy it (cf. 5:39).

32. Acts now turns to recount St. Peter's apostolic activity in
Palestine. Lydda (cf. 9:32-35), Joppa (cf. 9:36-43) and Maritime
Caesarea (cf. 10:24-28; 12:19) were some of the cities in which the
head of the Apostles preached the Good News.

"St. Luke goes on to speak about Peter and his visits to the faithful.
He does not want to give the impression that fear is the reason for
Peter's leaving Jerusalem, and so he first gives an account of the
situation of the Church, after indicating, previously, that Peter had
stayed in Jerusalem during the persecution. [...] Peter acts like a
general reviewing his troops to see that they are properly trained and
in good order, and to discover where his presence is most needed. We
see him going in all directions and we find him in all parts. If he
makes this present journey it is because he thinks that the faithful
are in need of his teaching and encouragement" (Chrysostom, "Hom. on
Acts", 21).

The last report Acts gives of St. Peter deals with his intervention at
the Council of Jerusalem (Chapter 15).

33-35. St. Peter takes the initiative; he does not wait for the
paralyzed man to seek his help. We are told about the man being sick
for eight years, to show how difficult he was to cure--and yet through
the power of Jesus Christ he is cured "immediately". "Why did Peter
not wait for the man to show his faith? Why did he not first ask him
if he wanted to be cured? Surely because it was necessary to impress
the people by means of this miracle" (Chrysostom, "Hom. on Acts, 21).
However, the conversion of the people of Lydda and Sharon was also the
result of Peter's work: miracles are not designed to make life easier
for the Apostles; their tireless preaching is by no means secondary or
superfluous.

36-43. Joppa, (Jaffa, today virtually part of Tel Aviv) is mentioned in
the writings of Tell-el-Amarna where it is called Iapu. Its people
were converted to Judaism in the time of Simon Maccabeus (c. 140
B.C.).

The miracle of the raising of Tabitha by Peter is the first one of its
kind reported in Acts. Here, as in the Gospel, miracles are performed
to awaken faith in those who witness them with good dispositions and a
readiness to believe. In this case the miracle is a kindness God shows
Tabitha to reward her virtues, and an encouragement to the Christians
of Joppa.

"In the Acts of the Apostles," St. Cyprian writes, "it is clear that
alms not only free us from spiritual death, but also from temporal
death. Tabitha, a woman who did many `good works and acts of charity,'
had taken ill and died: and Peter was sent for. No sooner had he
arrived, with all the diligence of his apostolic charity, than he was
surrounded by widows in tears..., praying for the dead woman more by
gestures than by words. Peter believed that he could obtain what they
were asking for so intensely and that Christ's help would be available
in answer to the prayers of the poor in whose persons He Himself had
been clothed. [...] And so it was: He did come to Peter's aid, to whom
He had said in the Gospel that He would grant everything asked for in
His name. For this reason He stops the course of death and the woman
returns to life, and to the amazement of all she revives, restoring her
risen body to the light of day. Such was the power of works of mercy,
of good deeds" ("De Opere Et Eleemosynis", 6).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

From: John 6:60-69

The Disciples' Reaction

[60] Many of His (Jesus') disciples, when they heard of it, said, "This
is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, knowing in
Himself that His disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take
offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man
ascending where He was before? [63] It is the Spirit that gives life,
the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are
spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you that do not believe."
For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and
who it was that should betray Him. [65] And He said, "This is why I
told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the
Father."

[66] After this many of the disciples drew back and no longer went with
Him. [67] Jesus said to the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" [68]
Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life; [69] and we have believed, and have come to
know, that You are the Holy One of God."

Commentary:

60-62. Many of His listeners find the Eucharistic mystery completely
incomprehensible. Jesus Christ requires His disciples to accept His
words because it is He who has spoken them. That is what the
supernatural act of faith involves--that act "whereby, inspired and
assisted by the grace of God, we believe that the things which He has
revealed are true; not because of the intrinsic truth of the things,
viewed by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of
God Himself who reveals them, and who can neither be deceived nor
deceive" (Vatican I, "Dei Filius", Chapter 3).

As on other occasions, Jesus speaks about future events to help His
disciples believe: "I have told you before it takes place, so that when
it does take place, you may believe" (John 14:29).

63. Jesus says that we cannot accept this mystery if we think of it in
too human a way, in other words, by just seeking to indulge our senses
or having too earthbound a view of things. Only someone who listens to
His words and receives them as God's revelation, which is "spirit and
life", is in a position to accept them.

66. The promise of the Eucharist, which caused arguments (verse 52)
among Christ's hearers at Capernaum and scandalized some of them (verse
61), led many people to give up following Him. Jesus had outlined a
wonderful and salvific truth, but those disciples closed themselves to
divine grace; they were not ready to accept anything which went beyond
their very limited horizons. The mystery of the Eucharist does call
for a special act of faith. St. John Chrysostom therefore advised
Christians: "Let us in everything believe God, and gainsay Him in
nothing, though what it said be contrary to our thoughts and senses.
[...] Let us act likewise in respect to the [Eucharistic] mysteries,
not looking at the things set before us, but keeping in mind His
words. For His words cannot deceive" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on
St. Matthew", 82).

67-71. This passage is similar to that at Capernaum where Peter again,
in the name of the Twelve, takes the initiative in expressing his faith
in Jesus as Messiah (cf. Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30). Other people
present may have been unbelieving, but the Apostles are not scandalized
by our Lord's words: they say that they have already a deep-rooted
confidence in Him; they do not want to leave Him. What St. Peter says
(verse 68) is not just a statement of human solidarity but an
expression of genuine supernatural faith--as yet imperfect--which is
the result of the influence of divine grace on his soul (cf. Matthew
16:17).

Although the Twelve stay with Him at this point, Judas will later betray
the Master. Jesus' foreknowledge of this future infidelity throws a
shadow over His joy at the loyalty of the Twelve. We Christians should
be humble enough to realize that we are capable of betraying our Lord
if we give up using the means He has left us to cleave to Him. St.
Peter's words (verse 68) are a beautiful aspiration we can use whenever
we feel tempted.

68. Simon Peter expresses the feelings of the Apostles who, through
staying loyal to Jesus, are getting to know Him much better and
becoming more closely involved with Him: "Seek Jesus; endeavoring to
acquire a deep personal faith that will inform and direct your whole
life. But, above all, let it be your commitment and your program to
love Jesus, with a sincere, authentic and personal love. He must be
your friend and your support along the path of life. He alone has
words of eternal life" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Address to Students in
Guadalajara", 30 January 1979).

69. "The Holy One of God": this is what the original text must have
said, according to most of the Greek codexes and the most important
early translations. "The Holy One" is one of the expressions which
designate the Messiah (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; 4:34; Acts 2:27; Psalm
16:10), or God Himself (cf. Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John
2:20; etc.). The rendering "the Christ, the Son of God" found in some
translations, including the Vulgate, is supported by less important
Greek manuscripts, and would seem to be an explanation of the messianic
significance of the original phrase.

Saturday, April 16, 2005
Easter Weekday
For the Universal Church

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Acts 9:31-42
Psalm 116:12-17
John 6:60-69

The first temptation, my dear brethren, which the Devil tries on anyone who has begun to serve God better is in the matter of human respect. He will no longer dare to be seen around; he will hide himself from those with whom heretofore had been mixing and pleasure seeking. If he should be told that he has changed a lot, he will be ashamed of it! What people are going to say about him is continually in his mind, to the extent that he no longer has enough courage to do good before other people. If the Devil cannot get him back through human respect, he will induce an extraordinary fear to possess him that his confessions are not good, that his confessor does not understand him, that whatever he does will be all in vain, that he will be damned just the same, that he will achieve the same result in the end by letting everything slide as by continuing to fight, because the occasions of sin will prove too many for him.

-- St. John Vianney

Catholic Culture

Collect:
God our Father, by the waters of baptism you give new life to the faithful. May we not succumb to the influence of evil but remain true to your gift of life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Activities:

» Namedays
» What is a Nameday?

Prayers:

» Litany of the Holy Ghost

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April 16, 2005

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter (Optional Memorial of St. Bernadette in Aus., Nz, & Can.)

The feast of St. Bernadette is celebrated in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Bernadette, the oldest of six children, was born in Lourdes, France, in 1844. At the age of 14, between 11 February 1858 and 16 July 1858, Bernadette had 18 visions of the Immaculate Conception in a local grotto near the bank of the River Gave, near Lourdes. During the visions, Mary requested prayer and penitence, asked for the construction of a new church, and led Bernadette to a fresh water spring believed to have miraculous healing powers. Despite strong doubt and even opposition from political and church officials, Bernadette's faith in what she had witnessed remained steadfast and humble. Saint Bernadette longed to become a Carmelite nun, but ill health prevented her from doing so. In 1866, she retreated from the public eye to the convent Notre Dame at Nevers where she remained until her death at the age of 35.

Spirit of modesty and innocence, have mercy on us. Litany of the Holy Spirit for the election of a holy pope.

St. Bernadette
Marie Bernarde ('Bernadette') Soubirous was the eldest child of an impoverished miller. At the age of fourteen she was ailing and undersized, sensitive and of pleasant disposition but accounted backward and slow. Between 11 February and 16 July 1858, in a shallow cave on the bank of the river Gave, she had a series of remarkable experiences. On eighteen occasions she saw a very young and beautiful lady, who made various requests and communications to her, pointing out a forgotten spring of water and enjoining prayer and penitence. The lady eventually identified herself as the Virgin Mary, under the title of 'the Immaculate Conception'. Some of these happenings took place in the presence of many people, but no one besides Bernadette claimed to see or hear 'the Lady', and there was no disorder or emotional extravagance. After the appearances ceased, however, there was an epidemic of false visionaries and morbid religiosity in the district, which increased the reserved attitude of the church authorities towards Bernadette's experiences.

For some years she suffered greatly from the suspicious disbelief of some and the tactless enthusiasm and insensitive attentions of others; these trials she bore with impressive patience and dignity. In 1866 she was admitted to the convent of the Sisters of Charity at Nevers. Here she was more sheltered from trying publicity, but not from the 'stuffiness' of the convent superiors nor from the tightening grip of asthma. 'I am getting on with my job,' she would say. 'What is that?' someone asked. 'Being ill,' was the reply. Thus she lived out her self-effacing life, dying at the age of thirty-five. The events of 1858 resulted in Lourdes becoming one of the greatest pilgrim shrines in the history of Christendom. But St Bernadette took no part in these developments; nor was it for her visions that she was canonized, but for the humble simplicity and religious trustingness that characterized her whole life.

Patron: Bodily ills; illness; Lourdes, France; people ridiculed for their piety; poverty; shepherdesses; shepherds; sick people; sickness.

Symbols: Young girl kneeling in front of a grotto, before the Blessed Virgin ("The Immaculate Conception") who wears a white dress, blue belt, and a rose on each foot. Bernadette is sometimes pictured after she received the habit.

The Word Among Us

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Meditation
Acts 9:31-42

Earlier in Acts, Luke described persecutions the church was enduring (Acts 8:1-3). Today, however, we read that it “had peace and was built up” (9:31). Why the change? The rest of the verse suggests a reason: “Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” When you’re touched by the Holy Spirit, you can’t help but move through your life freely and with confidence.

We see this freedom in Peter, a common fisherman who performed miracles very similar to the ones Jesus performed. Did Peter feel nervous when he encountered Aeneas’ paralysis and Dorcas’ death? There’s no sign that he did. Instead of worrying about what to say or how to say it, Peter’s confidence in Jesus enabled him to act freely and with great simplicity. Using everyday words—“Jesus Christ heals you,” and “get up” (Acts 9:34,40)—coupled with the simple action of kneeling in prayer, Peter performed amazing miracles that led many people to the Lord (9:35-42).

Seeing how Jesus acted through Peter should set us thinking. This was not a man with a reputation for eloquence or restraint! Rather, he was known for speaking without thinking, having a short fuse, and acting impulsively. If someone that imperfect was called to do the Lord’s work, isn’t it possible that Jesus wants to use us, too? Isn’t it possible that we can serve him without being perfect or totally sure about how to proceed?

What if we try to follow the Spirit’s lead, but mess up? Peter’s sometimes bumbling example tells us that even then we can be lighthearted. Christ lives in us. He is constantly offering us his courage and hope. So, if necessary, we can repent, and then listen for Jesus’ tender voice to help us get back to building his kingdom. Through Peter, Jesus gave his hand to Dorcas and helped her to her feet. Likewise, through his Spirit, Jesus extends his hand to us. Let’s rise to every occasion, freely speaking the good news with everyone we meet.

“Jesus, on my own I could never do the things you did. But you are incredibly generous. You have shared your Spirit with me and empowered me to do your work. Thank you, Jesus. Now I ask you to shape my heart. I want to be like you.”

Psalm 116:12-17; John 6:60-69

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, April 16, 2005 >>

Acts 9:31-42

Psalm 116

John 6:60-69

View Readings

PROGRESSIVE FEAR

“The Church was at peace. It was being built up and was making steady progress in the fear of the Lord.” —Acts 9:31

Do you have more fear of the Lord today than yesterday? Are you “making steady progress” this Easter time as the Lord leads you from healings to greater healings, even to resurrection? The Lord worked with Peter in this way. He worked through Peter in the hospital room as He healed “Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years” (Acts 9:33). Before long, the Lord had Peter in the funeral home ministering resurrection from the dead to Dorcas. Peter was truly making steadily accelerating progress in the fear of the Lord, in the awe of God’s overwhelming presence.

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the greatest progress we can make in the fear of the Lord is in believing Jesus’ revelation of the Eucharist. To believe His flesh is real food and His blood real drink (Jn 6:55) is a much greater act of faith than to believe in God for a healing, or even for a resurrection. When Jesus extends us to the limits of our faith, we are tempted to leave Him (Jn 6:66). But if we let the Spirit give us life (Jn 6:63) and the Father draw us to Jesus (Jn 6:44, 65), we will say with Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe; we are convinced that You are God’s Holy One” (Jn 6:68-69).

Prayer: Jesus, may I progress in the fear of the Lord to the point that my life will be centered on daily Mass and Communion.

Promise: “At the same time it enjoyed the increased consolation of the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 9:31

Praise: Philip spends more time arranging where he will go to daily Mass than where he will eat his next meal.

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