The Light of Life

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Wednesday, 4th week of Easter

Father Steven Reilly, LC

John 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me."

Introductory Prayer: Father, you have blessed me with this opportunity to pray. I come into your presence to please and glorify you. I offer it up for all those who are counting on me for spiritual support.

Petition: Lord, increase my hope so that I know that you are always guiding me.

1. Our Souls Were Made for the Light Little children are scared of the dark – after all, monsters and ghosts live in the dark. Flick on the light switch, however, and all the fears dissipate. The real world is so much less scary when the light is on. What’s true for children is also true for us – but on a different level. We have many fears, and so many of them come because we are in the dark. We don’t know the future; we can’t control outcomes. We fear spiritual darkness because our souls were made for the light. But Jesus “came into the world as light.” When we know Jesus, the light has come into our lives, the fears vanish. We don’t know the future, but he does. We can’t control outcomes, but his providence guides all. Like the little child who is relieved when Mom or Dad comes into the dark room, with Jesus we can rest assured that everything will be okay.

2. Living in the Truth If there is one thing that we should fear, it is ourselves. It is said that Saint Philip Neri used to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, “Lord, watch out for Philip lest he betray you again today.” The Lord speaks of a self-inflicted condemnation that comes from not accepting his words. When we feel the inner tug of our pride or sensuality, beckoning us to confide more in ourselves than in Christ, then we need to pause. It is like a spiritual red flag telling us that our adherence to Jesus’ words is waning. If we stick with Christ, and abhor the thought of going our own way rather than his, we will avoid that inner darkness which is far more fearsome than anything in the world.

3. The Father’s Command Is Eternal Life The philosophy of the 1960’s has left a long trail of wreckage that persists to this day. “Do your own thing!” the Woodstock creed, would have us believe that self-assertion is the key to happiness. As counterintuitive as it may sound, obedience is really the key. Jesus was the man that could walk on water, pacify storms with the snap of the finger, and provide dinner for thousands with a few loaves and fish. Yet he teaches that happiness doesn’t lie in power. Rather it lies in obedience to the Father’s command. Obeying him is the road to eternal life: fulfillment beyond our wildest dreams.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, take away all my fears. I know that my true good is to be found in loving you and following you. Give me the strength to obey the Father and so find the eternal life that I seek.

Resolution: I will fulfill my spiritual commitments perfectly today.

Homily of the Day

He Never Turns Away, So Don’t You!

April 28th, 2010 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Acts 12:24-13:5 / Jn 12:44-50

The Bible tells us again and again that we human beings are created “in the image and likeness of God.” Indeed, most of us have known that phrase by heart since childhood. However, there’s considerable evidence to suggest that in practice most of us have turned that saying on its head and have instead created God in our own image and likeness. That means, of course, that our idea of God is neither very large nor very nice.

Today’s gospel suggests that our making God too small is a very old problem. Why else would Jesus have had to reassure His listeners that He had not come to condemn us but to save us — all of us?

God never rejects anyone. Even on our worst days He still calls us by name and holds out His hand to us. It’s not God who turns away, it’s we ourselves who reject His hand and close our ears to His voice. And in doing so, we cut ourselves off from the source of life and joy.

Don’t do that. Not even for an instant. Trust the Lord’s love for you. Take His hand, and don’t ever let go! Let God be God for you.

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, April 28, 2010 >>

St. Peter Chanel
St. Louis Mary de Montfort
Saint of the Day

Acts 12:24—13:5
View Readings

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

John 12:44-50

NOT AS EXPECTED

"On one occasion, while they were engaged in the liturgy of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them." —Acts 13:2

While the church of Antioch was worshiping God and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them: "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for Me to do the work for which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). So "they imposed hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:3).

Although the church of Antioch knew God's plan in general, they were in for many surprises:

Paul emerged as the leader of the first missionary team rather than Barnabas, the original leader.
Mark quit the first mission almost from the start (Acts 13:13).
The mission was much more difficult than expected (see Acts 14:22) in that riots broke out in most towns they visited.
During the mission, Paul was either murdered and then raised from the dead or knocked unconscious and miraculously healed (Acts 14:19-20).

The first missionary journey was successful in that God "had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27), and "in each church they installed presbyters" (Acts 14:23). However, the mission certainly did not go as planned. This may encourage us, for we also have been sent by the Spirit on mission. Many of us are likewise upset, because things haven't turned out as we expected. We likewise must trust the Lord and persevere in our mission.

Prayer: Father, when You don't meet my expectations, may I meet Yours.

Promise: "Whoever puts faith in Me believes not so much in Me as in Him Who sent Me." —Jn 12:44

Praise: Facing defeat and continuing opposition, St. Louis persevered in his mission to the poor and sick.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

Introduction

O God, come to my aid.

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

Hymn

Jesu, the world’s redeeming Lord,

The Father’s co-eternal Word,

Of light invisible true Light,

Thine Israel’s Keeper day and night.

Our great Creator and our Guide,

Who times and seasons dost divide,

Refresh at night with quiet rest,

Our limbs by daily toil oppressed.

We pray thee, while we dwell below,

Preserve us from our ghostly foe;

Nor let his wiles victorious be

O’er them that are redeemed by thee.

That while in this frail house of clay

A little longer here we stay,

Our flesh in thee may sweetly sleep,

Our souls with thee their vigils keep.

All praise be thine, O risen Lord,

From death to endless life restored;

All praise to God the Father be,

And Holy Ghost eternally.

Psalm 30 (31) Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

Turn your ear to me,

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rampart, my fortification;

keep me safe.

For you are my strength and my refuge:

you will lead me out to the pastures,

for your own name’s sake.

You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me –

for you are my strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit:

you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 129 (130) Out of the depths

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord:

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears listen out

for the voice of my pleading.

If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord –

Lord, who would be left?

But with you is forgiveness,

and for this we revere you.

I rely on you, Lord,

my spirit relies on your promise;

my soul hopes in the Lord,

more than the watchman for daybreak.

More than the watchman for daybreak,

let Israel hope in the Lord:

for with the Lord there is kindness

and abundant redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all its transgressions.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reading	Ephesians 4:26-27

Be angry if you must, but do not sin: do not let your anger outlast the sunset: do not give the Devil his chance.

Short Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis

Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.

You have fulfilled your promise.

My own eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.

A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;

the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

AMEN

	Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, be joyful,

Alleluia.

You who were worthy to bear him.

Alleluia.

He has risen, as he promised.

Alleluia.

Pray for us to God.

Alleluia.

Regina coeli laetare, Alleluia,

Quia quem meruisti portare. Alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.