Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 05-02-13, M, St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor/Church

USCCb.org/RNAB ^ | 05-02-13 | Revised New American Bible

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May 2, 2013

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

 

Reading 1 Acts 15:7-21

After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
“My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded,
“My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.

It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel Jn 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
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.

“I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete.”

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Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Athanasius,
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Memorial
May 2nd

Unknown artist

History
Saint Athanasius was the greatest champion of Catholic belief on the subject of the Incarnation that the Church has ever known and in his lifetime earned the characteristic title of "Father of Orthodoxy", by which he has been distinguished every since.

(Principal source - Catholic Encyclopedia - 1913 edition)

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The Athanasian Creed

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Prayer to Mary, Mother of Grace

It becomes you to be mindful of us, as you stand near Him who granted you all graces, for you are the Mother of God and our Queen. Help us for the sake of the King, the Lord God and Master who was born of you. For this reason, you are called full of grace. Remember us, most holy Virgin, and bestow on us gifts from the riches of your graces, Virgin full of graces.

St Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor

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Collect:
Almighty ever-living God,
who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius
as an outstanding champion of your Son's divinity,
mercifully grant,
that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection,
we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: 1 John 5:1-5
Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:22-25
You will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

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Related links on the Vatican website: Benedict XVI, General Audience, Paul VI Audience Hall, Wednesday, June 20, 2007, Saint Athanasius of Alexandria

Related links on the New Advent website:

Saint Athanasius writings:

- Against the Heathen
- On the Incarnation of the Word
- Deposition of Arius
- Statement of Faith
- On Luke 10:22 (Matthew 11:27)
- Encyclical Letter
- Apologia Contra Arianos
- De Decretis
- De Sententia Dionysii
- Vita S. Antoni (Life of St. Anthony)
- Ad Episcopus Aegypti et Libyae
- Apologia ad Constantium
- Apologia de Fuga
- Historia Arianorum
- Four Discourses Against the Arians
- De Synodis
- Tomus ad Antiochenos
- Ad Afros Epistola Synodica
- Historia Acephala
- Letters

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St. Athanasius: On the Incarnation, with an Introduction by C. S. Lewis
St. Athanasius, 'Father of Orthodoxy,' honored May 2
ST. ATHANASIUS, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
“Is Man to Become God?” [St. Athanasius]
St. Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church 296-373 A.D.
Lent: Excerpts from "The Festal Letters" of Athanasius
Letter of Saint Athanasius to His Flock

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Information: St. Athanasius

Feast Day:	May 2
Born:	295 at Alexandria, Egypt
Died:	2 May 373 at Alexandria, Egypt
Major Shrine:	Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt San Zaccaria, Venice, Italy

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John
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	John 15
9.	As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.	Sicut dilexit me Pater, et ego dilexi vos. Manete in dilectione mea.	καθως ηγαπησεν με ο πατηρ καγω ηγαπησα υμας μεινατε εν τη αγαπη τη εμη
10.	If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love.	Si præcepta mea servaveritis, manebitis in dilectione mea, sicut et ego Patris mei præcepta servavi, et maneo in ejus dilectione.	εαν τας εντολας μου τηρησητε μενειτε εν τη αγαπη μου καθως εγω τας εντολας του πατρος μου τετηρηκα και μενω αυτου εν τη αγαπη
11.	These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled.	Hæc locutus sum vobis : ut gaudium meum in vobis sit, et gaudium vestrum impleatur.	ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν ινα η χαρα η εμη εν υμιν μεινη και η χαρα υμων πληρωθη

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9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love.
10. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love--even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

AUG. Made bright or glorified; the Greek word may be translated in either way. In Greek it signifies glory; not our own glory, we must remember, as if we had it of ourselves: it is of His grace that we have it; and therefore it is not our own but His glory. For from whom shall we derive our fruitfulness, but from His mercy preventing us.

Wherefore He adds, As My Father has loved Me, even so love I you. This then is the source of our good works. Our good works proceed from faith which works by love: but we could not love unless we were loved first: As My Father has loved Me, even so love I you. This does not prove that our nature is equal to His, as His is to the Father's, but the grace, whereby He is the Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. The Father loves us, but in Him.

CHRYS. If then I love you, be of good cheer; if it is the Father's glory that you bring forth good fruit, bear no evil. Then to rouse them to exertion, He adds, Continue you in My love; and then shows how this is to be done: If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love.

AUG. Who doubts that love precedes the observance of the commandments? For who loves not, has not that whereby to keep the commandments. These words then do not declare whence love arises, but how it is shown, that no one might deceive himself into thinking that he loved our Lord, when he did not keep His commandments. Though the words, Continue you in My love, do not of themselves make it evident which love He means, ours to Him, or His to us, yet the preceding words do: I love you, He says: and then immediately after, Continue you in My love.

Continue you in My love, then, is, continue in My grace; and, If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, is, Your keeping of My commandments will be evidence to you that you abide in My love. It is not that we keep His commandments first, and that then He loves; but that He loves us, and then we keep His commandments. This is that grace, which is revealed to the humble, but hidden from the proud. But what means the next words, Even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love: i.e., the Father's love, wherewith He loves the Son.

Must this grace, wherewith the Father loves the Son, be understood to be like the grace wherewith the Son loves us? No; for whereas we are sons not by nature, but by grace, the Only Begotten is Son not by grace, but by nature. We must understand this then to refer to the manhood in the Son, even as the words themselves imply: As My Father has loved Me, even so love I you.

The grace of a Mediator is expressed here; and Christ is Mediator between God and man, not as God, but as man. This then we may say, that since human nature does not pertain to the nature of God, but does by grace pertain to the Person of the Son, grace also pertains to that Person: such grace as has nothing superior, nothing equal to it. For no merits on man's part preceded the assumption of that nature.

ALCUIN. Even as 1 have kept My Father's commandments. The Apostle explains what these commandments were: Christ became obedient to death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8).

CHRYS. Then because the Passion was now approaching to interrupt their joy, He adds, These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you: as if He said, And if sorrow fall upon you, I will take it away, so that you shall rejoice in the end.

AUG. And what is Christ's joy in us, but that He deigns to rejoice on our account? And what is our joy, which He says shall be full, but to have fellowship with Him? He had perfect joy on our account, when He rejoiced in foreknowing, and predestinating us; but that joy was not in us, because then we did not exist: it began to be in us, when He called us. And this joy we rightly call our own, this joy wherewith we shall be blessed; which is begun in the faith of them who are born again, and shall be fulfilled in the reward of them who rise again.

Catena Aurea John 15

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Communion of the Apostles

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The Relics of St. Athanasius
St Athanasius Shrine in St Mark Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt.

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Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Athanasius

Feast Day: May 01
Born: (around) 297 :: Died: 373

Athanasius was born at Alexandria, in Egypt. He was very fond of reading books about the Catholic faith and studied the classics and theology at the university in Alexandria.

He became a deacon and secretary to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, then later a priest. At that time the Arians did not believe that Jesus was God and tried to spread these false teachings. Athanasius attended the council of Nicea, fought against these teachings and got the council to accept the Nicene Creed. He spent his life proving that Jesus is truly God.

This saint became the archbishop of Alexandria when he was not yet thirty years old. For forty-six years, he was a good and brave shepherd of his flock. Four Roman emperors tried but failed to make him stop writing his clear and beautiful explanations of our holy faith.

His enemies did every thing they could to make him suffer. Five times he was sent away from Alexandria. Once, when he was sent to the city of Trier a kind bishop, St. Maximinius, welcomed him warmly.

At other times Athanasius was hunted by people who wanted to kill him. He was kept safe in the desert by some monks for seven years and his enemies just could not find him.

Once when the emperor's soldiers were chasing Athanasius down the Nile River, his friends began to panic as the soldiers began to catch up with them. But Athanasius was not worried. "Turn the boat around," he said calmly, "and row toward them." The soldiers in the other boat shouted, "Have you seen Athanasius?" "You are not far from him!" was the reply. The enemy boat quickly went past them, and the saint was safe!

The people of Alexandria loved St. Athanasius. He was a real father to them. As the years passed, they appreciated more and more how much he had suffered for Jesus and the Church.

Now the people made sure that Athanasius was protected and had some well-deserved peace. He spent the last seven years of his life safe with them. His enemies hunted but could never find him.

During that time, St. Athanasius wrote The Life of St. Anthony the Hermit who had been a close friend when Athanasius was young. St. Athanasius died quietly on May 2, 373. He remains one of the greatest, bravest saints of all time.

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Catholic

Almanac:

Thursday, May 2

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St. Athanasius, bishop and Doctor of the Church. In 325 A.D., St. Athanasius attended the Council of Nicea helping to formulate the doctrine stating Jesus was divine and not a creation of God the Father.

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Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: May 02, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son's divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• Roasted Garlic Bread

ACTIVITIES

• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: May

PRAYERS

• Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)
• Prayer Cards for Easter Grace at Meals

LIBRARY

• Saint Athanasius of Alexandria | Pope Benedict XVI

Easter: May 2nd

Memorial of St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor

Old Calendar: St. Athanasius

St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria and a great defender of the orthodox faith, throughout his life opposed the Arian heresy. By denying the Godhead of the Word the Arians turned Christ into a mere man, only higher in grace than others in the eyes of God. St. Athanasius took part in the Council of Nicea in 325 and until the end remained a champion of the faith as it was defined by the Council. In him the Church venerates one of her great Doctors. He was subjected to persecutions for upholding the true teaching concerning the person of Christ and was sent into exile from his see no less than five times. He died at Alexandria in 373 after an episcopate of forty-six years.

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St. Athanasius
A champion of orthodoxy! He did not die a martyr, but his life was martyrdom in the truest sense. Athanasius was the Church's greatest hero in the battle against Arianism (a heresy that denied Christ's divinity). Even as a young deacon at the Council of Nicea (325), he was recognized as "Arius' ablest enemy" and the foremost defender of the Church's faith. After the death of his bishop (328), "the entire Catholic congregation with one accord, as one soul and body, voiced the wish of the dying bishop Alexander that Athanasius should succeed him. Everyone esteemed him as a virtuous, holy man, an ascetic, a true bishop."

There followed fifty years of constant conflict. Under five emperors and by exile on five different occasions, he gave testimony to the truth of the Catholic position. His allegiance to the Church never wavered, his courage never weakened. As consolation in the face of horrendous calumnies and cruel persecution, Athanasius looked to the unwavering love of his Catholic people. Even time brought no mitigation in Arian hatred. For five years he hid in a deep, dry cistern to be safe from their raging wrath and their attempts to assassinate him. The place was known only to one trusted friend who secretly supplied necessary food.

That Athanasius enjoyed God's special protection should have been obvious to all. On one occasion when the emperor's assassins were pursuing him, Athanasius ordered the ship on which he was fleeing to double-back and sail upstream so that he might meet and by-pass his persecutors. Not recognizing the boat upon meeting in semi-darkness, they naively asked whether the ship carrying Athanasius was still far ahead. Calmly and truthfully Athanasius himself called back, "He is not far from here." So his persecutors kept sailing on in the same direction, allowing the saint to complete his escape.

Preserved by divine Providence through a lifetime of trial and danger, he finally died in his own quarters at Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Valens (373). Athanasius enriched Christian literature with many important works, some pointed toward piety and edification, others polemical and dogmatic in nature. He ruled the Church of Alexandria for forty-six years.

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Symbols: open book; two columns; boat on the Nile; equilateral triangle; open book between two Greek Doric columns; archbishop's pallium; scroll with quotation from his writings.
Often Portrayed As: Bishop arguing with a pagan; bishop holding an open book; bishop standing over a defeated heretic.

Things to Do:

• If you are feeling academic you might like to read Ecclesiastical History by Salaminius Hermias Sozomenus.

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Doctors of the Catholic Church

Saint Athanasius is the Doctor of Orthodoxy. This champion of the Church was exiled and banned at least five times. He refused to yield to anyone except the authentic, orthodox faith passed on to him by his ancestors and followers of the faith.

Christians are often asked to overcome insurmountable obstacles. He have Athanasius as a superb model when it comes to faith. Hardly anyone today is going to be exiled once, because of his faith, let alone five times. To be banished is a curse.

"This first great Eastern Doctor ardently defended the Divinity of Christ. He greatly laid the foundation not only for the establishment of monastic life through Western world but is a powerful example of clinging to Jesus Christ when dangers, hardships and temptations beset us.

"Athanasius was the greatest champion of Catholic belief on the subject of the Incarnation that the Church has ever known and in his lifetime earned the characteristic title of "Father of Orthodoxy", by which he has been distinguished every since. While the chronology of his career still remains for the most part a hopelessly involved problem, the fullest material for an account of the main achievements of his life will be found in his collected writings and in the contemporary records of his time. Athanasius seems to have been brought early in life under the immediate supervision of the ecclesiastical authorities of his native city. Whether his long intimacy with Bishop Alexander began in childhood, we have no means of judging; but a story which pretends to describe the circumstances of his first introduction to that prelate has been preserved for us by Rufinus (Hist. Eccl., I, xiv). The bishop, so the tale runs, had invited a number of brother prelates to meet him at breakfast after a great religious function on the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Peter, a recent predecessor in the See of Alexandria... While Alexander was waiting for his guests to arrive, he stood by a window, watching a group of boys at play on the seashore below the house. He had not observed them long before he discovered that they were imitating, evidently with no thought of irreverence, the elaborate ritual of Christian baptism. He therefore sent for the children and had them brought into his presence. In the investigation that followed it was discovered that one of the boys, who was no other than the future Primate of Alexandria, had acted the part of the bishop, and in that character had actually baptized several of his companions in the course of their play. Alexander, who seems to have been unaccountably puzzled over the answers he received to his inquiries, determined to recognize the make-believe baptisms as genuine; and decided that Athanasius and his playfellows should go into training in order to fit themselves for a clerical career." Quote from New Advent listed below, at the end.

St. Athanasius, 295-373. Doctor of Orthodoxy, Feast May 2nd.

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The Word Among Us

Meditation: John 15:9-11

Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. (John 15:9)

How can it be, Lord, that the way you love me is just the same as the way the Father loves you? How can it be that the love that permeates the Trinity itself is the same love you pour out on me? It’s too much for me to absorb!

Sometimes I think of your love as a kindly, patient, forgiving love when I think of my own unworthiness. And it is that—but it is so much more than just an expression of your forgiveness of my sins!

Lord, the love that the Father has for you is immense! It is creative and life-giving, always flowing, unchanging yet ever new. It is the same love that you showed when you created the world. It’s a love that imparts to your creation goodness and harmony and generosity. I am amazed that this is how you love me, too. You created me because you wanted me to share in your love and generosity. You created me because you wanted me to reflect your goodness to the world. And you didn’t stop there. Day after day, you are constantly pouring your love into me—even when I can’t feel it or see it or touch it!

When I think of how the Father looks at you, Jesus, I am speechless. I can try to imagine the Father gazing on you with deep pleasure and joy, but words fail me. And then to think that you, Jesus, look at me with the same love, seeing the goodness I was created to have in your image, seeing your approval of every step I take toward you—I can only bask in this love, filled with wonder and awe.

Thank you, Jesus! In your extravagant love, you have brought me into the love of the Trinity! You have given me a share in the divine life that you experience with your Father in heaven. You have expanded my horizons so that I can see beyond myself, even into your perfect eternity. I know it’s not much when compared with your love for me. But still, I can’t help saying it: I love you, Jesus!

“Lord, expand my heart and mind so that I can grasp, even if only a little, the vast love you have for me!”

Acts 15:7-21; Psalm 96:1-3, 10

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Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for May 2, 2013:

What’s the most dangerous part of your body? In marriage, it’s your tongue. It can discourage, wound, embarrass, and humiliate your beloved. You may try to conceal this weapon but it’ll sneak out in snarky remarks if you don’t tame it. Say enough but know when to stop.

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Regnum Christi

My Love for the Church

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church

Father Patrick Langan, LC

 

John 15: 9-11

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for granting me the opportunity to be with you. There are things in life, Lord, that attract me, but you attract me more. I hope in you, and I love you. Maybe I don’t really understand what it means to love, and maybe I don’t love the way I should, but I do love you.

Petition: Lord, increase my love and appreciation for the Church and her leaders.

1. Christ and His Church: When Christ says, “Keep my commandments and remain in my love,” he is talking not only about the Ten Commandments but also about the Church. What is the Church? It is Christ’s extension through time. We cannot say, “Christ, yes; the Church, no,” because the Church is the mystical body of Christ; the two are inseparable as head and body. The Church, through its sacraments and its solid teachings, makes Christ present for me now, today. It is through this Church that I received the gift of faith. I want to remain in Christ. I want to remain enthusiastically in his Church.

2. God’s Chosen Ministers: You chose the Apostles to continue your work of redemption throughout the ages. Therefore, Lord, I want to love your priests and your bishops. I know how hard their job is. I see their perseverance. The Eucharist is available all over the world because of the fidelity of priests. Thank you for bishops and priests. Thank you for our parish. I want to support the parish with joy; giving of my time and my financial sacrifices.

3. The Pope: Lord, I want to love the Holy Father. He is the rock on which you chose to build your Church. Because he has kept the straight path, the world recognizes his moral authority. Lord, I want to learn more about what he is saying. Today with the Internet, it is so easy. It just takes a little interest and a little time. This is one way I can remain in your love. Thus, my joy will be complete.

Conversation with Christ: When you came, Lord, you wanted to heal us through the sacraments, and you set up the Church to administer them. Because you are present in your Church, it has lasted two thousand years. Thank you for giving us this instrument of salvation.

Resolution: I will read something Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI or Pope Francis has written. Much can be found on the Vatican website.

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Called and Chosen

by Food For Thought on May 2, 2013 · 

Jesus makes this very clear in today’s Gospel reading when he says:
“You did not choose me, it was I who chose you.” Our choice to follow
Jesus is important, but far more significant is his choice to be
committed to us. Jesus loves us with a love that is so committed, so
dedicated that it takes him to Calvary for us. Our lack of
faithfulness to him never changes his faithful love for us.

The life of St. Mathias, the saint whose feast we celebrate today,
also shows us that what matters most is the Lord’s commitment to us.
In the first reading, Mathias was chosen to be one of the twelve
apostles after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He was the replacement
for Judas who after betraying Jesus committed suicide. The Apostles
drew lots and he won. It was not exactly his decision. Mathias knew
that he had not decided to be one of the twelve. He had been chosen by
Jesus Christ.

We are all called and chosen by the Lord. He asks us to make a
commitment to him, but the commitment can only be a response to Jesus’
call. He has chosen us, and our whole life is to be a response of love
to that call. It is a bit like a wedding proposal. Jesus asks us,
invites us and proposes to us. He tells us that he loves us, and he
asks that we will love him in return.

Let us thank the Lord today for his invitation of love and for being
faithful. Let us also ask him for the grace to be really committed to
him. May all that we do be an act of love in gratitude for the love
that he keeps showering upon us.

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One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Thursday, May 2, 2013 >>

St. Athanasius

Acts 15:7-21
View Readings

Psalm 96:1-3, 10

John 15:9-11
Similar Reflections

READING AND RIGHTING

"God, Who reads the hearts of men, showed His approval by granting the Holy Spirit to them just as He did to us." —Acts 15:8

 

It's important to learn to read. This is true not only of reading books, but especially of reading our hearts. For example, Peter thought he would give his life for Jesus, but he denied Christ three times. Peter misread his heart. We too may think we know Jesus deeply and personally, but we may be deceiving ourselves (1 Jn 1:6; 2:4). We may even be tragically surprised on Judgment Day if we've misread our hearts (see Mt 7:22-23; 25:44).

Although we must get a reading on our hearts, we don't have the power to do this ourselves. Our hearts are so deceitful that we can't read them (Jer 17:9). The Lord alone can read our hearts (Acts 15:8; 1:24). Pause for a moment and ask Him to do this right now...

After getting a reading on our hearts, we may need to ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus to purify our hearts. The Lord will use His Word to do this. It will penetrate our hearts, divide the good from the bad, and judge "the reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12). We will need faith in the Lord (Acts 15:9) to let Him continue this purification since it will cause something like a burning in our hearts (Lk 24:32) and even in our bones (Jer 20:9).

On the first Easter day, Jesus read and purified the hearts of two disciples. Let Him read and purify your heart this Easter season.

 

Prayer: Father, may I fall into the purifying, consuming fire of Your love (see Heb 12:29).

Promise: "All this I tell you that My joy may be yours and your joy may be complete." —Jn 15:11

Praise: St. Athanasius almost single-handedly rescued the Church from the heresy of Arianism, which maintained that Jesus was not divine. He believed so strongly that Jesus was God that he was exiled at least six times during his life.

[Salvation]