Reading 1 1 Cor 15:1-8

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers and sisters at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:6b, 9c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

From: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Christ’s Resurrection and His Appearances

[1] Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the Gos-
pel, which you received, in which you stand, [2] by which you are saved, if you
hold it fast—unless you believed in vain.

[3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ
died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that He was buried, that
He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that He
appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. [6] Then He appeared to more than five
hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fal-
len asleep. [7] Then He appeared to James, then to all the Apostles. [8] Last of
all, as to one untimely born, He also appeared to me.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-58. Some of the Corinthian Christians were objecting to the doctrine of the re-
surrection of the dead, because this was a belief with which the Greeks were un-
familiar, even those Greeks who held that the soul was immortal. Given the great
importance of this doctrine, St. Paul replies at length, pointing first to the histori-
cal fact of Christ’s resurrection (verses 1-11) and how it necessarily connects up
with the resurrection of the dead in general (verses 12-34). He then goes on to
discuss what form this resurrection will take (verses 35-58). This Epistle, which
began with an exposition on Jesus Christ crucified, the power and wisdom of
God (cf. 1:18-2:5), ends with a development of doctrine on the resurrection of
Christ and the consequent resurrection of the members of His Mystical Body.

To understand what St. Paul is saying it is useful to bear in mind that here he is
referring only to the glorious resurrection of the just. Elsewhere in Sacred Scrip-
ture it is clearly stated that all men will rise from the dead (cf., e.g., John 5:28-
29; Acts 24:15).

1-11. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the essential doctrines of the Ca-
tholic faith, explicitly stated in the first creeds or symbols of the faith. It is in fact
the supreme argument in favor of the divinity of Jesus and His divine mission: our
Lord proclaimed it many times (cf., e.g., Matthew 16:21-28; 17:22-27; 20:17-19),
and by rising from the dead He provided the sign which He had promised those
who did not believe Him (cf. Matthew 12:38-40).

This point is so important that the primary role of the Apostles is to bear witness
to Christ’s resurrection (cf. Acts 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; etc.); the proclamation of the
resurrection of the Lord is the very core of apostolic catechesis (cf., e.g., the dis-
courses of St. Peter and St. Paul reported in the Acts of the Apostles).

3-8. On the verbs “deliver” and “receive” see the note on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of certain basic points in his preaching — that
Jesus Christ died for our sins; “that He was buried, that He was raised on the
third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (a statement which has passed di-
rectly into the Creed) and was seen by many people.

It should be pointed out that the Greek verb translated as “appeared” refers to be-
ing seen by the eye. This is relevant to studying the nature of the appearances of
the risen Jesus: St. Paul is speaking of true, ocular sight; there seems to be no
way this can be identified with imagination or intellectual vision.

The appearances of the risen Christ are a direct proof of the historical fact of His
resurrection. This argument gains special force when one remembers that at the
time this Letter was written many people who had seen the risen Lord were still
alive (verse 6). Some of the appearances referred to by St. Paul are also men-
tioned in the Gospels and in Acts—that to Peter (cf. Luke 24:34), those to the
Apostles (cf., e.g., Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29), that to St. Paul himself (cf.
Acts 9:1-6); others—that to James and to the five hundred brethren—are men-
tioned only here.

The importance of this passage is enhanced by the fact that it is the earliest do-
cumentary record—earlier than the Gospels—of our Lord’s resurrection, which had
taken place scarcely twenty years earlier.

4. “Was buried”: in recounting the death of Christ, all four Evangelists expressly
mention that His body was buried (cf. Matthew 27:57-61 and paragraph). St.
Paul also confirms the fact in this Letter, written very soon after the time, there-
by confirming a tradition which had come down from the beginning (verse 3). The
fact that Christ’s body was buried eliminates any doubt about His death, and un-
derlines the miracle of the Resurrection: Jesus Christ rose by His own power, re-
joining His soul with His body, and leaving the tomb with the same human body
(not merely the appearance of a body) as died and was buried, although now
that body was glorified and had certain special properties (cf. note on 15:42-44).
The Resurrection, therefore is an objective, physical event, witnessed to by the
empty tomb (cf. Matthew 28:1ff and paragraph) and by Christ’s appearances.

“He was raised on the third day”: Jesus died and was buried on the evening of
Good Friday; His body lay in the tomb the entire Sabbath, and rose on Sunday.
It is correct to say that He rose on the third day after His death, even though it
was not a full seventy-two hours later.

“According to the Scriptures”: St. Paul may be referring to certain passages of
the Old Testament which — after the event — were seen to foreshadow the Re-
surrection — for example, the episode of Jonah (Chapters 1-2), which Jesus in
fact applied to Himself (cf. Matthew 12:39-40; cf. also Hosea 6:1-2 and Psalm
16:9-10).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: John 14:6-14

Jesus Reveals the Father (Continuation)

(Jesus said to Thomas), [6] “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one
comes to the Father, but by Me.” [7] “If you had known Me, you would have
known My Father also; henceforth you know Him and have seen Him.

[8] Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” [9]
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know Me,
Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us
the Father?’ [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in
Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the
Father who dwells in Me does His works. [11] Believe Me that I am in the Father
and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the words themselves.

[12] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me will also do the works that
I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. [13]
Whatever you ask in my name I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son; [14] if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

4-7. The Apostles did not really understand what Jesus was telling them: hence
Thomas’ question. The Lord explains that He is the way to the Father. “It was
necessary for Him to say ‘I am the Way’ to show them that they really knew
what they thought they were ignorant of, because they knew Him” (St. Augus-
tine, “In. Ioann. Evang.”, 66, 2).

Jesus is the way to the Father—through what He teaches, for by keeping to His
teaching we will reach Heaven; through faith, which He inspires, because He
came to this world so “that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John
3:15); through His example, since no one can go to the Father without imitating
the Son; through His merits, which make it possible for us to enter our Heavenly
home; and above all He is the way because He reveals the Father, with whom
He is one because of His divine nature.

“Just as children by listening to their mothers, and prattling with them, learn to
speak their language, so we, by keeping close to the Savior in meditation, and
observing His words, His actions, and His affections, shall learn, with the help
of His grace, to speak, to act, and to will like Him.

“We must pause here...; we can reach God the Father by no other route...; the
Divinity could not be well contemplated by us in this world below if it were not
united to the sacred humanity of the Savior, whose life and death are the most
appropriate, sweet, delicious and profitable subjects which we can choose for
our ordinary meditations” (St. Francis de Sales, “Introduction to the Devout Life”,
Part II, Chapter 1, 2).

“I am the way”: He is the only path linking Heaven and Earth. “He is speaking
to all men, but in a special way He is thinking of people who, like you and me,
are determined to take our Christian vocation seriously: He wants God to be for-
ever in our thoughts, on our lips and in everything we do, including our most
ordinary and routine actions.

“Jesus is the way. Behind Him on this Earth of ours He has left the clear out-
lines of His footprints. They are indelible signs which neither the erosion of time
nor the treachery of the Evil One have been able to erase” (St. J. Escriva,
“Friends of God”, 127).

Jesus’ words do much more than provide an answer to Thomas’ question; He
tells us: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life”. Being the Truth and the
Life is something proper to the Son of God become man, who St. John says in
the prologue of his Gospel is “full of grace and truth” (1:14). He is the Truth be-
cause by coming to this world He shows that God is faithful to His promises,
and because He teaches the truth about who God is and tells us that true wor-
ship must be “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). He is Life because from all eterni-
ty He has divine life with His Father (cf. John 1:4), and because He makes us,
through grace, sharers in that divine life. This is why the Gospel says: “This is
eternal life, that they know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
Thou has sent” (John 17:3).

By His reply Jesus is, “as it were, saying, By which route do you want to go? I
am the Way. To where do you want to go? I am the Truth. Where do you want
to remain? I am the Life. Every man can attain an understanding of the Truth and
the Life; but not all find the Way. The wise of this world realize that God is eter-
nal life and knowable truth; but the Word of God, who is Truth and Life joined to
the Father, has become the Way by taking a human nature. Make your way con-
templating His humility and you will reach God” (St. Augustine, “De Verbis Domi-
ni Sermones”, 54).

8-11. The Apostles still find our Lord’s words very mysterious, because they can-
not understand the oneness of the Father and the Son. Hence Philip’s persistence.
Then Jesus “upbraids the Apostle for not yet knowing Him, even though His works
are proper to God—walking on the water, controlling the wind, forgiving sins, raising
the dead. This is why He reproves him: for not recognizing His divine condition
through His human nature” (St. Augustine, “De Trinitate”, Book 7).

Obviously the sight of the Father which Jesus refers to in this passage is a vision
through faith, for no one has ever seen God as He is (cf. John 1:18; 6:46). All ma-
nifestations of God, or “theophanies”, have been through some medium; they are
only a reflection of God’s greatness. The highest expression which we have of
God our Father is in Christ Jesus, the Son of God sent among men. “He did this
by the total fact of His presence and self-manifestation—by words and works,
signs and miracles, but above all by His death and glorious resurrection from the
dead, and finally by sending the Spirit of truth. He revealed that God was with us,
to deliver us from the darkness of sin and death, and to raise us up to eternal life”
(Vatican II, “Dei Verbum”, 4).

12-14. Before leaving this world, the Lord promises His Apostles to make them
sharers in His power so that God’s salvation may be manifested through them.
These “works” are the miracles they will work in the name of Jesus Christ (cf.
Acts 3:1-10; 5:15-16; etc.), and especially the conversion of people to the Chris-
tian faith and their sanctification by preaching and the ministry of the sacraments.
They can be considered greater works than Jesus’ own insofar as, by the Apos-
tles’ ministry, the Gospel was not only preached in Palestine but was spread to
the ends of the earth; but this extraordinary power of apostolic preaching pro-
ceeds from Christ, who has ascended to the Father: after undergoing the humi-
liation of the cross Jesus has been glorified and from Heaven He manifests His
power by acting through His Apostles.

The Apostles’ power, therefore, derives from Christ glorified. Christ our Lord says
as much: “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it”. “It is not that he who be-
lieves in Me will be greater than Me, but that only that I shall then do greater
works than now; greater, by him who believes in Me, than I now do by myself
without Him” (St. Augustine, “In Ioann. Evang.”, 72, 1).

Jesus Christ is our intercessor in Heaven; therefore, He promises us that every-
thing we ask for in His name, He will do. Asking in His name (cf. 15:7, 16; 16:
23-24) means appealing to the power of the risen Christ, believing that He is all-
powerful and merciful because He is true God; and it also means asking for
what is conducive to our salvation, for Jesus is our Savior. Thus, by “whatever
you ask” we must understand what is for the good of the asker. When our Lord
does not give what we ask for, the reason is that it would not make for our salva-
tion. In this way we can see that He is our Savior both when He refuses us what
we ask and when He grants it.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Red.

First reading
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ©

Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything.

Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.

Responsorial Psalm	Psalm 18:2-5 ©

Their word goes forth through all the earth.

Alleluia!

The heavens proclaim the glory of God,

and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.

Day unto day takes up the story

and night unto night makes known the message.

Their word goes forth through all the earth.

Alleluia!

No speech, no word, no voice is heard

yet their span extends through all the earth,

their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

Their word goes forth through all the earth.

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation	Jn14:6,9

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, says the Lord.

Philip, to have seen me is to have seen the Father.

Alleluia!

Gospel	John 14:6-14 ©

Jesus said to Thomas:

‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one can come to the Father except through me.

If you know me, you know my Father too.

From this moment you know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’

‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?

‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,

so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?

Do you not believe

that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:

it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.

You must believe me when I say

that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;

believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.

I tell you most solemnly,

whoever believes in me

will perform the same works as I do myself,

he will perform even greater works,

because I am going to the Father.

Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,

so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If you ask for anything in my name,

I will do it.’

Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: 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.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

Daily Gospel Commentary

Saints Philip and James, apostles - Feast

Commentary of the day
Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church
On the Trinity, 7, 34-36

"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

Jesus said: “If you know me, you know the Father too. From now on you know him and have seen him.” We see Jesus Christ, the man. The apostles had his outward appearance before their eyes, that is to say, his human nature, whereas God, who is without flesh of any kind, cannot be discerned in a wretched fleshly body. In what way, then, can it be said that to know him is to know the Father?

These unexpected words trouble the apostle Philip...; the weakness of his human mind makes him unable to understand so strange a statement... So, with the impetuousness allowed by familiarity and his faithfulness as an apostle, he questions his Master: “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied!”... It isn't that he wants to look on the Father with his physical eyes, but he asks to have an understanding of the one whom he sees with his eyes. Since, seeing the Son in his human form, he fails to understand how, by this, he has seen the Father...

Then the Lord answers him: “Have I been so long with you, Philip, and still you do not know me?” He reproaches him for not realizing who he is... Why had no one recognized him when they had been seeking him so long? It was because, in order to recognize him, they had to recognize the divinity, the Father's nature, within him. Indeed, all the works he had done were properly God's works: walking on the water, commanding the winds, accomplishing things impossible to understand such as changing water into wine or multiplying the loaves... putting demons to flight, banishing sickness, bringing healing to bodily ills, correcting disabilities from birth, forgiving sins, restoring the dead to life. All these things are what he has done in the flesh and these are what allow him to call himself Son of God. Hence his reproaches and lamentation: because no one recognized through the mysterious reality of his human birth the divine nature which was accomplishing these miracles through the human nature the Son had assumed.

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May 3, 2016

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Reading 1 1 Cor 15:1-8

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

Alleluia Jn 14:6b, 9c

Gospel Jn 14:6-14

Readings at Mass

May 2016

Pope's Intentions

Universal: That, rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care for our neighbours who suffer, especially the sick and the poor

Evangelization: That Mary's intercession may help Christians in secularized cultures be ready to proclaim Jesus.

Saints Philip and James, apostles - Feast