[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 3

<< Wednesday, April 19, 2017 >>

Easter Week

Acts 3:1-10
View Readings

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9

Luke 24:13-35
Similar Reflections

THE RISEN JESUS AND THE POPE

"The Lord has been raised! It is true! He has appeared to Simon [Peter]." �Luke 24:34

The Holy Spirit inspired the authors of Scripture to testify that the risen Jesus appeared especially to St. Peter (also known in the New Testament as Simon, Simon Peter, Cephas, and Kephas) before appearing to the entire group of apostles. St. Paul also makes a special reference "that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve" (1 Cor 15:5). These, and other references, give evidence to the primacy of Peter.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told Peter that Satan had specifically demanded to put Peter and the apostles to a stern trial (see Lk 22:31ff). Jesus told Peter that it would be His role to strengthen the other apostles (Lk 22:32).

According to the above testimony of St. Luke and St. Paul, Jesus appeared personally to Peter after rising from the dead, and only then did He appear to the remaining disciples. Jesus has especially chosen Peter, and his successors the popes, and He gives them special graces, charisms, and callings. To come closer to the risen Jesus, draw closer to St. Peter and the Popes. Read and obey what the Popes teach.

Prayer: Father, may I live every element of Your plan for me in full.

Promise: "They had come to know Him in the breaking of bread." �Lk 24:35

Praise: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Alleluia!

[Salvation]

The chief cause of poverty in this country is single motherhood/absent fatherhood.
71% of poor families are not married.
Children of single parent homes are two times more likely to be arrested for juvenile crime,
two times more likely be treated for emotional and behavioral problems,
twice as likely to be suspended or expelled from school,
33% more likely to drop out of school,
three times more likely to end up in jail by age 30,
50% more likely to live in poverty as adults,
and twice as likely to have a child outside of marriage themselves [Getting the Marriage Conversation Right, by William B. May].