Trinity Sunday

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Trinity Sunday (C), May 26, 2013

Liturgical readings
Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

"The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth."

The gospel passage for the feast of the Holy Trinity is comprised of only four verses in chapter 16 of St. John. In the Jerusalem bible, this gospel passage is part of a paragraph with the subtitle, "The coming of the Advocate". The Advocate referred to in this gospel passage is the Holy Spirit. Though the focus of the gospel passage seems to be on the Person of the Holy Spirit, if we read the gospel passage more closely, we can notice how Jesus relates His Person with the Person of the Holy Spirit (verse 14), and with Person of the Father (verse 15).

The Catholic doctrine of the Holy Trinity is an ancient doctrine. If by chance you are able to find the Athanasian Creed in a Catholic prayer book, you will see how intricately detailed the doctrine is, and how it is excellently interwoven into a prayer. Here is an excerpt of that prayer:

"For the Father is a distinct person; the Son is a distinct
person; and the Holy Spirit is a distinct person. Still the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory,
and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the
Holy Spirit is.....Glory be to you, equal Trinity, one God-head,
both before all time, and now and for ever, Alleluia."

The truth about God as a Person can breathe new life to spirits broken by the difficulties of family life and work (especially those who endure stresses from a series of disruptive events). God as a Person is always ready to hear our prayer. With the Lord before us in prayer, "there are no impossible expectations; no loss of self-esteem; no humiliations; no rejections; only unconditional love..." (from Sister Joan Chittister, OSB's, meditation tapes). God accepts and loves us as we are: broken or healed. When we bring our broken or healed selves in prayer, and are renewed in strength in the Sacraments, the life of the Trinity becomes more real in us - in ourselves and in relation to others in the Church. When the life of the Trinity leads us, we become a healing instrument for others.

Scripture quotes:

• "What is man that you should be mindful of him." (Psalm 104)
• "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans)

Disclaimer

Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Short Novena in Honor of the Holy Spirit

Opening Prayer for every day:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth
Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall
renew the face of the earth.

Prayer for the 1st, 4th, and 7th day

O divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love, we implore
Your special assistance and guidance for our Holy Father,
our Bishops, Priests and Religious, and for the Laity,
the people of God. Unite us all in true love and
understanding, so that in everything we may seek only
the greater glory of God and our own sanctification, as
the Ecumenical Council Vatican II reminds us. Let us all
be guided by the love of God, our Father, and teach us
to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. May we all
be one family under the guidance of the Holy Father
and our Bishops, the successors of the Apostles, and
seek to please God in everything. Amen.

May You be blest, O divine Spirit, one true God with
the Father and the Son! Amen.

Closing Prayer for every day:

O Holy Spirit, Divine Spirit, of light and love,
we consecrate to You our understanding, heart and
will; our whole being for time and eternity. May
our understanding be always submissive to Your
heavenly inspirations and to the teachings of the
Catholic Church, of which You are the infallible
Guide. May our hearts be ever inflamed with love
with God and neighbor; may our will be ever
conformed to the divine will; and may our whole
life be a faithful imitation of the life and
virtues of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
to Whom, with the Father and You be honor and
glory forever. Amen.

O Spirit of Wisdom, preside over all my
thoughts, words and actions, from this day
till the end of my life.

Spirit of Understanding, enlighten and
teach me.

Spirit of Counsel, direct my inexperience.

Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness.

Spirit of Knowledge, instruct my ignorance.

Spirit of Piety, make me fervent in good works.

Spirit of Fear, restrain me from all evil. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son...

Say the Opening Prayer for Every Day

Prayer for the 2nd, 5th, and 8th day

O Divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love, continue
to guide Your Church and all its members as You have
guided the Council Fathers in such a marvelous and
visible manner. Enlighten all of us so as to
understand the teachings of Christ, our Lord and
Saviour, better and better every day and conform
our lives entirely to things eternal and to find,
through this kind of life, the peace which the world
cannot give. Teach the whole world that lasting
peace is to be found only in the true and unselfish
love of God and neighbor. Amen.

May You be blest, O divine Spirit, one true God with
the Father and the Son! Amen.

Say the Closing Prayer for every day

Say the Opening Prayer for Every Day

Prayer for the 3rd, 6th, and 9th day

O Divine Spirit, Spirit of light and love,
through the Ecumenical Council, Vatican II,
You have presented the Catholic Church in all
her beauty and splendor, as the Mystical Body
of Christ; give us strength and courage to carry
out all the resolutions of Vatican II. Shed the
brightness of Your light on all nations, their
rules and people, that all may become one in
Faith and Love, and always please the one
Triune God, and bring us all together in one
family of God where there will be understanding,
peace and happiness. Bring about, O Spirit of
light and love, a new and lasting Pentecost. Amen.

May You be blest, O Divine Spirit, one true
God with the Father and the Son! Amen.

Say the Closing Prayer for every day

Pentecost Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Pentecost Sunday (C), May 19, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
Romans 8:8-11
John 14:15-16, 23-26

"The Father will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever."

The first reading from the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts gives a vivid description of what happened on Pentecost. And a chapter before this passage, in Acts 1:13-14, we learn who were in that upper room before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the whole apostolic community: the Eleven apostles, several women - including Mary, the mother of the Lord. Altogether, as that passage describes, there were about 120 of the Lord's followers (Acts 1:13). All were joined in continuous prayer (Acts 1:14). This was the setting before that "powerful wind from heaven, with a noise that filled the entire house, came, and something like tongues of fire rested on the head of each of them" (Acts 2:2-3). They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in different languages (Acts 2:4).

From that Pentecost event, the apostolic community, and eventually the Church, became missionary and preached the gospel of Jesus to the four corners of the world. The first country to be evangelized was France (King Clovis and the Franks). That was between the late 5th to the 8th century A.D. Fast-forward to the 17th century and we discover St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, a French missionary priest. Montfort wrote about this Pentecost event within the context of devotion to the Blessed Mother. His spiritual intuition taught a parallel truth we would not know if not for his ardent devotion to the Mother of God. He said, (paraphrasing): "just as the birth of Jesus came to fulfillment in Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit, so the birth of the Church came about also through Mary's grace-filled presence with the apostolic community during Pentecost." For Montfort, the plenitude of Mary's graces brought about both the birth of the head and the body of the Church. [The Blessed Mother was present during the Pentecost event (Acts 1:13)] [1][2].

This feast of Pentecost is a time to be grateful to God for the gift of the Blessed Mother, who was instrumental in the birth also of the Church. In Montfort's spiritual intuition, just as Christ was born through Mary, so is the Church also given birth through her presence among the apostolic community. The Holy Spirit is the the third Person of the Holy Trinity. All prayers begin and end with Him (as we make the sign of the cross). He is the One who can bring light to every important decision we need to make. He is the One who "fills our hearts", "takes possession of our souls", "confirms our mortal frame", "drives from us our hellish foe", and will "renew the face of the earth". As the Holy Spirit gave wisdom and courage to the apostolic community, so shall He continue to do so with the Church and all succeeding generations baptized in the "name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". He is the Lord and the Giver of Life.

Scripture quotes:

• "They had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven." (Acts 2)
• "All creatures depend on you to feed them throughout the year." (Psalm 104)
• "He who raised Jesus from the dead will life to your own mortal bodies through His Spirit living in you."(Romans)

References:

• Christianization of the Franks, Wikipedia.org
• God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

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Veni Creator Spiritus - 2 English translations & Original Latin prayer

Modern English Translation

Come, Holy Spirit, maker, come
and with your servant live;
to hearts that you yourself have made
your grace from heaven give.

We name you as our strengthener,
God's gift from out his height;
love's-self, and fire, and course of life,
soul's-hardening for the fight.

God's finger writing in our hearts,
yourself seven times a gift;
the Father's solemn promise, you
with words our tongue enriched.

A flame to guide our senses, light;
with love our hearts endower;
the failings of our flesh supply
with never-failing power.

Still further yet drive back our foe,
and straightway give your peace;
with you before us leading on
may we from all wrong cease.

Through you may we the Father know,
and learn through you the Son;
have faith in you for evermore,
of both the Spirit one.

All glory to the Father be,
and to the risen Son;
all glory, Spirit, be to you
while endless ages run.

2nd translation into English from the Latin

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator come,
From thy bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls,
And make them all thine own!

Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction, and true love!

Thou who are sevenfold in thy grace,
Finger of God's right hand.
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand!

O guide our minds with thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame,
And with thy strength which ne'er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our hellish foe,
True peace unto us bring.
And through all perils guide us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.

Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee the eternal Son,
And thee the Spirit of them both
Thrice-blessed three in one.

All glory to the Father be,
And to the risen Son;
The same to thee, O Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.

Original text in Latin

Veni Creator Spiritus,
Mentes tuorum visita,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui Paraclitus diceris,
Donum Dei altissimi
Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
Et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,
Dexterae Dei tu digitus,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
Sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus:
Infunde amorem cordibus:
Infirma nostri corporis
Virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius,
Pacemque dones protinus:
Ductore sic te praevio,
Vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem,
Noscamus atque Filium;
Te utriusque Spiritum
Credamus omni tempore.

Gloria Patri Domino,
Natoque qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Reference

• Veni Creator Spiritus, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• St. Rabanus Maurus was credited for composing the hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus. His feast day is commemorated every February 4.

Litany to the Holy Spirit

In many prayer books, the popular litanies that are often published are the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Litany of Loreto or the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Very rare to find is the Litany of the Holy Spirit. Given below is the Litany to the Holy Spirit from the book "Cenacle With Mary: Towards the Third Millenium", by Bro. Edgar C. Karganilla.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Father all powerful, have mercy on us.
Redeemer of the world, save us.
Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.
Holy Trinity, hear us.
Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Son, enter our hearts.
Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.
Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on us.
Author of all good, have mercy on us (*).
Source of heavenly water, (*).
Ardent charity, (*).
Consuming fire, (*).
Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, (*).
Spiritual unction, (*).
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, (*).
Spirit of knowledge and piety, (*).
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, (*).
Spirit of fear of the Lord, (*).
Spirit of grace and prayer, (*).
Spirit of peace and meekness, (*).
Spirit of modesty and innocence, (*).
Holy Spirit, the Comforter, (*).
Holy Spirit, Who governs the Church, (*).
Gift of God, in the Most High, (*).
Spirit who fills the universe, (*).
Spirit of adoption of the Children of God, (*).
Holy Spirit, inspire us with horror of sin.
Holy Spirit, come and renew the face of the earth.
Holy Spirit, shed your light in our souls.
Holy Spirit, engrave your law in our hearts.
Holy Spirit, inflame us with the flame of your love.
Holy Spirit, open to us the treasures of your graces.
Holy Spirit, teach us to pray well.
Holy Spirit, enlighten us with your heavenly inspirations.
Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of salvation.
Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge.
Holy Spirit, inspire in us the practice of good.
Holy Spirit, grant us the merits of all virtues.
Holy Spirit, make us persevere in justice.
Holy Spirit, be you our everlasting reward.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
send us your Holy Spirit
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
pour down into our souls the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us the Spirit of wisdom and piety.
Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful.
And enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Let us pray.

Grant, O merciful Father, that Your Divine Spirit englighten,
inflame and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly
dew and make us fruitful in good works; through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Your Son, Who with you, in the unity of the same Spirit,
lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

There are other versions of the Litany of the Holy Spirit. Two that can be found online:

• Litany to the Holy Spirit by EWTN.com
• Litany of the Holy Ghost by Catholic.org

Commemoration of Saints (June 4)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Francis of Caracciolo, confessor
• Quirinus, bishop and martyr
• Metrophanes, bishop
• Optatus of Milevis, bishop
• Petroc, abbot
• Vincentia Gerosa, virgin [1]

June 4. The Catholic Church commemorates today 3 bishops (with St. Quirinus who is a bishop and a martyr), 1 abbot, 1 confessor, and founder, and 1 virgin [2][3].

St. Optatus of Milevis (d. ca. 387 A.D.) was converted to the Christian faith before he was elevated to the episcopate at Milevis in North Africa. He wrote the treatise Against Parmenian the Donatist, which is a treatise that speaks of the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff. St. Optatus also articulated a theological principle that holds up to our modern times - that the validity or efficacy of the sacraments do not depend on the holiness of the minister. But his best contribution to the Church is the ecclesiological principle that defends the primacy of the universal Church over the particular Church. The local churches around the world, the "particular" churches, are seen to be parts of the one ecclesial whole.

There are no other records of his early life, how long he lived, and no specific account of him being martyred or suffering a violent death. What is prominent in the life he committed to the Church is his work as an apologist. So it is generally presumed he died of natural causes after a life dedicated to defending the Catholic faith and promoting Church unity against the Donatists [2][3][4][5].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [June 4]

• Metrophanes, Patriarch of Constantinople [2]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [3] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [4] Homiletic & Pastoral Review: First millenium Petrine ministry by Joseph F. Previtali, March 2009
• [5] Google Gemini for search query "how many years did st. optatus live and what is the story of his death?", Google.com

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Ascension Sunday (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Ascension Sunday (C), May 12, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:17-23
Luke 24:46-53

"As Jesus blessed, he left the Eleven, and was taken up to heaven."

Unlike in other countries, where the Solemnity of the Lord's Ascension is celebrated on a Thursday (following the 40 days tradition), in the Philippines, the feast of the Ascension is celebrated every 7th Sunday after Easter. The reason is pastoral and allowed by the Vatican through the local episcopal conference. This allows more Filipinos to celebrate an important feast of the Lord on a Sunday.

Let us examine now parallel readings for this feast of the Ascension. The readings in Luke 24:46-53, which is proclaimed in the Eucharist, have parallel passages also describing the Ascension event. Parallel descriptions of the event is found in the gospel of Mark and in the Acts of the Apostles:

• Mark 16:19-20
• and Acts 1:9-11.

Reading these three scripture passages will provide more descriptive details of the event and mystery. And one can have a more integrated perception of what happened during the event of the Lord's Ascension from three perspectives.

• In Luke's version, Jesus gives a blessing before he is taken up to heaven.
• In Mark's version, Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God.
• And in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, he ascended to heaven until a cloud hid him from the sight of his followers. Then, there is also mention of two men dressed in white who said: "This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw him go to heaven."

The Scriptures are the primary source of our canonical understanding of who Jesus is and the mystery of His person and mission. But our Catholic tradition along the continuum of Christian history has also a lot to say about the mystery of the Lord's Ascension. One strong voice in our timeline as a Catholic Church is found in St. Leo the Great, one of the doctors of the Church in the 1st millenium. St. Leo the Great has left a sermon reflecting on the feast of the Lord's Ascension. Below is an excerpt of his message:

"...in spite of being taken from men's sight of everything that is rightly felt to command their reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, charity does not grow cold...the light of truly believing souls is their unhesitating faith in what is not seen with the bodily eye but fix their desires on what is beyond sight...our Redeemer's visible presence has passed into the sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because sight has been replaced by a doctrine whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high."

The three readings on the mystery of the Ascension cited above and the quoted sermon of St. Leo the Great, all lead the Catholic faithful to see Jesus' presence among us after His Ascension through His Spirit in the Church. He is present among His ordained ministers, in the congregation gathered for prayer and the Sacraments, and in the Word proclaimed and lived nobly in the heart of family and work environments. It is by the virtues of faith, hope, and charity that we see the light of Christ in each other. It is by faith that we know Jesus as the Son who sacrificed his life for our sins in order to shepherd our souls back to the Church and the Father. As Christ fulfilled his mission and returned to the Father, by our baptismal consecration, we are called to continue His mission in prayer and in the respective areas of work. We too are entasked every day, each according to the ability or talents given by God, to sanctify all the realities we are immersed in - big or small.

Scripture quotes:

• "No sooner had he said this than he was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight." (Acts 1)
• "He has put all things under Christ's feet and has made him thus exalted, head of the church." (Ephesians)

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6th Sunday of Easter (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

6th Sunday of Easter (C), May 5, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
John 14:23-29

"We will make our dwelling place with him always."

The Holy Bible Confraternity Edition, (a special edition promoted by Pope Paul VI in the 1960s), presents this Sunday's gospel passage between two paragraphs with the following title headings:

• "His love for His disciples" (14:18-24)
• and "The Holy Spirit will teach all things" (14:25-31).

The theme of love was presented in the gospel of last Sunday's Eucharist. This theme of love is continued in this Sunday's gospel - linking its meaning to the Father, to the Holy Spirit, to the Lord's word, and to His peace.

What does the tradition of the Church say about God's love in the gospel of John? The mystery of God and His love presented in this Sunday's gospel is also taken up by St. Cyril of Alexandria (ca. 376-444 A.D.), one of the doctors of the Church in the 1st millenium, in one of his sermons for the Easter Season. The following quote from St. Cyril's sermon, which is a commnentary on the gospel of John, is found in the non-biblical readings of the breviary:

"...Christ sends the Spirit, who is both the Father's Spirit and his own, to dwell in each of us. Yet that Spirit, being one and indivisible, gathers together those who are distinct from each other as individuals, and causes them all to be seen as a unity in himself. Just as Christ's sacred flesh has power to make those in whom it is present into one body, so the one, indivisible Spirit of God, dwelling in all, causes all to become one in spirit."

Back to the text of the gospel, Jesus reminds all His followers not to be disturbed and fearful (John 14:27), for He will send the Holy Spirit to them. He repeats this same message of assurance and the promise of His indwelling love to all of us faithful in this Sunday's Mass and in the commentary of St. Cyril of Alexandria. So, whenever the events around us or in the news online cause much distress and fear, we only need to be reminded of the assuring message of Jesus, and remember what He promises. His Spirit will gift us with the prayer and faith to "bear with one another charitably, and to spare no effort in securing, by the bonds of peace, the unity that comes from the Spirit (Ephesians 4:2-3)."

Scripture quotes

• "We are sending you Judas and Silas, who will convey this message by word of mouth." (Acts 15)
• "May God have pity on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us." (Psalm 67)
• "The holy city had no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb." (Revelation 21)

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Commemoration of Saints (May 23)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Desiderius, bishop and martyr
• Guibert
• Leonitus of Rostov, bishop and martyr
• Ivo of Chartres, bishop
• Euphrosyn of Polotsk, virgin
• William of Rochester, martyr
• John Baptist Rossi [1]

May 23. The Catholic Church commemorates today 2 bishops and martyrs, 1 bishop, 1 martyr, 1 virgin, 1 Benedictine monk, and 1 priest [2].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [May 23]

• Michael, Bishop of Synnada at Phrygia [3]

The canonization process

Saints, as we know them today, are raised to the altar of the Vatican through a process called canonization. The canonization process as we know it today — centralized, investigative, and papally controlled — was not born overnight but gradually developed over centuries. In the early centuries, especially before 993 A.D., the Pope was not involved in the process, except to approve the cult of Saints in Rome under his jurisdiction as Bishop of Rome. As to the other countries and regions outside of Rome, the Saints were proclaimed by the local communities among whom they had lived and died. And the local bishop of those communities approved of their sainthood [4].

It was during the time of the Catholic Reformation, particularly in the wake of the Council of Trent (1545–1563 A.D.), that the process became significantly more formalized. In response to Protestant critiques of saint veneration and accusations of superstition, the Catholic Church doubled down on discipline, doctrinal clarity, and institutional reform. The Council reaffirmed the legitimacy of honoring saints while calling for greater oversight in religious practices. This led to stricter procedures in canonizations, culminating in the establishment of the Congregation of Rites in 1588 A.D. by Pope Sixtus V. Saints like Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Ávila, and Isidore the Farmer were canonized under this new, more rigorous system — serving as models of reform - era holiness and orthodoxy [5].

This article was written with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT by OpenAI), May 20, 2025.

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] search results from Google and Google Gemini, May 23, 2025
• [3] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [4] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [5] chapgpt by openai, May 20, 2025

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5th Sunday of Easter (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

5th Sunday of Easter (C), April 28, 2013
Liturgical readings
Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145
Revelation 21:1-5
John 13:31-33, 34-35

"This is how all will know you for my disciples."

The 13th chapter of St. John's gospel is divided into three parts by the Jerusalem Bible: "Jesus washes his disciples' feet" (13:1-20); "The treachery of Judas foretold" (13:21-32); and "Farewell discourses" (13:33-38). This Sunday's gospel passage is located between the second and the third parts. Its highlight is the new commandment the Lord gives. And the immediate context of this new commandment in John's gospel is a specific action of self-giving: Jesus washing His disciples' feet.

Jesus gives a new commandment: love. The commandment of love is higher than the Law. And it is more than just what the world presents love to be; for us Christians, love is also a Person. And the biblical truth that speaks of God as love, has become the Way, the Truth, and the Life: the person of Christ Jesus our Lord. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI expresses this truth of Jesus and Christian love in his first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est":

"One can become a source from which rivers of living water
flow. Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink
anew from the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from
whose pierced heart flows the love of God".

For many Catholics, the practice of charity is within the context of family life and professional work. To be charitable in these times of trouble and adversity is a call not easily heard. The call is sometimes drowned by noisy distractions within and without. But the Lord's call remains. We need not be a martyr like the Lord to make the practice of charity perfect. Just to bear patiently each other's burdens in work and life, and to be a healing presence to others, even in times of adversity, is already a noble direction both pleasing to God and man.

Scripture quotes

• "Paul and Barnabas gave their disciples reassurances, and encouraged them to persevere in the faith." (Acts 14)
• "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." (Psalm 145)
• "He shall be their God who is always with them." (Revelation 21)

Paraphrasing the Gospel: John 13:31-33, 34-35

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Commemoration of Saints (May 16)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

May 16. The Catholic Church commemorates 11 Saints today: 4 bishops, 1 bishop and confessor, 1 bishop and martyr, 2 abbots, 1 martyr, 1 religious, and 1 priest. Check the list given at Saints for the Month of May.

The lives of the Saints are interesting because they have lived the Christian life to a heroic degree. Spurred by the love of God and to serve Him in the Church, many of them in their young adulthood have chosen to enter religious life and/or the clerical state. However, what is true may be the opposite for others. It can happen that none of them chose to follow that direction at first. They may have led wayward lives at first before being converted to a life of grace with God. And there are a few who have not led a sinful life but chose to live a comfortable way of life. An example is the story of St. Andrew Hubert Fournet.

St. Andrew Hubert Fournet (ca. December 6, 1752-May 13, 1834 A.D.) or André Hubert, resisted his mother's desire for him to be a priest. But when he visited an uncle who was a priest in a desolate parish, he was inspired to enter religious life. So he studied, was ordained, and became his uncle's assistant. He became a parish priest and converted from a comfortable style of living to one of austerity and simplicity. When the French Revolution began and started to hound the French clergy, Andrew went into hiding in Spain. When Andrew returned, he had difficulty resuming his life as a pastor. However, when a concordat between Napoleon and the Holy See was signed in 1807 A.D., Andrew was able to found, together with St. Elizabeth Bichier, a congregation to whom he composed a rule for the religious life. St. Andrew Fournet devoted the rest of his life as confessor and spiritual adviser to the congregation he co-founded with St. Elizabeth Bichier. This congregation was dedicated to the education of children [1][2][3].

Andrew Fournet died on May 13, 1834. He was canonized in 1933 A.D.

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [May 16]

• Theodore, disciple of St. Pachomius
• Sts. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs [2]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [3] Search results for the search query "andrew hubert fournet", Google.com, May 16, 2025

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Commemoration of Saints (May 15)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

The Saints commemorated on May 15 are listed here .

One of the Saints commemorated on May 15 is St. Isidore the Farmer. What is amazing to learn is that St. Isidore lived his life in obscurity, but after he died, miracles were attributed to his intercession. These miracles included the cure of King Philip III in ca. 1615 A.D. Because of his recovery, the monarch was encouraged to petition for Isidore's canonization. And so it was done. The canonization of St. Isidore was celebrated in 1622 A.D. He was included in the canonization ceremony where he was elevated to the altar together with Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Philip Neri.

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [May 15]

• St. Pachomius the Great [1]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [2] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien

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Whatever Became of Sin? by Dr. Karl Menninger

A popular psychiatrist offers new hope for real emotional health through the practice of Christian moral values

Introduction

Dr. Karl Menninger, author of the book "Man Against Himself", also wrote "Whatever Became of Sin?". He writes this book to outline an ethical system for the world, promoting to its readership a return to responsibility for one's actions, and for a renewed recognition of sin. The book he writes brings back the reality of sin and its effects on our moral consciousness, and all should find a way to face up to it. If we do acknowledge sin as a reality and take responsibility for its effects, we can gain real emotional health - a healthy maturity of the psyche.

The tendency to blame others for one's actions

Author Dr. Karl Menninger acknowledges the trend in some moral thinking that seeks to blame or deny responsibility for one's actions, which, in some opinions, can be interpreted as freedom of thought and speech. However, as individuals or nations, Dr. Menninger says that this direction of thinking increases the denial of consequences that have stemmed from one's actions - actions that were made without much deliberation, and therefore with a lack of maturity. Menninger emphasizes that this denial of responsibility will weaken one's moral health. He also adds that other psychiatrists in his field of expertise are even compounding the problem by "neglecting the availability of help for some individuals whose sins are greater than their symptoms and whose burdens are greater than they can bear"?

The book Whatever Became of Sin? was written in the 1970s. In writing the book, Dr. Karl Menninger consulted many authorities on the subject:

• the Reverend Richard Bollinger,
• the Reverend Gerard Daily, SJ,
• the Reverend Alfred Davies,
• Dr. Frederick J. Hacker,
• Dr. Seward Hiltner,
• Dr. Philip B. Holzman,
• the Reverend Carlyle Marney,
• Dr. Gardner Murphy,
• the Reverend Leslie A. Newman,
• Dr. Paul W. Pruyser,
• Dr. Sydney Smith,
• Professor Arnold Toynbee,
• Dr. Lewis F. Wheelock
• and many others.

Integrating moral values and medicine

The book is indeed an excellent read. It integrates the Christian moral value system with the discoveries of psychology and psychiatry. It explains very well how psychiatry can denigrate the importance of an ethical value system when it pushes its theories of "syndromes" to the extreme. And not only that. The "strictly syndrome" mentality can only aggravate an individual's perception of the problem - blocking the solution of a moral ethical standard - best of all a Christian one. With Dr. Karl Menninger's explanation and treatment of the problem in our modern time, a wise balance is attained by placing the knowledge of psychology and psychiatry at the service of a Christian ethical value system - wherein the individual takes responsibility for his own actions and also takes into consideration the weakness of personality or character caused by psychological factors in his family or environment.

A pocketbook worth reading and learning

This brief pocketbook can naturally, as author Ann Landers commented of the book, "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable". It is quite a provocative treatise; truly informative and worth the time to read in one's lifetime - a gem of wisdom and knowledge to give time to, no matter how busy one may be in his work and career.

Themes and topics that are treated in the book

• A Brief and Biased Review of Moral History
• What Is Wrong?
• The Disappearance of Sin: An Eyewitness Account
• A New Social Morality
• Sin into Crime
• Sin into Symptom
• Sin as Collective Irresponsibility
• The Old Seven Deadly Sins (and Some New Ones)
• Sin, So What?
• The Bluebird on the Dung Heap

Whatever Became of Sin?, check at Librarything.com

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Commemoration of Saints (May 14)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Matthias, apostle
• Pontius, martyr
• Carthage, Carthach or Mochuda, abbot
• Erembert, bishop
• Michael Garicoïts, priest and founder
• Mary Mazzarello, virgin [1]

May 14. The Catholic Church commemorates 1 apostle, 1 bishop, 1 martyr, 1 abbot, 1 priest and founder, and 1 virgin.

Foremost among this roster of saints is St. Matthias the apostle. His feast today reminds the faithful that after the death of Judas Iscariot, he was chosen to replace Judas. St. Matthias is qualified to be in the roster of apostles because he witnessed Jesus' ministry and resurrection. He is also mentioned in the Roman Canon.

St. Michael Garicoïts, or Michel Garicoïts (ca. 1797-1863) was a French Basque who became a priest. He founded the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bétharram. He fought against the heresy of Jansenism in his parish and practiced well a devotion to the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus [2].

Review Saints who were commemorated yesterday, May 13, and check the Saints commemorated for the Month of May.

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [May 14]

• St. Isidore, Martyr [3]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Michel Garicoïts, en.Wikipedia.org
• [3] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney

4th Sunday of Easter (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

4th Sunday of Easter (C), April 21, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm 100
Revelation 7:9, 14-17
John 10:27-30

"Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice."

Today's gospel is part of the Good Shepherd theme developed in chapter 10 of St. John the Evangelist's gospel. That is the context in which we are to derive the meaning of John 10:27-30. In the NRSV Catholic edition of the bible, the 10th chapter of John is divided into two parts:

• "Jesus the Good Shepherd" (verses 1-21),
• and "Jesus is Rejected by the Jews" (verses 22-42).

The theme of Jesus as Good Shepherd is more developed in the first part of the chapter. Verses 27-30 (this Sunday's gospel), which is found in the second part of chapter 10, presents the Lord in defense of His mission as Good Shepherd. He makes it plain to those who do not believe in Him that by their lack of faith, they exclude themselves from His sheepfold.

The image of the Lord as Good Shepherd is an ancient image still familiar to present-day Catholics who live in very urban or industrial environments. It is still familiar to them because of holy cards or stained glass windows in parishes they attend Mass where the image of Jesus pasturing a flock of sheep or carrying a lamb on His shoulders is highly visible. Aside from these visual reminders, there are also many prayers that have this theme. These prayers to Jesus as the Good Shepherd are powerful intercessory prayers that ask and seek guidance from God in the journey of life. An example of one prayer is given below:

"Lead me to pastures, Lord, and graze there with me. Do not let
my heart lean either to the right or to the left, but let your good
Spirit guide me along the straight paths. Whatever I do, let it be
in accordance with your will, now until the end." (prayer of St. John
Damascene, Syria, 675-749 A.D.)

A person's journey from "womb to tomb" is fraught with risk and danger. The risk is not only to one's physical security but to one's soul as well. Many classic writers and passages in the wisdom literature of the Bible (especially Proverbs and Ecclesiasticus) teach that one should guard the wellsprings of one's heart, one's thoughts, and to have custody of one's senses (both external and internal), so as not to be misled and tempted in the wrong path. The ability to be on guard and vigilant is rooted in the depth of one's relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This ability can be exercised with self-discipline and self-control. This is possible even in modern culture with its many distractions. The key solution is to focus on Jesus, His Word, and His presence in the Eucharist. He speaks to us through the Church, in the person of the Holy Father and all the clergy.

Scripture quotes

• "My sheep hear my voice...I give them eternal life and they shall not perish."
• "Paul and Barnabas spoke at Antioch in Pisidia and urged the believers to hold fast to the grace of God." (Acts 13)
• "God made us, His we are; His people, the flock He tends." (Psalm 100)
• "These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7)

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The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament

Categorizing the 150 Psalms

What are the Psalms?

The Psalms are the prayers of the Hebrew tribes, whose writers gathered all the important elements of their prayer traditions, and recorded in written form the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

Author Bernhard W. Anderson's book Understanding the Old Testament, says that the present form of the Psalms is a product of the post-exilic community of Israel. It reflects the liturgical practice of the Hebrews after they had settled down again after their exile.

When you look at the bible and scan over the whole book of Psalms, you can see that they number exactly 150, with each of the individual psalms comprising one chapter.

In modern Bible translations, some "chapters" of the Psalms are shown with two numbers. This discrepancy in "numbering" acknowledges that there are two sources from which the Psalms were translated into English. The first number belongs to one source tradition of numbering (from the Hebrew) and the other to a second tradition of numbering (from the Greek). The Greek translation, the Septuagint, has its system of numbering the psalms.

An example of the difference in this numbering: in the Hebrew tradition, one psalm is a combination of two psalms in the Greek - for instance, Psalm 116 combines Psalm 114 and 115 in the Greek translation (see table below). The same is seen when numbering is made from the Greek tradition; one psalm combines two psalms in the Hebrew tradition. An example is Psalm 113. Psalm 113 combines Psalm 114 and 115, which are separated into two psalms in the Hebrew tradition.

Here is the numbering of both the Hebrew and Greek traditions in tabular form:

Hebrew	Greek (LXX)
1 to 8	1 to 8
9 and 10	9
11 to 113	10 to 112
114 and 115	113
116	114 and 115
117 to 146	116 to 145
147	146 and 147
148 to 150	148 to 150

Categorization of the Psalms according to themes

There are many ways by which these Old Testament psalms are categorized. However, post-Vatican II research has led many bible scholars to categorize them according to their themes. This categorization is according to the book Journey, Volume III- Writings by Msgr. Marcel Gervais:

• Psalms on the Law
• Liturgical psalms
• Prophetic psalms
• Historical psalms
• Wisdom psalms
• Royal psalms (on the king)
• Laments
• Confidence psalms
• Thanksgiving psalms
• Hymns
• hymns (general)
• hymns on the reign of the Lord
• hymns on Zion

Psalms on the Law

Psalms on the Law usually exalt the love of the law of God as loving God. Many psalms fall under this category. Psalm 1 is a good example. Psalm 119 is another psalm of the Law. It is a song praising the Law and is the longest of all the psalms (176 verses).

Liturgical psalms

Liturgical psalms present an "entrance ritual", where pilgrims coming to worship in the Temple are reminded of the way of life the Lord demands of them when they gather to worship in His presence. Examples which represent this category of liturgical psalms are Psalm 15, Psalm 24, and Psalm 134.

Prophetic psalms

Prophetic psalms usually reflect the concerns and prayers of the prophets of Israel. These psalms are represented by Psalm 95, Psalm 14, Psalm 50, Psalm 52, Psalm 53, Psalm 75, and Psalm 81.

Historical psalms

Historical psalms usually tell the story of the prayers and experiences of the people of Israel as they wandered for many years in the wilderness and the desert. These psalms also contain references to events and persons in history, like the Exodus and covenant in Psalm 114; Abraham in Psalm 47; and Moses in Psalm 103. Other examples of historical psalms are seen in Psalm 68, Psalm 78, and Psalm 106.

Wisdom psalms

The tradition of wisdom of the people of Israel was also expressed in the Psalms. Psalms to note that belong to this category are Psalm 8, Psalm 104, Psalm 1, Psalm 37, Psalm 49, Psalm 111, Psalm 112, Psalm 119, Psalm 127, Psalm 128, Psalm 133, Psalm 91, Psalm 139, and Psalm 73.

Royal psalms

Some psalms describe the role of the kings in the history of the People of Israel. These are grouped in a category of psalms called the royal psalms. Examples of these psalms are Psalm 72, Psalm 2, Psalm 89, Psalm 110, and Psalm 132.

Laments

At least 50 of the 150 psalms are laments. These psalms beseech God for help and mercy. In a way, laments are the prayers of the poor and the oppressed. Examples of psalms in this category are Psalm 22, Psalm 42, and Psalm 43.

Confidence psalms

This group of psalms is characterized by an extraordinary spirit of trust in God. Six psalms can be said to belong to this category: Psalm 4, Psalm 11, Psalm 16, Psalm 23, Psalm 62, and Psalm 131. Other authors also include Psalm 127 and Psalm 121 in this category.

Thanksgiving psalms

Thanksgiving psalms are expressions of gratitude, often concerning celebration with friends or the assembly. An example is Psalm 30. Other Thanksgiving psalms are: Psalm 32, Psalm 9, Psalm 10, Psalm 34, Psalm 40, Psalm 41, Psalm 92, Psalm 107, Psalm 116, and Psalm 138. These are Thanksgiving psalms sung by an individual. The communal thanksgiving psalms are found in Psalm 65, Psalm 66, Psalm 67, Psalm 118, and Psalm 124.

Hymns

Hymns are psalms in which the center of attention is the Lord himself; little or no reference is made to the ones singing the psalms. The hymns are of three kinds: Songs of Zion, Songs of the Reign of the Lord, and hymns in general.

Songs of Zion

Examples of Songs of Zion are: Psalm 46, Psalm 122, Psalm 132, Psalm 84, Psalm 87, Psalm 48, Psalm 76

Songs of the Reign of the Lord

Examples of Songs of the Reign of the Lord are: Psalm 93,
Psalm 96, Psalm 47, Psalm 97, Psalm 98, and Psalm 99

General Hymns

This last category of psalms covers at least 19 psalms. Classic examples which belong to this category are: Psalm 146 and Psalm 148

Where are the psalms mostly used?

The psalms are mostly used in the Eucharistic service during the liturgy of the word. After the first reading is proclaimed, there is a part of the liturgy of the word called the responsorial psalm. In these prayers, parts of a psalm are taken, and the responses to the prayers of the psalm are often from the psalm itself.

Another tradition where the psalms are used is in the praying of the breviary or the liturgy of the hours. The psalms in the breviary are sung [as in the monastic tradition] or recited in two choirs by religious communities. Many parishes have taken the initiative to pray the liturgy of the hours amongst the lay faithful, with the parish priest leading the prayers.

Reference:

• Journey, Volume III - Writings, by Msgr. Marcel Gervais, Claretian Publications, Librarything.com
• Understanding the Old Testament, by Bernhard W. Anderson, Claretian Publications, Librarything.com

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Theology From Above, Theology From Below

A Paradigm Shift in Catholic Theology Led by Vatican II Proponents

Some definitions

Microsoft Encarta dictionary defines paradigm shift as "a radical change in somebody's basic assumptions or approach" [1].

A search in Google will give this Dictionary result: "a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions" [2].

Wikipedia.org gives another definition: "a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline" [3].

What is common among these 3 definitions is the term change . Two definitions agree that the change is fundamental, while the other definition states that the change is radical. Something fundamental is crucial; something radical is often a significant departure.

Our question therefore is: "Was the paradigm shift in theology since Vatican II from scholastic (theology from above) to human experience-based (theology from below) fundamental or radical?

Judging from the documents produced since Vatican II, popes like St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI veered the direction of the Church's theology to a balanced theology - both rooting it in traditional theology (scholastic), and moving it towards a more human and experience-based understanding of the faith. As to a pope like Pope Francis, his theological approach to the understanding of the Christian faith displays a move that significantly emphasizes human experience as primary ground for seeing the face of Christ in the world.

Examining main differences

Theology from above is a theological approach that begins with God and divine revelation as its primary starting point. It emphasizes God's revelation of His authority found in Scripture and often interpreted through tradition and reason. A main proponent of theology from above was St. Thomas Aquinas . St. Thomas Aquinas stressed dogmatic truths and realities that are spiritual in nature, but rooted in faith and reason. Thus, we understand from this theological school the truths on the Blessed Trinity, the angels and the archangels, the eschatological (in relation to the end times) realities of heaven, purgatory, limbo and hell.

Theology from below is a theological approach that begins with human experience, culture, and the world as its primary starting point. It seeks to understand God and divine realities through the eyes of human existence, history, and social contexts. It is a theological direction that has its emphasis on human experience as the basis for understanding one's faith in a personal God. A good example of this theological direction are the theologians who advocate liberation theology and theologies that see Christ as the emancipator of a people oppressed by authoritian governments. Two well-known proponents for the theology from below are Gustavo Gutierrez, a key figure in liberation theology, and Paulo Freire, whose work on pedagogy emphasizes critical reflection and action [4].

The paradigm shift in Catholic theology

The paradigm shift in Catholic theology happened when those who advocate a theology from below radically departed from the theology from above. Since the theology from below is a contextualized theology, it has produced many schools of theology that are contextualized in specific human experiences or causes such as the liberation of the poor oppressed by corrupt administrations and the preservation of the world's environment. Before, theology has as its assumption and approach the truths and realities abstracted from Scripture and Catholic tradition. This is what many call a "theology from above". After the "paradigm shift" in theology caused theological thinking to shift to a "theology from below", a lot of traditional thinking in the Church was left out. This happened gradually after the Second Vatican Council and its documents were applied to the actual living expression of the Christian faith.

What developed from the "theology from below" is a greater integration of many fields in the social sciences: psychology, sociology, and anthropology. The fields of business, economics, politics and the cultural world of the media was also integrated. Many texts in the document Gaudium et Spes, "The Church in the Modern World", gives the Church's moral stand in relation to all these fields of human endeavour. It is this stress on judging human experience from the point of view of the Scriptures which gives the Church its impetus to involve herself in a world under the ideal of 'solidarity with the suffering' and 'preferential option for the poor'.

So, let us go back to the basic question of this study: is the paradigm shift from a theology from above to a theology from below fundamental or radical?

• Was the theology promoted by St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI a fundamental change from scholastic theology or a radical change?
• How about Pope Francis? Was the theology he promoted a fundamental or a radical shift from traditional theology?
• What should be the direction of theology in the Catholic Church now? Should it follow the theological line of thinking of St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, or should it continue with the line of thinking of Pope Francis?
• Should there be some middle ground where a more moderate or integrative theological thinking is called for?
• Were is the Holy Spirit leading the Church in terms of its theological understanding of
• Christ,
• ecclesiology,
• religious life,
• seminary formation,
• the lay apostolate,
• society and culture,
• the realities of poverty,
• the equal distribution of wealth among nations,
• the protection of the environment?
• What kind of theological thinking ought to be followed that is faithful to the teaching of Christ in the gospels and the apostles?

References

• [1] Microsoft Encarta Dictionary: The First Dictionary for the Internet Age, St. Martin's Press 2002
• [2] Search result for search query "paradigm shift", Google.com, April 21, 2025
• [3] Paradigm shift, En.Wikipedia.org
• [4] Search query: "proponents of theology from below in the catholic church", AI Overview, Google.com, May 5, 2025

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Commemoration of Saints (May 5)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Hilary of Arles, bishop
• Mauruntius, abbot
• Avertinus
• Angelo, martyr
• Jutta, widow [1]
• Gotthard of Hildesheim, abbot and bishop [3]

Today, the Catholic Church commemorates 2 bishops, 2 abbots, 1 martyr, 1 widow, and (according to pious legends) 1 hermit who was ordained a deacon.

Since the Church on May 5 commemorates 2 abbots, let us learn how they followed Christ in their monastic way of life.

St. Gotthard of Hildesheim (ca. 960-1038 A.D.) was a reformer. He helped in the reform of the Nieder-Altaich abbey and guided the reform of three other monasteries. On the other hand, St. Mauruntius, or Maurontius of Douai, (ca. 634-701 A.D.) entered the Marchioness abbey and became its deacon. He also founded the abbey of Breuil. He was also superior of the double monastery of Marchiennes.

In their commitment to Christ, both St. Gotthard and St. Mauruntius devoted to their life to the building of the Church's monastic way of life and its abbeys. Both abbots signified the mission of Christ to make the gospel known through a life of prayer and the expansion of the monastic system in Europe during the 7th to the 11th century A.D. [2][3][4]

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [May 5]

• St. Irene, Glorious Martyr [2]

St. Irene of Thessalonica (d. ca. 304 A.D.) was convicted during the persecution of Christians for possessing copies of the Scriptures and for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods. After being placed in a house of prostitution and chained, she was put to death - by fire or an arrow to her throat. Her feast is commemorated today by the Russian Orthodox Church [3].

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon, p. 495
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney, p. 699
• [3] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien, p. 191
• [4] Maurontius of Douai, en.Wikipedia.org

3rd Sunday of Easter (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

3rd Sunday of Easter (C), April 14, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

"This marked the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples."

If you read the gospel of John, beginning at chapter 20:11, you will find two resurrection appearances of Jesus:

• first, to Mary of Magdala in the tomb area (John 20:11-18);
• and second, to the disciples and Thomas in the upper room (termed the cenacle) (John 20:24-29).

This Sunday's gospel presents a third resurrection appearance. In this resurrection story, Jesus appeared to Peter and to six other disciples. A miracle was performed in this third instance. The miracle involved a sizable amount of big fish (a total of 153, cf. John 21:11) that Peter and his companions caught with great surprise. For when Jesus realized they were having difficulty fishing all night long, and still coming empty-handed, He told them to cast their nets towards the right side of their boat. As the fishermen obeyed, they hauled in a big catch. They then set the boat towards shore and shared a part of this hauled catch with Jesus. It is in this instance that Jesus spoke with Peter again. He reinstated Peter in his role as leader of the nascent Christian community by testing Peter's commitment to love Him and take care of His flock of followers.

Jerome Neyrey, in his book, "The Resurrection Stories", confirms that the three "question-answer" form found in this Sunday's gospel, is intended to offset the triple denial of Peter (cf. John 13:38, 18:27). Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times when people noticed him as one of His followers after the arrest of Jesus. After those three denials, the cock crowed as prophesied by Jesus. Author Jerome Neyrey also adds that this resurrection appearance-event is an example of how a significant person in the early church traditionally describes the followers of Jesus by recalling their former sins. Thus, Simon Peter, who was restored as the shepherd of Jesus' flock, is always remembered as the apostle who denied the Lord three times. Jerome Neyrey also notes that Matthew is remembered as the former tax collector; Mary of Magdala as one whom Jesus drove out seven demons; and Paul as a former persecutor of the Church.

The Lord Jesus did not intend to call perfect men and women to follow Him in building God's Kingdom. Instead, he chose ordinary people, and sinners as well. The Church in our own time does not also call perfect men and women. God calls in the same way as Jesus does: He invites ordinary folks and repentant sinners to return or be baptized in the Church. When sinners return to the fold of the Church, the Church restores their place again in God's Household - a Household where both the prodigal sons and daughters, as well as jealous and righteous "elder brothers", are welcome, and are both treated as sons by the Father. So there is hope. There is a sure way back to God. And God-in-Jesus takes the initiative - as exemplified in today's Gospel by appearing to Simon Peter. In the same way, the presence of the Risen Lord in the Eucharist does not hesistate to re-enter the lives of His sons and daughters again. The Risen Lord in the Eucharist calls all to renew their commitment to God in their baptismal consecration. When Jesus re-enters peoples' lives and opens again the door to His Kingdom, let all hearts be ready to renew their baptismal consecration.

Scripture quotes:

• "The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus whom you put to death." (Acts 5)
• "O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks." (Psalm 30)
• "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5)

Reference: The Resurrection Stories by Jerome H. Neyrey

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2nd Sunday of Easter (C)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

2nd Sunday of Easter (C), April 7, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118
Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

"These [signs] have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah."

After the death of Jesus, the disciples had locked the doors were they were staying - for fear of the Jews. But it did not take long until Jesus made His appearance before them - despite the locked doors. Now that they had seen the Risen Lord before their eyes after witnessing His death on the Cross, the disciples rejoiced in their hearts. But Thomas was not with the Twelve when the Lord made this first resurrected appearance. And so when Thomas returned to the community and learned about the event, he was skeptical - even when his companions attested that they had seen the Lord. Soon, as Jesus made another resurrection appearance, Thomas was with the community. Jesus cleared the doubts of Thomas by permitting him to examine His nail-marks and the wound on His side. Thomas' response of faith was: "My Lord and my God!"

This gospel narrative can teach that faith can be expressed both at the communitarian and personal levels. When the disciples as an apostolic community, saw their Risen Master, they exclaimed to Thomas: "We have seen the Lord!" Their faith-response was one on the level of community. They witnessed the same event, and shared the faith of seeing Jesus as a community. But Thomas, though he was also a member of that community, was called to a personal faith-response. What was unbelief in Thomas' heart because of his absence in a community-faith-event, was transformed into a fervent and personal faith-encounter with Jesus, when he himself saw his Master and personally believed with his own eyes. Only Thomas among the Twelve made the confession of faith: "My Lord and my God!" And the personal faith-response of Thomas is now rooted in the communal-faith-response of his companions.

Each believer in the faith community shares in common a baptismal faith that all express together in the Eucharist. Everyone in the Mass responds with the same prayers: the Confiteor, the Apostles' Creed, the Our Father, and other communal prayer responses. But the Lord in the Eucharistic celebration also calls each one to have a personal faith-encounter with Him in the Sacrament. And this personal faith-encounter is based from each person's unique lived experiences - faith-lived experiences in one's respective educational background, professional or work experience, specific obligation in marriage and/or family life, and the personal healing one needs in life. Any spiritual healing needed from doubt or lack of faith that one prays for in the Eucharist can give birth to a faith-response that is both personal and communitarian ("Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.")

Scripture verses

• "Through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders occurred among the people." (Acts 5)
• "My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior." (Psalm 118)
• "I saw seven lampstands of gold and among the lampstands One like a Son of Man." (Revelation 9)

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Commemoration of Saints (April 26)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Our Lady of Good Counsel
• Cletus (Anacletus), pope
• Richarius, abbot
• Marguerite d'Youville [1]
• Peter of Braga, bishop
• Paschasius Radbertus, abbot
• Franca of Piacenza, virgin and abbess
• Stephen of Perm, bishop [2]

Today, April 26, the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel. It also commemorates 1 pope, 2 abbots, 2 bishops, 1 foundress, and 1 virgin and abbess.

The story about Our Lady of Good Counsel began in the year 1467 A.D. When a local church was in dire need of repair, the widow in charge for the project of restoration discovered that she was running out of funds. When the feast of St. Mark began, heavenly music was heard by the townsfolk. A mysterious cloud descended on the unfinished wall of the parish church. When the cloud disappeared, a beautiful fresco of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus was revealed. It was no more than 18 inches square. Many believed that it was transported miraculously from Scutari, Albania, before the Ottomans invaded the country.

The Augustinian Order spread the devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Then in 1753 A.D., Pope Benedict XIV established the Pious Union of Our Lady of Good Counsel. On 22 April 1903 A.D., Pope Leo XIII included the invocation "Mater boni consilii" in the Litany of Loreto. In 1939 A.D., Pope Pius XII placed his papacy under the maternal care of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

The feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel is commemorated every 26 April so that it does not conflict with the commemoration of St. Mark on 25 April [3].

Prayer of Pope Pius XII to Our Lady of Good Counsel

Holy Virgin, moved by the painful uncertainty we experience in seeking and acquiring the true and the good, we cast ourselves at thy feet and invoke thee under the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel. We beseech thee: come to our aid at this moment in our worldly sojourn when the double darkness of error and of evil plot our ruin by leading minds and hearts astray. Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the victims of doubt and of error so that they may not be seduced by evil masquerading as good; strengthen them against the hostile and corrupting forces of passion and of sin. Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us our most urgent need….. (here mention your request) and secure for us from thy Divine Son the love of virtue and the strength to choose, in doubtful and difficult situations, the course agreeable to our salvation. Supported by thy hand we shall thus journey without harm along the paths taught us by the word and example of Jesus our Savior, following the Sun of Truth and Justice in freedom and safety across the battlefield of life under the guidance of thy maternal Star, until we come at length to the harbor of salvation to enjoy with thee unalloyed and everlasting peace. Amen [4].

What does it mean to have faith in God and to be faithful to the Catholic Church's mission for the 7 Saints commemorated today?

• For St. Cletus (d. ca. 91 A.D.), it meant to succeed St. Peter as the second pope and to also suffer martyrdom like Christ.
• For St. Richarius (d. ca. 645 A.D.), it meant founding an abbey at Celles, becoming its abbot, and then upon reaching old age, resigned to spend the rest of his life as a hermit on the spot where a monastery was also built [5].
• For St. Marguerite d'Youville (1701-1771 A.D.), it meant founding the Sisters of Charity of the General Hopital for the care of the poor, the sick, and aged women in Montreal [6].
• For St. Peter of Braga (d. ca. 350 A.D.), it meant suffering martyrdom after he baptized and cured the local ruler of Braga's daughter from leprosy.
• For St. Paschasius Radbertus (d. ca. 860 A.D.), it meant becoming a monk at Corbie, serving as master of novices, and leading Corbie as abbot for seven years.
• For St. Franca of Piacenza (1170-1218 A.D.), it meant becoming abbess first at St. Syrus Convent and then being ousted for the strictness of her rule. She then became abbess of Montelana convent which she served under the Cistercian rule.
• For St. Stephen of Perm (d. ca. 1396 A.D.), it meant becoming a monk at Rostov, Russia, and then engaging in missionary work among the Zyriane southwest of the Urals. He used his intelligence to translate the liturgy and part of the Bible into Zyriane - inventing an alphabet to do so - before being appointed first bishop of Perm [5].

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References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] search query saints with feast days on april 26, Search Labs | AI Overview, Google.com
• [2] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon, p. 494
• [3] Our Lady of Good Counsel, En.Wikipedia.org
• [4] Struggling with a decision? Try this prayer, Aleteia.org
• [5] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [6] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien

Commemoration of Saints (April 23)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• George, martyr
• Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus, martyrs
• Ibar, bishop
• Gerard of Toul, bishop
• Adalbert of Prague, bishop and martyr [1]

Today, April 23, the Catholic Church commemorates 4 martyrs, 2 bishops, and 1 bishop and martyr.

The common virtue exemplified by the Saints commemorated today is courage in defense of their faith in God. This is clear among the martyrs: St. George, Sts. Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus, and St. Adalbert of Prague. As for St. Ibar and St. Gerard of Toul, this is how they manifested their courage in defense of their faith in God.

• St. Ibar of the 5th century showed his courage and faith in God by opting to be a missionary to Ireland. It is not easy to be a missionary. One has to leave one's comfort zone and go out into unchartered territories [2].
• St. Gerard of Toul (935-994 A.D.) decided to devote himself to the Church after his mother was struck dead by lightning. In 963 A.D. he was appointed bishop of Toul, which he made a center of learning, rebuilding its churches and monasteries. This he courageously did for 31 years with great faith in God. St. Gerard practiced heroic courage to guide his diocese, defend the Church, and live according to his commitment to Christ in Toul [2][3].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [April 23]

• Feast of St. George, the glorious Great-Martyr and wonderworker
• St. Alexandra, Martyr [2]

References: Books, Websites, Search results & AI Overviews

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon, p. 494.
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney, p. 310, 699.
• [3] Search query can you discover the virtue or virtues in common for these saints of the day for April 23, Gemini.google.com search response, April 23, 2025

Commemoration of Saints (April 22)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Epipodius and Alexander, martyrs
• Leonides, martyr
• Agapitus I, pope
• Theodore of Sykeon, bishop
• Opportuna, virgin and abbess [1]

The Catholic Church commemorates today, April 22, 3 martyrs, 1 pope, 1 bishop, and 1 virgin and abbess.

Pope St. Agapitus I, or Agapetus, was elevated to the papacy in the 6th century A.D. He exercised the duties of his office from 13 May 535 A.D. to his death in 22 April 536 A.D.

St. Agapitus I's papacy lasted about 10-11 months, more or less [2]. On his way to Ostrogoth King Theodahad, he was unsuccessful in convincing Emperor Justinian to call off a threatened invasion of Italy. However, Agapitus I was successful in convincing the Emperor Justinian to remove Patriarch Anthimus, a monophysite. Anthimus was replaced by Mennas, whom St. Agapitus I consecrated [3].

References: Books, Websites, Search & AI Search Responses

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon, p. 494.
• [2] Search result for search query "agapitus I", Google.com, April 22, 2025.
• [3] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney, p. 13.