Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 13, Scripture: Acts15:1-6; Psalm 122:1-5; John 15:1-8

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1 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 13, 2009 Scripture: Acts15:1-6; Psalm 122:1-5; John 15:1-8 Reflection: Have you ever walked through a vineyard? As you look at the vines you notice how inter-tangled everything is the vine, the branches, the leaves. The Lord is teaching us in this image that there must be a living union between Jesus and us who accept the faith. I am the Vine, you are the branches one who lives in me produces abundant fruit. We must not only decide to abide in the Lord but we must actively put his teaching into practice throughout our lifetime. The purpose of being a branch on the vine and abiding in Christ is that we bear fruit: the fruit of godly character and conduct, the fruit of persevering and faithful witness. Jesus also teaches us that the Father not only shelters us from the storms of life so that we might be fruitful, but also prunes and cuts away those obstacles which prevent a richer harvest of fruit. One other teaching is given to us in this passage when Jesus tells us that we are already clean by virtue of the word I have spoken to you. Jesus is assuring us on the night before he died that to hear his words and to take them into our hearts is to be purified and thus we become acceptable to the Father. Words spoken by Jesus impart the fullness of life making us bearers of fruit for the Kingdom of God. Suggested Action: Remind yourself today that to be abundantly fruitful you must abide in Christ. Sister Dolores M. Banick, IHM Dunmore, Pennsylvania

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 15, 2009 Scripture: Acts 15:22-31; Psalm 57:8-9, 10-12; John 15:12-17 Reflection: Love, Freedom and Friendship An important decision in the early Church in the

2 Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 15, 2009 Scripture: Acts 15:22-31; Psalm 57:8-9, 10-12; John 15:12-17 Reflection: Love, Freedom and Friendship An important decision in the early Church in the first reading is juxtaposed with the command to love from John s Gospel. In the context of that second reading Jesus uses the word friends three times. That we are called to love, by a God who both knows and loves us, is without doubt. This central theme of Christianity is usually a very great challenge. Anyone who has tried to love, not in a general or conceptual way but in the particular, a specific neighbor, co-worker, or family member, realizes that this great endeavor is not easy. Knowing how much we have failed at this actual commandment might be discouraging. Jesus, however, also calls us friends, not slaves. Believing that Jesus is God, we are able also to believe that Jesus knows us as friends, that he knows our limitations, our histories, and gifts. His understanding and grace are central to our ability to have resurrection hope. We are better able to love when we live in the atmosphere of freedom suggested by the first reading. Paul and Barnabas have come to Jerusalem on behalf of a group of anxious Gentile converts because of those who would impose Jewish law on them. The response sent back with trusted representatives instructs the community not to place unnecessary burdens on the new Christians. This decision, made by the Holy Spirit and by us, that is, by Spirit-filled Church leaders, is a daring statement of the freedom God wishes for us. As we are challenged by Jesus command to love, let us rejoice with hope in his freedom and friendship. Suggested Action: Remember the freedom God wishes for you. Sit quietly in the space of that freedom. Gradually let yourself extend that peace and freedom to those with whom you disagree and those whom you find difficult to love. Sister Gail Cabral, IHM

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 16, 2009 Scripture: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100:1-5; John 15:18-21 Reflection: Recall that this passage is excerpted from the Last Supper Discourse.

3 Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter May 16, 2009 Scripture: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100:1-5; John 15:18-21 Reflection: Recall that this passage is excerpted from the Last Supper Discourse. To be chosen out of the world and yet hated by the world is surely a conundrum! In this season of Alleluias, rebirth, new life, resurrection hope, John warns us of the cross of discipleship. John tells us that persecution and fidelity to the Word will be costly, because they don t know the one who sent me. Do our lives speak to the world of our rootedness in Christ s life, death, and resurrection: the Paschal Mystery? Does our Easter joy emanate from us? Does it illuminate our world so that the darkness and hatred can be dispelled? Easter celebrates our baptism, our dying and rising, our putting on Christ as symbolized by the Baptism garment. We can banish the darkness of hate in our world by radiating the light of Christ that is within us, by our loving deeds that can disarm the heart. Suggested Action: Quietly sit and recall that God has first loved us and filled our hearts with that love. Call to mind the hatred, violence and evils of the day and enfold them within your heart; pray that the Easter victory over sin and death may renew the world. Sister Katherine O Neil, IHM Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2009 Scripture: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98:1-4; First John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 Reflection: In truth, I see that God shows no partiality rather, in every

4 Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2009 Scripture: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98:1-4; First John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17 Reflection: In truth, I see that God shows no partiality rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. Perhaps to a Christian of the twenty-first century, Peter s insight might seem selfevident. To appreciate its momentous quality, we must enter into the mindset of the first century Jewish converts. They believed that the Good News of their new-found religion was to be promulgated only to their fellow Jews. Now they see that Peter, the leader of the infant Church has been led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim that anyone who fears (stands) in awe of God and acts uprightly can be welcomed into the fold of believers. By acknowledging that Gentiles are also called by God, Peter is leading the Church to sing a new song, a song welcome to all. In Chapter10 of Acts, we see that both Peter and Cornelius the centurion have been led to this insight through visions. Because of Peters Aha moment, All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God. If this isn t motivation to Shout with joy to the Lord, what is? God desires all the ends of the earth to know the faithful love first extended to the House of Israel. What are we, twenty-first century Christians, doing to make God s dream a reality? Could we start, as Peter did, by listening to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ promised would be with us until the end of time? Suggested Action: Read Acts in its entirety. Appreciate this first chapter in the Church s history as the great adventure story it is and marvel at the work of the Spirit. Sister Lillian Marie Farrell, IHM

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter May 18, 2009 Scripture: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149:1-9; John 15:26--16:4 Reflection: Lydia, a worshiper of God listened and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention

5 Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter May 18, 2009 Scripture: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149:1-9; John 15:26--16:4 Reflection: Lydia, a worshiper of God listened and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. One of the most wonderful things for all of us, is to be listened to when we have something to share, be it a sad or a joyful happening. A listening ear is a sure sign of a listening heart. Lovelier still, is when we can lend a listening ear/heart to another who trusts us with personal joys, sorrows, success or failure stories, and then respond to them. Lydia, described as a worshiper of God, listened intently to Paul, and the Lord opened her heart to Paul s inspired words and to new life and hope. God had good news to share with Lydia through Paul, and she was ready to accept and believe and thus be transformed in her life. Our God is continuously sharing life through the Word and the words of others, inviting us to open ourselves to a new way of being and of doing things. Each day, we have opportunities not only to hear but to listen to God s voice in the scriptures, in events, and through the sharing of others. But daily, I am bombarded by noise: loud music in stores, waiting rooms and, of course, on radio and TV. Words abound too, many of them meaningless and distracting. I need to sift through the sounds and be more sensitive to and focused on those words which are meant to call forth from me, responses that emanate from a listening, compassionate heart, responses that can bring hope and new life to others. Suggested Action: Throughout the remainder of this Easter season, try to quiet your heart amid the busyness of activities and countless noisy distractions, and hone in on God s Word and the words of those in need of new life. Then respond from a listening heart. Sister Linda Anne Greenberg, IHM

The Ultimate LOVE STORY

The Ultimate LOVE STORY Bible Teaching Resources by Don Anderson Ministries PO Box 6611 Tyler, TX 75711-6611 903.939.1201 Phone 903.939.1204 Fax 1.877.326.7729 Toll Free www.bibleteachingresources.org www.oneplace.com/ministries/persevering_and_pressing_on