This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-09
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/6ThurEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Only by seeing Jesus as the true source of joy can we find hope and healing and lasting happiness.
Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
May 9, 2024
(In some dioceses, today is the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord. In others, it has been transferred to Sunday so that more people can participate in this celebration. This reflection uses the Gospel from the Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter. For a reflection about the Lord's Ascension, go to https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-12/)
Acts 18:1-8
Ps 98:1-4
John 16:16-20
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050924-thursday.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-9-2024-day
Keep your eyes on Jesus!
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus says, "You will lose sight of me, but soon after you'll see me again." Have you ever lost sight of Jesus? Of course, we all have. Whenever we focus on our troubles, we take our eyes off Jesus and we become blind to what he's doing to help us. Spiritual growth means improving our self-control so that we focus on Jesus no matter what's happening. The sooner we remember to do this, the sooner we see him again.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus does not mean ignoring everything else. Quite the contrary! We are to look at the world and look at others with eyes wide open, fantasizing nothing, apathetic toward nothing, in denial over nothing, but viewing it all through the eyes and the vision of Jesus Christ.
Whatever problem catches your attention today, take a minute to pray and discern how Jesus is viewing it. What's he doing to redeem it? If he's not doing it yet, what would he like to do? Whomever you encounter today, consider how Jesus sees that person. Care as he cares! When your work or ministry preoccupies you, remember that Jesus is beside you, instructing you in what to do, how to do it, and how to be a witness of his love and truth. You are never alone. He's your companion with a view of a much bigger picture, a much HUGER understanding of what's happening.
Losing sight of Jesus makes us vulnerable to sin. Then, when we get in touch with our sins and realize that we've crucified Christ by hurting others and ourselves, we truly do mourn and weep, as Jesus prophesied in this Gospel reading. But notice that he added: "You will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned into joy."
What is grieving you now? Where is your joy lacking? Why are you lacking it? How can your grief be turned into joy? Jesus knows the answer! Keep your eyes on him. Follow him.
When we deny our need for forgiveness, or when we seek it but afterward deny that we've been forgiven, we lose the joy of our salvation. Likewise, when we look to externals for our joy, we lose the gift of joy that Jesus has given us. Only by seeing Jesus as the true source of joy can we find hope and healing and lasting happiness. Only by noticing how he handled life can we develop the right attitudes about our own life. Only by observing why Jesus was glad to suffer for the sake of others can we find blessings in our own sufferings.
So go ahead and rejoice! (That means, have joy over and over again. Have you lost sight of Jesus? Look again!)
To reflect more on this, use our Faith Booster: "Jesus wants to increase your faith" @ https://wordbytes.org/faith-booster-minis/jesus-wants-to-increase-your-faith/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/6ThurEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Only by seeing Jesus as the true source of joy can we find hope and healing and lasting happiness.
Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter
May 9, 2024
(In some dioceses, today is the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord. In others, it has been transferred to Sunday so that more people can participate in this celebration. This reflection uses the Gospel from the Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter. For a reflection about the Lord's Ascension, go to https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-12/)
Acts 18:1-8
Ps 98:1-4
John 16:16-20
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050924-thursday.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-9-2024-day
Keep your eyes on Jesus!
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus says, "You will lose sight of me, but soon after you'll see me again." Have you ever lost sight of Jesus? Of course, we all have. Whenever we focus on our troubles, we take our eyes off Jesus and we become blind to what he's doing to help us. Spiritual growth means improving our self-control so that we focus on Jesus no matter what's happening. The sooner we remember to do this, the sooner we see him again.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus does not mean ignoring everything else. Quite the contrary! We are to look at the world and look at others with eyes wide open, fantasizing nothing, apathetic toward nothing, in denial over nothing, but viewing it all through the eyes and the vision of Jesus Christ.
Whatever problem catches your attention today, take a minute to pray and discern how Jesus is viewing it. What's he doing to redeem it? If he's not doing it yet, what would he like to do? Whomever you encounter today, consider how Jesus sees that person. Care as he cares! When your work or ministry preoccupies you, remember that Jesus is beside you, instructing you in what to do, how to do it, and how to be a witness of his love and truth. You are never alone. He's your companion with a view of a much bigger picture, a much HUGER understanding of what's happening.
Losing sight of Jesus makes us vulnerable to sin. Then, when we get in touch with our sins and realize that we've crucified Christ by hurting others and ourselves, we truly do mourn and weep, as Jesus prophesied in this Gospel reading. But notice that he added: "You will grieve for a time, but your grief will be turned into joy."
What is grieving you now? Where is your joy lacking? Why are you lacking it? How can your grief be turned into joy? Jesus knows the answer! Keep your eyes on him. Follow him.
When we deny our need for forgiveness, or when we seek it but afterward deny that we've been forgiven, we lose the joy of our salvation. Likewise, when we look to externals for our joy, we lose the gift of joy that Jesus has given us. Only by seeing Jesus as the true source of joy can we find hope and healing and lasting happiness. Only by noticing how he handled life can we develop the right attitudes about our own life. Only by observing why Jesus was glad to suffer for the sake of others can we find blessings in our own sufferings.
So go ahead and rejoice! (That means, have joy over and over again. Have you lost sight of Jesus? Look again!)
To reflect more on this, use our Faith Booster: "Jesus wants to increase your faith" @ https://wordbytes.org/faith-booster-minis/jesus-wants-to-increase-your-faith/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
Telegram
PRAYER CARDS
Receive short, daily prayers by text message. They are shareable graphics of the prayers from the Good News Reflection of the day.
This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-10/
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/6FriEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Nothing can permanently interfere with God's plans and purposes.
Friday of the 6th Week of Easter
Memorial of John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church
May 10, 2024
Acts 18:9-18
Ps 47:2-8a
John 16:20-23
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051024.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-10-2024
Turning grief into joy
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells us: "Poor dear, it's going to be hard for you. You'll weep and mourn while the worldly people around you rejoice in the sins that are causing problems for you. But your grief will turn to joy! Your sufferings are like labor pains: Something new and wonderful will come from them."
And then he says, "I assure you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." In other words, whatever Jesus wants for you, by asking the Father for it in unity with Christ's desires, you've got it! In might not be fully manifested in this world yet, but you've got it.
Have you ever prayed for an end to the sufferings that are causing you to weep and mourn? And have you asked God to hurry up with that joy that he promised? But the sufferings continue, and sometimes they even intensify!
I've recently endured a decade of multiple, simultaneous, heartbreaking situations that were well covered in prayer. Most of this is behind me now, but if God had done what I had asked him to do at the start, some of the problems that further developed could have been prevented. Hello Jesus? What happened?
He pats me on the head saying, "You poor, dear child. Didn't you entrust these matters to the Father? When it seems like your prayers are not being answered, it's because we're working on a plan that's better than what you can imagine."
In today's first reading, the Lord told Paul: "Don't be afraid. Go on speaking. Go on doing what I called you to do, for I am with you. No one will attack you, because I have many followers in this city." Other times in other places, Paul was attacked, imprisoned and eventually executed. The life of a servant of God is never easy and certainly not "safe" (according to our definition of "safe"). An easy life was not the best solution to Paul's problems. God answered his prayers by ensuring that his ministry would continue no matter what. And Paul's ministry still continues today.
Nothing can permanently interfere with God's plans and purposes. The delay in putting an end to our grief is not proof that destructive forces are conquering God. Nor is it due to an uncaring attitude of God. He uses it all -- the good and the bad, the angels and the demons, the easy-going days and the hard times -- to bring salvation to untold numbers of people. That's what happened on Good Friday when Satan thought he had defeated Jesus.
Your joy is coming. In fact, joy begins now with realizing the truth of this! The Father is answering your prayers, not in the way you expect but better than you can imagine. Your sufferings are labor pains indicating that something new, something wonderful, something beyond your dreams is being born. As you wait for the birth, you do well to prepare for it by learning everything you can from the present moment.
To help you reflect further on this, go to our WordByte: "Why must we suffer?" @ https://wordbytes.org/suffering/why-must-we/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/6FriEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Nothing can permanently interfere with God's plans and purposes.
Friday of the 6th Week of Easter
Memorial of John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church
May 10, 2024
Acts 18:9-18
Ps 47:2-8a
John 16:20-23
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051024.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-10-2024
Turning grief into joy
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells us: "Poor dear, it's going to be hard for you. You'll weep and mourn while the worldly people around you rejoice in the sins that are causing problems for you. But your grief will turn to joy! Your sufferings are like labor pains: Something new and wonderful will come from them."
And then he says, "I assure you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." In other words, whatever Jesus wants for you, by asking the Father for it in unity with Christ's desires, you've got it! In might not be fully manifested in this world yet, but you've got it.
Have you ever prayed for an end to the sufferings that are causing you to weep and mourn? And have you asked God to hurry up with that joy that he promised? But the sufferings continue, and sometimes they even intensify!
I've recently endured a decade of multiple, simultaneous, heartbreaking situations that were well covered in prayer. Most of this is behind me now, but if God had done what I had asked him to do at the start, some of the problems that further developed could have been prevented. Hello Jesus? What happened?
He pats me on the head saying, "You poor, dear child. Didn't you entrust these matters to the Father? When it seems like your prayers are not being answered, it's because we're working on a plan that's better than what you can imagine."
In today's first reading, the Lord told Paul: "Don't be afraid. Go on speaking. Go on doing what I called you to do, for I am with you. No one will attack you, because I have many followers in this city." Other times in other places, Paul was attacked, imprisoned and eventually executed. The life of a servant of God is never easy and certainly not "safe" (according to our definition of "safe"). An easy life was not the best solution to Paul's problems. God answered his prayers by ensuring that his ministry would continue no matter what. And Paul's ministry still continues today.
Nothing can permanently interfere with God's plans and purposes. The delay in putting an end to our grief is not proof that destructive forces are conquering God. Nor is it due to an uncaring attitude of God. He uses it all -- the good and the bad, the angels and the demons, the easy-going days and the hard times -- to bring salvation to untold numbers of people. That's what happened on Good Friday when Satan thought he had defeated Jesus.
Your joy is coming. In fact, joy begins now with realizing the truth of this! The Father is answering your prayers, not in the way you expect but better than you can imagine. Your sufferings are labor pains indicating that something new, something wonderful, something beyond your dreams is being born. As you wait for the birth, you do well to prepare for it by learning everything you can from the present moment.
To help you reflect further on this, go to our WordByte: "Why must we suffer?" @ https://wordbytes.org/suffering/why-must-we/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
Telegram
PRAYER CARDS
Receive short, daily prayers by text message. They are shareable graphics of the prayers from the Good News Reflection of the day.
More Good News!
• Why do you need the Holy Spirit?
• This week’s recommended video: Why do you believe?
Go to https://t.me/good_news_ministries
• Why do you need the Holy Spirit?
• This week’s recommended video: Why do you believe?
Go to https://t.me/good_news_ministries
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This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-11/
Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you: Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” (John 16:23)
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
May 11, 2024
Acts 18:23-28
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-10
John 16:23-28
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051124.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-11-2024
The power of asking “in the name of Jesus”
Is it enough to say, “Father, this we ask in the name of Jesus”? Will everything we ask “in the name of Jesus” be granted to us?
No. Not everything we ask, even if we ask in his name, will be granted. Why?
Because our prayer is not a power. It’s a process. Only God has the power. We have a journey that Jesus wants to lead us through for the sake of growing in holiness.
How many times do we “run” to God to ask for his immediate help without taking the time to talk with him about the issue, to express our feelings, and above all, to listen to what he wants to tell us? He wants our prayers to become conversations that bring change — first in our hearts and then in the world.
Asking “in the name of Jesus” means asking according to his heart and his will. But how do we know if what we ask for is in accordance with his heart and will? We discover it best through a two-fold process.
One part is prayer — the meeting up of two friends (the Holy Spirit and you or me) who are in an intimate and deep relationship. We open our hearts to him and surrender all that afflicts us, worries us, saddens us, overwhelms us. By unconditionally submitting everything to him, we receive his comfort, his peace, his guidance. It is when we take time to ponder God’s perspective of our prayer requests that we receive his counsel.
The other part is community — meeting with at least one Spirit-filled, Christ-centered friend or priest or spiritual director so we can receive confirmation or new insights about our prayer request. God answers prayers through community, usually. Although he can of course work miracles by himself, he prefers to work through the earthly Body of Christ.
Divine guidance for our prayer requests is not a complicated business. It is, in reality, simple. It’s always available, and God always speaks in the vernacular; he speaks our language because he wants us to hear him.
For more on this, see our Wordbyte “How Can You Be Sure What Is God’s Will?” @ wordbytes.org/master-needs-you/what-is-gods-will.
Or listen to our Footsteps to Heaven podcast “3 ways to un-stifle the Holy Spirit” @ footstepstoheaven.com/holy-spirit/3-ways-to-un-stifle-the-holy-spirit.
© 2024 by Terry A. Modica
Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you: Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” (John 16:23)
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
May 11, 2024
Acts 18:23-28
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-10
John 16:23-28
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051124.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-11-2024
The power of asking “in the name of Jesus”
Is it enough to say, “Father, this we ask in the name of Jesus”? Will everything we ask “in the name of Jesus” be granted to us?
No. Not everything we ask, even if we ask in his name, will be granted. Why?
Because our prayer is not a power. It’s a process. Only God has the power. We have a journey that Jesus wants to lead us through for the sake of growing in holiness.
How many times do we “run” to God to ask for his immediate help without taking the time to talk with him about the issue, to express our feelings, and above all, to listen to what he wants to tell us? He wants our prayers to become conversations that bring change — first in our hearts and then in the world.
Asking “in the name of Jesus” means asking according to his heart and his will. But how do we know if what we ask for is in accordance with his heart and will? We discover it best through a two-fold process.
One part is prayer — the meeting up of two friends (the Holy Spirit and you or me) who are in an intimate and deep relationship. We open our hearts to him and surrender all that afflicts us, worries us, saddens us, overwhelms us. By unconditionally submitting everything to him, we receive his comfort, his peace, his guidance. It is when we take time to ponder God’s perspective of our prayer requests that we receive his counsel.
The other part is community — meeting with at least one Spirit-filled, Christ-centered friend or priest or spiritual director so we can receive confirmation or new insights about our prayer request. God answers prayers through community, usually. Although he can of course work miracles by himself, he prefers to work through the earthly Body of Christ.
Divine guidance for our prayer requests is not a complicated business. It is, in reality, simple. It’s always available, and God always speaks in the vernacular; he speaks our language because he wants us to hear him.
For more on this, see our Wordbyte “How Can You Be Sure What Is God’s Will?” @ wordbytes.org/master-needs-you/what-is-gods-will.
Or listen to our Footsteps to Heaven podcast “3 ways to un-stifle the Holy Spirit” @ footstepstoheaven.com/holy-spirit/3-ways-to-un-stifle-the-holy-spirit.
© 2024 by Terry A. Modica
USCCB
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter | USCCB
Daily Bible Readings, Podcast Audio and Videos and Prayers brought to you by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-12/
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7EasterAscension-B
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Every change in our lives is a commissioning. Every loss is the beginning of a new calling.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
May 12, 2024
Acts 1:1-11
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13
Mark 16:15-20
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051224-Ascension.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-12-2024-ascension
(In many dioceses, the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord, which is really on Thursday of the 6th week of Easter, has been transferred to this Sunday so that more people can participate in this celebration)
Moving forward with the Holy Spirit
Sometimes we find ourselves in the same posture as the disciples in today's first reading, looking up at the sky where we last saw Jesus, not moving, just staring at nothing, waiting for him to come back and do something to rescue this world from its evil.
It seems like he's not finished. There's more he should be doing. Our world needs the Second Coming of Christ -- and now! What's the delay?
Ahhh, but he's told us not to stand about gawking and waiting but to go forth and spread the Good News. He told us to take what he's given us and use it to serve others, to make a difference somewhere, somehow, to someone.
Why do we stare at the empty sky? Because we feel inadequate.
Parents know this feeling. After giving birth or adopting a child in an amazing partnership with God the Giver of Life, we have the awesome task of raising this tiny human into a faith-filled, emotionally healthy adult. Wow. More than a few miracles will be needed.
Graduates know this feeling. After completing college or a Lay Ministry training program or ordination or final vows, we stand on the threshold of working for the Lord and wonder: Will I be effective and successful? Will I like it? Or will I be sent where I'd rather not go?
Those who are grieving know this feeling. After a loved one is taken home to the Lord or a friend is lost in a failed relationship, our lives change drastically. It feels like it shouldn't have. How can we recover from the emptiness, which by its very nature forces our attention onto ourselves and our unmet needs, so that we become full of service to others?
Every change in our lives is a commissioning. Every loss is the beginning of a new calling. Every experience is training for a work of God's kingdom that the Lord wants to accomplish through us.
Why are you standing there looking at the sky? Jesus has been your teacher and your guide: Although you cannot see what he's doing now, he has not abandoned you. He is fulfilling his promise: "You will receive power from the Holy Spirit, and you will be my witness throughout the earth." Indeed, you were given that Holy Spirit in baptism, and it is this Spirit of God that empowers you to continue the ministry of Jesus using your particular gifts and talents and experiences.
We must confidently raise our foot to step forward and, while it's still in mid-air, ask: "Okay God, where do You want me to place this foot down next?" If we remain centered on the Lord, we will not lose our balance. The Holy Spirit will do the work of Christ on Earth through us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What thresholds or new beginnings are you facing? How are these opportunities for the continuation of the ministry of Jesus?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
In what ways are you doing the works of Jesus? Which parish ministries could use your gifts and talents? How do you rely on the Holy Spirit to get it done?
[To be continued ...]
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7EasterAscension-B
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: Every change in our lives is a commissioning. Every loss is the beginning of a new calling.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
May 12, 2024
Acts 1:1-11
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13
Mark 16:15-20
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051224-Ascension.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-12-2024-ascension
(In many dioceses, the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord, which is really on Thursday of the 6th week of Easter, has been transferred to this Sunday so that more people can participate in this celebration)
Moving forward with the Holy Spirit
Sometimes we find ourselves in the same posture as the disciples in today's first reading, looking up at the sky where we last saw Jesus, not moving, just staring at nothing, waiting for him to come back and do something to rescue this world from its evil.
It seems like he's not finished. There's more he should be doing. Our world needs the Second Coming of Christ -- and now! What's the delay?
Ahhh, but he's told us not to stand about gawking and waiting but to go forth and spread the Good News. He told us to take what he's given us and use it to serve others, to make a difference somewhere, somehow, to someone.
Why do we stare at the empty sky? Because we feel inadequate.
Parents know this feeling. After giving birth or adopting a child in an amazing partnership with God the Giver of Life, we have the awesome task of raising this tiny human into a faith-filled, emotionally healthy adult. Wow. More than a few miracles will be needed.
Graduates know this feeling. After completing college or a Lay Ministry training program or ordination or final vows, we stand on the threshold of working for the Lord and wonder: Will I be effective and successful? Will I like it? Or will I be sent where I'd rather not go?
Those who are grieving know this feeling. After a loved one is taken home to the Lord or a friend is lost in a failed relationship, our lives change drastically. It feels like it shouldn't have. How can we recover from the emptiness, which by its very nature forces our attention onto ourselves and our unmet needs, so that we become full of service to others?
Every change in our lives is a commissioning. Every loss is the beginning of a new calling. Every experience is training for a work of God's kingdom that the Lord wants to accomplish through us.
Why are you standing there looking at the sky? Jesus has been your teacher and your guide: Although you cannot see what he's doing now, he has not abandoned you. He is fulfilling his promise: "You will receive power from the Holy Spirit, and you will be my witness throughout the earth." Indeed, you were given that Holy Spirit in baptism, and it is this Spirit of God that empowers you to continue the ministry of Jesus using your particular gifts and talents and experiences.
We must confidently raise our foot to step forward and, while it's still in mid-air, ask: "Okay God, where do You want me to place this foot down next?" If we remain centered on the Lord, we will not lose our balance. The Holy Spirit will do the work of Christ on Earth through us.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What thresholds or new beginnings are you facing? How are these opportunities for the continuation of the ministry of Jesus?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
In what ways are you doing the works of Jesus? Which parish ministries could use your gifts and talents? How do you rely on the Holy Spirit to get it done?
[To be continued ...]
For more on this, use our video, "Do you know how much the Father loves you?" @ https://gnm-media.org/do-you-know-how-much-the-father-loves-you/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
Videos by Good News Ministries
Do you know how much the Father loves you? - Videos by Good News Ministries
Do you know how much your Father God loves you? Usually we don't know that, because we project onto God the way human fathers have been.
This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-13/
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7MonEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: If we seek God, we will discover that he is already right here with us.
Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
May 13, 2024
Acts 19:1-8
Ps 68:2-7ab (with 33a)
John 16:29-33
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051324.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-13-2024
Trusting in the Father's nearness
The Father is with you always. Do you believe that? Really? If so, then why do you sometimes feel lonely? Or worried? Or abandoned?
Jesus asks us in today's Gospel reading: "Do you really believe?" We say we do, but our actions reveal the truth. Sometimes we act as if God has abandoned us. We take matters into our own hands as if God doesn't care or doesn't have the power or desire to help.
Jesus knew that his closest friends would abandon him at the worst time of his life, when he'd feel most vulnerable. Yet, he gained strength from knowing that his Father would be there. Even when he cried out from the cross, "Father! Why have you abandoned me!" he knew in his wounded heart that the Father only felt distant because he was far from the sins that Jesus now bore, but the Father was still united to the Son in divine love.
Surely the Father could have helped Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by speaking to the disciples in their prayer time, telling them to support Jesus in his time of need. Maybe he did and their fears and shock or tiredness drowned out the message.
We all have friends and family who should have helped us during a difficult situation but didn't. How does that make us feel? That's the way Jesus felt, too, except -- Jesus trusted in his Father's nearness.
We need to develop the same trust in God's nearness. Even though we're not as holy as Jesus the Divine Son, our Divine Father remains with us always; our baptisms guarantee it. We can learn this from today's first reading, where Paul meets a group of people who have received the baptism of John. He completes their initiation into the Church by giving them the sacramental baptism.
Notice the difference between the two baptisms: The first one had been an act of repentance, which is something we do every time we overcome sin. In the second one, because it's a sacrament, it's something that God does. God comes to us in the fullness of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thus, we can never be abandoned. Even when we lose people through death or desertion or some other form of scattering, we never lose God. If we seek God, we will discover that he is already right here with us. However, when we insist upon handling life our own way, we look past him and miss him. We abandon him.
How much we accept God's presence is entirely up to us.
To feel the Father's nearness, we need to spend time in a heart-level prayer life, repent of our sins, surrender to him our will and desires so we can make room for his will and desires, and refuse to settle for any substitute that the world offers.
To help you reflect further on this, go to our WordByte called: "Miraculous Faith (Fernando's testimony)" @ https://wordbytes.org/finances/tithing3/.
To help you with this, I wrote the book "30 Days to the Father's Heart" @ https://gnm.org/books-by-terry-modica/30-days-to-abbas-heart/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7MonEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: If we seek God, we will discover that he is already right here with us.
Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
May 13, 2024
Acts 19:1-8
Ps 68:2-7ab (with 33a)
John 16:29-33
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051324.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-13-2024
Trusting in the Father's nearness
The Father is with you always. Do you believe that? Really? If so, then why do you sometimes feel lonely? Or worried? Or abandoned?
Jesus asks us in today's Gospel reading: "Do you really believe?" We say we do, but our actions reveal the truth. Sometimes we act as if God has abandoned us. We take matters into our own hands as if God doesn't care or doesn't have the power or desire to help.
Jesus knew that his closest friends would abandon him at the worst time of his life, when he'd feel most vulnerable. Yet, he gained strength from knowing that his Father would be there. Even when he cried out from the cross, "Father! Why have you abandoned me!" he knew in his wounded heart that the Father only felt distant because he was far from the sins that Jesus now bore, but the Father was still united to the Son in divine love.
Surely the Father could have helped Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by speaking to the disciples in their prayer time, telling them to support Jesus in his time of need. Maybe he did and their fears and shock or tiredness drowned out the message.
We all have friends and family who should have helped us during a difficult situation but didn't. How does that make us feel? That's the way Jesus felt, too, except -- Jesus trusted in his Father's nearness.
We need to develop the same trust in God's nearness. Even though we're not as holy as Jesus the Divine Son, our Divine Father remains with us always; our baptisms guarantee it. We can learn this from today's first reading, where Paul meets a group of people who have received the baptism of John. He completes their initiation into the Church by giving them the sacramental baptism.
Notice the difference between the two baptisms: The first one had been an act of repentance, which is something we do every time we overcome sin. In the second one, because it's a sacrament, it's something that God does. God comes to us in the fullness of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thus, we can never be abandoned. Even when we lose people through death or desertion or some other form of scattering, we never lose God. If we seek God, we will discover that he is already right here with us. However, when we insist upon handling life our own way, we look past him and miss him. We abandon him.
How much we accept God's presence is entirely up to us.
To feel the Father's nearness, we need to spend time in a heart-level prayer life, repent of our sins, surrender to him our will and desires so we can make room for his will and desires, and refuse to settle for any substitute that the world offers.
To help you reflect further on this, go to our WordByte called: "Miraculous Faith (Fernando's testimony)" @ https://wordbytes.org/finances/tithing3/.
To help you with this, I wrote the book "30 Days to the Father's Heart" @ https://gnm.org/books-by-terry-modica/30-days-to-abbas-heart/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
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This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-14/
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/Matthias-May14Easter-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: To remain in Jesus' love we have to love as he loves, even to the point of making sacrifices for one another.
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
May 14, 2024
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Ps 113:1-8
John 15:9-17
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051424.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-14-2024
Friendship with God
Servanthood is an essential part of true Christian living. Jesus emphasized it during the Last Supper, saying that he came not to be served, but to serve, and that likewise, in following him, we should serve one another. Why? Because service is an act of true love. In today's Gospel reading, he describes love as the ultimate gift of service: laying down one's life for one's friends.
As he has loved us, so we should love others. He has served us by explaining the truths of God's kingdom. He has served us by lifting up the lowly. He has served us by answering our prayers. He has served us by taking the blame for our sins. He has served us by making sacrifices.
To remain in his love, he says, we have to love as he loves, even to the point of making sacrifices for one another. Loving others is not always convenient or pleasant. Loving others does not always fit into our agendas. But the more difficult it is, the more like Jesus we become -- that is, if we choose the path of love.
We love others when we explain the truths of God's kingdom, not as a way to condemn them but to offer them healing and hope. We love others when we lift up the lowly, reaching out to the marginalized and the under-served. We love others by being available for Jesus to answer their prayers through us. We love others by doing good to those who sin against us. We love others by making personal sacrifices when Jesus says, "Follow Me to the Cross."
Sometimes we do acts of love more out of love for God than love for the person we're serving. If so, are we truly loving God? Or are we merely being the obedient slaves of a kind Master? In his parables, Jesus often referred to believers as "servants" of the Kingdom. So why does he say in verse 15 that he wants us to be his friends instead of slaves? Is he contradicting himself?
Not at all! A servant of God's Kingdom can be either a slave or a friend. Friends serve each other because they care, which comes from genuine love. Slaves serve out of obedience, which comes from a sense of duty and obligation and the fear of punishment if they fail.
Are you obeying God as his slave or as his friend? One clue to the answer is whether or not you complain about the things you do for love. Jesus never grumbled about the long hours he worked helping people. He never complained about the Pharisees. He never told the Apostles that the Father wasn't being fair in what he asked of him.
How strong is your friendship with God? How would you define it? He defines it by how you treat his friends.
Reflect further on this issue with our WordByte called: “Sharing the Light of Christ” @ https://wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/sharing-the-light-of-christ/
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/Matthias-May14Easter-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: To remain in Jesus' love we have to love as he loves, even to the point of making sacrifices for one another.
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
May 14, 2024
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Ps 113:1-8
John 15:9-17
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051424.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-14-2024
Friendship with God
Servanthood is an essential part of true Christian living. Jesus emphasized it during the Last Supper, saying that he came not to be served, but to serve, and that likewise, in following him, we should serve one another. Why? Because service is an act of true love. In today's Gospel reading, he describes love as the ultimate gift of service: laying down one's life for one's friends.
As he has loved us, so we should love others. He has served us by explaining the truths of God's kingdom. He has served us by lifting up the lowly. He has served us by answering our prayers. He has served us by taking the blame for our sins. He has served us by making sacrifices.
To remain in his love, he says, we have to love as he loves, even to the point of making sacrifices for one another. Loving others is not always convenient or pleasant. Loving others does not always fit into our agendas. But the more difficult it is, the more like Jesus we become -- that is, if we choose the path of love.
We love others when we explain the truths of God's kingdom, not as a way to condemn them but to offer them healing and hope. We love others when we lift up the lowly, reaching out to the marginalized and the under-served. We love others by being available for Jesus to answer their prayers through us. We love others by doing good to those who sin against us. We love others by making personal sacrifices when Jesus says, "Follow Me to the Cross."
Sometimes we do acts of love more out of love for God than love for the person we're serving. If so, are we truly loving God? Or are we merely being the obedient slaves of a kind Master? In his parables, Jesus often referred to believers as "servants" of the Kingdom. So why does he say in verse 15 that he wants us to be his friends instead of slaves? Is he contradicting himself?
Not at all! A servant of God's Kingdom can be either a slave or a friend. Friends serve each other because they care, which comes from genuine love. Slaves serve out of obedience, which comes from a sense of duty and obligation and the fear of punishment if they fail.
Are you obeying God as his slave or as his friend? One clue to the answer is whether or not you complain about the things you do for love. Jesus never grumbled about the long hours he worked helping people. He never complained about the Pharisees. He never told the Apostles that the Father wasn't being fair in what he asked of him.
How strong is your friendship with God? How would you define it? He defines it by how you treat his friends.
Reflect further on this issue with our WordByte called: “Sharing the Light of Christ” @ https://wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/sharing-the-light-of-christ/
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
This reflection is from Good News Ministries @ https://gnm.org/daily-reflections/2024-05-15/
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7WedEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: The Holy Spirit within us is giving us good discernment and has taught us how to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
Memorial of Saint Isidore
May 15, 2024
Acts 20:28-38
Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab
John 17:11b-19
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051524.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-15-2024
Recognizing wolves in sheep's clothing
In today's first reading, St. Paul warns about "savage wolves" who harm the flock of Christ. They come from within, he says, and pervert the truth. Why? "To draw the disciples away after them." This, to use a modern cliche, is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sometimes it's a wolf in shepherd's clothing, which is far worse, because the sheep are more vulnerable since they naturally trust their shepherds.
Pope Francis understands this. He has warned (April 14, 2014) seminarians (and this can be applied to all who are in ministry) to take seriously the words of the Prophets: "Woe to the wicked Shepherds who pasture themselves and not their flocks." He said, "May this 'woe' make you reflect seriously on your future." And if we are not willing to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, "meditating every day on the Gospel...experiencing the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation...eating the Eucharist with faith and with love...being men of prayer...it would be better for you to have the courage to seek another path," he said.
Wolves that come from within are those who push their own agendas or deliberately make themselves look important. Some genuinely believe that they are trying to right a wrong or that they are doing God's work, but they are not being guided by the Holy Spirit. Others are bullies in the way they shepherd the people who work under their supervision.
We all act like wolves sometimes. A common wolfishness is to manipulate others into giving us what we want. Whenever we try to control others for our personal benefit, we are wolves in sheep's clothing; we call ourselves Christian, but in fact we're hiding behind this title to feel safe while behaving very unlike Christ.
Wolves pervert the truth because they have to; it's the only way they can get the sheep to follow them. Instinctively, Christian sheep recognize that a wolf is a wolf, because the Holy Spirit within us is giving us good discernment and has taught us how to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. But when a wolf seems to be a sheep who's following Christ, or worse, when a wolf is one of Christ's shepherds who has perverted his vocation, we have to be vigilant, as St. Paul said.
We have to remain so deeply in prayerful union with Christ that we hear the Holy Spirit's warnings as well as his guidance on what to do when we encounter wolves. Jesus consecrated us all to the truth, as it says in today's Gospel passage. We have the ability, through the Spirit of Truth, to discern the truth and recognize the wolves.
And then the question becomes: When I see a wolf, what does the Good Shepherd want me to do to help rescue vulnerable sheep?
See more about this on our WordByte called: "What can we do about demons in the Church?" @ https://wordbytes.org/church-crisis/what-can-we-do-about-demons-in-the-church/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)
🎧Hear this reflection @ https://goodnewsreflection.podbean.com/e/7WedEaster-2
🙏 See today's prayer @ https://t.me/prayermoments
DISCOVER TODAY: The Holy Spirit within us is giving us good discernment and has taught us how to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
Memorial of Saint Isidore
May 15, 2024
Acts 20:28-38
Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab
John 17:11b-19
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051524.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-may-15-2024
Recognizing wolves in sheep's clothing
In today's first reading, St. Paul warns about "savage wolves" who harm the flock of Christ. They come from within, he says, and pervert the truth. Why? "To draw the disciples away after them." This, to use a modern cliche, is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Sometimes it's a wolf in shepherd's clothing, which is far worse, because the sheep are more vulnerable since they naturally trust their shepherds.
Pope Francis understands this. He has warned (April 14, 2014) seminarians (and this can be applied to all who are in ministry) to take seriously the words of the Prophets: "Woe to the wicked Shepherds who pasture themselves and not their flocks." He said, "May this 'woe' make you reflect seriously on your future." And if we are not willing to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, "meditating every day on the Gospel...experiencing the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation...eating the Eucharist with faith and with love...being men of prayer...it would be better for you to have the courage to seek another path," he said.
Wolves that come from within are those who push their own agendas or deliberately make themselves look important. Some genuinely believe that they are trying to right a wrong or that they are doing God's work, but they are not being guided by the Holy Spirit. Others are bullies in the way they shepherd the people who work under their supervision.
We all act like wolves sometimes. A common wolfishness is to manipulate others into giving us what we want. Whenever we try to control others for our personal benefit, we are wolves in sheep's clothing; we call ourselves Christian, but in fact we're hiding behind this title to feel safe while behaving very unlike Christ.
Wolves pervert the truth because they have to; it's the only way they can get the sheep to follow them. Instinctively, Christian sheep recognize that a wolf is a wolf, because the Holy Spirit within us is giving us good discernment and has taught us how to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. But when a wolf seems to be a sheep who's following Christ, or worse, when a wolf is one of Christ's shepherds who has perverted his vocation, we have to be vigilant, as St. Paul said.
We have to remain so deeply in prayerful union with Christ that we hear the Holy Spirit's warnings as well as his guidance on what to do when we encounter wolves. Jesus consecrated us all to the truth, as it says in today's Gospel passage. We have the ability, through the Spirit of Truth, to discern the truth and recognize the wolves.
And then the question becomes: When I see a wolf, what does the Good Shepherd want me to do to help rescue vulnerable sheep?
See more about this on our WordByte called: "What can we do about demons in the Church?" @ https://wordbytes.org/church-crisis/what-can-we-do-about-demons-in-the-church/.
➤ To receive the Good News Reflections daily by email or text, go to gogoodnews.net/good-news-reflections.
© 2024 by Terry Modica of Good News Ministries of gnm.org. (Please share fully intact.)