Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection (Homily), 7th May 2022

COLLECT

O God, who in the font of Baptism have made new those who believe in you, keep safe those reborn in Christ, that defeating every onslaught of error, they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blessing. Through our Lord…

FIRST READING         

“The Church was built up,’ and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.”

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:31-42)

In those days: The Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas or Gazelle.  She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

The word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Psalm 116: 12-13.14-15.16-17 (R. 12)

R/. How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Or: Alleluia.

How can I repay the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the name of the Lord. R/.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil

before all his people.

How precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful. R/.

R/. How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Or: Alleluia.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I,

the son of your handmaid;

you have loosened my bonds.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;

I will call on the name of the Lord. R/.

ALLELUIA (Gospel Acclamation) John 6:63c, 68c

Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               

“To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6: 60-69)

At that time: Many of the disciples of Jesus said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, “Do you take offence at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you that do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer walked with him. Jesus said to the Twelve, “Will you also go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord

TODAY’S REFLECTION

While the Jews reacted negatively to the Eucharistic teaching of Jesus, some of his disciples too disagreed with this teaching and left his company because they could not accept the hard language of faith. Jesus responds with a question which could be interpreted to mean: when the Son of Man ascends to the Father, your astonishment will disappear. Mere flesh, that is to say, human beings, without the animating Spirit, is of no avail. The words of Jesus are the words of God and the revelation of the Spirit of God. Just as the Word took on human flesh to unite himself with the human race, so the human race should eat his flesh to return to the Father who communicates life through him. This truth does not admit of any diluting it demands total adherence.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL:

Day 7 of May Devotion

Every situation we experience in life whether good or bad should be one that will make us to praise the name of Jesus and to witness for Him. We see how Stephen was stoned to death, Paul and Silas were beaten mercilessly and incarcerated into the prison. However, they channeled their pain into Joy and began to pray and sing and the Lord delivered them.

The power of Jesus can unbind and set free whoever is bound by any negative force in this life. All you need to do is to declare for Jesus and believe in Him and you will be saved. Whether in Joy or pain, make sure you are proclaiming Jesus and He will definitely make name for Himself through your situation and can touch the lives of those who listen to you.

Meditation: Acts 16:22-34/Psalm 138/John 16:5-11

Let Us Pray,

There is power in praise and when you pray and praise God from the depth of your heart miracles will happen in an exceptional way. May the praise of the Lord fill your lips and may God intervene in your situation. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.