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Read: John 14:6-14 |
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We dedicate this website to the Generous Heart of Mother Mary |
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Today’s Bible Reading
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St. James the Less, the author of the first Catholic Epistle, was the son of Alphaeus of Cleophas. His mother Mary was either a sister or a close relative of the Blessed Virgin, and for that reason, according to Jewish custom, he was sometimes called the brother of the Lord. The Apostle held a distinguished position in the early Christian community of Jerusalem. St. Paul tells us he was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ; he is also a "pillar" of the Church, whom St. Paul consulted about the Gospel.
According to tradition, he was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, and was at the Council of Jerusalem about the year 50. The historians Eusebius and Hegesippus relayed that St. James was martyred for the Faith by the Jews in the Spring of the year 62, although they greatly esteemed his person and had given him the surname of "James the Just."
Tradition has always recognized him as the author of the Epistle that bears his name. Internal evidence based on the language, style, and teaching of the Epistle reveals its author as a Jew familiar with the Old Testament, and a Christian thoroughly grounded in the teachings of the Gospel. External evidence from the early Fathers and Councils of the Church confirmed its authenticity and canonicity.
The date of its writing cannot be determined exactly. According to some scholars it was written about the year 49 A.D. Others, however, claim it was written after St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (composed during the winter of 57-58 A.D.). It was probably written between the years 60 and 62 A.D.
St. James addresses himself to the "twelve tribes that are in the Dispersion," that is, to Christians outside Palestine; but nothing in the Epistle indicates that he is thinking only of Jewish Christians. St. James realizes full well the temptations and difficulties they encounter in the midst of paganism, and as a spiritual father, he endeavors to guide and direct them in the faith. Therefore, the burden of his discourse is an exhortation to practical Christian living.
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DAILY HIGHLIGHTS |
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Prayer of St. Gertrude the great dictated by Our Lady to release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extend to include living sinners which would alleviate the indebtedness accrued to them during their lives. “Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.” St. Gertrude the Great was born in Germany in 1263. She was a Benedictine Nun, and meditated on the Passion of Christ, which many times brought floods of tears to her eyes. She did many penances, and Our Lady appeared to her many times. Her holy Soul passed away in 1334. November 16 is her Feast Day. |
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The readings today are all about forgiveness and rejoicing in growth and conversion. If we truly believe that "The Lord is kind and merciful" we need to accept that "The Lord is kind and merciful" to all - even those we do not believe "deserve" kindness and mercy. If we are resentful of others or of situations because, in our eyes "it just doesn't seem to be fair" we are reminded to take a step back, to try not to judge, and to consider "What Jesus would do?" God's ability to forgive, especially in times of personal growth and conversion is beyond our understanding. We are not privy to truly understanding the suffering or the conversion of another, so we must simply pray that God will intercede, especially in situations where we cannot control the actions/decisions of others. In the Gospel today, the conversion of the younger son does not make the relationship with the older son less than before-rather it shows how we must trust, and pray for growth and conversions of many kinds, and then rejoice- as this father did. " But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." |
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Today is the feast of Sts Phillip and James. Both were two of the original apostles hand picked by Jesus to be with Him and to carry on after He was gone. At the American Catholic.org web site, there is an interesting comment about these apostles: As in the case of the other apostles, we see in James and Philip human men who became foundation stones of the Church, and we are reminded again that holiness and its consequent apostolate are entirely the gift of God, not a matter of human achieving. All power is God’s power, even the power of human freedom to accept his gifts. “You will be clothed with power from on high,” Jesus told Philip and the others. Their first commission had been to expel unclean spirits, heal diseases, announce the kingdom. They learned, gradually, that these externals were sacraments of an even greater miracle inside their persons—the divine power to love like God. As we continue in this season of Easter, we are reminded of the incredible gifts from God to each of us. Frequently, I am so moved when I stop and think of the blessings that have been bestowed on me – I know it is not because of any worthiness – just a pure gift – true grace. The most important aspect for me, and where some of my choice is evident, is to have an open heart and to accept both humbly and gratefully these gifts. During this season, we are again able to say Alleluia allowing us to give glory to God and thanks for these many gifts. In the first reading, Paul reminds us that we are Easter people and are saved because of the greatest gift of all – Christ died for our sins. Paul references the various appearances of Christ – while we did not witness those appearances, we are privy to “see” him when we take the time to do so. We need only open the eyes of our hearts to see Christ in the everyday occurrences of our lives. We can experience His presence when we are not blinded by the trappings of this world and see beyond them. Those that surround us, both through their kindnesses and needs, remind us of the living Christ. Our responsorial psalm is a declaration of the impending Goods News and our challenge to continue giving this message. We can respond with a simple Alleluia – a means to give glory and praise through the uttering of one word. It is such a powerful word – I can often feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as I sing this word in church. It resounds with such power and grace – the very word affirms our blessing. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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