20 Apr
Fri
Easter Octave
Acts 4:1-12
Ps. 118:1-2, 4, 22-27a
Jn. 21:1-14
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     It is part of our society and its well-being that criminals should be responsible for their wicked deeds. But there is no reason to account for the good deeds that we do. So Peter points to the incongruity of having to answer for doing good. In this he is echoing words of Jesus in John's Gospel: "For which good deed are you trying to kill me?" (Jn. 10:32).

     Though Peter intimated that one should not be called to account for doing something good, he nevertheless was led to seize the opportunity to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. In doing so he enunciated one of the great principles of our faith: there is no salvation in anyone else. Let us not use these words to reject those who are outside the Church. Let us rather use them as an occasion to deepen our reflection on the mystery of God's great gift of faith. If we truly believe in Jesus as the Son of God, we must take care that our hearts do not turn away and seek some kind of salvation, some kind of meaning in life, from other so-called "saviours".
    

     Jesus, our Risen Lord and Saviour, in You alone is our salvation. Keep us faithful to You forever.
DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That consecrated people, answering the call of their particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the present-day world

In the world of today there is a widespread search for joy, happiness, serenity, liberty. That is why the consecrated religious is called on to remind every person that the life of a human being comes from God. Religious give outstanding and striking testimony that the world cannot be transformed and offered to God without the spirit of the Beatitudes which proposes a way of living and for people to relate to each other. The consecrated life is for all the faithful a luminous sign of the common vocation to holiness, a model on which to draw inspiration and courage. Besides, the religious community based on motivations of faith, on mutual love and on sharing presents itself as a call to the constant reform of ecclesial communities.

The commitment asked of consecrated people needs the support, awareness and prayer of the entire Christian community, so that human weakness may not prevail but may always allow itself to be led and transformed by God's action. In fact, the attitudes indicated by the Beatitudes not only point a sure way towards fulfilment and charity, but also lead directly to the Person of Christ who came so that men and women not only might have life but have it to the full.




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