29 Apr
Sun
4th Sunday of Easter (B)
Acts 4: 8-12
Ps 117(118): 1 and 8-9, 21-23, 26 and 28cd and 29
1 Jn 3: 1-2
Jn 10: 11-18
(Ps Wk IV)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 
 

"Of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved." Many people will find this an extraordinary claim and others will find it arrogant. In the historical circumstances, however, for Peter it was neither extraordinary nor arrogant. His experience of Jesus, especially in the Resurrection, had led him to this affirmation. Within the tradition of his Jewish faith and culture, he was affirming that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Many people do not know Jesus or accept him so that, in fact, they seek salvation of some kind apart from Jesus, in many different religions. Many others, whether they profess any religion or not, seek some form of salvation in one of the many "-isms" which promise experiences of blessedness or solutions to the world's problems: hedonism, humanism, capitalism, communism, consumerism, and so on. Behind all these, there lies the desire of the human heart for happiness, especially happiness in this world. Jesus, however, took a different path, the path of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit."



Lord Jesus, your life and teaching have revealed to us that there is no salvation apart from You. Grant us the grace to live in close union with You and enjoy the grace of your salvation.

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 many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life.
Elaboration

- END -


© Copyright Shalom 2012. All rights reserved.