God's Message For You - 05 May 2019
Rey Dionela
READINGS for 2019-05-05
Third Sunday of Easter HE LOVES YOU MORE Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” – John 21:15 Jesus’ question to Peter above is one that I’ve heard Him ask me many times in the past. “Rissa, do you love Me more than your family?” I answered yes and He asked me to leave home when I was 24. “Rissa, do you love Me more than your ambitions?” I answered yes and He asked me to serve Him full-time. “Rissa, do you love Me more than a boyfriend?” I answered yes and He asked me to give up romantic relationships from my teens to my early thirties. In those days, I felt that God was a jealous, exacting Lover to whom I had to prove my love again and again. Denying myself and offering to Him what was precious to me was my way of showing Him that I loved Him more than anything this world could offer. But my image of God has changed a lot since my younger years. I still give Him as much as I can but I’ve learned that when I say, “I love You, Lord,” and offer Him something that’s precious to me, He replies, “I love you more,” and He overwhelms me with a hundredfold in return. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (rissak...@gmail.com) Reflect: When God asks us to give up something, it’s to free our hand to receive more from Him. Lord, You mean more to me than anything this world can offer. St. Hilary of Aries, pray for us. |
1st READING To obey or not to obey, that is the question in the minds of the Apostles. They ignored the instruction and this led to the persecution of the Church in Jerusalem. Christ’s followers also were scattered in many different areas of the world. The Gospel is important and must be proclaimed for the salvation of all people. Every person needs to hear it. Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 27 When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostle in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” 40 The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. PSALM Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 R: I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. 2 I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. 4 O Lord, you brought me up from the netherworld; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 6 For his anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime, his good will. At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing. (R) 11 Hear, O Lord, and have pity on me; O Lord, be my helper.” 12 You changed my mourning into dancing; 13 O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks. (R) 2nd READING Jesus will be glorified in the ages to come. The number of people who worship Him may depend on our willingness to live and proclaim the Gospel, wherever we are and whatever we are doing. For the Gospel to reach every country, institution, and community, Christians are called to offer themselves in its service. God, the Church, and the Gospel need you and me to keep it alive and well in the hearts and minds of humanity. Revelation 5:11-14 11 I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, 12 and they cried out in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.” 13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.” 14 The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped. GOSPEL Some of the resurrection appearance stories mirror the stories in Jesus’ ministry. This affirms that the Risen Jesus is the same Jesus of His ministry. It expresses the Early Church’s belief in the continuity of Jesus’ life. He is the same man after the resurrection. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Christ is risen, creator of all; he has shown pity on all people. John 21:1-19 1 At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them,“Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9 When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. 15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 Jesus said to him thethird time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” think: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) ______________________________ ______________________________ T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST thank You, Lord, for: ____________________
Read the Bible in one year - Deuteronomy 8-11 TODAY’S BLESSING LIST |
THE RISEN JESUS “KNOWEST ALL” In contrast with the days of His ministry, the Risen Jesus no longer walked with His disciples. The disciples could have sorely missed His presence. Hence, the tendency of the group to go back to Galilee, back to fishing on the lake. Amidst all this, Jesus continued to show His care and concern for them. He showed them where to get their good catch of fish. He prepared breakfast for them. In a special way, He attended to Simon Peter’s troubled spirit and guilt. Although Jesus was physically absent, He set His heart on the disciples. He felt their needs and had compassion for them. When He rose from the dead, the Risen Jesus shares to the disciples His glory—the great solicitousness of the Heavenly Father. Peter’s expression exemplifies our best response to Jesus: “Lord, thou knowest all things...” Jesus would have loved the humbled Peter. Jesus would also love that we surrender all, and await all from Him. This is a practice of real faith and trust. As we acknowledge Jesus as God-Man, we likewise confess our belief in His immeasurable goodness to always provide for what is best for us. This may be a most appropriate way to end our dialogue with God in prayer. After everything, we say: “Lord, thou knowest all things. Amen.” Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP ------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ------- What old ways and practices do you revisit when you are down and troubled? Why? Do you feel Jesus’ presence in your moments of weakness and guilt? What does this do to you? Jesus, only You know all things about me and my life. Assure me when I am confused. Comfort me when I am hurt. Show me the way when I am lost. Amen. Today, I pray for: ______________________________ |