Saturday 22 April
Saturday of the 2nd week of Eastertide First reading - Acts 6:1-7 “It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food” This is very important instruction for all of us who has a lot of things to do in our daily life. Lots of important things to do like giving the food to those who are hungry. But doing good things is not an excuse for neglecting our service to the word of God. The Apostles found a solution so that they can devote themselves to prayer and to the service of the Word. We must find solutions for the busy schedule so that we also can time to dedicate ourselves to prayer and to the service of the Word. Our service to the Word of God cannot be substituted for anything else in our “to do list” of the day. So, our long list of things to do in a day is not a reason to abandon our service to the Word. We must find time to be in love with the Word of God. This is the source of our energy, our vision, and our mission. This service gives orientation and life to all our other tasks of the day. Let’s reflect: how much am I tempted to abandon my service to the Word of God to do other things?
Friday 21 April
Friday of the 2nd week of Eastertide Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop, Doctor First reading - Acts 5:34-42 “glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name”. This is the point of real witness. The point of real following of Christ. When suffering humiliation for the sake of the name of Jesus becomes an honour, everything changes in our life. Suffering humiliation because we are obliged is one thing. Suffering humiliation because we have no choice is one thing. Suffering humiliation because we have certain advantages is one thing. Suffering humiliation because it’s joyful to have the honour of suffering humiliation is totally another dimension. There is the joy of heart or gladness of heart and then there is the honour of mind or intellect. And both because of the humiliation for the sake of his name, not for some mistakes, not for some defects, not for some shortcomings, but because of his name. Let’s reflect: Do I consider suffering humiliation for the sake of name of Jesus Christ as both gladness and honour?
Thursday 20 April
Thursday of the 2nd week of Eastertide First reading - Acts 5:27-33 "Obedience to God comes before obedience to men”. This principle makes all the difference in our life. This principle which should be a vision of life and mission of life. The principle comes from the personal experience of Peter and the apostles who witnessed the action of God in their life and in the life of the People of God. The action of God which dominates all other human actions. The action of God which completely overwhelms the human plans. Human plan wanted to bury Jesus Christ forever, but He is Risen. From this profound experience of God taking control of the humanity, Peter and disciples arrived at this principle. Obedience to God comes before obedience to men. From this principle to the vision and to the mission. Many times, we don’t come to this principle, neither to this vision nor to the mission because we miss the fundamental experience of God’s power in our life. We miss the real experience of God’s action in our life. Let’s reflect: Do I recognize the power of God’s action in my life to make the mission out of the phrase of St. Peter: Obedience to God comes before obedience to men?
Wednesday 19 April
Wednesday of the 2nd week of Eastertide First reading - Acts 5:17-26 This episode of liberating the apostles at night from the prison can be understood in the light of the liberation which Jesus Christ brought to us with His resurrection. The goal was securely locked, and the guards were vigilantly watching at the gates. But the apostles were liberated. Material restrictions are not anymore restrictions for this liberation. This liberation is above that. And they were liberated for a specific purpose. “Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life”. To go to the Temple and to speak about this new Life. Life liberated from the prison and Life to be in the Temple. This is the life with Jesus Risen is offering us. Life liberated from the prison of darkness and sin. Life destined to be in the Temple of God. Let’s reflect: Am I recognizing the Life offered by the Risen Christ to be out of prison of my darkness and to be in the Temple?