Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 33-38

Mass: Acts 12:24-13:5a; Resp Ps 67; Jn 12:44-50

O God, let all the nations praise you!

MARY, MOTHER OF OUR CREATOR,

PRAY FOR US.

The account from the Acts of the Apostles begins in this way: "The Word of God continued to spread and grow" (Acts 12:24). We might ask ourselves how we can help the Word of God continue to spread and grow during these difficult times. Or we look to the psalmist and sing: O God, let all the nations praise you! … so your way be known upon earth (Ps 67). How might we praise the living and true God and make God's way be known upon earth? In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that He came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in Him might not remain in darkness (Jn 12:46). We can reach out to others and spread the Word and Light in ways both small and large. Call your neighbor; write a brief card to a loved one or an estranged member of your family; pray for those who grieve and suffer; pray the Rosary; find a poem that brings a smile to your face (try Mary Oliver's Messenger); pray for someone with whom you have difficulty; read a delightful novel (try author Fannie Flagg); listen to a radio broadcast of an old time baseball game (great idea I read about in an article in the most recent The Economist). Be creative. What ideas do you have?

We pray with the Holy Father:

For the men and women who work in the media. In this time of pandemic they risk a lot and work a lot. May the Lord help them to always transmit the truth.

NB. I apologize for a mistake I made in yesterday's post. Yesterday was not the Feast of Our Lady of Lujan, Patroness of Argentina. Argentinians celebrate her on May 8. We will celebrate her again on May 8 along with Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Please see Vatican News for the Holy Father's words on this and for the reminder to pray to the Virgin Mary, especially during hard times.

Today's photo: Dogwood beauty reaches to the clouds.

© Gertrude Feick 2020