Monday of the Third Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Other saints: Saint Alphege, Abbot, Bishop (-1012); Bl. Isnard of Chiampo OP (-1244); Bl. Sibyllina Biscossi OP (~1287-1367) 

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 63:10-19

Mass: Acts 6:8-15; Resp Ps 119; Jn 6:22-29

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.

JESUS, TRUE LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

One of the first things that came to mind when reading today's account from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8-15) was the concept of "herd mentality". Certain members of this and that group, that and this place, came forward and debated with Stephen. Since they couldn't bear up against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke, they instigated others and Stephen became the target of calumny. Now the people were so stirred up that they joined the herd, accosted Stephen, seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Meanwhile, when the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen they saw that Stephen's face was like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15). Stay focused folks and "seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1). Saint Stephen certainly did. United in faith and prayer we go forth.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

not sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

that yields its fruit in due season,

and its leaf does not wither,

In all that he does, he prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3).

God does not give up. You are close to His heart, you who do not yet know the beauty of His love, you who have not yet welcomed Jesus as the center of your life, you who cannot overcome your sin.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, April 19, 2021)

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BOSCOSSI,

SAINT STEPHEN,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo; Here is a real apple tree blossom unlike the misidentified pear tree blossom of Divine Mercy Sunday. Kyrie eleison..

© Gertrude Feick 2021