Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

First Friday of the Month

Other saints: Saint John Beverley, Bishop (-721); Saint Albert of Bergamo, OP (1214-1279)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 39-44

Mass: Acgs 15:22-31; Resp Ps 57; Jn 15:12-17

Awake, O my soul: awake, lyre and harp!

HEART OF JESUS, KING AND CENTER OF ALL HEARTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Welcome to the First Friday of the month of May in Eastertide. Happy Easter!

It was something Cardinal Pietro Parolin said yesterday at Mass to the 34 new Swiss Guard recruits that blends well some of Jesus' words of yesterday and today. Jesus tells us this: Remain in my love ... keep my commandments ... love one another. (Jn 15:9-10, 17). Cardinal Parolin said this: "The Lord has special plans for each person and there is only one way to allow Him to accomplish great things in us: to welcome Him more and more, to live His command-'Remain in me'- each day." Indeed, this is how we will bear fruit that will remain (Jn 15:16). 

Now that we have asked the Lord who will dwell in His tent, we have heard the instruction for dwelling in it, but only if we fulfill the obligations of those who live there. We must, then, prepare our hearts and bodies for the battle of holy obedience to His instructions. What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of His grace. If we wish to reach eternal life, even as we avoid the torments of hell, then-while there is still time, while we are in this body and have time to accomplish all these things by the light of life-we must run and do now what will profit us forever.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 39-44)

SAINT JOHN BEVERLEY,

SAINT ALBERT OF BERGAMO,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE AFFLICTED,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This awesome shot was captured by my brother, Tom, a faithful reader in Indianapolis, IN, east of the Mississippi River. 😊Tom and his faithful companion Benedict were walking along the mighty White River and gifted with this sighting. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord ... All you birds of the air, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. A special shout goes out today to all those east of the Mississippi ... praise and exalt Him above all forever! 💖

© Gertrude Feick 2021