Third Sunday of Easter

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint George (-c.303); Saint Adalbert of Prague (956-997); Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846-1910)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 2:14, 22-23; Resp Ps 16; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

pray for us.

JESUS, SOURCE OF NEW LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HOLY SPIRIT, TEACH US TO PRAY WELL.

Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning.

(1 Pt 1:17)

Alleluia and welcome to the Third Sunday of Lent. We are with the beautiful post-Resurrection account of Jesus' appearance on the road to Emmaus. At the same time, we continue with the wonderful First Letter of Saint Peter. If you are feeling down, looking downcast even (see Lk 24:16), like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then maybe ask yourself two questions. First, what brings you joy? And second, what are you witnessing to? Don't be slow of heart to believe (see Lk 24:25); no, don't go there. Rather, open your heart to Jesus in your midst. Pray for your eyes to be open so you recognize the Risen Lord, in little things, and bigger ones too. And in difficult situations, and in the turbulent waters of personal encounters with others, especially with those you find most difficult. 

He woke, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then He asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?"

(Mk 4:39-41)

As you can see below, we are busy invoking all sorts of saints this week, those commemorated this week along with two from last week. One in particular I find most impressive and a source of inspiration, namely, Saint Agnes of Montepulciano OP (1268-1317). In true Italian fashion, Agnes, at the age of six, tried to convince her parents to allow her to join a convent. Yes, six. I am not sure whether or not she was a patient girl. However, Agnes didn't have to wait too long; she entered the Dominican convent at Montepulciano at the age of nine. Yes, nine, even though this practice was generally against Church law. Well on her way then, with the grace of God, Agnes became an abbess at the unheard-of age of 15! Yes, 15. As I say, "they" just don't make 'em like that anymore. You can find this and other newsy news on Catholic News Agency, "St Agnes of Montepulciano." Saint Agnes was canonized in 1726 by Pope Gregory VII. I love these fun facts. Here is one more then. Agnes preceded the great Doctor of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), who we commemorate April 29th. Saint Catherine of Siena regarded Agnes as her "glorious mother." It seems then that I am in a line with other members of the faithful inspired by dear Saint Agnes. Join the queue dear faithful readers! ☺ And keep going! 

Here are a few quotations to help get you through the week:

Wherever one person does something good for another, there God is especially near. Whenever someone opens himself for God in prayer, then he enters into His special closeness.

(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World, p. 107)

The property of love is never to seek self, to keep back nothing but to give everything to the one it loves.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591)

Scripture mysteriously communicates God's very presence ... When we read in faith, [the Bible] makes God Himself present in our lives and communicates Him to our hearts. If we allow the words of Scripture to fill our thoughts and enter our hearts, God becomes present. For God dwells in His Word.

(Father Jacques Philippe, b. 1947)

No sufferings, nor weakness nor distress (and from these he is never free in any degree) can prevent his following me daily in Prayer, portions of the Psalms, and generally large Portions of the Scriptures ...

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821, while attending to her husband on his death bed, with her Bible in her hand and in heart)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Praising God is like breathing pure oxygen: it purifies the soul, it makes you look far ahead, it does not leave you imprisoned in the difficult and dark moments of hardship.

(Pope Francis)

Praise God in His holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.

Give praise for His mighty deeds,

praise Him for His great majesty ...

Let everything that has breath

give praise to the Lord!

Halleluia!

(Psalm 150)

O eternal God, light surpassing all other light because all light comes from you! O fire surpassing every fire because you alone are the fire that burns without consuming!  You consume whatever sin and selfishness you find in the soul. Yet your consuming does not distress the soul but fattens her with insatiable love, for though you satisfy her she is never sated but longs for you constantly. The more she possesses you the more she seeks you, and the more she seeks and desires you the more she finds and enjoys you, high eternal fire, abyss of charity!

(Saint Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, 134)

Let's love God dearly ... love Mary dearly ... look to heaven ... sing ... go crazy.

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, 1911-1938)

SAINT GEORGE,

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE,

BLESSED TERESA MARIA OF THE CROSS,

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN,

SAINT ERKENWALD,

SAINT EGBERT,

SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST,

BLESSED ROBERT ANDERTON AND WILLIAM MARSDEN,

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR,

SAINT PETER CHANEL,

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,

BLESSED MARIA GUGGIARI ECHEVERRIA,

SAINT RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON,

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO,

SAINT ANSELM OF CANTERBURY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is definitely a favorite, especially when seen like this a couple of days ago. I thought to save it for Pentecost. However, there is no time like the present. You will show me the path to life.

© Gertrude Feick 2023