Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 4:1-21 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Ac 28:16-20, 30-31; Resp Ps 11; Jn 21:20-25

Andrei Rublev, St Paul the Apostle

Paul received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught the Lord Jesus Christ.

St Catherine of Siena has a message for us today: Imitate that dear Paul, who was so in love, and be a vessel of affection that bears and proclaims the name of Jesus. It seems to me that Paul gazed into this eye and lost himself in it. And he was granted such a great soul that he was willing and even desired to be separated from God, an outcast, for the sake of his brothers and sisters. Paul was in love with whatever God was in love with. He saw that charity is never scandalized, is never confounded.

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, grant us the grace to be so in love. May we too be vessels of affection and proclaim your holy name.

First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Give help and support to the poor.

Clothe the naked.

Visit the sick.

Bury the dead.

Console and counsel those who suffer in time of grief.

Bring comfort to those in sorrow.

(RB 4:1-2, 14-19)

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 29

Mass: Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10; Resp. Psalm 131; 1 Thess. 2:7b-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12

Mary Cassett - Mother and Child

I recently received the rare gift of being in the presence of a mother gently nursing her baby boy at the breast. A newborn totally dependent on his mother; a mother putting her needs aside to give all of herself to her child. Paul was gentle with the Thessalonians. So great was his affection that Paul shared not only the Gospel but his very self as well. The nursing mother and the Apostle Paul humbled themselves, opening their hearts to receive the LOVE of our Father in heaven. With hearts overflowing they shared LOVE with those in their care. This is the WORD of LOVE at work in the children of God. We believe, help our unbelief!

Heavenly Father, transform our hearts in LOVE.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.