name. Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all
her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and
whose nature is greatness, for he fills with greatness and
strength the small and the weak who believe in him.

heard, and indeed all who would receive his words, that they
must believe and call upon his name. For they too could share in
everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of
the prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on  of earlier: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior." (St. Bede the
Venerable) Mary shows us that in spite of her unique role in the
plan of salvation, God is the source of all blessings. Our role is
to acknowledge what God has done for us and give him praise,
glory and gratitude. There are many ways God blesses us each
day. Do we consciously bless and thank him either at the
moment or at the end of the day? It is easy for us to focus on the
negatives. But how more fruitful will it be to remember the
positive signs of God's love and presence instead!

Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11

(Because we already reflected on the first part of today’s Gospel on the Second Sunday of Easter, we will focus on the First Reading instead.)


When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.

Pentecost was one of three solemn Jewish feasts for which the people were to go on pilgrimage to the Temple to worship God. Originally, it was a time to give thanks to God for the harvest. Later, it was also a time to thank God for the Mosaic Law. It was held fifty days after the Feast of the Passover.
The place they gathered in was the same Upper Room where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and where he appeared to them after the Resurrection.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

Both wind and fire were used as symbols of the Spirit of God. Usually they manifested the power of God.
In the Old Testament when God established the covenant on Mt. Sinai, fire was a symbol of God’s presence. Jesus has established the New Covenant and the symbol of the tongues of fire manifests the anointing power of the Spirit enabling the apostles to do the work Jesus commissioned them to do.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. This is the fulfillment of those promises.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
When were you first filled with the Holy Spirit? Even though there were not the same external manifestations, what happened to you?
What does it mean "to be filled with the Holy Spirit?"

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

The people from various lands and cultures were amazed because they heard the ecstatic prayer of the apostles and the 120 but in their own native languages. Can you imagine if some of the hearers spoke several languages, how amazed they must have been?

They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."
The nations listed by Luke virtually covered every territory of the world known to Luke at the time.
Other reflections? What action do you feel you need to take in your life?

"Simple in himself, the Spirit is manifold in his mighty works.

The whole of his being is present to each individual; the whole
of his being is present everywhere. Though shared in by many,
he remains unchanged; his self-giving is no loss to himself. Like
the sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere, spreading
over land and sea, and yet is enjoyed by each person as though it
were for him alone, so the Spirit pours forth his grace in full
measure, sufficient for all, and yet is present as though
exclusively to everyone who can receive him. To all creatures
that share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own
nature, not by his ability to give." (St Basil the Great) According
to God's revelation, we are called to be filled with the Spirit.
What does that mean? In Baptism we became a Temple of the
Holy Spirit. God living in us and we living in God. As such, we
are called to follow the lead of the Spirit, being aware of and
acting on his inspirations. Being the Spirit of truth, he will guide
us into the truth of our authentic identity as a son or daughter of
God, out of which we choose to live and act. Come, Holy Spirit,
come!

In these days before the Solemnity of Pentecost we need

to reflect on our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
It may be easier to relate to the Father and o the Son but
what about the Person of the Holy Spirit? If we are in
relationship with God, if we are sharing in God's Divine
Life, then the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. The grace
inspirations that we receive during the day come from the
Holy Spirit. There are other thoughts that are not of the
Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that we must test every Spirit to
discern what is of God, leading to good, and what is not of
God, leading to sin. With a conscious awareness of the
Holy Spirit within us and with us, we will better discern the
path of God leading to holiness from the subtle path
leading to gradual destruction. Come, Holy Spirit, come
with your gift of discernment!

Novena to the Holy Spirit

May 26-June 3, 2017

Opening Prayers

All: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Amen.　

V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created:
R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:

All: O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. + Amen

Prayers for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Day One - Spirit of Wisdom, preside over all my thoughts, words and actions, so that in all things I may love God for His own sake above all things. Amen.

V. Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom, R. Pray for us.

Day Two - Spirit of Understanding, teach and enlighten me, so that I may never waver in my faith, but enjoy true peace of mind and heart.

V. Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, R. Pray for us.

Day Three - Spirit of Knowledge, teach me how to look at things in their true light, so that I may not be bound by earthly attachments, but ever rejoice in your heavenly comforts.

V. Holy Mary, Cause of our Joy, R. Pray for us.

Day Four - Spirit of Counsel, grant that I may always seek your guidance, that my thoughts and actions may be informed by good judgment, and that whenever my advice is sought by others, it will be offered with kindness, prudence, truth, and in accordance with God’s will.

V. Mother of Good Counsel, R. Pray for us.

Day Five - Spirit of Fortitude, strengthen my weakness, so that I may never be discouraged by obstacles in the path of holiness and virtue, but may willingly accept the trials and difficulties of this life.

V. Holy Mary, Queen of Martyrs, R. Pray for us.

Day Six - Spirit of Piety, implant in my soul filial love toward God my heavenly Father, and brotherly love for all, so that I may delight in the service of God and my neighbor.

V. Mother of God, our Mother, R. Pray for us.

Day Seven - Spirit of Holy Fear, keep me mindful of the infinite Majesty of God, keep me from all selfish desires and evil actions, that I may humbly serve God and others with a clean heart and clear mind.

V. Immaculate Mary, Help of Christians,　 R. Pray for us.

Day Eight - O Divine Comforter, we come to you in our trouble and distress. In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, come to our assistance and console us in all our trials and sufferings. Amen.

Day Nine - Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, come into our hearts; give to all people the brightness of your light, that they may be pleasing to you in the unity of faith. Amen.

Pope Leo XIII July 31, 1897



Saint Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit

All: Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son, sweet Hope of the afflicted, Descend this day into my heart and establish therein your amiable empire. Enkindle in my soul — alas! so tepid! — the salutary flames of your love, that I may be inflamed and that my soul and body may be subject to \you. I believe that when you dwell in us, you prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign then to come to me.

Come, O sweet Consoler of abandoned souls!

Come, O Protector of those who are in need!

Succor of the afflicted, come and purify me; suffer no evil desire to take possession of me; heal all my wounds.

Come to me, Strength of the weak, Support of the wavering;

Come to me, O You who loves the humble and resists the proud;

Come to me, Hope of the needy, Father of orphans;

Come to me, Star that guides the mariner in his way, and offers a secure harbor to the shipwrecked;

Come to me, True glory of the living, sole hope of the dying;

Make me all that you wish me to be, and conduct me by your grace, so that I may be ever pleasing to you.　 Amen.

"Do not grieve over the temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and a

promise by God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast." (St Philip Neri) We are called to grow in virtue, to become perfected. The best way to overcome a particular temptation, which seeks to draw us away from God is to do the opposite of that
temptation. If one struggles with impatience, the remedy is to consciously choose to pray for that person who aggravates me in love. We can pray for patience but it comes from exercising to be patient that begins to make the difference.

 

As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost,
our Holy Father gives us two questions to reflect
on. "The first question to ask ourselves: Do I ask
the Lord for the grace that my heart may be
opened? The second question: Do I seek to hear
the Holy Spirit, His inspirations, the things He tells
my heart that I might advance in the Christian life,
and that I too might bear witness that Jesus is the
Lord? Think about these two things today: Is my
heart open? Do I make an effort to listen to the
Holy Spirit, to what He tells me? And so we
advance in the Christian life, and we too bear
witness to Jesus Christ." (Pope Francis) These are
simple yet profound questions, the answers to
which may reveal to us our relationship with the
Holy Spirit.

ourselves so that our love for the brothers and sisters we
encounter may become mature and purified of those limits
and sins that render it partial, egoistic, sterile and
unfaithful. Every day the art of loving must be learnt." (Pope Francis) Even though love is a gift,  implanted in our hearts by God, it must be properly exercised in order to reach its perfection, namely to be totally other-focused. Sometimes what we experienced as love was not. And because of these negative experiences we begin to question love itself. Only an encounter with consistent, authentic love allows us a glimpse of what love is and could be. That love eventually stirs in us a desire to respond in love, immature at first, but authentic. The more we move in this direction, the more we will experience and express the love commanded by God.

The Solemnity of the Ascension


The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

Why Galilee? This is where they experienced their first call to be disciples. Now Jesus is sending them on their future mission.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Why would they doubt? They still are overwhelmed by the reality of the Risen Jesus. They see and touch him but how can this possibly be? Then Jesus approached and said to them, By approaching them, Jesus wants to alleviate their doubts that it is not a ghost they are seeing, but the Risen Christ in his glorified flesh."All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Though his death and resurrection and in his role as Jesus, the Christ, he receives power from the Father. He is the Lord of all.
This is line with Jesus telling the disciples earlier that he has received all from the Father in his humanity. Thus, he speaks the words of the Father and does the deeds of the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus now conveys his power and authority on the apostles to preach, baptize and make disciples. Earlier on Easter Sunday, at his first appearance to them, he told them: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then he breathed on them the Holy Spirit.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. He gives them three commissions united in one.
As he discipled them, so now they are to disciple others in his name. They are to do this by first witnessing to and evangelizing others in his name.
Then they are to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This will enable them to free from alienation from God, share in the divine life of God and be rooted in the community of believers.
Then they are to catechize the disciples by teaching them what Jesus taught and did.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Jesus promises to remain with them as they fulfill their mission. He will always be the Lord of their lives. He will send the Holy Spirit also to be with them, guiding them in the proclamation of the truth of salvation. Jesus will strengthen them through the gift of his Body and Blood.

As we continue our reflection on the role of the Holy Spirit in the plan of salvation, listen to the words of Jesus. "And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me, condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” (Jn 16: 8-11) Having heard the truth about who Jesus is, but still refusing to accept and believe in him, is a sin. But so is knowing this truth yet not fully surrendering ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit brings us to this reality. Jesus, our righteousness, has made us righteous in the sight of God. The Holy Spirit helps us to remain righteous before the Lord by grace. Jesus, through his death and resurrection has

brought condemnation to the ruler of this world, the Devil. The Holy Spirit continues to give us the power of Jesus over the attacks of the Father of lies. Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come, that we may continue to live free from sin, to grow in righteousness and to be victorious over our enemy.

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning." (Jn 15:26-27) As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Church reminds us of the role of the Holy Spirit in the divine plan of God. The Spirit was sent by the Father to confirm who and what Jesus said and did. Because he is the Spirit of truth, we can accept his testimony as true. But the Holy Spirit proclaims the truth about Jesus, so that in the power of that same Holy Spirit, we may testify to the truth about the Jesus we have encountered as well. This is our mission. We are empowered to be living

witnesses of the living Lord.

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends." Jesus has shown his great love for us by laying down his life that we may have life. He has demonstrated his friendship. But how do we reflect our friendship? When we love others, we reflect our friendship with him. By his choice he remains a friend. But do I remain a friend in turn? The more we live in love, the more our intimacy with Jesus deepens. Love is the compelling mark of a true, lasting friendship.  But Jesus says that our love must extend beyond him and because of him to others.

Information
Monthly Mass for Women
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Bishop's House
107 Albany Dr. Houma, La
8:00am
Bring a friend.

 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” (Jn 15:9-11) What brings us great joy in life? To know that we are loved for who I am and not for what I do or give to another! Jesus ' gift of love is unconditional. He loves us because he loves us. It is the Father's love for and in Jesus that is given to us. That love is the Holy Spirit. The love of Jesus is the gift of himself, the Father and the Holy Spirit. One of the fruits of the love of God in us is joy. This joy is not a passing high but a lasting presence that brings the truth of our identity into clarity. True love manifests itself in authentic joy, which in turn expresses itself in love. Thank you Jesus for your love! May I respond with love, flowing out of joy.

(Mary is free of threefold woes.) "There is the woe of guilt, misery, and hell. There is the woe of actual sin, of original misery, and the woe of the punishment or pain of hell....First, the woe of guilt is threefold, i. e., the woe of the guilt of the
heart, of the guilt of the lips, and of the guilt of deeds.... Mary was not only free from the threefold woe of actual guilt, but also from the threefold woe of original misery, i.e., from the misery of them that are born, from the misery of them that bring forth, and from the misery of them that die....The woe of the misery of being born is the woe of the weakness of concupiscence; the woe of them that bring forth is the woe of the pains of travail; the woe of the dying is the misery of being reduced to dust and ashes." (St. Bonaventure) Why was Mary so blessed? Because the Mother of God needed to be so free of the human woes that come from sin so as to be the perfect vessel for the Son of God to be brought forth from. In honoring Mary we are honoring God's divine plan for our salvation. We honor God's plan for our salvation by seeking to live a life worthy of the grace given to us through Mary's conception of our Savior.

 

Jesus said: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Jesus links love and obedience. One’s obedience is a sign of one’s love.
A mark of discipleship is obedience to Jesus' words.
How do we assess our love for Jesus? How is our life and actions guided by his words?

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.
This is the same Spirit the Father anointed Jesus with at his baptism.
This is the first time that Jesus promises the Spirit to the disciples.
The Greek word used is Parakletos. This term is used five times in the New Testament: four times in the Gospel of John to refer to the Holy Spirit and once in 1 John 2:1 to refer to Jesus. The word basically means one who is called in to help another who is in trouble, such as an advocate, counselor or defender.
Jesus refers to sending another advocate. He is one and the Spirit is the other.
Spirit of truth is in opposition to the father of lies—the devil.
But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.

One role of the Spirit is to dwell in us so that we can have a personal relationship with the Spirit. Do we recognize the presence of the Spirit within us? By what signs? How attentive are we to the inner leadings of the Spirit within us?

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Jesus has already told them about his upcoming Passion and death, as well as his resurrection. Thus, they will feel abandoned for a short period time but he promises to return and be with them. When we have a sense of abandonment by God, is our faith strong enough to stand on this word of Jesus?

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.

The reason for the world not being able to see Jesus is that he will suffer the cruel death of the cross. But the disciples will see him because he will rise from the dead after three days. The resurrection will confirm his relationship with the Father and their relationship with him.

Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."

This restates verse 15 in reverse order. Love leads to obedience; obedience to love.
In today’s Gospel what speaks to you most strongly about your relationship with God?
Other reflections?
How is God asking you to respond to this word?

"O Mary, by the magnificent example of your virtues you stir us up to the imitation of you, and thus enlighten our night. For he who walks in your ways, walks not in darkness, but has the light of life." (St. Bernard) This is possible because Mary walked in the light of Jesus and in the life of the Holy Spirit as the beloved daughter of the Father. Like the moon reflecting the light of the sun, so Mary reflects the Son to us. Even in the dark of night, the moon illuminates our way. So too, Mary. The moon can still be seen even in the midst of a sunny day. Mary is always pointing us to her son,Jesus. Following her lead, which is the lead of the Holy Spirit through her, we can not go astray. Even when we know the way to Jesus, seeing a affirming signpost on the way is comforting. Mary is that signpost.

Mary is the Mother of our Savior. Jesus is the God/Man. Mary is the mother through whom God became Man by the Father's eternal plan. The relationship between Jesus and Mary is divinely appointed. The honor given to Mary comes from God himself.

 

 

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
What has Jesus said that could cause them to be disturbed? He has already talked about one of the twelve betraying him and about his imminent death. Also the possibility of his departure disturbed them.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
The answer is not fear but faith in the Father and in Jesus.
When we feel troubled in spirit, do we turn to the Lord and trust in him or do we seek answers elsewhere? Do we allow fear to rule us rather than faith in God? How often has fear been the focus and not faith?

In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where (I) am going you know the way."
Jesus gives them words of comfort and assurances of being with them again, even after he leaves them for a while.
Meditate on these words. What is Jesus saying to you?

Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
This is one of the many "I am" sayings of this Gospel (6:35; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7; 11; 11:25; 15:1).
Jesus is the way in so far as he goes before us, setting the direction which will lead to the Father and eternal life. How faithfully do we follow Jesus?
Jesus is the truth, which if one follows, enters into eternal life. Do we accept the full message of Jesus without reservation?
Jesus is the giver of life who has come that we may have life abundantly. Do we desire that full life which only Jesus can give?
How often do we follow Jesus, believe in his word, share consciously his life?
No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus. Even for those who do not know Jesus, if they are saved it is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Do we know how to rest in the Father’s arms so that he can reveal the deeper understanding of Jesus to us?
If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Both Jesus’ words and works reveal the words and works of the Father. Even in his humanity Jesus is one in the Father and the Father is one in him.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.
Reflect on this statement. What were the works—the signs and wonders--Jesus did? If we believe in him, should we not be open to those same works being evidenced in us? This is a challenging statement.
                    Any other reflections?

"What an immense joy to have Mary Immaculate as our Mother! Every time we experience our frailty and the promptings of evil, we may turn to her and our hearts receive light and comfort. Even in the trials of life, in the storms that cause faith and hope to vacillate, let us recall that we are her children and that our existence is deeply rooted in the infinite grace of God. Although the Church is exposed to the negative influences of the world, she always finds in Mary the star to guide her so that she may follow the route pointed out to her by Christ.” (Pope Benedict XVI) Many people have a difficulty with devotion to Mary. They feel it detracts from Jesus. On the contrary, true devotion to the Mother of God

always leads to the Son. Her admonition to the waiters in Cana, "do whatever he tells you," is the same direction Mary gives us. Nothing means more to her than that Jesus be known and glorified. Who knows Jesus better than his Mother, who not only gave birth to Jesus, but also was at the cross when Jesus gave us the possibility of new birth.

“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.

You can never love her more than Jesus did." (Saint
Maximilian Kolbe) When we love and honor Mary, the
Mother of Jesus, we are doing nothing more than what
Jesus himself did. Though he was the Son of God, he was
also the Son of Mary. Though Mary was redeemed by
Jesus, she gave him human birth. Mary was not a throwaway,
once used by God for the purpose of becoming
man, then put aside. Because of her unique role in God's
plan, God desires us to love and honor his Mother. For in
loving and honoring her, we are loving and honoring him.

"O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary

in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such
is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of
necessity." (Saint Basil the Great) How blessed are we to
have been given to Mary by Jesus at the time of his
crucifixion! This was not a nice gesture, but a deliberate
decision with a deliberate purpose. Jesus, knowing that
after his death the attacks of the evil one would be
unrelenting, entrusted us to his Mother, who was sinless
by God's grace. She is called the Refuge of sinners. In our
struggles we do not have to feel alone, but can and should
turn to our Mother for protection and strength as she
intercedes for us before her Son. Thank you, Jesus, for
your Mother, now our Mother.

Information:
Men's May Mass has been moved:
New Mass Date
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Bishop Jacob's House
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La.
7:30am
Fellowship afterwards
Bring a friend.

"If you ever feel distressed during your day, call upon our Lady,

just say this simple prayer: 'Mary, Mother of Jesus, please be a
mother to me now.' I must admit, this prayer has never failed
me." (Blessed Mother Teresa) The wisdom of the saints are
given to us for our growth. How often we find ourselves in
difficult circumstances? How often we attempt to deal with them
on our own? Is it possible that God has another plan for us?
Here is one way that has proven helpful to at least Mother
Theresa. Yes, we can call on Jesus. But we can call on Mary and
the Saints as well. Now in heaven, one of their joys is to
intercede for us before the throne of God. In this they remind us
that we are never alone on our journey, but belong to and are in
the company of a communion of saints.

"Her [Mary's] example of faithful perseverance in doing the will

of God and her heavenly reward are a source of courage and
hope for all of us." (Pope Benedict XVI) Doing the will of God
was the foundation of Mary's response to all God asked of her.
Surrendering to the mysterious will of God without
understanding the details made Mary the new Eve. Where Eve
would not embrace the will of God, Mary chose to. "Behold the
handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your will."
This was the reality of her life. In this she models for us what
our response to God should be, even if we fall short at times.
Further, she said "yes" in love, not in obligation, inviting us to
do the same. She did so by the grace of God, the same grace
given to each of us.

"Little things done out of love are those that charm the Heart of Christ…On the contrary, the most brilliant deeds, when done without love, are but nothingness." ( St. Theresa of Lisieux) Sometimes we look for extraordinary sacrifices to win God over, as if we need to do this. The only real language that penetrates the depths of God's heart is what makes God who he is: love. The way of love was the little way lived and taught by St. Theresa. Simple and profound, but difficult and not easy because of our wounded human nature. Yet, this little way of love can be life-changing and transforming. Intentionally practice it for a week and see how our heart is different and our life more fulfilling. Love is the only way.

In the Old Testament, God is described as a Shepherd and the people were the sheep of his flock. (Ps 23) Later on Ezekiel the Prophet likened God to a Shepherd who was displeased with those who were not shepherding his people but using them for their benefit. God revealed that he would remove the wicked shepherds and pasture his people himself. (Ez 34) This happens through the person of Jesus, who here likens himself to the Good Shepherd who will properly care for the flock of God.


"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."

God knows us by name and calls us to follow him. Does that truth make us feel special? Spend some time reflecting on this revelation.
"When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
It is a known fact that sheep are able to distinguish between the voice of the Shepherd and that of a stranger Do we know how to distinguish the voice of God from that of another?

Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

Shepherding was a common occupation in Palestine at the time. Even so, the people hearing Jesus could not easily connect to the message he was giving them. Why?

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

Jesus changes the metaphor with the intention of making clearer his message. He equates himself to the gate. When the Shepherd takes his sheep to pasture, spending nights with them away from their normal, secure enclosure, he would sleep in front of the enclosure to block it from any intruders. He is ready to defend his sheep with his life if necessary.
"I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly." There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. In him is the fullness of life. What does that say to you?
If I want to experience this abundant life, what would Jesus want me to do? Do I manifest this abundant life in my words and actions?
What in this reading touched your life in a very special way? How have I experienced Jesus personally speaking to me and caring for me? How have I responded?

"God became man so that man might become a god." (St. Athanasius) This is different from what the Devil told Eve. "You shall be like God." At the moment, they were sharing in the divine life of God as adopted son and daughter. But the tempter implied, after eating of the fruit of the tree, Adam and Eve would be equal to God. This lie, acted on, actually separated them from God. But God loves us. The Son of God became Man to restore us to our true relationship with God, to be adopted sons and daughters, sharing the divine life of God. In this sense we become god or god-like, by his design and grace. It is a mystery for which I am grateful.

"Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of

those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten
families." (St. Pope John Paul II) In response to the Communist May Day
celebration, the Church established this Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. In
doing so, the Church seeks to reflect on the true dignity and sanctity of
work and of workers. In the role of worker, St. Joseph is our model. Next to
Mary, he was given the special privilege to provide for, protect and form
Jesus in his human work ethics. In the many, threatening difficulties Joseph had to put
up with to fulfill his charge, we hear no complaints, only see total
commitment. Work was not a drudgery of necessity but an offering of joy.
How do we see our work, as a ministry or as a burden? Pray to St. Joseph when you work to experience his incites, appreciation and joy in work.