The Catholic Calendar for Monday, May 2, 2005
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 16:11-15
Psalm 149:1-6,9
John 15:26--16:4

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel reading Jesus tries to prepare His disciples for the time when He is no longer physically present and for the difficulties thatfaithful discipleship will entail. It is a scene that could bring any believing person to tears and despondency if it were not for the great gifts of faith and hope, without which there would be real cause for real despair.

But, thanks be to the Almighty, He has given us Jesus who spoke the will and pleasure of the Father that all who would believe in Jesus, might live forever in His presence in heaven.

That is what we believe, that is what gives us hope in the face of otherwise certain and irrevocable death. And how is it that we have come to have this belief and why is it that such belief is trustworthy? It is through the gracious will of God who has revealed to us in the Flesh, His Divine Son who lived and taught and suffered and died on our behalf. And the rest of the story is....

"Very early, just after sunrise, on the first day of the week they came to the tomb. When they looked they found that the stone had been rolled back. On entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, dressed in a white robe. This frightened them thoroughly, but he reassured them. "You need not be amazed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified. He has been raised up; He is not here." (Mark 16:2,4-6)

The Lord has risen as He promised! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia


- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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