The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, May 4, 2006
Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
National Day of Prayer (USA)

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9
John 6:44-51

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

A core belief in our Catholic doctrine is our belief in the Trinity, our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a belief based largely on faith since the concept is difficult for us, as humans, to understand. We can more easily relate to the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, because of His human experience. The concept of Father is more difficult for all, but especially for persons who may not have had a father figure in their lives, or unfortunately may have had an abusive or negligent father.

Today's gospel (John 6:44-51) cuts through a lot of those barriers and with the Psalm for the day, makes us want to "cry out with joy." Jesus states to His followers, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw Him and I will raise him up on the last day." What a message, and what a promise! Here we are told that our bond with Christ was first of all initiated by our Father. He has been there with us through it all! He truey is 'OUR' Father!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)