Holy Scripture boldly proclaims, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are” (1 Jn 3:1). This love “comes from God and unites us to God; through this unifying process it makes us a ‘we’ which transcends our divisions
and makes us one, until in the end God is ‘all in all’ (1 Cor 15:28).”
Spirit, the Church is called to share with all the world this gift of love. As Pope Francis points out, “The salvation which God has wrought, and the Church joyfully proclaims, is for everyone. God has found a way to unite himself to every human being in every age.” Through his Cross and Resurrection, Christ united the one human race to the Father. However, even though Christ’s victory over sin and death is complete, we still live in a world affected by them. As bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States, we want to address one particularly destructive and persistent form of evil. Despite many promising strides made in our country, racism still infects our nation.
This post is the first in a series from the document Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops as a formal statement of the same.
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at night and said to him,
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,
for no one can do these signs that you are doing
unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,
“How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8 #dailyingodsword
Monday, Apr 12, 2021
EASTER WEEKDAY
Stand with those who stood for you
Though you may not remember it, your Baptism was an extremely important day in your life—the beginning of your life in Christ. Your godparents represented you that day, speaking on your behalf if you were a baby. Perhaps later you became a godparent to others. Whether you’re still close or have drifted apart over time, reach out to your godparents or godchildren and reminisce about that day. Talk about the role you have played in each other’s spiritual life and pray together for deepening conversion. Promise to keep on praying for each other in our ever-growing identity as children of God.
TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 4:23-31; John 3:1-8. “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
#takefiveforfaith
📷Easter Vigil baptism a few years ago
The Lord does not want us to keep thinking about our failings. He wants us to look to Him. In our failings He sees children to help up; in our misery He sees children in need of His merciful love. - Pope Francis #divinemercy
Acts 4:32-35
The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.
#dailyingodsword
All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest. // Saint Faustina
#jesusitrustinyou
#sdcatholic
In today's Gospel, Jesus appears to His disciples and says, "Peace be with you." When we reflect on God's mercy in our lives, we are encouraged and challenged to show that same mercy to others.
May Jesus give us the grace to live like Him in our world today.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, may you know God's mercy as you walk the pilgrim's road...
Jesus, I Trust in You
