“I want to show you that I come among you through My Holy Spirit” (Father’s Message to Sr. Eugenia Ravasio).
Showing all posts in April 2024
The precious teachings of Jesus
Jn 6:22-29
Next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side saw that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that the disciples had set off by themselves. Other boats, however, had put in from Tiberias, near the place where the bread had been eaten. When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered: In all truth I tell you, you are looking for me not because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat.
DIVINE COUNSEL
“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (Ps 16:7).
Our Father speaks to us in many ways and leaves no one without instruction. Indeed, what father would refuse to counsel his son when he asks for it? How much more will our Heavenly Father counsel us in a variety of ways! His divine counsel will always be available to us if we will only seek it.
Obstacles to Faith
Lk 24:35-48
Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts stirring in your hearts? See by my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.
Living as children of God
In the traditional calendar, Saint Hermenegild, Martyr, is celebrated. The following reading has been chosen for his memorial:
Wis 5:1-5
Then the righteous man will stand with great confidence
in the presence of those who have afflicted him,
and those who make light of his labors.
When they see him, they will be shaken with dreadful fear,
and they will be amazed at his unexpected salvation.
They will speak to one another in repentance,
and in anguish of spirit they will groan, and say,
“This is the man whom we once held in derision
and made a byword of reproach—we fools!
We thought that his life was madness
and that his end was without honor.
THE DIGNITY OF MAN
“What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?” (Ps 8:4).
It is not easy for us human beings to see ourselves and others through the eyes of our loving Father, even if we try. Indeed, if we are not blind to our faults and shortcomings, if we recognise the moral wretchedness that often surrounds us, we may wonder how it is possible that God loves us so much and never gives up trying to conquer us.
The advice of Gamaliel
Acts 5:34-42
One member of the Sanhedrin, however, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a teacher of the Law respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the men taken outside for a time. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, ‘Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. Some time ago there arose Theudas. He claimed to be someone important, and collected about four hundred followers; but when he was killed, all his followers scattered and that was the end of them. And then there was Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, who attracted crowds of supporters; but he was killed too, and all his followers dispersed.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me” (Ps 23:4).
The paths we must take are not always clear and obvious to us. Both in this sin-filled world and in our personal life and spiritual journey, there are those “valleys of the shadow of death” of which the Psalmist speaks. But our Father never leaves us helpless when we lift our eyes to Him. Faith and the confidence that comes from it help us not to be discouraged.
Jesus comes from above
Jn 3:31-36
He who comes from above is above all others; he who is of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven bears witness to the things he has seen and heard, but his testimony is not accepted by anybody; though anyone who does accept his testimony is attesting that God is true, since he whom God has sent speaks God’s own words, for God gives him the Spirit without reserve. The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to his hands. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: God’s retribution hangs over him.
THE HAPPINESS OF THE FATHER IN OUR SOUL
“As for the souls who live in justice and sanctifying grace, I show My happiness by living in them. I give them Myself. I transmit to them the use of My power and through My love they find a foretaste of heaven in Me, their Father and their Saviour!” (Father’s Message to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).