23 | April | 2009

Archive for April 23rd, 2009

You must increase and I must decrease! ‘the one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.

April 23, 2009

04232009

The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon

Following the Resurrection

Oh fools, so slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Should not Christ have suffered all of these things and then enter into his glory? Be faithless no longer, but believe.

This is what I have told you from the beginning, that all things must be fulfilled which are written in the law of Moses, and by the prophets, and by the Psalm-writers, concerning me! Christ must suffer, and then rise from the dead on the third day; that repentance and forgiveness of sins might be preached in his name among all nations, beginning in Jerusalem .

I know from where I have come, and where I will go. You cannot tell from where I have come, or where I am going. You are from the earth. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

No one has ascended up to heaven, except he that has come down from heaven, the Son of God who is in heaven. Go, tell my brothers that I will ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Why are you troubled, allowing doubt to fill your minds? Be in peace. Witness my hands and my feet. Touch me, and verify my resurrected body; for a ghost does not appear having flesh and bones. Because you have seen me, you believe. More blessed are those who come after you, who having not seen me, believe.

In a little while, the world will see me no more; but my presence will remain with you; and because I live, you will live also.

Lord God, Abba Father, just as John said in the verse preceding today’s Gospel reading; You must increase and I must decrease! For I truly believe ‘the one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all.’ For this reason I seek to be more of You and less of me; knowing that it is Your will I seek; Your Wisdom that I ask and pray for in all things. Help me Lord, bless me indeed, keep me from evil and pain. Guide my thoughts, words and acts. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.

— Ps. cxxxviii. 17

Reading 1
Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20
R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Gospel
Jn 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.