Third Week of Easter
19th April 2024 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 3
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
In those days: Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Psalm 117:1, 2 (R. see Mark 16:15)
R/. Go into all the world, and proclaim the Gospel.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him, says the Lord.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 6:52-59
At that time: The Jews disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Friday – Third Week of Easter
Guidelines: Ultimately what matters the most in life is repentance of heart and conversion of life. Conversion is actually not the goal of faith; rather it is the process and dynamism of faith
1. Jesus continues to affirm, “I am the bread of life”. Those who receive this bread will experience three aspects: abiding in the Lord, living by the power of the Lord, and living forever. There is a clear contrast between the manna of the past and the living bread. For that matter, there is an enormous contrast between worldly food and heavenly food.
2. Material food removes only physical hunger, gives bodily strength, grants temporary satisfaction, and enhances the earthly life. But Jesus, the eternal bread of life satiates the deep, interior spiritual hunger and thirst, fills with full strength, gives perpetual satisfaction, and fosters the Spirit-permeated life.
3. Paul’s conversion marks this transition from what is worldly to what is heavenly. Paul’s conversion is not merely a matter of changing religion. It is a total change of life. This includes the change of perspective and pursuit of life. Saul becomes Paul; the persecutor becomes persecuted; the law is replaced by faith; hatred for Christ becomes a passion for him; violence toward the believers turns into compassion for them.
4. The three Eucharistic effects are fully operative in Paul. He abides in the Lord and the Lord abides in him. He lives by the power of the Lord and lives in conformity with his values. And his changed life becomes an undaunted orientation to eternity.
Practice: Jesus questioned the persecuting Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Jesus identifies himself with his persecuted followers. Am I also persecuting Christ whenever I act unjustly and harmfully against others?
