Archive for the ‘Easter Sunday’ Category

Today Christians Commemorate St. Stephen of Mar Saba, Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, March 31st, 2024

Stephen Mar Saba

(Saint Mary’s Press) Stephen of Mar Saba was introduced to the monastic lifestyle at the age of 10 by his uncle Saint John Damascene whom Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called a person of prime importance in the history of Byzantine Theology, a great Doctor in the history of the Universal Church.

When Stephen turned 24, he began to serve the monastery by doing a number of jobs according to Franciscan Media including a guest master. After some time, Stephen asked permission to lead a life in religious seclusion–the answer from the Abbott was yes and no.

Stephen could follow his preferred lifestyle during the week but on weekends he was to offer his skills as a Counselor. Stephen put a sign on the door of his room: “Forgive me Fathers, in the name of the Lord but please do not disturb me except on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.”

Even though Stephen would have preferred to live in solitary prayer everyday, he kindly met those seeking his counsel and was a trusted spiritual advisor.

Saint Stephen of Mar Saba’s biographer and disciple wrote: “Whatever help, spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He (Stephen) received and honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked nothing. In total poverty, he possessed all things.”

Related: Saint Stephen of Mar Saba Monastery –Holy Land Sites

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An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today – Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday, April 16th, 2023

Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed
because you have seen Me?
Blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have come to believe.” –John 20:29 (NRSVCE)

“Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified — Christ pours out this mercy on humanity through the sending of the Spirit who, in the Trinity is the Person-Love and is not mercy’s love’s ‘second name’ (cf. Dives in misericordia)  understood in it’s deepest and most tender aspect, in its ability to take upon itself the burden of any need and especially, in its immense capacity for forgiveness?

It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the Word of God on this the Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’ In the various readings, the liturgy seems to indicate the path of mercy which, while reestablishing the relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity among human beings. Christ has taught us that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God but is also called to practice mercy towards others:  “Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.” –Matthew 5:7 He (Jesus) also showed us the many paths of mercy, which not only forgives sins but reaches out to all human needs. Jesus bent over every kind of human poverty, material and spiritual.”
–Pope John Paul II (30 April, 2000) Mass at St. Peter’s Square For the Canonization of Sr. Mary Faustina Kowalska

A Vision of Christ

I John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the Island called Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was called in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write in a Book what you see and send it to the seven Churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across His chest. His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze refined as in a furnace and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand he held seven stars and from His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword and His face was like the sun shining with full force.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead but He placed His right hand on me saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last and the living One. I was dead and see, I am alive forever and ever and I have the keys of Death and of Hades (Hell). Now write what you have seen, what is and what is to take place after this. –Revelation 1:9-19

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews (Jewish religious leaders) Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side, then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.” When He had said this He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus and Thomas

Thomas (who was called the Twin) one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came, so the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe.’

A week later His disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He (Jesus) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it in My side. Do not doubt but believe.”

Thomas answered Him, ‘My Lord and My God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

The Purpose of This Book

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book but these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through believing you may have life in His name. –John 20:19-31

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the ‘Second Sunday of Easter’ – Divine Mercy Sunday, Visit: -USCCB

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An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today – The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus!

Sunday, April 9th, 2023

“They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree (Cross)
but God raised Him on the third day
and allowed Him to appear.”
–Acts 10:39B-40  -Image Courtesy: Fr. John Lewis

Hear the Good News

Peter proceeded to speak and said: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. You know the message He sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; How He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses to all that He did both in Judea and in Jerusalem.

They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree (Cross) but God raised Him on the third day and allowed Him to appear, not to all people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the Prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” –Acts 10:34-43

A Song of Victory

This is the day the Lord had made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalm 118:24

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called on the Lord, the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

All nations surround me; In the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surround me, surround me on every side; In the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surround me like bees, they blazed like a fire of thorns; In the name of the Lord I cut them off! I was pushed hard so that I was falling but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation.

There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”

I shall not die but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has punished me severely but He did not give me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give Thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us we beseech You, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech You, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the House of the Lord.

The Lord is God and He has given us light.

Bind the festal procession with branches up to the horns of the alter.

You are my God and I will give Thanks to You; You are my God, I will extol You.

O give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.
–Psalm 118:1-29

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings on Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus! -USCCB

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An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Sunday, April 4th, 2021

Easter: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow — Resurrection Of The Lord
Image Courtesy: Fr. John Louis

God raised Him (Jesus) on the third day and allowed Him to appear — He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One ordained by God as Judge of the living and the dead.
All of the Prophets testify that everyone who believes in Him
receives forgiveness of sins through His name. –Acts 10:40-43 (NRSVCE)

A Song of Victory

This is the day that the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

O give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good;
His steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Let those who Fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called to the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?

The Lord is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to put confidence in mortals.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to put confidence in princes.

All nations surround me;
In the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surround me, surround me on every side.
In the name of the Lord I cut them off!
They surround me like bees;
they blazed like a fire of thorns;
In the name of the Lord I cut them off!
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
He has become my Salvation.

There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous;
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
I shall not die but I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has punished me severely
but He did not give me over to death.

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them and Give Thanks to the Lord!

This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank You that You have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we beseech You, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech You, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless You from the House of the Lord.

The Lord is God and He has given us light.

Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God and I will give thanks to You!
You are my God, I will extol You!

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever! –Psalm 118:1-29

The New Life In Christ

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. –Colossians 3:1-4

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on Easter Sunday, of the Resurrection of the Lord, Visit: USCCB

Be Messengers, Proclaiming the Risen Christ! -John Bergsma, PhD. -Natl Catholic Register

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Happy Easter — Christ the Lord Has Risen!

Sunday, April 1st, 2018

Happy Easter...“Do Not be Amazed, You Seek Jesus of Nazareth Who Was Crucified,
He Has Risen…” Mark 16:6

#IPrayToEndAbortion “A great prayer for life is urgently needed,
a prayer that will rise up throughout the world.”
Pope Saint John Paul II

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An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Sunday, March 27th, 2016

Easter SundayChrist the Lord Has Risen Today – Happy Easter -Image: St. Paul Street Evangeliztion

The New Life In Christ

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. –Colossians 3:1-4

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

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Once He Died Our Souls to Save — Christ the Lord Has Risen Today!

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

Resuurection of Jesus Christ“He is Not Here For He has Risen” —Matthew 28: 6
Image Courtesy: Matthew Poeske@Facebook

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Remembering that Jesus Christ Has Risen Today…Happy Easter 2014

Sunday, April 20th, 2014

Easter Mass St Monica'sEaster Mass at St Monica Catholic Church –Image: Kathryn Boole@Twitter

St Mary...Beautiful Picture San Juan Diego With Our Lady of Guadalupe of St Mary Magdalena in Corona, California –Image: Adoration Servants@Twitter

Vatican ExhibitDelivered Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles of St Mary Magdalene in Corona, California –Image: Adoration Servants@Twitter

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His steadfast love endures forever.” –Psalms 118:1

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Pope Francis: Happy and Holy Easter to Overflowing Crowd of 150,000 at St Peter’s Square

Sunday, April 20th, 2014

VaticanOverflowing Crowd of 150,000+ at St Peter’s Square for Pope Francis
Easter Mass  Image: Yahoo News@Twitter

St Peter's SquareThousand Worship our Risen Savior Jesus Christ with Pope Francis
Image: Oliver Darcy@Twitter

(CNA) In his Easter message to the city and the world, Pope Francis, focused on the victory of love brought about through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

“The message that Christian’s bring to the world is this: Jesus, Love incarnate  died on the cross for our sins but God the Father raised Him and made Him the Lord of life and death. In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death,” said Pope Francis.

Emphasizing the power of God’s “unconditional and faithful love” for every human situation, praying for the many areas of the world suffering from violence of conflicts and urging Christians to seek paths of peace and reconciliation.

Pope Francis then issued a blessing to those gathered in St Peter’s Square and those throughout the world listening and watching by various types of media.

Full article here from Catholic News Agency

Related: Video here of Easter Mass at St Peter’s Square –Vatican

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