Daily Catholic Devotions

May 24-30, 2020

LivingFaith

“I am with youALWAYS...”

Matthew 28:20

May 24 Seventh Sunday of Easter

Keeping the Story AliveAfter Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostlesreturned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. Acts 1:12

After seeing Jesus ascending into heaven, the disciples once again gathered in the upper room. They must have been thinking, “What are we supposed to do without Jesus’ leadership?”

There is no written record of their conversations, but we can easily imagine what they talked about. What do you remember about Jesus’ life and teachings? What do we need to hand on to people who want to know more about him and his message? How can we do that best? I imagine they had to meet quite regularly to discuss how best to hand on the wonderful story of Jesus’ life and teach-ings. “We can’t let this beautiful story die!” Isn’t this the purpose of our holding staff meetings, parish council meetings, diocesan synods and the like? And don’t we need to remind ourselves often that our chief purpose is to make Jesus and the gospels known and loved by everyone?

Fr. Martin Pable, O.F.M. Cap.

Acts 1:12-14 • Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-8 1 Peter 4:13-16 • John 17:1-11

Acts 19:1-8 • Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Monday, May 25 St. Bede the Venerable, St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi

Celebrating FaithDo you believe now? John 16:31

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Bede the Venerable, a great scholar and theologian; St. Gregory VII, an influential pope; and St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, an Italian Carmelite nun gifted with heavenly visons. We also remember those who died in wars or were injured in battles so that we might live free. In a word, today we celebrate FAITH.

To each of us, saints and sinners, extraordinary or ordinary, brave or weak, Jesus asks the same question: Do you believe now? As the fragrance of the lilies of the valley lingers in our gardens, as winter’s snow carves a place in our memory, as the sandy beaches beckon, may we continue our journey, walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). With deep trust may we open our hearts to the small signs of God along the way, em-bracing our daily path. When we struggle to profess our faith, Jesus will tightly take our hand, accept our efforts and strengthen our belief. It is he who will always lead us on.

Sr. Bridget Haase, O.S.U.

Tuesday, May 26 St. Philip Neri

Love, Mystery and MiracleNow this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. John 17:3

Eternal life is knowing God and, very beautifully, we begin to live eternal life now, in the present moment.

I don’t think of knowing God as a piece of knowl-edge that I possess, but rather as a dynamic way of living as though I belong to God, as though I am loved by Love itself, in all its mystery and miracle. Love chose me, possesses me and lives within me, though I don’t fully understand it. I permit Love to guide me and act in me. Sometimes it proves me wrong and requires me to back up and make amends. Sometimes Love sends me out into the world, bidding me to overcome my discomfort with taking action toward al-leviating the suffering of others. And sometimes Love rests in me, and I in it.

Elizabeth DuffyTrue God, I am sorry for the times that I did not act out of

love. I pray that your love may always rest with me. May I help those who are suffering come to know your love as well.

Acts 20:17-27 • Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21 John 17:1-11

Acts 20:28-38 • Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36 John 17:11-19

Wednesday, May 27 St. Augustine of Canterbury

Humility in PrayerAnd from your own group, men will come forward per-verting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. Acts 20:30

Every group, from small clubs to churches, govern-ments and international organizations, constantly changes. Established senior people leave and newer, junior people take over. With each change, there are some who think it will destroy the organization while others think that it will finally put things aright. I’ve been in each camp, and the results of change have never been as bad or as good as I anticipated.

Some changes do destroy, and we can all recite lists of governments and businesses that collapsed when changes went badly. The truly hard work of communi-ty is in discerning which changes are good and which are not. Organizations can only do this with open and honest dialogs that can be very hard to maintain. It requires each of us to be willing to recognize when another’s idea might be better than our own. The only place I’m able to find enough humility for doing that is in prayer.

Aileen O’Donoghue

Thursday, May 28

Journeying on the PathYou will show me the path to life… Psalm 16:11

At a very early age, my mother taught me to ask God for guidance and direction at the beginning of each day. Together, we would pray the Morning Offering and dedicate to God all our prayers, works, joys and sufferings of that day. In that prayer, I was asking God, like the psalmist of old, to show me the path of life. Now that I have acquired the title of octogenarian, I look back on how I have traveled those many years with my morning offering sentiments. I’ve traveled highways and low ways, fast ways and slow ways, but always with Jesus on my mind. Now I think more about the path than the road.

Today, I choose a slower pace, a pace at which I can walk and pause to enjoy the creative beauty of nature around me. On roads, we often hurry from place to place. But on the path, we can just enjoy the journey. I hope and trust that we all can walk with grace and dignity on our paths to the eternal kingdom.

Fr. James McKarnsFather McKarns is a former pastor, mission preacher and author living in Ohio.

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 • Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 John 17:20-26

Acts 25:13-21 • Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 John 21:15-19

Friday, May 29

In a Word, ‘Yes!’He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:19

When we listen to the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass, we do more than listen: we respond. So, for example, upon hearing this gospel on this Friday, we would say, as we do during every Mass: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Gloria a Ti, Señor Jesús. Laus tibi, Christe. In any language, we give praise to the Lord for the word that we’ve just heard.

That’s striking to me, if I actually think beyond the routine of it. The Word of God is proclaimed to me, and I praise God for it. No matter what it is, I thank him. And in my praise is implied trust, hope, faith and, ultimately, to whatever—whatever—it calls me to, a “yes.”

Praise to you, Lord. I trust in your word.Amy Welborn

Saturday, May 30

Hindered, Yet LovingHe remained for two full years in his lodgings. He re-ceived all who came to him, and with complete assur-ance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:30-31

Paul is speaking of his time in prison, two years in chains. Though most of us do not spend time behind bars, sometimes it seems that circumstances beyond our control are inhibiting our freedom. Other times, the bars are limitations of our own creation. When we are “in chains,” we tend to think that we can do something useful once we are free. Once we get to “the other side of this,” we’ll be able to love, give or serve.

Paul is showing us another way. He is showing us that we don’t have to wait for our situation to im-prove—we can proclaim God’s goodness even while encumbered. We can continue to do our work and fulfill our purpose right now, chains or no chains.

Sometimes the very act of loving, giving or serving right when we feel least able to do so is the key that fits the lock and sets us free.

Kristin Armstrong

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 • Psalm 11:4-5, 7 John 21:20-25

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