"This is why the Father loves Me, because..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On this Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, the Gospel continues Jn 10 from yesterday:

Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know Me,
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down My life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear My voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves Me,
because I lay down My life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from My Father.” (Jn 10: 11-18)

There is much to hear as we continue to Listen to Jesus and ponder all He said and did, even as our Mother Mary did on this earth. I put in bold print verses from today’s Gospel that impressed me, after listening to the First Reading from The Book of Acts, to the Responsorial Psalm and the Alleluia Verse before the Gospel. You may hear something else as you listen and ponder because the Word of God is infinitely deep and Mysterious in many ways.

It is no wonder Jesus said:

…“If you remain in My word, you will truly be My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… (Jn 8:31-32)

and:

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples. As the Father loves Me, so I also love you. Remain in My love. (Jn 15: 7-9)

What I ask today is for God’s Grace to do His Will as Jesus and Mary did His Will. May the Holy Spirit show me how to lay down my “disordered self-love” in order that I may learn to love Him and all others because of my love for Him. When I behold Mary our Mother on Calvary, I see her remaining in His Word and in His Love perfectly. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for me and for all your children. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful; kindle in us the Fire of Your Love.

For today’s Mass Readings see : HERE

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks Stephie, for your faith-full and loiving heart!

I just watched the 1st of a 4 part miniseries on EWTN on “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort. It will contiue tomorrow May 5 through to the 7th. It is an excellent presentation by Father Fred Miller. Each program is only 30 minutes and it begins at 5:30 PM. I hope you and others can watch it.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, Quiet Trad, for your faithful and loving heart also! I don’t know if either you or Stephie watched the first part of the miniseries on EWTN last night, but if not, I’d encourage you and anyone else who didn’t see it to watch tonight at 5:30 PM for the 2nd in this 4 part series on St. Louis de Montfort’s “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin”. I watched it last night and the 30 minute program was excellent.

I realize you are Canadian and so I’m not sure what time zone you may be in but I do know EWTN TV Broadcasts reach all over the world. I hope many more will watch this program tonight May 5 and continue on May 6 to the end on May 7. May the Holy Spirit guide Catholics in particular to a renewed devotion to Mary our Mother and Model, but also to all those among her children who need her and may not know her at all as yet!

 

[StephieNorthCo]

You can also watch it on EWTN.COM It is being broadcast in an hour and a half. (From the time of this posting.

God bless,
Stephie