1.5 Thurs 6th PT (St Joseph the Worker)
Acts 18,1-8; Psalm 98; John 16,16-20

Your grief will be turned to joy. John 16,20

Jesus makes this promise to the disciples about his death. The joy of his resurrection will always remain with them. When we suffer because of our love of the Lord Jesus and because of our faithfulness to him, we can be certain that there will also be so much joy that neither small nor large crosses will be able to cancel it out.

2.5 Fri 6th PT (Athanasius)
Acts 18,9-18; Psalm 47; John 16,20-23

Have no fear, go on with your preaching. Acts 18,9

When Jesus appeared to St Paul, he encouraged him to stay in Corinth to tell the good news to the gentiles! Many things and a lot of indifference can discourage people who feel a missionary impulse and who wish to give the joy of their faith to others! Go on teaching, says Jesus! The word of the gospel is like rain that must continue to fall in order to penetrate the earth and make it fertile.

3.5 Sat 6th PT Novena of Pentecost (Philip and James)
I Cor 15,1-8; Psalm 18; John 14,6-14

No one comes to the Father except by me! John 14,6

Jesus has just said "I am the way!" and now he is explaining the image he used. Men and women wish to reach God, but they always reach a God created by their own minds and who is, therefore, disappointing, non-existent. Only through Jesus can we reach the God who loves us or can we learn to understand the Father!

4.5 Sun The Ascension of the Lord Year A
Acts 1,1-11; Psalm 47; Eph 1,17-23; Matt 28,16-20

Full authority in heaven and on earth has been committed to me. Matt 28,18

The mystery of the Ascension shows us Jesus exalted above all God's creation. He has truly received full authority, that is, the fullness of love, which has the power to change everything!
It is love that can transform everything into an instrument of communion! Jesus has the authority to unite heaven and earth so that God's love may be experienced on earth and men and women be sanctified and made similar to God in order to be able to love together with him!

5.5 Mon 7th PT (Hilary of Arles)
Acts 19,1-8; Psalm 68; John 16,29-33

I am not alone, for the Father is with me! John 16,32

Sometimes, even in the midst of a crowd, I feel abandoned, discarded, excluded from all conversation. How good it is then to repeat Jesus' words! Oh you who suffer from solitude, old, young or infant, here is your remedy!

6.5 Tues 7th PT (Edbert)
Acts 20,17-27; Psalm 68; John 17,1-11

I have made your name known to the men. John 17,6

This was your task on earth, Jesus. Words alone were not sufficient for us to understand the name of the Father: you lived as his son, abandoned but obedient to the love of God the Father! With your life more than with your words you showed us God's loving care! Thank you, Jesus!

7.5 Wed 7th PT (John of Beverley)
Acts 20,28-38; Psalm 68; John 17,11-19

Your word is truth. John 17,17

Jesus is praying to God for his disciples. He spoke through Jesus and his Word is full of love and truth! Today, there are those who do not search for the truth: they will always be swayed by their emotions, by their mood swings and they will be disappointed and mislead. The truth exists and it is only one; it is that love which can be experienced through Jesus' word!

8.5 Thurs 7th PT (Peter of Tarentaise)
Acts 22,30; 23,6-11; Psalm 16; John 17,20-26

The world will know that you sent me! John 17,23

Jesus continues to express his love. The world, that is, all those who ignore and deny him, will experience life and the joy of life when they begin to take Jesus seriously. How will that happen? There are no convincing discourses. The only thing capable of convincing doubting hearts is the unity of the disciples!

9.5 Fri 7th PT (Pachomius)
Acts 25,13-21; Psalm 103; John 21,15-19

You know I love you! John 21,17

Jesus, you tested Simon, called Peter. You asked three times if he loved you, if he loved you more than the others, if he really loved you! You test everybody who wants to be with you in this way before giving them a task in the Church! It is not important to have understood everything, all your words, but to love you, to love you always. You can trust those who love you!

10.5 Sat 7th PT (Antoninus of Florence)
Acts 28,16-20.30-31; Psalm 11; John 21,20-25

Lord, what about him? John 21,21

Peter wants to know how much Jesus loves the other disciple and asks almost more out of curiosity than out of trust in the Lord. The reply he receives is quite stern. We must not mind the business of others unless we are asked to by the Lord. Feelings of envy and jealousy could arise. We are to obey Jesus by loving everybody, but without excess curiosity!

11.5 Sunday of Pentecost Year A
Acts 2,1-11; Psalm 104¸ I Cor 12,3b-7.12-13; John 20,19-23

As the Father sent me, so I send you! John 20,21

Today we celebrate the mystery of the Church that receives the effusion of God's Spirit. We too can participate! We have been filled with the Holy Spirit to be able to fulfil Jesus' task in the world: to offer ourselves even by sacrificing ourselves for the salvation of all! We have been sent to make the Father known, just as Jesus made him know: forgiving, serving, loving and dieing!

12.5 Mon 6th OT (Nereus and Achilleus)
Jas 1,1-11; Psalm 119; Mark 8,11-13

That you may become perfected, sound, lacking in nothing. James 1,4

The apostle James begins his letter encouraging us to be joyful despite our many trials. The power of faith gives us patience and those who are patient become perfect and lacking in nothing! Patience; the fruit of faith, of love, of contemplation! Are you patient? Then you will be more joyful than those who have everything!

If you wish to order a calendar for 2009, please fill in the form you will find after 8th September and send it to us.

13.5 Tues 6th OT (Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima)
Jas 1,12-18; Psalm 94; Mark 8,14-21

Happy is the man who stands up to trial. Jas 1,12

This promise is for those who overcome temptation. Temptation comes in many forms, showing us God as a rival, and thus distancing our heart from him. Every temptation, however, is also an opportunity for us to prove our loyalty and obedience to the Lord. How to tell if my thoughts or feelings are a temptation? Look to see if they help you to obey or disobey the Word of God! Obedience helps overcome all trials!

14.5 Wed 6th OT (St Matthew the Apostle)
Acts 1,15-17.20-26; Psalm 113; John 15,9-17

Love one another! John 15,17

This is the commandment that Jesus defines as new! It is the commandment that distinguishes us as Jesus' friends, as his Church! Love one another does not only mean to love others. Loving others I could feel a little superior and give rise to pride within myself. I obey this new commandment when I accept that others love me, when I accept their service (I might not always like it …), when I accept their proposals, perhaps with a little difficulty!

15.5 Thurs 6th OT (Isidore the Farm Labourer)
Jas 2,1-9; Psalm 34; Mark 8,27-33

And you? Who do you say I am? Mark 8,29

Only Peter dares reply. It is the truth: Jesus is the Christ! But the Lord does not wish this to be proclaimed publicly. He also silenced the demons who wished to reveal him. The disciples think that Christ should be glorified by man and longed for approval and honours. But Jesus is the Christ who glorifies God and lives the greatest love right to the end!

16.5 Fri 6th OT (Brendan the Voyager)
Jas 2,114-24.26; Psalm 112; Mark 8,34-9,1

Whoever wants to save his life will lose it! Mark 8,35

No one wants to lose their lives! And yet, as Jesus says, whoever wants to save his life, whoever does not offer his life to him, will lose the best part of his life; he will lose the greatest thing, union with God! Who is not ashamed of the Lord and is prepared to be derided and despised, will have great joy and inner freedom!

17.5 Sat 6th OT (Paschal Baylon)
Jas 3,1-10; Psalm 12; Mark 9,2-13

No one can subdue the tongue. Jas 3,8

St James wants us to realise that we are sinners. Even though we have not committed any great crime, we have to recognise that we are unable to control our tongues. And it is our tongues that can do the greatest damage, like a match that can put light to an entire forest. I must ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to control my tongue and to use it only to praise the Lord and to comfort others!

18.5 Sun The Most Holy Trinity Year A
Exod 34,4-6.8-9; Dan 3,52-56; II Cor 13,11-13; John 3,16-18

God sent his son that through him the world might be saved. John 3,17

Today we contemplate God who is Love. His life is communion; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit gave us life. We are grateful for this! By sacrificing his Son, the Father saves us from sin, and the Spirit gives us grace! Most Holy Trinity have pity on us and save us!

19.5 Mon 7th OT (Dunstan)
Jas 3,13-18; Psalm 19; Mark 9,14-29

The wisdom from above is … rich in compassion. Jas 3,17

When I am wronged, I can convince myself that since I am right, I can be harsh though not violent. Today St James tells us that wisdom is different to intelligence. Wisdom is a gift of God, it is merciful, peaceful, considerate, open-minded! Have pity on me, Lord Jesus!

20.5 Tues 7th OT (Bernardino of Siena)
Jas 4,1-10; Psalm 55; Mark 9,30-37

Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you. Jas 4,10

I have committed so many sins! How often God would not have approved of my behaviour! And I am not even aware of it! Have pity on me, Lord Jesus, and save me!

21.5 Wed 7th OT ((Andrew Bobola)
Jas 4,13-17; Psalm 49; Mark 9,38-40

What is your life after all? James 4,14

I often plan the day and all the week only to have to change everything because of some little mischance. Mischances are often providential! I only realise much later and in the meantime, I have been annoyed, upset and have complained to others and to the Lord! What a job for the Lord to guide my life for my own good!

22.5 Thurs 7th OT (Humility)
Jas 5,1-6; Psalm 49; Mark 9,41-50

Have salt within yourselves and be at peace with one another. Mark 9,50

Jesus says this after warning us that it is better to cut off one's hand or foot or tear out one's eye rather than they be the cause of one's downfall. To have salt within oneself means to be wise in our behaviour. The greatest wisdom is in not doing or looking at anything that might prevent our being one with Jesus.

23.5 Fri 7th OT (Desiderius)
Jas 5,9-12; Psalm 103; Mark 10,1-12

What God has joined together man must not separate. Mark 10,9

Whatever causes division, whether it is the words of a "friend" or an expert psychologist, comes from evil, the enemy both of married couples and their children! How beautiful and peaceful are those couples who know this! They are discerning and careful to listen to thoughts and feelings that help them to remain united. And this unity makes them suitable to receiving children and giving them serenity and joy of life!

24.5 Sat 7th OT (David of Scotland)
Jas 5,13-20; Psalm 141; Mark 10,13-16

A good man's prayer is very powerful and effective. James 5,16

St James wants to help us to trust in God and to pray to him even for our ailments. He tells us not to rely only on our own prayers, but to ask for the intervention of "good men in the Church". Christians need never feel alone when they pray for they are always in union with all their community. Don't, therefore, keep secrets, at least not from the priests and ask for help with humility!

25.5 Sun Corpus Domini Year A
Deut 8,2-3.14-16; Psalm 148; I Cor 10,16-17; John 6,51-58 (59)

I am the living bread that has come down from heaven! John 6,51

Jesus, I believe that you are the living bread given to us by the Father! When I take nourishment from you and make your life mine, my life is full! How can I take you as my nourishment? By participating in the Eucharist. I will listen to you and receive the Bread which your Church offers me.

26.5 Mon 8th OT (Philip Neri)
1 Peter 1,3-9; Psalm 110; Mark 10,17-27

As Jesus looked at him, his heart warmed to him. Mark 10,21

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for looking, for assuring me that God loves me! I cannot return your same love, but I will try to do what you tell me. Continue to look at me so that I do not choose a path that takes me away from you.

If you wish to order a calendar for 2009, please fill in the form you will find after the 8th September and send it to us!

27.5 Tues 8th OT (Augustine of Canterbury)
1 Peter 1,10-16; Psalm 98; Mark 10,28-31

Be holy in all your conduct! 1 Peter 1,15

How to be holy in all our conduct? I will do everything for the Lord! Not react to anything bad comes spontaneously to me, but I will try to live the love that Jesus has for the people I meet, even those who make me suffer for it!

28.5 Wed 8th OT (Germain of Paris)
1 Peter 1,18-25; Psalm 148; Mark 10,32-45

What is it you want me to do for you? Mark 10,36

Jesus had been interrupted by the two brothers James and John. What do they want? They have a wish that he cannot and will not agree to. Not all our prayers are acceptable to God. When selfishness or ambition is involved, it is better that they are not granted.

29.5 Thurs 8th OT (Joachim)
1 Peter 2,2-5.9-12; Psalm 100; Mark 10,46-52;

You are … a people claimed by God for his own. 1 Peter 2,9

These words used to define those who believe in Jesus are truly great! Everyone is great for in them the love of God can be seen at work. We can be proud of the Church despite the fact that we are all sinners! But there are always the saints and martyrs who continue to honour us!

30.5 Fri The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Deut 7,6-11; Psalm 103; 1 John 4,7-16; Matt 11,25-30

God is Love! 1 John 4,16

God the Father gave us all his Love by means of Jesus. In him we can see the Heart of God, a heart which precedes every love, a heart always willing to forgive. It is forgiveness that we experience in the sacrament of reconciliation and that shows us the depth of God's love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you!

31.5 Sat The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Zeph 3,14-18 (or Rom 12,9-16); Psalm: S of S 2,8.10-14; Luke 1,39-56

Persist in prayer! Rom 12,12

The Holy Spirit would have us pray constantly, to stay close to God the Father and Jesus and sows the desire in our hearts to be pleasing to them. Mary our most holy Mother accepted the suggestions of the Spirit; when greeted by Elizabeth she replied with the prayer that was constantly in her mind and in her heart!

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