Daily Retreat 05/04/08
2008 May 4 SUN: Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:12-14/ Ps 26(27):1, 4, 7-8/ 1 Pt 4:13-16/ Jn 17:1-11a
(In some regions, the liturgical celebration of the Ascension Thursday is transferred to this Sunday)
From today’s readings: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.... I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.... Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ.... Now this is eternal life, that they should know You, the only true God, and the One Whom You sent, Jesus Christ....”
Novena
A novena is a nine day commitment to pray for a particular petition. Why nine days? Acts 1:14 relates that the disciples were all gathered with Mary in prayer - this was the time between the Ascension of Jesus (forty days after Easter) and the Coming of the Holy Spirit (“Pentecost” - fifty days after Easter). The disciples would have certainly been praying for the fulfillment of Jesus’ words, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you...” (Acts 1:8).
The scripture readings offer material for a novena theme, for they all include instances of prayer which reflect a commitment to praying more than on a single occasion. In the first reading, scripture succinctly states, “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer....”
All the psalms are prayers - today’s includes that most important petition of all: “One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life!” Obviously, this prayer should be made regularly - it makes a good final prayer at the end of each day.
The second reading includes the crucial reminder of what to do when faced with Christian suffering - instead of complaining, give glory to God ! “But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the Name....”
The prayer that Jesus makes in chapter 17 of the Gospel of St. John is the sublime summary of Our Lord’s whole lifetime of prayer. Read the whole chapter, and thank Jesus for His prayers for you and me!
Acts 1:12-14/ Ps 26(27):1, 4, 7-8/ 1 Pt 4:13-16/ Jn 17:1-11a
(In some regions, the liturgical celebration of the Ascension Thursday is transferred to this Sunday)
From today’s readings: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.... I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.... Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ.... Now this is eternal life, that they should know You, the only true God, and the One Whom You sent, Jesus Christ....”
Novena
A novena is a nine day commitment to pray for a particular petition. Why nine days? Acts 1:14 relates that the disciples were all gathered with Mary in prayer - this was the time between the Ascension of Jesus (forty days after Easter) and the Coming of the Holy Spirit (“Pentecost” - fifty days after Easter). The disciples would have certainly been praying for the fulfillment of Jesus’ words, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you...” (Acts 1:8).
The scripture readings offer material for a novena theme, for they all include instances of prayer which reflect a commitment to praying more than on a single occasion. In the first reading, scripture succinctly states, “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer....”
All the psalms are prayers - today’s includes that most important petition of all: “One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life!” Obviously, this prayer should be made regularly - it makes a good final prayer at the end of each day.
The second reading includes the crucial reminder of what to do when faced with Christian suffering - instead of complaining, give glory to God ! “But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the Name....”
The prayer that Jesus makes in chapter 17 of the Gospel of St. John is the sublime summary of Our Lord’s whole lifetime of prayer. Read the whole chapter, and thank Jesus for His prayers for you and me!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/01/2008
<< Home