It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. – Acts 14:22

       Humilify. I needed a word that describes how God corrects us when we forget He’s the one in charge, the boss, the one who makes things happen. I didn’t even think there was such a word. My computer’s spell checker underlined it in red.

     But I wanted to use this word instead of “humiliate” because in humiliation there’s shame involved. I wanted a more loving word because even when God corrects, He still loves.

       I was surprised that when I Googled it, there it was. One definition given was “gently putting someone in their place.”

       Don’t you sometimes feel that God is humilifying you? A project or event you prepared for wasn’t the hit you thought it would be. You get bypassed for a promotion or removed from a prestigious position. You get tossed by your One True Love for someone prettier or hunkier or younger. And these things happen just when you thought you were the best, the most powerful, the most wonderful creature in the universe.

       Being humilified is a hardship we need to undergo because it purifies us and qualifies us to enter God’s Kingdom. Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

Reflection: Are you getting yourself disqualified from heaven because you’re too puffed up with pride?

Lord, help me to see that the hardships that humilify me are just Your ways to keep me grounded on You.

St. Asaph, bishop, pray for us.

11^ST READING

It is difficult to establish a new faith community. But Paul did it successfully many times. How hard do we work to deepen our faith and sense of community through the Gospel? We may lose it if we do not work on it consistently.

19 In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. 24 Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. 25 After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. 27 And when they arrived, they called the Church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R) 21 May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (R)

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

27 Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or be afraid. 28 You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, 31 but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

think: Jesus taught the disciples that service is the key to their ministry.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Deuteronomy 31-34

PEACE I GIVE YOU

Have you experienced being in the presence of a dying loved one, or someone familiar to you? If the person is still conscious, they would want to say some final words of wisdom, encouragement and hope.

        For Jesus, in the Upper Room, on the night before He dies, He is very much aware of His impending death and the sadness of His disciples. With words of hope and encouragement, He musters their courage in the hours to follow. And the word He gives them is “peace.”

       Jesus says that this peace is not as the world gives, but in a deeper sense of well-being, wholeness and completeness — “shalom.”Jesus gives it as a gift. He is aware of the doubts, fears and anxieties in their hearts and minds. Jesus shares His final meal with them, washes their feet, teaches and prays for them in His final hours on earth. He knows the need for peace at this time. He assures them that He will be away for a short time but nothing will be lost; He will return. Similarly, at the dying moment of our loved ones, we need those words of peace.

       In a world that is shattered by violence and unending turmoil, we are in desperate need of peace. Only Jesus can give us that peace. The world gives us peace by advertising to the thirsty society the need to buy material things so that all will be well. What lies! True lasting peace is not found anywhere on this earth; perhaps in small quantities, but it is not lasting. Jesus is our Peace. In this season of Easter, we are reminded of the truth that Jesus is our lasting peace.

       Where is peace lacking in your life? Seek the Lord in prayer today and pray for the gift of peace. May the Risen Lord grant you the fruit of His glorious life now through peace in your heart and mind. Turn to Jesus now and receive from Him the peace that surpasses all understanding.  Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Reflect on relationships, events and issues in your life now. Are they peaceful?

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Amen. (St. Francis of Assisi)