Daily Reflections

Daily Reflections

The Second Sunday after Easter, 30 April 2006

A reflection on Good Shepherd Sunday. If you have been to Holy Mass today, you would have heard the Gospel Story about Jesus, being the good Shepherd of the sheep.It is a well known story, which I recall having heard many times during the days of my childhood. I am typing this reflection on a cold dark Sunday night in country New Zealand and I do want to ask you:"Are you one of Jesus' s flock? Or have you wondered away from his flock, like it does happen to so many of us in the course of our lives.I have some very good news for you this evening, you are ALWAYS welcome to return and the Great Shepherd of the sheep has not given up on you. Have a read of Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd, which contain sound comforting words. For the music and the words you can also go to A Hymn for the day. Make a move and reconnect with Jesus Christ and his people, then Goodness and Mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. We are looking towards the new working week, may you have a Blessed week.

Ed Bakker........

Feria of our Lady, Saturday 29 April 2006

Novena Prayers To Our Lady of the Snows
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored they help,or sought they intercession was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee,O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come,before thee I stand,sinful and sorrowful;O Mother of the Word Incarnate,despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Our FatherHail MaryOur Lady of the Snows, pray for us.St. Joseph, pray for us.St. Therese, The Little Flower, pray for us.Glory Be To The Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.AMEN.

As Postulant I have been encouraged by my Bishop to make use of Prayers and Meditations on the website of the Shrine of our Lady of the Snow. It is a joy to share them with you.

Pax et bonum
Ed......

Thursday 27 April 2006

Meditation John 3:31-36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life. (John 3:36)
Near the end of his Gospel, John tells us why he decided to write what he did: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life” (John 20:31). John understood that Jesus had come to give the word of God to a needy people. He also knew that Jesus came not only to forgive sins but to give us a new life in his Spirit. And so, wanting to proclaim these truths, the apostle took up his pen and wrote.
Whenever we read the Gospel of John, we can get a glimpse into an evangelist’s heart and pick up some clues on how we too can fulfill the call to proclaim the gospel. And the “clue” in today’s reading is that we should not be afraid to speak the truth directly.
The gospel is good news, and, like all other good news, it’s something we should be eager to talk about. Having received the merciful love of Jesus, we should not be surprised to find ourselves moved to share with others what we have received—love, mercy, and compassion. In his exhortation, On Evangelization in the Modern World, Pope Paul VI wrote that “the Good News proclaimed by the witness of life sooner or later has to be proclaimed by the word of life. There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom, and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed” (22).
Jesus wants to take a place of primacy in our minds. He wants to fill our thoughts to the point that we can’t help but talk about him to the people we meet. He wants us to “always be prepared to make a defense . . . for the hope that is in [us]” (1 Peter 3:15). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and his gift of new life so that we can fearlessly proclaim the promise of salvation in Christ.
“Jesus, give me a heart like yours that longs for all God’s children to return to him. Lead me to people who are seeking and searching for the life that only you can give.”
Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34:2,9,17-20

With every good wish in Christ,
Ed.......

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Patron OSA Australian Province





Wednesday, April 26, 2006
MeditationJohn 3:16-21
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. (John 3:16)
This one simple sentence is the core of our faith. It is the good news that has been proclaimed for two thousand years. God the Most High, uncreated Creator, sent his only Son into the world to save the people he had created. He didn’t treat us as we deserved, condemning us as sinners for our disobedience. Instead, in his amazing love, he allowed his Son to endure so much dishonor and shame so that he could redeem us through his unflinching obedience.
How can we fathom the love of the Father, who offered his only Son for sinners? How can we comprehend the love of the Son, who so eagerly responded to his Father’s call? Try as we might, the story of salvation will forever defy human reason. We can’t fathom the kind of love that would motivate such a sacrifice. We could never experience absolutely perfect self-giving from any human friend. But we can experience it from God—and experience it every day.
God has no need of us; he is lacking in nothing; yet in his Son he has reached out to each one of us to draw us to himself in personal love. This God who knows every detail of our lives calls us his children and waits to hear us answer, “Abba”—Father! Meditating on this love should bring us to our knees in awe and wonder. It should move us to give our lives to him in worship and obedience.
In sending his Son to save us, God sent the perfect representation of himself, so that we might know him as he truly is. In listening to the Son, we hear the Father—his thoughts, his plans, his very heart. We could never experience this on our own; only by the power of God’s grace can we be lifted up to this entirely new life. And that’s how God’s love—a love he showed when he gave his only Son—saves us.
“Father, I can understand only faintly the love you have shown me and my brothers and sisters on this earth. I am overwhelmed that you would care so much for me. With all my heart, I choose to love you in return.”
Acts 5:17-26; Psalm 34:2-9

May God bless you this evening wherever you may be..
Ed...

Tuesday 25 April 2006 Saint Mark the Evangelist

Tuesday, April 25, 2006
MeditationMark 16:15-20
Readings
The New Testament includes several references to the Mark whom St. Peter mentions in today’s first reading. Also known as John Mark, he was the cousin of Barnabas, whom he accompanied, along with Paul, on their first journey to Cyprus. Later, he worked closely with Peter in Rome and became the apostle’s trusted companion. Tradition tells us that Mark evangelized in Alexandria, and some believe he was the young boy in Gethsemane who ran away from the soldiers without his garment (Mark 14:51-52). Finally, he is revered as the author of the Gospel that bears his name.
Have you ever thought about what Mark must have seen? When we read the words of Jesus preserved in his Gospel, we get a sense that Mark saw some of the “signs” that accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17). After all, he both wrote about and ministered alongside of some of the most renowned preachers of his day. Casting out demons, healing the sick, speaking in new tongues, being unharmed when picking up snakes or drinking poison—these spectacular-sounding feats seemed to be common in the early church.
Mark described many of Jesus’ marvelous works. Instead of including Jesus’ lengthier sermons, which we find in the other Gospels, Mark focuses more on his power over sickness and evil. But as today’s reading shows, the miracles are not supposed to stop with Jesus. Mark expects that Christians of all eras will share the role of wonder workers in order to bring others to believe.
What do you think? Like Mark, do you expect the Holy Spirit to intervene in your life so that God’s kingdom will be manifested? Or do you consider miracles as relics of the past? It may be hard to expect to see healings or spectacular signs. And certainly, we shouldn’t go around looking for snakes to handle or poison to drink. But God does still want to manifest his kingdom in powerful, amazing ways. Maybe as we honor Mark today we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us a greater confidence in him—a confidence that will send us out into the world as his instruments of grace.
“Holy Spirit, use me to bring God’s kingdom into the world! I don’t want to stand in your way. Help me to expect great things from you, to bring others to believe!”
1 Peter 5:5-14; Psalm 89:2-3,6-7,16-17
Connect with Jesus Christ and his people... see http://www.crossspot.net/ststephenstac/

Ed

Feria, Monday 24 April 2006

Meditation
Acts 4:23-31

Readings

Have you ever experienced déjà vu, the uncanny feeling that you’ve previously encountered something before? You might have this sense as you read through the Acts of the Apostles. In one place, you’ll read about the disciples being filled with the Spirit, and then later on, you’ll read about them being filled with the Spirit again. And then again.
Today’s reading is a good example. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit filled the disciples, and that they spoke the word of God “with boldness” (Acts 4:31). But wait a minute! Earlier in the same chapter, a Spirit-filled Peter was already witnessing boldly about Christ (4:8). And weren’t Peter and the other disciples all filled with the Holy Spirit back in Acts 2:4? Later in Acts, the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and everyone who was with Peter (10:44). And again, the Spirit filled the disciples at Ephesus when Paul laid hands on them (19:6).

Evidently, being filled with the Spirit can happen more than once! If you sift through Acts and other places in Scripture, you’ll find that being filled with the Holy Spirit happens again and again. The only logical conclusion is that it’s central to the gospel message. And that’s just the point God wants to teach us: If we but ask, Jesus is willing to give us this precious gift in greater and greater depth, time and time again!

These stories show us that we need to continually drink of the Spirit, recognizing our constant need for God and not relying on our past experiences. They show us that we need to yield every area of our lives to him so that he can sanctify us and equip us to build up the body of Christ.

Don’t be afraid to ask the Spirit for more today. Don’t hesitate to seek his continual renewal and refreshment so that you can fight the good fight of faith and be a fruitful witness in a torn and suffering world. He can make all the difference!

“Holy Spirit, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your love so that I may be wholly subject to you. Come to me, glory of the living and hope of the dying. Lead me by your grace, that I may always be pleasing to you.” (St. Augustine)

Psalm 2:1-9; John 3:1-8
Thanks be to God...Ed

The First Sunday after Easter, Low Sunday 23 April 2006

Christ is Risen!

Building Your Prayer Time Quiet Yourself From DistractionsLet us fix our eyes on Jesus; let us throw off everything that distracts us (Hebrews 12:1-2). Morning tends to be a better time to pray for most people; choose a quiet place - in your home, at work, outdoors, in a church.Examine Your ConscienceRepent of your sins; ask for forgiveness; believe your sins are forgiven; repent at the Penitential Rite during the liturgy; receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever possible; let God free your conscience (Hebrews 9:14).Enter Into the Presence of GodDwell on the Love Jesus has for us; recite the following truths from the Nicene Creed:a) God is our Father/Creator;b) Jesus is our Loving Savior; c) The Holy Spirit comforts us; d.) The church is one with Jesus; e.) Jesus intercedes for us in heaven. f.) Jesus will come again in glory!Praise God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit • Fix your eyes on the Father; tell the Father you love him; call him “Abba” (Father); thank him for this wonderful Creation and for all the good.• Fix your eyes on Jesus; tell him how grateful you are for his death and his Resurrection; tell him how grateful you are for everything he has done.• Fix your eyes on the Holy Spirit; ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about your sins and how to consecrate your life to Jesus more each day.Let God Move YouTake a phrase such as “Holy Jesus” and softly repeat it without thinking or distraction. Try to give the Holy Spirit the freedom to show you God’s perspective on “Holy Jesus.” You may find yourself in the presence of One Who Is Holy. You may discover new avenues of love toward God.Ask Questions (Matthew 7:7-11)Go to God and ask him; try to learn how to listen to him and enjoy his presence; try to sense what he might be saying in your heart as you pray and read the Scriptures.Bring Your Petitions to The LordPray for your family’s needs; intercede for the sick; pray for the whole Church; ask God for his blessing for you and your family; ask him to give you and your family spiritual protection to do good and to say “no” to evil and sin.Journal Your Prayer TimeA prayer journal will help us recall what we sense God has expressed to us, what we have prayed for, and it will help us carry Jesus through our day.

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Blessed week!
Ed.........
Connect with God and His people and join us on http://www.crossspot.net/ststephenstac/

Daily Reflections

Daily Reflections

On Easter Saturday 22 April 2006

My Friends,
Today has been a lonely day, you know those days yourselves from time to time. Nobody called, nobody phoned. No friend e-mailed..yes plenty of spam on the pc offcourse. Whilst God's Holy Word always brings consolutation, I want to tell you about the Jesus Prayer, which is simple, but effective. You keep on praying it, light a candle in front of an Icon of Jesus if you can and say:Jesus, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.Say it again and again and the shadows of loninless lift. If you read this blog this evening and you feel lonely, I invite you to say this Jesus Prayer. May the Risen Lord, grant you Peace and joy and relief of loneliness.
Ed........
http://www.crossspot.net/ststephenstac/

Meditation
Acts 4:1-12

Readings

The person who lives in the region of faith dwells in the realm of miracles! That’s why Jesus told his disciples that if they say to a mountain, with faith, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it really will happen. It’s also why he said that if we believe we have received what we ask for in prayer, it will be ours (Mark 11:23-24).
Peter and John had this kind of bold faith as they healed a lame man and were hauled before the Sanhedrin. They even tried to evangelize their accusers! Imagine: Imprisoned overnight and now facing the possibility of further punishment, Peter boldly proclaimed the truth that salvation is in Jesus alone.

God wants us to know that we can have the same kind of courageous faith the apostles had. We can have the same kind of faith that Mother Teresa had when she picked up the first dying person on the streets of Calcutta. She didn’t know what God had in store for her, but believing that he had called her to India, she responded. Then, as she stepped out in faith, more and more extraordinary things happened, to the point that an entire religious order was born to minister to the poorest of the poor. All because of one act of faith, Mother Teresa became a living witness to the power of the gospel.

How will you witness to God today? By reaching out to a lonely neighbor? By maintaining a peaceful disposition even in a chaotic situation? Will it be by expressing words of kindness or encouragement to a friend at work or in your neighborhood? If these kinds of things are already part of your daily approach, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how your witness can broaden and extend to even more people. Perhaps you might try to visit someone who is sick or take on some new form of service in your parish or your community. Whatever you do, let the Holy Spirit lead you and fill you with the courage and boldness of Peter and John.

“Lord Jesus, clothe me in your armor today. Give me a bold faith like that of your apostles. Holy Spirit, lead me, so that my words and deeds give glory to Jesus and so that other people can come to know you.”

Psalm 118:1-2,4,22-27; John 21:1-14

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Blessed and refreshing weekend.

Ed......

Easter Thursday 20 April 2006

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Meditation
Luke 24:35-48

Readings

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:38).
Despite Jesus’ seeming surprise, we can easily understand the disciples’ reaction. The one who had been nailed to the cross and laid in the tomb was now standing in front of them! Who wouldn’t be startled and terrified?

Doubt is a human reaction. Even the saints had doubts. The great doctor of the church, St. Thomas Aquinas, once sighed to God, “I do not know if you love me, or if I love you. . . . I do not even know if I live by faith!” Or recall the other “doubting Thomas” who wouldn’t believe unless he could put his finger into the wounds of the risen Christ (John 20:25).

Jesus sometimes challenged his disciples to have greater faith. But he never discouraged them from bringing their doubts and fears to him. When they did, he always gave them the help they needed. Consider his response to his disciples in today’s passage: “Touch me and see” (Luke 24:39). He even ate in front of them to dispel their suspicion that he might be a ghost or a figment of their imaginations. He was more than willing to help them put their fears to rest.

Like the disciples, we can be honest with Jesus. He will never condemn us for questioning. He understands our fears and doubts. He wants to help us get past them so we can draw closer to him. Jesus invites us to lay our questions and misgivings at his feet. Only then can they be resolved. He doesn’t want us to try to go it alone rather than risk offending him with “silly questions.”

Today, why not bring some area of unbelief in your heart to Jesus? It might be uncertainty of his love for you or a doubt that he has your best interests in mind. He already knows your heart and your needs, but he never fails to welcome those who come to him in honesty and humility. Remember, he is always gentle, merciful, and patient beyond measure.

“Lord, thank you for not condemning me when doubts arise in my heart. Send your Spirit of peace where there is confusion or fear. May the reality of your perfect love for me cast out every fear hidden in my heart.”

Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2,5-9


Thanks be to God.....

Easter Wednesday 19 April 2006

EASTERTIDE 2006

"Eight days later, when the disciples were together again and Thomas was with them, suddenly through the locked doors Jesus was among them. He said to them, 'Peace be with you.' Then Jesus turned to Thomas and said, 'Thomas, put your fingers here and see into my hands. Put your hand here and touch the wound in my side. Thomas, do not doubt any longer!'

"Thomas did this and exclaimed, 'It is true, my Lord. My God!' Then Jesus said to Thomas, 'You believe because you have seen me, I say blessed are those who have not seen me and believe anyway!"

Believe! Christ is Risen!

For Easter Tuesday 18 April 2006

Meditation
John 20:11-18



If you were in a crowd and someone called out, “Hey, you!” you would probably ignore it. After all, you would have no way of knowing that person was looking for you. But if you heard your name being called, you would at least turn around to see who was calling out. Nothing grabs our attention like hearing our name—whether it’s in a doctor’s waiting room, in a classroom, or at a dinner table.
When Jesus first addressed Mary Magdalene as “woman,” she didn’t recognize him (John 20:15). But when he called her by name, she turned toward him, and in that instant she knew that the man standing before her was Jesus, her Savior, who knew her and loved her. Imagine how she must have felt, seeing him alive! She had witnessed his painful death on the cross, had seen him laid in the tomb in a burial shroud; now he stood before her, alive, and said to her, “Mary!” Her weeping ceased, and she was filled with joy.

Great men and women of the Old Testament heard the Lord call them by name as well. Appearing in a burning bush, God called Moses and commissioned him to bring the people of Israel out from Egypt (Exodus 3:4). When he heard God’s voice speaking to him, Abraham was empowered to leave everything behind and take up a long journey to an unknown land God had promised to give him (Genesis 12:1-3).

Through his prophet, God promised all of us that he would give us a new name. No longer would we be called “Desolate” and “Forsaken.” Instead, we are to be called, “My Delight” (Isaiah 62:4). Can you let the Lord show you how he delights in you? Can you let him show you that through Christ he has drawn you to his side and made you into a new creation? Jesus wants to call you by name every day. When we listen to his voice, as Mary did, our hearts will be warmed by his love, and our minds will be filled with his truth. We will see the direction in which we should go. And we will be strengthened to meet life with courage.

“Jesus, I delight in your love. You are my good shepherd. Teach me how to hear your voice in every situation. Keep me close to you.”

Acts 2:36-41; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22

Thanks be to God.....

For Easter Monday 17 April 2006 The Emmaus story

A Unique Encounter with Christ
In short, on the third day after His crucifixion two disciples were leaving Jerusalem traveling to Emmaus. Along the way they were discussing what had taken place the last few days when Jesus came to them and asked what they were discussing. Blocked from recognizing Him, the disciples told the traveler about what had took place. Upon hearing their despair, Christ uplifts them and teaches them why these things had to happen to the Messiah. They were so stirred at His interpretation of the Scriptures that they later noted, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" (Lk 24:) Even with the Holy Spirit enkindled within them, Jesus' preaching to them did not open their eyes to who the travel's identity. Remember, these are people who would have spent the last three years following Him and listening to His preaching..The traveler's identity did not become revealed to them until they sat and ate supper with Him at which point Luke states, "He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them." (Lk 24) These are the same words that Luke uses to describe what happened at the Last Supper. Jesus gave them Himself under the appearance of the bread. It was at that exact moment that the disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist.Luke’s account is pivotal to this meditation because it illustrates the fact that Jesus is present in the preaching of the Gospel because their hearts were aflame when they heard it. However in a far more vivid and eye opening manner, Christ is present in the Eucharist, the breaking of the bread as Luke calls it. Not even the preaching of the Lord Himself open their eyes; it was receiving Christ’s own Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity that they recognized as Him in it.Why, then, did Jesus vanish from their site when they recognized Him in the Eucharist? Jesus is opening the eyes to the reality that He will be with them also but in a new way. They will not have Him walking and talking with as He had the past three years. Indeed, He was going to be with them in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist. It was only celebrating this great gift that the whole Christ (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) will be present.

Thanks be to God.....

Holy Saturday, 15 April 2006

And if it's true, no end is death
Mid Lent is passed and Easter's near
The greatest day of all the year.
When Jesus,Who indeed had died
Rose with His Body glorified.
And if you find believing hard
the primroses in your Churchyard
And modern science too will show
that all things change while they grow,
And we, who change in time will be
Still more changed in Eternity.


A poem written by John Betjeman, which describes perfectly what is to have
a Resurrection Faith.

I pray on this Holy Saturday, that your Faith may be a Resurrection Faith.


Have a joyous Easter...

Ed.......

May we pray:
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,because by Thy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

By the tree we were made slaves and by the holy Cross we are set free: the fruit of a tree led us astray but the Son of God redeemed us.

O Saviour of the w0rld, save us: We beg Thee, our God, Who has redeemed us by Thy Cross and Blood, to help us.
AMEN

Maunday Thursday

One of the most moving Services is the Maundy Thursday Mass commemorating the Institution of the Eucharist. On the night before His suffering on the Cross Jesus found the disciples could not even stay awake and support him. Here is our opportunity during tonight's Mass after the Blessed Sacrament has been brought to the altar of repose, to watch and pray during the night.