For you this week:
- Reflection for Saturday: The victory of Jesus is coming to you
- Inside the Ministry: Attention LinkedIn users!
- This week’s WordBytes faith-builder: The Master Needs You
- This week’s recommended video: Prayer that Improves Your Connection to God
This week’s Trivia Challenge: What age will our resurrected bodies look like after we die? Do the elderly still appear elderly? Do babies look like babies? (Check your answer at the end of this newsletter.)
Saturday April 22, 2023
Acts 6:1-7
Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
John 6:16-21
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042223.cfm
Podcast:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-april-22-2023
Saints Calendar:
gnm.org/saints-find/saints-calendar
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. (From Saturday’s Gospel reading)
Reflection for Saturday:
The victory of Jesus is coming to you
The busy day had reached its tiresome end. Unfortunately, we could not rest yet. We had to make our way to the next place, the next agenda, the next assignment that the Lord had given. Blindly. The storm-darkened night made it impossible to know what dangers lay ahead, let alone how to avoid them. But we forged on ahead. Crazy us!
This is what I imagine the disciples were thinking in today’s Gospel reading, John 6:16-21, before Jesus came walking on the water and said, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
This is normal life for a disciple who genuinely wants to make a difference in the world by following and implementing the plans of Jesus. Our boats are swept in wrong directions by strong tides. Our boats get flooded by stormy weather. Our boats spring leaks when they hit rocks. Jesus knew what you’d be facing when he gave you the responsibility of continuing his mission. And so he tells you, “It is I. I am with you. Do not be afraid. We’ll get through this together. When we reach solid ground, you’ll see the glory that’s planned next.”
What I like best about this Gospel story is how the disciples teleported from the middle of the Sea of Galilee to the beach at Capernaum. One moment they’re waving at Jesus, beckoning him to join them in the boat, excited that he has arrived to help them, and the next moment their boat is landing on the rocky shore. Their hands were probably still in the air. The name of Jesus was probably still on their lips — except, that last syllable probably became something that indicated surprise. Like, “Jeee-SUS!” Bam. “How’d we get here?”
Serving the Lord is an adventure. That’s for sure.
The world is in such a mess, and there are so many victims of false teachings who are not going to make it to heaven unless they turn to Christ, that Jesus truly does need you — each and every one of us.
Your boat is your current situation. Whatever and wherever. Jesus has use for it. Even the situation that has been a bad trial. Especially the situation that has been a bad trial. Jesus will make victory come from it when he uses it to calm the storms of others. If you say yes to him and watch for opportunities, you will find yourself on a surprising shore.
Do you remember what happened the day after the disciples’ boat got teleported? The crowds came looking for Jesus, and he told them about the Eucharist that he would provide at every Catholic Mass. He said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
How many people around you are missing out on this bread? Jesus cares about them. So do you. But do you care enough to find out where Jesus wants to teleport your boat to next so that more people will discover what he is offering to them?
Inside the Ministry:
Attention LinkedIn users!
You can help spread Good News Ministries by following our company page. Repost our daily faith-builders. Just a quick click and you’re making a difference!
If you believe in our mission and agree that you’re called to the same mission, please follow our page and take a moment each day to repost something. You will build the faith of others, you’ll evangelize your connections, and you’ll be giving valuable support to Good News Ministries.
Studies show that you are more influential on LinkedIn than on any other social media platform.
Go ahead please: Visit linkedin.com/company/catholic-good-news-ministries and follow us and share us.
This week’s recommended faith-builder:
The Master Needs You
What boat are you in right now that Jesus is using to take you somewhere in ministry? If you’re not sure, we have a set of WordBytes entitled, The Master Needs You, which are designed to help you discern your usefulness to the kingdom of God. Visit wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/of-the-laity/#master.
WordBytes is a library of Catholic faith-building articles by Good News Ministries. Come on in and explore! Visit WordBytes.org today.
This week’s recommended video:
Prayer That Improves Your Connection to God
How intentional are your prayers? Do you pay attention, in other words, to the words that you pray? Especially during the words of prayers that we say over and over again. How we pray can mislead our subconscious into wrong assumptions about God. This affects our prayer life, our faith, and our personal connection to God. Here’s what you can do about it!
Watch this short video @ gnm-media.org/prayer-improves-connection-to-god. Or if you prefer to read it, download the transcript at this link.
Answer to this week’s Trivia Challenge:
What age will our resurrected bodies look like after we die? Of course this is speculation, but Saint Thomas Aquinas proposed that because Christ died at age 33, we will all appear 33 in the resurrection.
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Terry Modica, Executive Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
Find this and past issues at gnm.org/newsletter. Please share what will minister to others.
Please share this with others by inviting them to visit this page. You may also print this for your personal use and you may share the print-out with others.
A free PDF document of this is available for your own personal use.
How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints