Ch. 2 – How God Speaks within Us Without Sound of Words: The Imitation of Christ

Book 3:  On Interior Conversation

Chapter 2:  How God Speaks within Us Without Sound of Words

DISCIPLE:  Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening (1 Sam 3:9).  I am Your servant and beg You for the understanding to know Your commandments (Ps 119:125).  Incline my heart to follow Your holy teachings (Ps 119:36), that they may seep into my soul as dew seeps into the grass (Deut 32:2).

Father Duffy’s Reflections: The Mob

When Mother Teresa opened her first hospital for the sick poor in Calcutta, a mob of orthodox Hindus believed she was trying to Christianize the sick.  Stones and bricks were hurled at the hospital and the nuns.  LaPierre, in his City of Joy, reported that Mother Teresa threw herself at the feet of the mob and cried, “Kill me!  And I’ll be in heaven all the sooner.”  An officer who came to expel the “foreign nun” saw the horrible cases the nuns were caring for and told the mob, “When your mothers and sisters come and do the same work as these nuns, then I’ll expel her.”

Duffy, Father Edwin J.  Father Duffys Reflections:  Thoughtful Meditations for Our Present Time.  Hawaii Catholic Herald:  Copyright 1997.

NO: 5th Sunday of Easter / TLM: 4th Sunday after Easter

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Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) Readings

• 1st Reading:  Acts 9:26-31 – Initially distrusted, Saul joins Jerusalem disciples through Barnabas’s support, speaking boldly about Jesus.  Despite threats, he’s safely sent to Tarsus.  The church then experiences peaceful growth, strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.
• Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 – The whold world shall praise the Lord.
• 2nd Reading:  1 John 3:18-24 – We are called to express love in actions and truth, not just words.  A clear conscience gives us confidence before God.  Obeying His commandments to believe in Jesus and love one another assures us of God’s indwelling Spirit.
• Gospel Reading:  John 15:1-8 – Jesus described himself as the true vine and his Father as the gardener.  Branches not bearing fruit are removed, while fruitful ones are pruned for more yield.  He emphasized staying connected to him, akin to branches on a vine, as the key to bearing fruit.  Without him, nothing can be achieved.  Unfruitful branches are discarded.  Fruitfulness in believers brings glory to God and proves discipleship.

Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) Readings

• Epistle:  James 1:17-21
• Gospel:  John 16:5-14

Ch. 1 – On the Way Christ Speaks Inwardly to the Soul: The Imitation of Christ

Book 3:  On Interior Conversation

Chapter 1:  On the Way Christ Speaks Inwardly to the soul

“I WILL hear what the Lord God will speak within me” (Ps 85:9), says a devout soul.  Blessed is that soul who hears the Lord speaking within, and from His lips receives the words of comfort.

Father Duffy’s Reflections: Atonement

When Moses uttered those rash words at Meriba as he struck the rock, the Lord forgave him the sin but punished him by not allowing him to enter the Promised Land.  When King David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed, the prophet Nathan told him that although God had forgiven him, he would be punished with the death of their child; the sword would never depart from his house and the evil in his house would rise up against him.  We read much of the love and forgiveness of God but sometimes forget the justice of God–the punishment for sin.  While God might forgive us, there remains the obligation to atone for our sins through prayer, penance and charitable deeds.

Duffy, Father Edwin J.  Father Duffys Reflections:  Thoughtful Meditations for Our Present Time.  Hawaii Catholic Herald:  Copyright 1997.

NO: 4th Sunday of Easter / TLM: 3rd Sunday after Easter

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Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) Readings

• 1st Reading:  Acts 4:8-12 – Peter declared the healing of a man came through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised.  He emphasized that salvation can only come through Jesus, the cornerstone the builders rejected.
• Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 – A prayer of thanksgiving to God for his kindness.
• 2nd Reading:  1 John 3:1-2 – We are already God’s children, loved deeply by the Father.  The world doesn’t know us, as it didn’t know Him.  In the future, we’ll fully become like Him, seeing Him as He truly is.
• Gospel Reading:  John 10:11-18 – I am the good shepherd who sacrifices his life for the sheep, unlike a hired hand who runs when danger comes.  I know my sheep and they know me.  I also have other sheep not of this pen; they will listen to my voice, making one flock under one shepherd.  I lay down my life voluntarily, with the authority to take it up again, as commanded by my Father.

Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) Readings

• Epistle:  1 Peter 2:11-19
• Gospel:  John 16:16-22

For more:  go to Latin Mass Helper and select the reading of the day.

Ch. 12 – On the Royal Road of the Cross: The Imitation of Christ

Book 2:  Considerations for Leading an Interior Life

Chapter 12:  On the Royal Road of the Cross

ANYONE who wishes to follow Me must deny self, take up the cross, and follow Me” (Mt 16:24).  Many think this is a hard saying; but it will be far harder if, on the day of judgment, a person hears those terrible words:  “Depart from Me, you accursed, into the eternal fire” (Mt 25:41).

Father Duffy’s Reflections: Judge Not

A common pastime in many business places, factories, and organizations is tearing a person’s character to shreds.  Oftentimes the negative judgments are formed from gossip, hearsay and imagination.  A birthday card on sale at a store typifies the problem.  It read, “I enjoyed our conversation.  It was so intellectual, educational and informative.  Who do we take over the coals the next time?”  The Bible warns us, “Who are you to judge?”  On the positive side we read this great news, “Judge not and you shall not be judged.”  Sometimes we forget that the person we are criticizing is a member of God’s family.  And that God determines our love for him or her by our love for God’s family.

Duffy, Father Edwin J.  Father Duffys Reflections:  Thoughtful Meditations for Our Present Time.  Hawaii Catholic Herald:  Copyright 1997.

NO: 3rd Sunday of Easter / TLM: 2nd Sunday after Easter

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Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) Readings

• 1st Reading:  Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 – Peter declares that by rejecting Jesus and choosing a murderer instead, the people and their leaders acted in ignorance.  His death and resurrection fulfill God’s prophecy.  Peter urges repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
• Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 – A prayer seeking God’s favor.
• 2nd Reading:  1 John 2:1-5 – If we sin, Jesus Christ, the righteous, advocates for us.  He atoned for our sins, extending beyond us to the whole world.  True knowledge of Him is demonstrated by obeying His commands.
• Gospel Reading:  Luke 24:35-48 – The disciples recounted recognizing Jesus by the breaking of bread.  Jesus then appeared, offering peace and dispelling fears of his being a specter by showing his hands and feet and eating fish, demonstrating his physical resurrection.  He explained scripture prophecies about his suffering, resurrection, and the call to spread forgiveness in his name, affirming their roles as witnesses.

Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) Readings

• Epistle:  1 Peter 2:1-10
• Gospel:  John 10:11-16

For more:  go to Latin Mass Helper and select the reading of the day.

Ch. 11 – On the Small Number of the Lovers of the Cross: The Imitation of Christ

Book 2:  Considerations for Leading an Interior Life

Chapter 11:  On the Small Number of the Lovers of the Cross

JESUS has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few cross-bearers.  Many desire His consolation, but few His tribulation.  Many will sit down with Him at table, but few will share His fast.  All desire to rejoice with Him, but few will suffer for Him.