Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 13: 26-33 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 2: 6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab Alleluia: John 14: 6 Gospel: John 14: 1-6 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com    

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of St. Mark by Ms. Joan Watson. Mark, Evangelist Feast First Reading: First Peter 5: 5b-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89: 2-3, 6-7, 16-17 Alleluia: First Corinthians 1: 23a, 24b Gospel: Mark 16: 15-20

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday/ Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest, Martyr First Reading: Acts 12: 24 – 13: 5 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8 Alleluia: John 8: 12 Gospel: John 12: 44-50 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter by Dr. Shane Owens. Easter Weekday/ George, Martyr/ Adalbert, Bishop, Martyr First Reading: Acts 11: 19-26 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 87: 1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 Alleluia: John 10: 27 Gospel: John 10: 22-30 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter by Dr. Scott Hahn. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 11: 1-18 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4 Alleluia: John 10: 14 Gospel: John 10: 1-10 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com  

Readings: Acts 4:8–12 Psalm 118:1, 8–9, 21–23, 26, 29 1 John 3:1–2 John 10:11–18 Jesus, in today’s Gospel, says that He is the good shepherd the prophets had promised to Israel. He is the shepherd-prince, the new David—who frees people from bondage to sin and gathers them into one flock, the Church, under a new covenant, made in His blood (see Ezekiel 34:10–13, 23–31). His flock includes other sheep, He says, far more than the dispersed children of Israel (see Isaiah 56:8; John 11:52). And He gave His Church the mission of shepherding all peoples to the Father. In today’s First Reading, we see the beginnings of that mission in the testimony of Peter, whom the Lord appointed shepherd of His Church (see John 21:15–17). Peter tells Israel’s leaders that the Psalm we sing today is a prophecy of their rejection and crucifixion of Christ. He tells the “builders” of Israel’s temple that God has made the stone they rejected the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, the Church (see Mark 12:10–13; 1 Peter 2:4–7). Through the ministry of the Church, the shepherd still speaks (see Luke 10:16), and forgives sins (see John 20:23), and makes His body and blood present, that all may know Him in the breaking of the bread (see Luke 24:35). It is a mission that will continue until all the world is one flock under the one shepherd. In laying down His life and taking it up again, Jesus made it possible for us to know God as He did—as sons and daughters of the Father who loves us. As we hear in today’s Epistle, He calls us His children, as He called Israel His son when He led them out of Egypt and made His covenant with them (see Exodus 4:22–23; Revelation 21:7). Today, let us listen for His voice as He speaks to us in the Scriptures, and vow again to be more faithful followers. And let us give thanks for the blessings He bestows from His altar.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Third Week in Easter by Mr. Clement Harrold. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 9: 31-42 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 Alleluia: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: John 6: 60-69 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Third Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 9: 1-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 117: 1, 2 Alleluia: John 6: 56 Gospel: John 6: 52-59 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Third Week of Easter by Ms. Joan Watson. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 8: 26-40 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 8-9, 16-17, 20 Alleluia: John 6: 51 Gospel: John 6: 44-51 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Third Week in Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 8: 1b-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a Alleluia: John 6: 40 Gospel: John 6: 35-40 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter by Dr. Shane Owens. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 7: 51-60 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 31: 3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab Alleluia: John 6: 35ab Gospel: John 6: 30-35 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Third Week of Easter by Dr. Scott Hahn. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 6: 8-15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 23-24, 26-27, 29-30 Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4b Gospel: John 6: 22-29 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Readings: Acts 3:13–15, 17–19 Psalm 4:2, 4, 7–9 1 John 2:1–5 Luke 24:35–48 Jesus in today’s Gospel teaches His apostles how to interpret the Scriptures. He tells them that all the Scriptures of what we now call the Old Testament refer to Him. He says that all the promises found in the Old Testament have been fulfilled in His Passion, death, and Resurrection. And He tells them that these Scriptures foretell the mission of the Church—to preach forgiveness of sins to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. In today’s First Reading and Epistle, we see the beginnings of that mission. And we see the apostles interpreting the Scriptures as Jesus taught them to. God has brought to fulfillment what He announced beforehand in all the prophets, Peter preaches. His sermon is shot through with Old Testament images. He evokes Moses and the Exodus, in which God revealed himself as the ancestral God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Exodus 3:6, 15). He identifies Jesus as Isaiah’s suffering servant who has been glorified (see Isaiah 52:13). John, too, describes Jesus in Old Testament terms. Alluding to how Israel’s priests offered blood sacrifices to atone for the people’s sins (see Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9–10), he says that Jesus intercedes for us before God (see Romans 8:34), and that His blood is a sacrificial expiation for the sins of the world (see 1 John 1:7). Notice that in all three readings, the Scriptures are interpreted to serve and advance the Church’s mission—to reveal the truth about Jesus, to bring people to repentance, the wiping away of sins, and the perfection of their love for God. This is how we, too, should hear the Scriptures. Not to know more “about” Jesus, but to truly know Him personally, and to know His plan for our lives. In the Scriptures, the light of His face shines upon us, as we sing in today’s Psalm. We know the wonders He has done throughout history. And we have the confidence to call to Him, and to know that He hears and answers.

Lecturas: Hechos 3,13-15, 17-19 Salmo 4,2, 4, 7-9 1 Juan 2, 1-5 Lucas 24, 35-48 En el evangelio de hoy, Jesús les enseña a los discípulos cómo interpretar los textos sagrados. Les comenta que todas las Escrituras lo que hoy nosotros llamamos el Antiguo Testamento se refieren a Él. Les dice que todas las promesas ahí contenidas se han cumplido en su pasión, muerte y resurrección. Y les afirma que estas Escrituras profetizan la misión de la Iglesia – el predicar el perdón de los pecados a todos los pueblos, empezando en Jerusalén. En la primera y segunda lectura de este día, vemos el inicio de esta misión. Y a los apóstoles interpretando las Escrituras como les enseñó Jesús. San Pedro en su predicación dice que Dios ha llevado a su cumplimiento lo que había anunciado antes por medio de los profetas. Su discurso está lleno de imágenes del Antiguo Testamento. Evoca a Moisés y al éxodo, en el que Dios se reveló a sí mismo como el Antiguo Dios de Abrahán, de Isaac y de Jacob (véase Éxodo 3,6, 15). Identifica a Jesús como el siervo sufriente de Isaías que has sido glorificado (véase Isaías 2,13). También Juan ocupa imágenes del Antiguo Testamento para describir a Jesús. Haciendo alusión a los sacrificios de sangre que ofrecieron los sacerdotes de Israel en expiación por los pecados del pueblo, (véase Levítico 16, Hebreos 9-10), dice que Jesús intercede por nosotros ante Dios (véase Romanos 8,34) y que su sangre es un sacrificio de expiación por los pecados del mundo (véase 1 Juan 1,17). Es notable que las tres lecturas, las Escrituras son interpretadas para servir a la misión de la Iglesia- de revelar la verdad sobre Jesús, llevar al pueblo al arrepentimiento, borrar los pecados, y perfeccionar su amor a Dios. Así es como nosotros deberíamos escuchar las Escrituras. No solo para conocer más sobre Jesús, sino para experimentarlo personalmente y descubrir el plan que tiene para nuestras vidas. En la Biblia, la luz de su rostro brilla sobre nosotros, como cantamos en el salmo de hoy. Conocemos las maravillas que ha hecho en la historia. Por eso tenemos la confianza de acudir a Él, sabiendo que nos escucha y nos responde.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Second Week of Easter by Mr. Clement Harrold. Easter Weekday/ Martin I, Pope, Martyr First Reading: Acts 6: 1-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19 Gospel: John 6: 16-21 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Second Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 5: 34-42 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13-14 Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4b Gospel: John 6: 1-15 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Stanislaus by Ms. Joan Watson. Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Acts 5: 27-33 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 Alleluia: John 20: 29 Gospel: John 3: 31-36 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter by Dr. John Bergsma. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 5: 17-26 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Alleluia: John 3: 16 Gospel: John 3: 16-21 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter by Dr. Shane Owens. Easter Weekday First Reading: Acts 4: 32-37 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 93: 1ab, 1cd-2, 5 Alleluia: John 3: 14-15 Gospel: John 3: 7b-15 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord by Dr. Scott Hahn. Annunciation of the Lord Solemnity First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14; 8: 10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40: 7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 4-10 Alleluia: John 1: 14ab Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com