May 6, 2010
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? Acts 15:8-10
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. John 15:9-10
Piety
Cursillo Leaders' Prayer
Lord, grant that we may understand the necessity for depth in our movement, rather than surface glory. Convince us of the truth that colorful programs do not constitute success.
My God, give us a spirit of self sacrifice so that we may offer everything for your cause: our time, our abilities, our health and even our lives if necessary.
Instill in us courage in our initiatives, good judgment in our choice of the right means, and that determination which in spite of failures assures victory.
Move away from us the tiny rivalries, sensitivities, discourtesies, pride, everything which distracts from You, everything which divides or discourages.
Help us to maintain at a high level a meaningful supernatural and mutual charity among ourselves, so that each one will seek by preference the most humble tasks and will rejoice at the good performed by others so that all our spirits united in a common purpose will have one single sprit, Yours Jesus, and that this spirit may let us see Your attractive goodness marked in all our faces, Your warm accents in all our words, and in our lives something superior to the world, something that proclaims Your Living Presence among us. Amen.
St. Paul, Patron of Cursillo - Pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Americas - Pray for us.
Study
Whose laws are eternal? Laws made by humanity or laws made by God?
When we measure out our judgments and set them above the will of God, divisions often arise. The case in point in today’s first reading is the debate about the circumcision of the Gentiles. Paul puts the question to rest by challenging the leaders of the early Church not to put God to the test.
Jesus reinforces this by encouraging his disciples and us to “keep my commandments.” He is not telling us to keep the commandments of a particular king, political leader, nationality or even religious faction. He wants us to follow the eternal laws of God. Nothing more. Nothing less. That is the key to remaining in his love.
As the debate in the Acts of the Apostles proves, it does not mean this is easy. Just as there were arguments and divisions in the early Church, we also experience arguments and divisions today. The way to rise above these petty divisions is to keep our compass pointing to the true north and navigate by the guiding light Jesus sheds on our lives and our journey.
Action
One of our Cursillo leaders has returned home to remain in God’s love for eternity. Marty Smart passed away Monday morning.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington at 3p.m. Friday afternoon. If you can not be there in person, please offer your prayers for Marty and her family and friends at that time.
A reception will follow at the Army Navy Country Club located at 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Maps will be distributed at the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The American Brain Tumor Association. www.abta.org
