Immaculate Conception Parish Luanshya

Immaculate Conception Parish Luanshya Catholic Archdiocese of Ndola, Luanshya.

30/04/2026

CATHOLIC READINGS FOR THURSDAY APRIL 30TH 2026

THURSDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER (YEAR A)



OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA (FEAST)

SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. PIUS V



OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA

On this day, together with the missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa, we celebrate the memorial of Mary of Africa.

This celebration encourages us to turn to Mary in order to experience her maternal intercession and assistance in our daily life.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

People will never cease to praise you, as they recall the power of the Lord for ever.

COLLECT

Lord, as we honour the glorious memory of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Africa, we ask that by the help of her prayers we too may come to share the fullness of your grace and live in harmony and peace as one family. Through our Lord…

FIRST READING

They devoted themselves to prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostle (Acts 1:12-14)

(After Jesus was taken up into heaven,) the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren.

*The word of the Lord...*

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Luke 1:46-47.48-49.50-51.52-53.54-55 (R. 49)

R/. He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my savior. R/.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generation will call me blessed;
For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is his name. R/.

And his mercy is on those who fear him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. R/.

R/. He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalt those of low degree;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent empty away. R/.

He has helped his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy,
As he spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his posterity forever. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION...

ALLELUIA

ALLELUIA. Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise. You are the Mother of Christ, you are the Mother of the Church. ALLELUIA

Gospel

And the mother of Jesus was there.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 2:1-11)

At that time: There was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples.

When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what is that to you or to me?

My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

Jesus said to them, “fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.”

So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who has drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

*The Gospel of the Lord...*

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

CELEBRANT:

As we honour the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Africa, let us ask the Lord to fill the African continent with his peace and to preserve the local churches of Africa as faithful messengers of Christ.

FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH IN AFRICA: (Pause) that they may remain docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the mandate of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. (Pause) We pray O Lord.

FOR AFRICAN LEADERS: (Pause) that they may shun nepotism, religious bigotry and ethnic sectionalism in national life, and promote justice, peace and unity among the people. (Pause) We pray O Lord.

FOR ALL MOTHERS: (Pause) that they may always find joy in their children, and be enabled to nurture them towards attaining full human and spiritual maturity. (Pause) We pray O Lord.

FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF AFRICA: (Pause) that they may be given the wisdom to be able to make the right decisions as they journey through life, and may have access to affordable quality education and good work in their countries. (Pause) We pray O Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (Pause) (the sick, church projects or other activities). (Pause) We pray O Lord.

FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: (Pause) that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. (Pause) We pray O Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

CELEBRANT:

God our Father, you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Mother of your Son and the Mother of Africa. Helped by her maternal guidance, may we share in the heavenly reward promised by her Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

REFLECTION: BY CATHOLIC LIFE

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it." John 13:16-17

Jesus had just done something unexpected. He knelt down and washed His disciples' feet. Then He said these words.

He did not speak about power or position. He spoke about action.

It is easy to agree with what Jesus teaches. It is harder to live it out, especially when it means lowering ourselves, serving others, or doing something that goes unnoticed. We often want to be appreciated, to be seen, to be valued. But Jesus shows a different path.

He reminds us that we are not above serving. Not above being patient. Not above choosing love when it feels inconvenient.

And then He adds something simple but direct. 'Blessed are you if you do it.'

Not if we understand. Not if we talk about it. But if we do it.

This is where the change happens. In the small choices. In the moments where we could hold back, but choose to give instead.

Where is one small situation today where you can choose to serve instead of seeking recognition?

Lord, teach us to follow Your example, not just in words but in action. Help us to serve with a willing heart, even when no one notices. Shape our lives to reflect Yours in the small, everyday moments. Amen.

STILL ON REFLECTION:

We glorify God for the gift of our Heavenly Mother whom we honour today as our Lady Mother of Africa.

Her role on our continent cannot be overemphasized. She reigns as a caring and an observant Queen of every Continent, at the side of her Son the King of the World.

She is for the reason a credible intercessor for all our needs here on our Continent.

We acknowledge her position as Our Lady and Mother and beseech her intercession for all her distressed and anguished children dispersed all over the African landscape and beyond and for countries hijacked by bad leaders and torn apart by hate, anger and dishonesty.

Mary Our Lady, Mother of Africa pray for us.

SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. PIUS V

He was born on January 17, 1504 in Bosco, Italy. His birth name was Antonio Ghislieri. He entered the Dominican Order when he was 14 years old and took the name Michele. He was ordained a priest in 1528 and he taught theology for sixteen years before becoming master of novices and prior of many Dominican Houses.

Pope Pius-IV consecrated him bishop on September 14, 1556 and made him cardinal on March 15, 1557.

In spite his closeness with Pope Pius-IV, he opposed the Pope Pius-IV when the Pope tried to make one of his relative aged 13 years as cardinal.

After the death of Pope Pius-IV, Michele was elected Pope on January 7, 1566 and took the name Pius-V. After becoming Pope he continued to wear the Dominican white cassock that led to popes wearing white cassocks. He deprived himself of many customary luxuries of popes and spent long time in prayer. He observed the spirit of Dominican Rule throughout his life.

When Emperor Maximilian-II of Germany tried to abolish clerical celibacy, he opposed that idea and defeated the emperor's proposal. He also excommunicated Queen Elizabeth-I of England for her persecution of English Catholics.

He took efforts for the formation of Holy League of Nations, an alliance of Catholic nations and defeated the Ottoman Turks at the battle of Gulf of Lepanto on October 7, 1571.

The Pope attributed the victory to the intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary and started a feast of Our Lady of Victory in 1571.

But the feast was changed as the \'feast of the Holy Rosary' by Pope Gregory-XIII in 1573.

Pope Pius-V was beatified by Pope Clement-X on May 1, 1672 and canonized by Pope Clement-XI on May 22, 1712.

ST. PIUS V, PRAY FOR US

TODAY ROSARY: LUMINOUS MYSTERY

COLOUR:

WHITE



MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS HIS WORD IN OUR HEARTS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

HERE IS WISHING YOU A NICE DAY MY DEAR BRETHREN.

ICP MEDIA TEAM

29/04/2026

CATHOLIC READINGS FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 29TH 2026

WEDNESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER (YEAR A)



SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA



ENTRANCE ANTIPHON CF PS 18:50; 22:23

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.

COLLECT

O God, life of the faithful, glory of the humble, blessedness of the just, listen kindly to the prayers of those who call on you, that they who thirst for what you generously promise, may always have their fill of your plenty. Through our Lord...

FIRST READING

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul,”

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:24-13:5a)

In those days: The word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark.

Now in the Church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers,

Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

*The word of the Lord...*

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 67:2-3.5.6 and 8 (R. 4)

R/. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you!
Or: Alleluia.

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your salvation. R/.

Let the nations be glad and shout for joy,
with uprightness you rule the peoples;
you guide the nations on earth. R/.

Let the peoples praise you,
O God; let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
that all the ends of the earth may revere him. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION...

ALLELUIA JOHN 8:12

Alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will have the light of life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“I have come as light into the world.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 12:44-50)

At that time: Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And he who sees me sees him who sent me.

I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.

For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given me commandment what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life.

What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.”

*The Gospel of the Lord...*

REFLECTION: BY CATHOLIC LIFE

Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness." John 12:44-46

Jesus does not make things complicated here. He points us straight to the Father and says, if we look at Him, we are already seeing God. Not a distant idea, not something hidden, but something right in front of us.

Sometimes we think we need more signs, more clarity, more certainty before we believe. But Jesus is saying the truth has already been shown. The way He speaks, the way He treats people, the way He gives Himself. That is who God is.

Light is not something we have to chase. It is something we step into. Yet we still hesitate. We hold on to old fears, old habits, or even pride. Not because we cannot see, but because letting go is hard.

Believing in Him is not just agreeing with words. It is choosing to trust that what we see in Him is enough. That His way is worth following, even when it stretches us.

And when we do, something shifts. We are no longer trying to figure everything out on our own. We begin to walk with a sense of direction, even if the path is still unfolding.
Where am I still hesitating to trust what Jesus has already shown me?

Lord, help me to see You more clearly in the way You have revealed Yourself. Teach me to trust what is already before me, and to step forward without holding back. Lead me out of what keeps me stuck, and guide me to walk in Your truth each day. Amen.


STILL ON REFLECTION:

In the first reading, we see how a believing community prays and engages in a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life and mission.

The community in Antioch hears God’s voice while listening together in prayer.

Among their leaders are Africans: Lucius of Cyrene and Simon called Niger (Black).

Guided by the Spirit, they send their best teachers on mission.

In the Gospel, Jesus too declares that his entire mission by word and deed comes not from Himself but from His listening to, and responding faithfully to God.

This is a lesson for us today, who tend to celebrate ourselves and each other for our diverse “achievements”.


SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA


She was born on March 25, 1347 in Siena, Italy. Her parents were Giacomo di Benincasa and Lapa Piagenti.

Her mother gave birth to twin daughters when she was 40 years old named Catherine and Giovanna.

Giovanna died early. It is reported that Catherine had her first vision of Jesus Christ when she was five years old, when Jesus smiled at her, blessed her and left her in ecstasy.

She vowed chastity when she was seven years old.

When her elder sister Bonaventura died at child birth, Catherine's parents wanted Catherine to marry the widower of her elder sister.

But she refused to do so and lived a secluded life of penance and constant prayer.

On seeing the position of Catherine, her parents gave up the idea of her marriage. She then joined as a tertiary of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, wearing black and white habit.

In about the year 1366 she experienced a mystical marriage with Jesus as per her biography written by Raymond of Capua. She also received stigmata in the year 1375 and received communion from Jesus himself.

But the stigmata were visible only on her death. She took care of poor and sick people in homes and hospitals.

When the popes were residing in Avignon instead of Rome due to the western schism, she personally met Pope Gregory-XI at Avignon and convinced him to return to Rome, which the Pope did in January 1377. She was illiterate and so she only dictated all his letters to religious people including the Pope.

She died on April 29, 1380 in Rome at 33 years of age.

When the people of Siena wanted to take her head to Siena from Rome, they smuggled her head in a bag praying always to Catherine herself, to escape detection by guards.

But the guards asked the person with the bag containing the head of Catherine to open the bag. But when the bag was opened, the bag was found to contain only rose petals and the guards could not see the head of Catherine.

After reaching Siena, when they opened the bag, Catherine's head was there. The head was inserted in a gilt bust of bronze and was taken around the city of Siena and the mother of Catherine walked behind the bust.

Catherine was canonized by Pope Pius-II in the year 1461. She was declared as the Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul-VI along with St. Teresa of Avila.

St. Catherine is the patron saint of Nurses and Fire-fighters. She is also invoked against fire, bodily ills, sexual temptation and sickness.

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, PRAY FOR US

TODAY ROSARY: GLORIOUS MYSTERY

COLOUR:

WHITE



MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS HIS WORD IN OUR HEARTS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

HERE IS WISHING YOU A GREAT DAY MY DEAR BRETHREN.

ICP MEDIA TEAM

27/04/2026

CATHOLIC READINGS FOR TUESDAY APRIL 28TH 2026

TUESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER (YEAR A)



SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. PETER CHANEL



ENTRANCE ANTIPHON RV 19:7.6

Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to God, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, alleluia.

COLLECT

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection, we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption. Through our Lord...

FIRST READING

“They spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.”

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:19-26)

In those days: Those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.

News of this came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.

So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

For a whole year they met with the Church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

*The word of the Lord....*

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 87: 1-3.4-5.6-7 (Psalm 117:1a)

R/. O praise the Lord, all you nations.
Or: Alleluia.

Founded by him on the holy mountain,
the Lord loves the gates of Sion,
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Of you are told glorious things, you, O city of God! R/.

“Rahab and Babylon I will count
among those who know me;
Of Tyre, Philistia, Ethiopia, it is told,
‘There was this one born. ’
But of Sion it shall be said,
‘Each one was born in her. ”’
He, the Most High, established it. R/.

R/. O praise the Lord, all you nations.
Or: Alleluia.

In his register of peoples the Lord writes,
“Here was this one born.”
The singers cry out in chorus,
“In you, all find their home.” R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION...

ALLELUIA JOHN 10:27

Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“I and the Father are one.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:22-30)

It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.

The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall sn**ch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to sn**ch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

*The Gospel of the Lord...*

REFLECTION: BY CATHOLIC LIFE

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe..." John 10:22-25

Jesus was walking in the temple during the feast, and the people surrounded Him with a direct question, "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." It sounds honest
It sounds fair. But Jesus responds by pointing out something deeper. He has already told them. They simply did not believe.
Sometimes, we do the same.

We ask God for clearer signs, more answers, stronger proof. We tell ourselves that if only things were more obvious, we would respond differently. But often, it is not about clarity. It is about willingness.

The truth has already been shown to us in many small ways, through moments, through people, through quiet convictions in our hearts. Yet we hesitate.

Faith is not about waiting for everything to make sense. It is about choosing to trust what has already been given.

The people wanted certainty on their terms. Jesus offered truth on His. And that gap is where belief begins.

Where in my life am I still asking for more proof, even though I already know what God is inviting me to trust?

Lord, help me to see what You have already shown me. Teach me to trust, even when I do not have all the answers. Give me the courage to believe, not because everything is clear, but because You are faithful. Amen.

STILL ON REFLECTION:

Jesus confronts each of us today with these startling words: “I told you, and you do not believe… but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheepfold.”

To ‘believe’ in Jesus we need to ‘belong’ to him. In order to ‘belong’ to him, we need to ‘hear’ his voice and ‘know’ him.

So, the process of discipleship is knowing, hearing, belonging and believing.

This is also the process of ‘Christification’, or becoming another Christ. We see this in the life of Barnabas who was full of the Holy Spirit, and other early followers of Christ, especially those in Antioch, where they were called ‘Christians’ for the first time.

Lord, help us to know you, hear you, belong to you and believe in you.


SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. PETER CHANEL


He was born on July 12, 1803 in Montrevel, France to Claude-Francois Chanel and Marie-Anne Sibellas. He was ordained a priest on July 15, 1827.

In 1831 he joined the Society of Mary (Marists). He travelled to many places and then arrived at Futuna, an island in Pacific Ocean.

The king of the island Niuliki received the missionaries well and helped in their work. The king became very angry with Peter and his missionaries, when the king's son Meitala wanted to join in Christianity and to get baptism.

The king sent his son-in-law Musumusu to deal with this matter. Musumusu tried to change the mind of Meitala, the son of the king.

When his persuasion failed, Musumusu fought against Meitala but could not win him.

So Musumusu took an axe and clubbed Peter Chanel in his head to death on April 28, 1841at the Futuna Island.

The death of Peter Chanel reached outside world only after several months. After some period missionaries also returned to the island but found that most of the people in the island became Catholic Christians, including Musumusu, who killed Peter Chanel.

When in death bed, Musumusu expressed his desire to be buried in a place outside the church at Poi, so that people who would come to revere Peter Chanel in the church would walk over his grave to get into it.

He was beatified by Pope Leo-XIII on November 17, 1889 and canonized by Pope Pius-XII on June 12, 1954.

ST. PETER CHANEL, PRAY FOR US

TODAY ROSARY: SORROWFUL MYSTERY

COLOUR:

WHITE



MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS HIS WORD IN OUR HEARTS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

HERE IS WISHING YOU A NICE DAY MY DEAR BRETHREN.

ICP MEDIA TEAM

27/04/2026

CATHOLIC READINGS FOR MONDAY APRIL 27TH 2026

MONDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER (YEAR A)



SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. LOUIS MARY DE MONTFORT



ENTRANCE ANTIPHON ROM 6:9

Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.

COLLECT

O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. Through our Lord...

FIRST READING

“Then to the Gentiles also, God has granted repentance unto life.”

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:1-18)

In those days: The apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?”

But Peter began and explained to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me.

Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’

“But I said, ‘No, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

“This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. At that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction.

These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptised with water, but you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’

If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

When they heard this they were silenced. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also, God has granted repentance unto life.”

*The word of the Lord...*

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 42:2-3; 43:3.4 (R. see 42:3ab)

R/. My soul is thirsting for you, the living God.
or: Alleluia.

Like the deer that yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, the living God;
when can I enter and appear before the face of God? R/.

O send forth your light and your truth;
they will guide me on.
They will bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell. R/.

R/. My soul is thirsting for you, the living God.
or: Alleluia.

And I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and gladness.
To you will I give thanks on the harp,
O God, my God. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION...

ALLELUIA JOHN 10:14

Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:11-18)

At that time: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf sn**ches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”

*The Gospel of the Lord...*

REFLECTION: BY CATHOLIC LIFE

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep." John 10:11-13

There is a clear difference in this passage. One stays. One leaves.

The hired man walks away when danger comes because nothing truly belongs to him. The sheep are not his. The cost is not his to bear. So he protects himself first.

But Jesus speaks of something else. He does not distance Himself when things fall apart. He steps closer. Even when it costs Him everything.

This is not just about who He is. It also shows us how we often respond. When situations become difficult, when people disappoint us, when things feel too heavy, we tend to pull back. We protect our time, our comfort, our peace.

Yet Jesus shows a different way. Not reckless, but committed. Not forced, but willing. He knows the sheep, and they are His. So He remains.

There is something personal here. We are not just part of a crowd to Him. He knows us, and He does not leave when we struggle, fail, or wander.

And slowly, we are invited to grow into that same kind of faithfulness.

Not perfect, but present. Not running at the first sign of difficulty, but learning to stay where love calls us to remain.

Where do we tend to pull away when things become uncomfortable or demanding, and what might it look like to stay instead?

Lord Jesus,
You do not leave us when life becomes difficult.

You remain with us, even when we fall short.

Teach us to trust in Your presence.
Help us to grow in faithfulness,
to stay where love is needed,
and to care for others with a sincere heart.
Amen.


STILL ON REFLECTION:

In chapter 6 of the Gospel of John, Jesus repeats again and again that he is the bread of life and that he who eats this bread will live eternally.

The Eucharist concretizes union with Christ in faith and ensures life in him. When the Jews are scandalized at this teaching Jesus reinforces his expression and insists on the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood.

The blood in particular points to the sacrificial sense of the Eucharist and union with Christ in participating in the work of redemption. The Eucharist is different from all earthly food because it leads to participation in the mystery of Christ through faith.

Faith is a necessary requirement for participation which makes present the entire redemptive work of Christ.


SAINT (S) OF THE DAY: ST. LOUIS MARY DE MONTFORT

He was born on January 31, in Montfort-Sur-Meu, Brittany, France. His father was Baptiste Grignion, a notary and mother Jeanne Robert.

At age 12, he entered the Jesuit College of St. Thomas Becket in Rennes. He was ordained a priest in the year 1700 and worked in Nantes. He was frustrated with the priest service because he did not get the opportunity to preach to the poor people.

So after four months of ordination, he joined in the Third Order of the Dominicans in November 1700. He preached the Gospel throughout France and founded many congregations. He founded the Missionary of the Company of Mary for both priests and brothers and the Daughters of Wisdom to care specially for the destitute and sick people. He also founded the Montfort Missionaries and the Brothers of St. Gabriel.

He did research on the writings of the church fathers and saints related to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was considered as one of the greatest apostles of rosary in his days. He wrote a book named The Secrets of Rosary, which is a very inspiring work on rosary. He was very much devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It is believed that the declaration of Virgin Mary as the Mediatrix and Co-Redemptrix in the redemption of humanity by Pope Leo-XIII was based on the spirit of the writings of Montfort about Virgin Mary. He fought against Jansenism- a theological system named after its proponent Cornelius Jansenius, a bishop in Belgium.

He died due to natural causes on April 28, 1716 at Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre. His statue is placed at the Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican.

He was beatified on January 22, 1888 by Pope Leo-XIII and canonized by Pope Pius-XII on July 20, 1947.

ST. LOUIS MARY DE MONTFORT, PRAY FOR US

TODAY ROSARY: JOYFUL MYSTERY

COLOUR:

WHITE



MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS HIS WORD IN OUR HEARTS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

HERE IS WISHING YOU A GREAT DAY AND GLORIOUS WEEK AHEAD MY DEAR BRETHREN.

ICP MEDIA TEAM

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