Friday of the Fourth week of Easter
Acts of the Apostles 13,26-33.
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: "My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are (now) his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our ancestors
he has brought to fulfillment for us, (their) children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my son; this day I have begotten you.'"
Psalms 2,6-7.8-9.10-11.
"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."
"Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 14,1-6.
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
Where (I) am going you know the way."
Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
COMMENTARY
The sovereign goodness manifests itself in various ways, and the Blessed Christ said: "There are several residences in my father's house" (Jn 14,2). Who could say the diversity of means, visits, gifts and graces of God, not only in creatures, but in one single soul?
Just as the virtues are different, although they are all marked by the sign of charity, the conduct and the works of the servants of God are also very different. Not that the one who perfectly has the virtue of charity does not have so all the others, but everyone has a particular one which dominates all the others; hence the differences in life. Those who especially have charity puts all their happiness to exercise it with regard to their neighbor. Whoever has humility passionately seeks solitude. One loves justice, the other the freedom of one who seems to fear nothing that strong faith gives. Others engage in penance and mortification of their bodies; Others work to deny their own will by a real and perfect obedience. Thus the means are different, although all run in the path of charity.
The saints who enjoy eternal life all followed her, but in various ways; Because one does not look like the other. There is the same difference among the angels, who are not all the same. One of the joys of the soul in eternal life is to see the greatness of God in the variety of rewards he gives to his saints.
dailygospel.org
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