Wednesday May 1, 2024
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER (Opt. Mem.)
Office: Psalter Week 1
Mass of the day or Memorial; Preface of Easter
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
ENUGU: Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Callistus V. Onaga, 2nd May, 2009.
Dearly beloved in Christ, remember that the month of May is a period dedicated by the Church to honour Mary. MAY DEVOTION COMMENCE TODAY. Remember to pray your rosary always please.
(YOU CAN LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE DAILY MYSTERY OF THE ROSARY (AUDIO) IN YOUR APP. CLICK THE BLUE BUTTON ON THE DAILY READINGS PAGE AND PRESS PLAY TO FOLLOW)
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Ps 71:8.23
My mouth is filled with your praise, that I may sing aloud; my lips shall shout for joy, when I sing to you. Alleluia.
COLLECT
O God, restorer and lover of innocence, direct the hearts of your servants towards yourself, that those you have set free from the darkness of unbelief may never stray from the light of your truth. Through our Lord…
FIRST READING
“They were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15:1-6)
In those days: Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the Church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the Law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Tuesday, April 30th, 2024
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 122: 1-2.3-4ab.4cd-5 (R. see1)
R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia
I rejoiced when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R/.
Jerusalem is built as a city
bonded as one together.
It is there that the tribes go up,
he tribes of the Lord. R/.
R/. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.
For Israel’s witness it is
to praise the name of the Lord.
There were set the thrones for judgement,
the thrones of the house of David. R/.
ALLELUIA John 15:4a.5b
Alleluia. Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; he who abides in me bears much fruit. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 15:1-8)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”
The Gospel of the Lord
TODAY’S REFLECTION
In Judaism the Abrahamic covenant known as Brit bein HaBatarim was concretized in the circumcision of Abraham and his male offering of both natural birth and adoption (Gen 12-17). Obviously, Christianity come out of the Jewish culture and religion; hence some Jews who had become Christians felt that Christianity was a mere continuation of Judaism. This misunderstanding led to controversy, resulting in the First Council in Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas made it clear to all that in Christ there is no superiority of one race over the other. We are one despite our cultural differences. Christ, the true Vine, is the one Mediator and Redeemer of humankind. In Him we live, move and have our being. May we promote that oneness, knowing that we share the same origin in God, who is the Father of all!
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL IN HONOUR OF BVM
Mary and Joseph worked very hard supporting each other as they raised Jesus and in the end their efforts were rewarded with heavenly blessings.
You lose nothing when you offer your time, talent and treasure to support one another to make the world a better place. May God bless all the workers who are working hard to make our world a beautiful and happy place.
Let us pray,
Oh God, help me to be generous with my time and gifts so that together as a team with my brothers and sisters everywhere we can make you proud. Amen.
– Honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray your rosary daily
MAY DEVOTION
Proposed Program of Daily Events for May Devotion (Personal or Group)
1. Opening /Introduction: Sign of the Cross + / (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (optional))
2. ACT OF CONTRITION:
O my God because you’re so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you and by the help of your grace I will not sin again.
3. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O most pure heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us. Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all people. We love you immensely. Impress on our hearts true love so that we may long for you. O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we sin. You know that all we sin. Grant that through your most pure and motherly heart, we may be healed from every spiritual sickness. Grant that we may always experience the goodness of your motherly heart, and that through the flame of your heart we may be converted. Amen.
4. Rosary Recitation and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Begin with the invocation of the Holy Spirit: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the heart……….
5. ART OF REPARATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O Most Holy Virgin, and Our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of loving you as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart. We therefore kneel before you to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause you, and to atone by our prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which they return your love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn your eyes of mercy toward us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy him forever in Heaven.
6. Talk on Blessed Virgin Mary (optional).
7. Gift of candle light and offering of petition. (Lighting of candles and submission of petition).
8. MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided, Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
9. Prayers for the intention of Our Holy Father
(One Our Father, One Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father).
10. BENEDICTION (optional)
11. Closing /Dismissal: Sign of the Cross
