God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
REFLECTION
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
When one experiences their name spoken by someone who loves them, there is no mistaking it is a special feeling. When God speaks to us by name, we allow His Word, His love to transcend beyond what we can imagine. And that is when we realize that we are are so loved that no ill is wished nor will He allow us to perish if we let Him take over.
I had planned to go to confession, attend Mass and receive Jesus that day.
My best laid out plans when I arrived Saturday were not meant to be. Passport security was long, traffic was heavy and jet lag hit hard. My plans were set aside. I cried, prayed, trusted and the victory became His.
Plan B was to take place on Divine Mercy Sunday.
As I sat in the queue for confession, I realized how awesome is our faith. I witnessed seven babies baptized into the Catholic Church. All present were happy and such joy that the Baptism was taking place on Divine Mercy Sunday. Over sixty people were in line for confession; four priests heard confessions. And the Church was packed for the next Mass.
That afternoon, God reminded me of all He has done to obtain the graces needed to follow His way. In Baptism God purges us from original sin and regenerates us into the life of the Holy Trinity. In Confession He forgives us our sins. In Holy Orders Jesus sends out apostles for the work of sacramental evangelization as manifested by the dedication of the four priests. In Holy Eucharist during Mass, Jesus feeds us with His Body and Blood for eternal life. (1)
His Church will never die.
Today we celebrate the feast day of St Pius V, a loyal and faithful follower of God. He is an example of God's promise, "See, I am with you always, even to the end of the world". Called by God to be the Pope (1566-1572), he served the Lord with all his might and will.
He made significant contributions to the Counter-Reformation and the Catholic Church. He implemented the decrees of the Council of Trent, publishing the first catechism for the Church in 1566. He reformed the clergy and religious orders, standardized the Roman Breviary and Missal and introduced the Summa Theologica by St Thomas Aquinas into seminaries. He also played a key role in forming the Holy League to defend against the Ottoman Turks, which led to the victory at the Battle of Lepanto. (2)
He served the poor. His decision to keep wearing his Dominican habit led to the custom–to this day–of the pope wearing a white cassock. (2)
We always experience the power of God at work among us as He never ceases to provide. Sit still and observe and listen as God shows us the way.
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