April 11, 2016

Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr

Intention: That we may be a people of life, speaking for the dignity and needs of all people, especially the poor, the oppressed, the exploited, the misunderstood, and the forgotten.

Today’s Gospel | John 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

From the Meditation on Saint Leo | Saint John Baptist de La Salle

When we are called to an apostolic work, if we do not know how to join zeal to action, all we do for our neighbor will have little effect. In your work you ought to devote your effort to oppose the interior and exterior enemies that would prevent the progress of your disciples in piety, mainly, their wayward companions and their own evil inclinations. There is no means you must fail to use to prevent your students from being corrupted by either one of these enemies.

Is this what you try especially to do to procure the good of their souls? Often reflect that it is for this purpose that God has commissioned you.

Prayer

Eternal Father, your Son calls us to seek your Kingdom in every moment of our daily lives. We thank you for the gift of being called to work to build a better world. Touch our hearts and strengthen our hands, so that our efforts will bear fruit, bringing good things to others and glory to your name. May we, by our prayers and by our deeds, guide our lives according to your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.