Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Intention: For the spread of peace and justice throughout the world, especially where hearts have become hardened to God’s presence.
Today’s Gospel | John 6:16-21
When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
From the Fifth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
You encounter so many obstacles to salvation in this life that it is impossible to avoid them if left up to you and your own guidance. This is why God has given you Guardian Angels to watch over you, as the Prophet says, to prevent you from falling by tripping against some stone, that is, some obstacle to your salvation. Your angels inspire you and help to keep you away from the path where you might encounter an obstacle.
How much easier it is for children to fall over some precipice, because they are weak in mind as well as in body and have little understanding of what is for their own good. Therefore, they need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation, guides who have an adequate understanding of matters concerning piety and a knowledge of the ordinary faults of young people. Thus they will be able to help them be aware of pitfalls and keep away from them.
This is what God has provided in giving children teachers whom he has charged with this care and to whom he has given the concern and the vigilance not only to prevent anything whatsoever harmful to their salvation from capturing their hearts but also to guide the children through all the dangers they meet in the world. The result will be that the devil will not even dare approach them, because they are under the guidance of these attentive leaders and under the protection of God.
Prayer
Eternal Father, each day presents us with many different challenges, some of which can overwhelm us. In our anxiousness, we can lose sight of you and then begin to lose hope. Help our poor faith. Send your Spirit so that we might remain mindful of your presence and faithfulness. Open our eyes so that we once again can see and recognize you in the midst of our lives. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.