BREAD FOR YOUTH

  6 th Week Easter Saturday Meditation Zeph 3:14-18 Human life is painful. Though we enjoy the greater part of life, the painful aspects eat us up a lot. We lose sight of good days and mourn over the painful days. The Lord is promising us a good day, in which we will be blessed. God rejoices over us and lets us enjoy the good days. He will gather us and let us enjoy the festival days. He will take away all pain and suffering. The Lord gives hope to those who have lost hope in pain. Do we hope for good days to come? Gospel Lk 1:39-56 Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. It is a joy that two mothers meet. The mother of Jesus and the mother of John the Baptist. Two great women and two great men who would preach repentance to enter into heaven. Mary, as a young woman, came to help her relative. Helping those in need and visiting someone in need is a humility. Those who are proud, selfish and self-satisfied do not see others. Today, we think before visiting someone. One ma...

  6th Week of Easter Friday Acts 18:9-18 Meditation Do we Keep the Vows we Make! Paul was assured of God’s protection in a vision regarding his stay in Corinth. He stayed in the city of Corinth for a year and half. The Lord gives protection and care to his ministers. Everything will turn out well for his ministers. As long as one does the service to the community as for the   wish and will of God no one can stand in the way of God's ministers. Those who work for the mission of God will be abundantly blessed and protected. There was a dispute with regard to the ministry of Paul and the Jews, and they went to the Proconsul. Gallio the proconsular left the matter of their dispute over the message of Jesus to themselves, for it is not about the law and order. The effort by Jews to trouble Paul and turn people against Paul was futile; in fact, people turned against Jews and also against Sosthenes, the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul, and no one showe...

  6th Week of Easter Thursday Acts 18:1-8 Meditation Allow the Spirit to Work in Our Lives! Paul was meeting Jews in difficulty because they were asked to move out of Rome. Paul knew the work of tent making. He met Aquila and Priscila a Jewish couple in Corinth. He met them to convince them to believe in Jesus. He too spoke with the other Jews to follow Jesus; but they argued with Paul. He left them to themselves and decided to preach the word of God to the Gentiles. As he left the synagogue, the house of Titius Justus, Crispus and their entire household believed in Jesus and were baptized. The duty of the ministers is to preach the word of God to the people wherever possible and whenever possible, but the inspiration to follow Jesus is the work of the Spirit. Let no one who is a minister of the word of God and charity ever look for results. Inspiration, conversion, transformation and a good life are the work of the Holy Spirit. Do we allow the Spirit to work in our lives...

  6th Week of Easter Wednesday Acts 17:15,22-18:1 Meditation God Uses Us for His Mission! Paul was sent by God to minister to the Gentiles. For he persecuted the Christians of Jerusalem, and the Lord knew he would not be accepted in Jerusalem. So, Paul was sent to Rome to preach there. He was arrested and flogged, but he claimed to be a Roman citizen. He was born a Roman citizen and even bought Roman citizenship with a lot of money. Though Paul was sent away from Jerusalem to the gentile world, he became the most suitable person to preach the word of God in Rome because he had the citizenship of Rome. God has a plan for us; on the contrary, we have very little vision about our lives and mission. Let us be open to God’s plans, for God is in control of our past, present, and future. Do you know God will use our every capacity and capability for his mission? Gospel: Jn 16:12-15 Meditation Jesus says, ‘I have many things to tell you. You will not be able to bear them an...

  6th Week of Easter Tuesday Acts 16:22-34 Meditation Seek the Help of the Holy Spirit! Paul and Silas were jailed and flogged for preaching the word of God. They sang songs and praises to   God in the jail. There was an earthquake, and the jail was opened for prisoners to be free; the jailer wanted to kill himself because all the prisoners were released miraculously.   Paul and Silas said we are here; though they too were free, told the jailer not to harm himself. Jailer was happy, and he believed in the power of Jesus at work through them. He wants to be saved, so he asks for baptism, and he was baptized. Jailers are supposed to be hard people who deal with criminals, but the word of God is powerful. It can change anyone,  irrespective of their toughness and hardness of heart. The initiative to draw close to God is God’s working itself. Let us be grateful to God for giving us a Christian vocation and the word of God to believe. Do you know the value ...

  6th Week of Easter Monday Acts 16:11-15 Meditation God is at Work in Our Dreams! St Paul was made known by God through a dream to go to Macedonia. A Man of Macedonia was begging St Pual in a dream to come and preach the gospel to them. It is true that we all beg people for good things. A man of Macedonia was begging for the word of God. Some believe what comes or is given for free has no value. One has to work for what one desires or ask for what one wants. The Macedonian man probably knew the importance of the word of God or the message of Christ. Their unconscious wish may be to have the word of God preached to them. Today, we believe in the power of the unconscious at work in human lives. As St Pual was preaching the message of Christ, many leaders and elders of the community must have been begging him to come and preach to their community of people. Even today, in the mission areas, the leader of a community or village invites and supports those who preach the gospel....

  5th Week of Easter Saturday Acts 16:1-10 Meditation Do We Compromise on the Message of Jesus? Timothy's Father was Greek and mother a Jewish. Such marriage unions are not rare in the history of the world. God has a message for the fanatic attitude of the people. Timothy's parents are models for the new world order and new human society that is emerging.    Change is gradual; let us accept it. God loves everyone as they are and gives them a possibility to work for his/her salvation. Timothy was circumcised and taken along with Paul to preach the gospel. The circumcision was the custom, and Paul followed the custom not to give trouble to the believers. We know Paul preached that circumcision is not a must for gentile believers. Circumcised or uncircumcised, but the faith in Jesus is important. One needs to believe in Jesus and live by the word of Jesus. Jesus’ message is to be lived in reality to have life in Jesus. Are we ready to live by the message ...

  5th Week of Easter Friday Acts 15:22-31 Meditation Power with Responsibility! The apostles and elders choose Barnabas and Silas along with Paul to Antioch with a letter. There seems to be a problem in electing delegates for the service. The community at Antioch is of pagan birth and they are in unsettled minds. The letter and the ambassadors intervene for the community to solve the problem of not being able to elect ministers for service. Even in the present church scenario, there are many who contest and fight for power and position. Let those who contend for power and position be humble enough to be nominated and appointed if only the lawful authority wishes; if not, move from seeking power and position forcefully. The power and position are not meant for all who wish, and it is for those to whom the Lord choose. Do you exercise the authority with the utmost responsibility? Gospel: Jn 15:12-17 Meditation Jesus commands us to love one ano...

  5th Week of Easter, Thursday         Acts 15:7-21 Meditation Jesus Belongs to Everyone! As we know, the Jews are a chosen race. God journeyed with them for years. He loved them, and salvation is brought through them. God's choice for one group of people is not to turn away from the other humanity. Even in the time of the Jews, the message and protection of God are preached to the Gentiles. Human beings always saw a way of accommodating the people who do not belong to them. It is only arrogance and evil that cause division among different groups of people. Humans always lived in unity and peace. Paul is an Apostle of the Gentiles. Being jew he preached the gospel to the gentiles; as a result, we all received the faith in Jesus Christ. Paul was open to preach the gospel to non Jews for the message of Jesus is universal and for whole humanity. Paul loved humanity and human worth. One’s worth comes because one is created in the image and lik...

  5th Week of Easter Wednesday Acts 15:1-6   Meditation Do we Sort out the Issues for Good! The issue of circumcision for non-Jews was proposed as necessary. St Paul taught them the non-Jews didn't need to have circumcision to believe in Jesus. Anyway, the word has spread about the need for circumcision for the believer. St Paul sets out for Jerusalem to sort out the matter. He goes to the mother church to discuss with the apostles' elders the matter. They received him well into the church of Jerusalem.   The apostles and elders were together to look into the matter and settle it. We know their discussion is the result of so many non-Jewish believers in the world. It is very important to settle the matter of faith together and the elders of the church have to work along with the Spirit of God to make possible what is good and acceptable to the community of believers. Let us not hold on to the dark traditions with will not bring unity and brotherhood/sisterhoo...

  5th Week of Easter Tuesday Acts 14:19-28 Meditation Word of God Belongs to All! Travel has become part of Paul and Barnabas. They were on the mission of Jesus. As they go to the new place, they gather the people and describe and narrate to the people the marvels, miracles and wonders God has done through them and for them. The best way to preach is to describe in faith the wonders that God has done in one’s life. Humans need the human witness of the works of God to strengthen their faith. Sharing of faith is sharing of the great deeds that the Lord has done in our lives. Faith is built and communicated by bearing witness to Christ. The word of God belongs to everyone. No one is exclusively dear to God. God belongs to every human person. God came for the salvation of humanity. The divisions are man-made and sanctioned by God for the good of the human life organisation and to discharge duties and responsibilities. God loves each one in his state and in his being. God wants ...

  5th Week of Easter Monday Acts 14:5-18           Meditation Let Go to Jesus! In Lystra, Paul cures the lame man's leg. People shout that god came to be among them. They refer to Paul and Barnabas as Hermes and Zeus, respectively. The human mind is such that it immediately wants to offer a sacrifice to the man-made god. There is a tendency in humans to deny the Divine and go after the other gods of attraction, those who give momentary satisfaction, superficial elation. Paul and Barnabas strongly protested by tearing their clothes. One tears his/her clothes in times of desperation as a protest against the detestable acts of people. They acknowledge that they are not gods but human instruments. It is great humility in time of name and fame to accept that we are human and God sent people not gods. Every wonder in our lives and in the lives of the community is because of the goodness of God. Humans have a tendency to divert the...

  4th Week of Easter Saturday Acts 13:44-52 Meditation Be with Everyone who Comes in the Name of the Lord! Jewish people were Jealous of Paul and Barnabas for the following they had. They blamed all sorts of things on Paul. But Paul and Barnabas preached the Word of God boldly, and many followed them and believed. They said to the Jews that the word of God came to you as you were the chosen people, but you rejected it, and the Word of God is preached to the Gentiles.   The Gentiles heard the word of God and honoured it, and they became heirs to eternal life. It is hard for those who are impregnated with jealousy to see the good that others are doing. The Jews did not stop the evil intentions against Paul and Barnabas; they instigated the women of the place against them and banished them from the place. So, they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Why do we try to expe...

  4th Week of Easter Friday Acts 13:26-33 Meditation Let Our Hearts be Full of the Grace of God! The message of Jesus was from Jewish community, as they were chosen by God but they rejected the message and the Messenger Jesus. Now the message of Messiah is sent to the Gentiles. They belong to God as the children of Abraham. God has promised the good news to all generations and as well to our ancestors. God by his nature and life belongs to all without distinctions. As we read in Psalm 2, “You are my son; today I have become your father.’ Every one of us who loves God with a genuine heart and mind becomes the true son/daughter of God; God becomes our Father, and we become his beloved children. All are called to be witnesses of Jesus to love and care for one another. Love is the message of Jesus to all of us, his sons and daughters. Do you like to become the son/daughter of God? Gospel:   Jn 14:1-6 Meditation Jesus says I am the way, the truth, and the life. ...

  4th Week of Easter, Thursday Acts 13:13-25 Meditation Praise God for His Goodness! St Paul wonderfully and systematically recalls the wonder of God’s doing to the minds of the faithful gathered. The memory of God’s works is to be recalled. We are people saved by the acts of God. The memory of God’s good works accounts for a lot in our faith journey and our daily life of faith. God has been good to the small group of people of Israel. He made them a people and a nation. He chose them and made it possible for Jesus the Saviour to be born among them. God’s actions in history are to be recorded and remembered. God continues to do many wonders in our personal lives and in the community we live. Remember the works of God and thank him daily in prayer. Simple acts of goodness can be a remarkable memory of praise for the Lord. Do we remember God’s goodness in our prayers? Gospel:   Jn 13:16-20 Meditation Truly, truly I say to you, a serv...

  4 th Week Easter, Wednesday Acts 1:15-17,20-26 Meditation Feast of Apostle Matthias Today we keep the feast of Apostle Matthias, who was elected in the place of Judas, who betrayed Jesus. He was elected by putting lots. Another reason was that he was with Jesus and the disciples from the beginning of Jesus' public ministry to the resurrection. The place of Judas was filled without keeping it empty. Matthias was bold enough to take the place of Judas, who was a traitor. The number twelve is complete again with Apostle Matthias. The Lord gives us shepherds according to his heart for the good of the faithful. Let us welcome all those who come in the name of the Lord to preach and teach the Word of God and the sacraments. Apostles are guardians and protectors of the Word of God and sacraments. Gospel: Jn 15:9-17 In today’s gospel, Jesus says no one is greater than the one who lays down one’s life for those one loves. Jesus loved us, and he gave his life for us. There is no...

  4th Week of Easter Tuesday   Acts 11:19-26 Meditation Christ is the Head of the Faith Community! After the execution of Stephen, the community of believers was scattered. The faith was among Jews in the beginning, and it has reached the Greeks in Antioch. It was in Antioch the first time the believers in Jesus were named as Christians. The message and life of Jesus is no longer restricted to the Jewish community. It became the path and belief of all sections of people. The word of God is preached to many people. On hearing the news that there was a community of believers in Antioch Barnabas was sent from the church of Jerusalem. Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great members of people. There was a new community of people called Christians; those belong to Christ Jesus and believed in him. In fact with baptism, everyone becomes a new creation in the Lord and new persons belonging to the great family of Christ. Do you believe that through ba...

  4th Week Easter Monday Acts 11:1-18 Meditation Love of Jesus is a Mystery for us! There have been divisions and groups in the name of God. God is God who belongs to all. All are equal before God. There is no high and low of human beings for God. He loved humanity, and he came to save them. The divisions are man-made for various reasons; the divisions themselves may be good, but do not devalue one from the other. God wants unity, peace and brotherhood/sisterhood to be enjoyed by all as God is our Father in heaven. Through Peter God is speaking to the early Church not to have divisions in the Church in his name. Jesus gives the same spirit to Jewish Christians as well as those who join the church from the gentile community. A call to repentance and change of heart to live a life worthy of God is an invitation to all sections of society. Blessed are those who listen to the Word of God and live by it. Do we perpetuate divisions in the name of Jesus for personal gain? Gosp...

  3rd Week of Easter Saturday Acts 9:31-42 Meditation Community to Sustain Faith! The church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers (Acts 9:31). Not only in times of persecution, but there have been times of peace and steady life in the life of the Church. God has come to give us peace amidst trials and tribulations. Peter began working wonders in the name of Jesus. He cures a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. He raises a dead woman, Tabitha. Peter works many wonders in the name of Jesus, and people follow Peter, and the number of believers grows. Every miracle is not for personal glory but for the glory of God. Do we believe that the right time is when the Lord works wonders in the community to sustain faith? Gospel: Jn 6:60-69 Meditation Many people in the time of Jesus found his teaching v...

  3rd Week of Easter Friday Acts 9:1-20 Meditation Jesus' Body and Blood can Give Eternal Life! Saul’s conversation as Paul is the beginning of a new chapter in the Church. The choice of Saul’s conversion as Paul is not of Saul’s but of the Lord’s. He found Saul as a man full of good spirit and qualities. He chose him and graced him to be his Messenger. Jesus after meeting Saul molded him as his minister of gentiles. Paul left no effort to preach and live for Jesus. He completely loved Jesus and he lived for Jesus. Paul with his knowledge of Jewish religion and Greek philosophy has preached Christ effectively to the educated and uneducated with clarity. He led people to Christ not just with concepts but by the example of his life of hard work and facing trials for the love of the message of the gospel. Do you know the grace of God can change the course of one’s life? Gospel: Jn: 6:52-59 3rd week, Friday of Easter Meditation Jewish people questioned Jesus, saying, ...

  3rd Week of Easter, Thursday Acts 8:26-40 Meditation What is the Bread of Life for You? The Ethiopian eunuch was an important official. It is noteworthy that a eunuch was holding a high profile job in the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). Society has recognized the worth of every individual of all ages. Sadly, sometimes we disregard the neuter gender. It is possible that they can contribute to the well-being of the society. Now we note the third gender rights and their place is recognized in the society. The eunuch was coming from Jerusalem, and he was reading the book of Isaiah. Eunuch was reading about the suffering servant and Messiah. Eunuch was not able to understand the text and so seeks Philp help led by the spirit eunuch asks for baptism at a water pool. We note that   Philip disappears to preach the gospel in all the towns until he reaches Caesarea. What is it that is blocking us to be Baptized in Spirit again as born ne...

  3rd Week of Easter Wednesday Acts 8:1-8 Meditation Meditation Be Aware of the Goodness of God! Christianity is the most peace-loving religion, but has suffered the most persecution and violence. It is a paradox that while Christianity proclaims love, its followers are met with violence. At the very beginning of the Church, there was persecution of its members. It was rightly said to the followers of Christ: ‘Those who wish to follow me should take up their cross and follow Jesus.’ To preach love, peace, and joy is to face violence; the people in the world take out their vengeance on those who are loving and walking on the path of peace. The way to preach love and peace to the world is to suffer violence of one sort or another at the hands of agitated and unhappy people. Do you know that those who lack love and peace turn violent? Gospel: Jn 6:35-40 Meditation Jesus said to the crowds, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever bel...

  3rd Week of Easter Tuesday Acts 7:51-8:1 Meditation Be a Blessing! Stephen was stoned to death. The story repeats time and again; the people persecute those who come in the name of God. It was the story in the Old Testament and is also a fact in the New Testament. St Stephen was the very first one to shed blood for Christ after the resurrection of Jesus. While he was being stoned, he prayed for his persecutors. He prayed not to hold their sin and to forgive them. It was like the prayer of Jesus on the cross; ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do'. It is a noble and great act to pray for one’s persecutors. Knowingly and unknowingly, we keep on hurting each other. On a day when many people hurt us, it is good to pray for the persecutors instead of cursing them, to say a prayer of mercy and forgiveness. Do we curse or bless our offenders? Gospel: Jn 6:30-35  The people asked Jesus for a sign. God gives signs he gives lasting signs. Jesus gave b...

  3rd Week of Easter Monday Acts 6:8-7:1 Meditation Do we not like to have Eternal Food? Stephen was full of the spirit of the Risen Jesus. His wisdom and eloquence were far more excellent than the others who were arguing for Jewish law. They could not face him in arguing with him. Even the members of the Synagogue and Sanhedrin were amazed at his knowledge and holiness. His face was like the face of an angel. They were inspired by him and his life. Though they saw goodness and holiness in him; they were wrongly motivated to accuse him falsely. Yet times when seeing the good works of graced people, instead of learning good from them; one can even wrongly be motivated to harm them and find fault with the God sent people. This is what happened in the case of Stephen, those who noted him to be gifted instead of accepting him and his message of Christ. They accuse him falsely at the Sanhedrin. Do we accuse the right people with wrong motives? Gospel: Jn 6:22-29 ...

  2 nd Week of Easter Saturday 1 Cor 15:1-8 Meditation Do we Believe in Jesus? As told in the scriptures, Jesus suffered, died and rose again.   He appeared to the Apostles and many others. He appeared to James the Less, who was still alive in those days. Probably, he is related to Jesus. He was stoned to death. He died in Jerusalem in 62 AD. Traditionally, he is known as the author of the letter of James. July 25 th is the feast of James the Great apostle. Today we keep the feast of St James the Less, one among the twelve apostles known as the son of Alphaeus (Lk 6:15). Gospel Jn 14:6-14 Apostle Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus speaks to him in plain words that those who have seen Him have seen the Father. He told them that Father and He are one, and He dwells in the Father and Father in Him. It is a great manifestation to us that Jesus is God Himself. He and the Father are one. Whatever we ask in the name of Jesus, it will be done for us.   T...

  2nd Week of Easter Saturday Acts 6:1-7 Meditation Do not Be Afraid! There was a need and suggestion to appoint men of spirit and wisdom to do the service, and for the Apostles to take up preaching and praying. They chose seven young men and gave them the responsibility of temporal ministry. As a result, the word of God spread, and many came to believe in the faith. The apostles wisely set aside seven deacons for the service of the church. It is time to share our responsibilities with others. Sharing the responsibilities of the community has always been there, yet sometimes some elders and leaders wish to have the ultimate power of decision with them. The ultimate power should be shared with others; if not, it becomes a block to the growth and good of the community and the Church. Do we like to share the responsibilities with others and play a humble role for the good of the mission? Gospel: Jn 6:16-21 Meditation In the evening the disciples got into the boat and w...

  2nd Week of Easter Friday Acts 5:34-42 Meditation Christ's Message is to Everlasting Life. Gamaliel advised the troubled Sanhedrin well. He told them if it is God’s work that they preach Jesus, it will go one. If it is only human effort, it will not stand. He told them to leave these men and their activity to themselves. If it is God’s work, we may even be working against God still. It was timely advice for the elders by Gamaliel. We know the reality of the word of God and the message of Resurrection was proclaimed far and wide. The message of God has been proclaimed by so many humble and simple instruments down through the centuries, even to this day. Many people were directly or indirectly involved in the proclamation of the message of Resurrection. These days, through the modern means of communication, many are preaching the good news courageously in spite of so much opposition and obstruction. Do we know the message of Christ is the message of eternal life? Gospel...