St. Francis of Assisi Weekly Reflections

Reading I Acts 12:1-11 . Peter's Escape From Prison

Reading II 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 . Reward for Fidelity

Gospel Matthew 16:13-19 . Peter's Confession

Key Passage: And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. (Mark 16:18a)

Adults: If you were asked, how would you explain Jesus to a person who had not heard of him?

Kids: Who do you tell people Jesus is?

Santos Pedro y Pablo

Lectura I Hechos 12:1-11 . La huida de Pedro de la carcel

Lectura II 2 Timoteo 4:6-8, 17-18 · Recompensa por la fidelidad

Evangelio Mateo 16:13-19 . La confesion de Pedro

Pasaje Clave: Tú eres Pedro, y sobre esta roca edificaré mi iglesia. (Marcos 16:18a)

Adultos: Si te preguntaran, ¿cómo explicarías quién es Jesús a alguien que no lo conoce?

Ninos: ¿Quien le dices a la gente que es Jesus?

It is hard to imagine how the Christian faith would have grown to become what it is today without the firm foundation and extensive expansion that Saints Peter and Paul provided. But it is even harder to imagine any two people who appeared less likely to fulfill such roles! When Jesus was arrested, Simon Peter denied him three times and fled. But after he rose, Jesus took Simon aside and asked him three times if he loved him, telling him to tend his flock.

Simon likely recalled when Jesus had given him the name Peter, calling him the rock upon which he would build his church. Saul, later, tried to destroy that church, imprisoning and executing scores of Christians. But the risen Lord confronted Saul on the road to Damascus, transforming his zeal for traveling all over the provinces persecuting Christians to traveling all over the known world baptizing Gentiles.

Jesus saw something in each one and chose them to lead and expand the church. They provide a lesson for all of us that with the grace of God, our pasts do not determine our futures.

What can God transform in you to help you fulfill your call?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 3

Transformados por Dios

Es difícil imaginar como la fe cristiana habría llegado a ser lo que es hoy sin los solidos cimientos y la extensa expansion que brindaron los santos Pedro y Pablo. ¡Pero es aun mas difícil imaginar a dos personas que parecían menos propensas a desempenar tales roles! Cuando Jesus fue arrestado, Simon Pedro lo nego tres veces y huyó. Pero después de resucitar, Jesús tomó a Simón aparte y le preguntó tres veces si lo amaba, diciéndole que cuidara su rebaño.

Simon probablemente recordo cuando Jesús le dio el nombre de Pedro, llamandolo la roca sobre la que edificaría su iglesia. Saulo, más tarde, intentó destruir esa iglesia, encarcelando y ejecutando a decenas de cristianos. Pero el Senor resucitado se enfrento a Saulo en el camino a Damasco, transformando su celo por viajar por todas las provincias persiguiendo a los cristianos en viajar por todo el mundo conocido bautizando a gentiles.

Jesus vio algo en cada uno y los eligio para liderar y expandir la iglesia. Nos ensenan a todos que, con la gracia de Dios, nuestro pasado no determina nuestro futuro.

¿Que puede Dios transformar en ti para ayudarte a cumplir tu llamado?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 3

Reading I Genesis 14:18-20 . The priest Melchizedek

Reading II 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 . The Eucharist

Gospel Luke 9:11b-17 . Feeding the 5,000

Key Passage: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." (Mark 14:22)

Adults: Have you had an experience of not having enough of some gift or grace, then receiving more than enough? What happened?

Kids: What kind of decision can the Holy Spirit help you with? What do you have a little of that you can share with someone who has less?

Autoridad Verdadera

Lectura I Genesis 14:18-20 . El sacerdote Melquisedec

Lectura II 1 Corintios 11:23-26 . La Eucaristia

Evangelio Lucas 9:11b-17 . La alimentacion cde los 5,000

Pasaje Clave: Y mientras comían, Jesus tomó pan y bendijo, y lo partió y les dio, diciendo: Tomad, esto es mi cuerpo. (Marcos 14:22)

Adultos: ¿Han tenido la experiencia de no tener suficiente de algun don o gracia, y luego recibir mas de lo que les sobra? ¿Qué sucedió?

Niños: ¿Con que tipo de decisión puede ayudarles el Espíritu Santo? ¿Que tienen de poco que puedan compartir con alguien que tiene menos?

The disciples realize they have a problem. They have but five loaves and two fish, and thousands of mouths to feed. No known math could solve this problem. But Jesus' math is different. He who one day would transform a loaf of bread and a cup of wine into his own Body and Blood sacrificed for all of humanity, recognizes the food he can provide will satisfy thousands of hungry people with more left over than they begin with.

Today, millions of people go hungry and countless others need some other important resource, from housing to health care. We may feel as helpless as the disciples did in that deserted place, unable to provide anywhere near enough. But we cannot forget that we are truly the body of Christ.

As the body of Christ, we can offer ourselves up to those in need. When we do so, we can provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, hospitality for the alien, comfort for the grieving, justice for the oppressed, forgiveness for the sinner, hope for the despairing, mercy for the lost and forsaken. This, too, we can do in remembrance of Him.

How does your parish provide for those in need? What else can you do?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

Su Cuerpo Al Sevicio

Los discípulos se dan cuenta de que tienen un problema. Solo tienen cinco panes y dos peces, y miles de bocas que alimentar. Ninguna matemática conocida podría resolver este problema. Pero la matemática de Jesús es diferente. Él, que un día transformaría una hogaza de pan y una copa de vino en su propio Cuerpo y Sangre sacrificados por toda la humanidad, reconoce que el alimento que puede proveer saciara a miles de hambrientos con más sobras de las que tenían al principio.

Hoy, millones de personas pasan hambre e innumerables otras necesitan algún otro recurso importante, desde vivienda hasta atención medica. Podemos sentirnos tan desamparados como los discípulos en ese lugar desierto, incapaces de proveer ni de cerca. Pero no podemos olvidar que somos verdaderamente el cuerpo de Cristo.

Como cuerpo de Cristo, podemos ofrecernos a los necesitados. Al hacerlo, podemos brindar alimento al hambriento, refugio al desamparado, hospitalidad al extranjero, consuelo al afligido, justicia al oprimido, perdón al pecador, esperanza al desesperado, misericordia al perdido y abandonado. También esto podemos hacerlo en memoria de ÉI.

¿Cómo atiende tu parroquia a los necesitados? ¿Qué más puedes hacer?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

At the Last Supper, Jesus takes advantage of one last chance to speak to his closest friends, telling them many things of great importance. He lets them know that he will send the Holy Spirit, who will remain with them always. He teaches them that he, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are united, that everything that is his is theirs and vice versa.

But he also says, "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now" (John 16:12). Realizing how difficult it will be for him to bear what will happen over the next few hours, Jesus knows well how hard it will be for them. They will all fall asleep in Gethsemane, Peter will deny him three times, and they will all run away when he is arrested.

But he knows that in time the Holy Spirit will teach the disciples everything they need to know, everything that they eventually will be able to bear. We may recall times in our lives when trauma or tension have made it difficult to bear anything more. Let our faith that the Holy Spirit remains with us always comfort us through those difficult times and guide us when we are able to handle it.

How sensitive are you to when others cannot bear what you want to say?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

Espíritu, Guíame

At the last supper, Jesus takes the opportunity to speak to his closest friends, telling them many things of great importance. He lets them know that he will send the Holy Spirit, who will remain with them always. He teaches them that he, the Father and the Holy Spirit are united, that all that is His is His and vice versa.

But he also says: “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot yet understand them” (John 16:12). Realizing how hard it will be for him to bear what will happen in the next few hours, Jesus knows how hard it will be for them. They will all fall asleep in Gethsemane, Peter will deny him three times, and they will all flee when he is arrested.

But he knows that in time the Holy Spirit will teach the disciples all they need to know, all that they will eventually be able to endure. We can remember the times in our lives when trauma or stress has not allowed us to endure anymore. May our faith that the Holy Spirit remains with us always comfort us in those difficult times and guide us when we are unable to handle them.

How sensitive are you when others can't handle what you want to say?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

Reading I Proverbs 8:22-31 . The discourse of wisdom

Reading II Romans 5:1-5 . Faith, hope, and love

Gospel John 16:12-15 . Coming of the paraclete

Key Passage: Jesus said, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." (Jn. 16:12-13a)

Adults: In what difficult situation has the Holy Spirit helped you see more clearly?

Kids: What kind of decision can the Holy Spirit help you with?

El Espiritu De La Verdad

Lectura I Proverbios 8: 22-31 . El discurso de la sabiduría

Lectura II Romanos 5: 1-5 . Fe, esperanza y amor

Evangelio Evangelio Juan 16: 12-15 . Venida del paracleto

Pasaje Clave: Jesús dijo: "Aún tengo muchas cosas que decirles, pero todavía no las pueden comprender. Pero cuando venga el Espíritu de verdad, él los ira guiando hasta la verdad plena, porque no hablará por su cuenta, sino que dirá lo que haya oído y les anunciara las cosas que van a suceder." (Jn. 16: 12-13a)

Adultos: ¿En qué situación difícil te ha ayudado el Espíritu Santo a ver más claramente?

Niños: ¿Con qué tipo de decisión puede ayudarte el Espíritu Santo?

The Holy Spirit has the power to transform us. The first disciples can attest to that. When the Holy Spirit descends upon them, they are able to speak in different tongues, allowing everyone in the crowd to understand them in his or her own language. Jesus tells the disciples that receiving the Holy Spirit enables them to forgive sins.

At the Last Supper, he tells them that the Holy Spirit will teach them and guide them. Saint Paul preaches that the Holy Spirit makes us one, unifying us as one body of Christ, which enables us to recognize that we are all children of God. We are those disciples now, having received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation. The power to be transformed is within us now.

Today's Gospel acclamation calls for the transformation: "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love." We may not see literal tongues of fire descending upon us, but the Holy Spirit has the power to fire up our hearts with the love that is Jesus' command, to be offered to God and to our neighbor. For it is that kind of love-the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus modeled-that can transform us into the kind of person of whom others will say, "the Spirit of God dwells in you" (Romans 8:9).

How will you show the fire of God's love to others this week?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

El poder transformador del Espíritu Santo

EI Espíritu Santo tiene el poder de transformarnos. Los primeros discípulos pueden dar fe de ello. Cuando el Espíritu Santo desciende sobre ellos, pueden hablar en diferentes lenguas, permitiendo que todos en la multitud los entiendan en su propio idioma. Jesus les dice a los discípulos que recibir el Espíritu Santo les permite perdonar los pecados.

En la Última Cena, les dice que el Espíritu Santo les enseñara y los guiará. San Pablo predica que el Espíritu Santo nos hace uno, unificandonos como un solo cuerpo de Cristo, lo que nos permite reconocer que todos somos hijos de Dios. Somos esos discípulos ahora, habiendo recibido el Espíritu Santo en el bautismo y la confirmacion. El poder de ser transformados esta en nosotros ahora.

La aclamacion del Evangelio de hoy llama a la transformación: "Ven, Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de tus fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor". Puede que no veamos lenguas de fuego descender sobre nosotros, pero el Espíritu Santo tiene el poder de encender nuestros corazones con el amor que Jesus nos manda ofrecer a Dios y al projimo. Porque es ese tipo de amor -el amor desinteresado y sacrificado que Jesús modeló- el que puede transformarnos en el tipo de persona de quien otros diran: "el Espíritu de Dios mora en vosotros" (Romanos 8:9).

¿Como mostraras el fuego del amor de Dios a los demas esta semana?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

Reading I Acts 2:1-11 Descent of the Holy Spirit

Reading II 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 Many gifts, one Spirit, and the analogy of the body

Gospel John 20:19-23 Appearance to the disciples

Key Passage: Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord. (1 Cor. 12:4-5)

Adults: What gift of service have you received from the Holy Spirit and how well are you using it right now?

Kids: What gift do you hope to receive from the Holy Spirit? How could you use it to serve others?

Dones para el Servicio

Lectura I Hechos 2:1-11 . El descenso del Espíritu Santo

Lectura II 1 Corintios 12:3b-7, 12-13 · Muchos dones, un solo Espíritu y la analogía del cuerpo

Evangelio Juan 20:19-23 .Aparicion a los discípulos

Pasaje Clave: Ahora bien, hay diversidad de dones, pero el Espíritu es el mismo; y hay diversidad de servicios, pero el Señor es el mismo. (1 Corintios 12:4-5)

Adultos: ¿Que don de servicio han recibido del Espiritu Santo y que tan bien lo estan usando actualmente?

Niños: ¿Que don esperan recibir del Espíritu Santo? ¿Cómo podrían usarlo para servir a los demas?

Reading I Acts 1:1-11 . The Ascension of Jesus

Reading II Gospel Ephesians 1:17-23 . A Spirit of wisdom

Gospel Luke 24:46-53 . The Ascension

Key Passage: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. (Ephesians 1:17)

Adults: Who in your family has the gift of wisdom? How does he or she use this gift?

Kids: Who is the wisest person you know? What has he or she taught you?

El Don de Sabiduria

Lectura I Hechos 1:1-11 . La Ascension de Jesus

Lectura II Efesios 1:17-23 . Un Espíritu de sabiduría

Evangelio Lucas 24:46-53 . La Ascensión

Pasaje Clave: Para que el Dios de nuestro Senor Jesucristo, el Padre de gloria, les de un espíritu de sabiduría y de revelación para un mejor conocimiento de él. (Efesios 1:17)

Adultos: ¿Quien en su familia tiene el don de sabiduría? ¿Cómo lo usa?

Niños: ¿Quién es la persona más sabia que conocen? ¿Qué les ha enseñado?

According to the author of Luke and Acts, whom scripture scholars believe to be the same writer, Jesus' final words to his disciples were that they "will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Certainly his first disciples would make excellent witnesses, for they had spent years with him: living with him, traveling with him, seeing and hearing most everything he did.

But the witnessing did not end with them. We tend to think of eyewitnesses primarily, but people can also witness to something they heard, or felt, or sensed in some other way. This is the kind of witness we can provide. We can witness to the difference Jesus makes in our lives: that he accompanies us in our sufferings, forgives us of our sins, redeems us by his resurrection, promises us eternal life with the Father.

These are the key truths he listed for his disciples at the end of Luke's Gospel; this is what he implicitly leaves for us to witness to as well. Moreover, we already have the Holy Spirit, who guides us as we bear witness. May our witness help extend that forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope to those we meet.

In what way can your witness bring forgiveness to someone else, reconciliation between others, or hope to someone in despair?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1

Hasta los Confines de la Tierra

Según el autor de Lucas y Hechos, a quien los eruditos bíblicos atribuyen al mismo escritor, las últimas palabras de Jesus a sus discípulos fueron: "Serán mis testigos ... hasta los confines de la tierra" (Hechos 1:8). Sin duda, sus primeros discípulos serían excelentes testigos, pues habían pasado años con él: viviendo con él, viajando con él, viendo y oyendo casi todo lo que hacía.

Pero el testimonio no terminaba con ellos. Solemos pensar principalmente en testigos presenciales, pero las personas también pueden dar testimonio de algo que oyeron, sintieron o percibieron de alguna otra manera. Este es el tipo de testimonio que podemos brindar. Podemos dar testimonio de la diferencia que Jesús marca en nuestras vidas: que nos acompaña en nuestros sufrimientos, nos perdona nuestros pecados, nos redime con su resurreccion y nos promete vida eterna con el Padre.

Estas son las verdades claves que enumeró para sus discípulos al final del Evangelio de Lucas; esto es lo que implícitamente nos deja para que también demos testimonio. Además, ya contamos con el Espíritu Santo, quien nos guía al dar testimonio. Que nuestro testimonio ayude a extender ese perdón, esa reconciliación y esa esperanza a quienes nos encontramos.

¿De qué manera puede tu testimonio traer perdón a otra persona, reconciliación entre otros o esperanza a alguien desesperado?

-We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 50, No. 1