Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on the Fourth Week of Lent | April 3, 2025 on EWTN” |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | April 3, 2025 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | April 3, 2025 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |
Day Twenty-Six: Obedience in the Mystery of God’s Love
Thursday, Fourth Week of Lent – April 3, 2025
Scripture Passage:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also.” (John 5:19)
Opening Reflection:
Obedience is often seen as a sacrifice, a yielding of one’s will to something greater. In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus, the Son of God, living in perfect obedience to the Father. This obedience is not out of obligation, but a reflection of the deep unity and love that exists within the Holy Trinity. Jesus’ perfect submission to the Father is the model for us—showing that obedience is not about control but about trust and communion. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to reflect on how we respond to God’s call to live in obedience to His will.
Meditative Reflection:
Obedience to God is not simply about following rules or fulfilling duties. It is about entering into the mystery of divine relationship. Just as Jesus lives in perfect unity with the Father, we are invited into that same relationship. The Gospel today reveals that everything Jesus does is in alignment with the Father’s will. There is a profound trust in this obedience—a trust that the Father knows what is best and that His love will always guide and sustain.
Reflecting on this in light of our own lives, we see that it is not always easy to surrender our will. There are times when we feel distant from God, when we struggle with doubt or fear. Yet, like the loving mother in the first reflection, who never forgets her child, God’s love for us is unwavering. He is always there, inviting us to return to Him, to trust in His perfect plan, and to align our lives with His will. This is the obedience that brings us closer to God and transforms us.
Reflection Questions:
How can I grow in my obedience to God’s will? Are there areas of my life where I struggle to trust God completely? How can I reflect the love and unity of the Holy Trinity in my relationships today?
Lenten Question:
Q: How can obedience deepen our relationship with God?
A: Obedience is a response to God’s love, a way of aligning our hearts with His divine will. It allows us to experience His presence more fully and strengthens our union with Him. Through obedience, we grow in trust and intimacy with God.
Lenten Action:
Take time today to reflect on an area of your life where you are struggling to obey God’s will. Offer a prayer of surrender, asking the Holy Spirit to help you trust and follow God’s guidance more deeply.
Concluding Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your love for us is beyond comprehension. You invite us into perfect union with You, just as Jesus is united with You in perfect obedience. Help me to grow in trust and to surrender my will to You, knowing that Your plans for me are filled with love and hope. May this Lenten season deepen my obedience and strengthen my relationship with You. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Resources for Lenten Prayers and Reflections:
Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Lenten Reflections | EWTN | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/reflections/lent
Lenten Prayers and Daily Reflections | My Catholic Life | https://mycatholic.life/lent-prayers-reflections/
MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT AND SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, HERMITESS – FEAST DAY: APRIL 2ND : Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit, who was named Patron of Italian seamen in 1943 by Pope Pius XII because many of the miracles attributed to him were related to the sea. (He’s the Patron Saint of Calabria; Amato; La Chorrera, Panama; boatmen, mariners, and naval officers) and Saint Mary of Egypt, Hermitess, known for her conversion and dedication of her life to God, she is seen as a model of repentance. She’s the Patron Saint of Chastity (warfare against the flesh; deliverance from carnal passions); Demons (deliverance from); Fever; Skin diseases; Temptations of the flesh. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints on this feast day, as we begin Holy Week, we humbly pray for the Church and the Clergy, we pray for their protection, safety and well-being, especially during these incredibly challenging times. May the Lord preserve the members of the Navy, Marines and all sailors from all harm and dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy and we pray for the conversion of sinners and deliverance from evil … Amen🙏
Saint Francis of Paola, you lived an integrated life deeply united to God, nature, and your fellow man. Intercede before the Trinity in heaven on our behalf, assisting us to grow closer to God through death to self, through prayer and through a deep attachment to Christ. Amen🙏
“Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, He came down from heaven to redeem us.
For our sake He endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He Himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity.” ~ St. Francis of Paola, Hermit.
SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT: St. Francis of Paola (1416-1507) was born about the year 1416, at Paola, a small city Calabria Italy. His parents were very poor, but virtuous and known for their holiness. After suffering childlessness for many years, his parents had recourse to prayer, especially the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. They eventually had three children, and the eldest, Francis, was named after St. Francis in thanksgiving for his birth. Francis of Paola grew in sanctity, and after having a vision of St. Francis he spent a year in a Franciscan convent to fulfill a vow his parents had made to the saint. After his time there, he returned to his parents and accompanied them on a pilgrimage to Assisi. Upon returning home, Francis retired to a private spot on his parents’ estate to live as a hermit. He later moved his dwelling to a lonely cave by the seashore, living there in prayer, solitude, and mortification for six years. Disciples gradually came to him to imitate his manner of life, so many that St. Francis of Paola, with the permission of his bishop, built a monastery and church to accommodate them. He later obtained permission from the Holy See to found a new religious order called the Minims, or “The Least,” as they were to live hidden lives of poverty, abstinence, and humility. The Minim Order, is a branch of the Franciscans (1454). These “Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi” dwelt in small houses, and as “least” brethren, endeavored to live a more austere and humble life than the “Fratres Minores.” Pope Sixtus IV sent him to France to help Louis XI on his deathbed. St. Francis traveled to France taking with him his nephew Nicholas, whom he had raised from the dead. There, the notoriously power-hungry King Louis XI was approaching the point of death himself, and hoped that St. Francis would perform a miracle and restore his health. St. Francis told the king bluntly that he should not fear the end of his earthly life, but the loss of eternal life. From that time, the hermit became a close spiritual adviser to the king. He discussed the reality of death and eternity with him, and urged him to surrender his heart and soul to God before it was too late. St. Francis of Paola stood high in the esteem of the French king, Louis XI, whom he helped prepare for death. The king died in Francis’ arms in 1483. King Louis XI’s son and successor, Charles VIII, maintained the monk, St. Francis as a close adviser, in spiritual and even political affairs. Nonetheless, Francis persisted in following the monastic rule he had developed while living in his hermitage outside of Paola. He continued as superior general of the Minim order, he remained there and founded new monasteries, house of his Minims at Tours in France.
St. Francis of Paola became famous and was sought out by others for his prophecies and miracles. The saint worked numerous miracles. He had a favorite ejaculation, one that welled up from the depths of his physical and spiritual being: “Out of love.” This was an all-powerful ejaculation for him and for his companions. “Out of love” the heaviest stone was light; “Out of love” he admonished and punished; “Out of love” he once crossed the sea without a boat. For on a certain occasion the saint wanted to go from the Italian mainland to Sicily. A boat was lying in the harbor. St. Francis asked the owner if he would take him and his companion along on the boat. “If you pay, monk,” the sailor answered sulkily, “I will take you along.” “Out of love,” the saint humbly pleaded; “for I have no money with me.” “Then I have no ship for you,” came the mocking reply. “Out of love,” was St. Francis’ answer, “forgive me if I go away.” He walked about a stone’s throw to the shore, knelt down, and blessed the sea. Then, to the sailor’s great surprise, the saint suddenly stood up, stepped out on the tossing waves, and with firm foot trod over the surging sea. St. Francis sensed that his death was approaching at the age of 91, and returned to living in complete solitude for three months to prepare himself. When he emerged, he gathered a group of the Minim brothers and gave them final instructions for the future of the order. He fell sick on Palm Sunday, 1507 and after receiving Last Rites, received Holy Communion and died while the Passion of Christ was read to him aloud. St. Francis of Paola died on April 2, Good Friday of 1507. Pope Leo X canonized St. Francis of Paola 12 years after his death, in 1519. Although the Minim order lost many of its monasteries in the 18th century during the French Revolution, it continues to exist, primarily in Italy. His feast day is April 2 and he’s the Saint Patron against fire; boatmen; Calabria, Italy (named by Pope John XXIII in 1963); mariners; naval officers; plague epidemics; sailors; sterility; travellers; watermen, Amato; La Chorrera, Panama.
PRAYER: God, the exultation of the humble, You raised St. Francis to the glory of Your Saints. Through his merits and example, grant that we may happily obtain the rewards promised to the humble. Amen. Saint Francis of Paola … pray for us🙏
SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, HERMITESS: Saint Mary of Egypt (344-421) story demonstrates the power of the Church as the home of forgiveness, redemption and mercy. St. Mary of Egypt is known for her conversion and dedication of her life to God, she is seen as a model of repentance. St. Mary of Egypt was a prostitute for 17 years before she received the Eucharist and chose the life of a hermit. Born in 344 A.D., St. Mary of Egypt moved to the city of Alexandria at the tender age of twelve, she left her father’s house that she might be without restraint in her life of debauchery, which she pursued for seventeen years at Alexandria. With the intention of continuing her trade of prostitution, she joined a large group that was making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. On the feast day itself, she joined the crowd as it was headed to the church in order to venerate the relic of the True Cross, again with the intention of luring others into sin. When she got to the door of the church, she was unable to enter. A miraculous force propelled her away from the door each time she approached. After trying to get in three or four times, St. Mary of Egypt moved to a corner of the churchyard and began to cry tears of remorse. Then she saw a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She prayed to the Holy Mother for permission to enter the church for the purposes of venerating the relic. She promised the Virgin Mother that if she were allowed to enter the church, she would renounce the world and its ways. St. Mary of Egypt entered the church, venerated the relic and returned to the statue outside to pray for guidance. She heard a voice telling her to cross the Jordan River and find rest. She set out and in the evening, she arrived at the Jordan and received communion in a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
The next day, she crossed the river and went into the desert east of Palestine, where she lived alone for 47 years, not seeing a single human being and beset by all kinds of temptations, which were mitigated by her prayers to the Blessed Virgin. Then, while making his Lenten retreat, a priest named Zosimus found the hermitess and was impressed by her spiritual knowledge and wisdom. She told him that for seventeen years she was a singer and actress who had sinned and was doing penance in the desert. She said the old songs and scenes had haunted her; but since then she had had perfect peace. At her request, she asked the Holy Man of God to return to the banks of the Jordan on Holy Thursday of the following year and to bring her Communion. The priest was true to his word and returned bearing the Eucharist. St. Mary told him to come back again the next year, but to the place where he had originally met her. When the Priest, Zosimus returned in a year’s time, he found Mary’s corpse upon the sand. On the ground beside it was a written request with an inscription saying, Bury here the body of Mary the sinner. She requested that she be buried accompanied by a statement that she had died one year ago, in 421 A.D., on the very night she had received Holy Communion. Amazed, Zosimus began to dig and was later joined by a lion who helped him finish digging. After burying St. Mary of Egypt, Zosimus returned to his monastery near the Jordan, he told the brethren what he had witnessed and improved the faults of the monks there and the story spread. Her feast day is April 2nd and she’s the Patron Saint of Chastity (warfare against the flesh; deliverance from carnal passions); Demons (deliverance from); Fever; Skin diseases; Temptations of the flesh.
PRAYER: Saint Mary of Egypt, we beseech you to accept our prayer, in the Name of God, for we turn to you in veneration of your holiness and in supplication of your intercession. We also wish to dedicate our lives to the Virgin Mother and to go wherever she directs us. In this way, we shall be blessed with true happiness and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. For this we pray, and for this we thank you and all the saints in Heaven. Amen. Saint Mary of Egypt ~ Pray for us🙏
FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ APRIL 2, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT AND SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, HERMITESS | Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family! Happy Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent, and welcome to a new month!
We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of the new month of April. May this month bring renewal in faith, deepening our journey through Lent and drawing us closer to Christ. May God’s grace guide and strengthen us every day and may His grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey. 🙏🏽
“Watch Holy Mass on the 20th Anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul II | Presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 2, 2025” | Life of St. John Paul II | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/02/watch-holy-mass-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-death-of-saint-john-paul-ii-presided-over-by-cardinal-pietro-parolin-live-from-st-peters-basilica-in-the-vatican-april-2-2025/
LIVE | Holy Mass commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul II, presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Gracious God, source of all light and joy, we come to you in thanksgiving for the life of Pope John Paul II. Throughout his life, he tirelessly preached the Gospel of your Son, Jesus. May the fire of love that consumed the Holy Father burn also within us so that the world will know the joy of your reign. Amen 🙏🏽
Saint John Paul II, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/02/catholic-daily-mass-29/
DAY 25: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/02/day-25-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great “Thank You!” springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace “person-to-person” contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT AND SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, HERMITESS – FEAST DAY: APRIL 2ND Today, as we continue our Lenten journey, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit, who was named Patron of Italian seamen in 1943 by Pope Pius XII because many of the miracles attributed to him were related to the sea. (He is the Patron Saint of Calabria, Amato, La Chorrera, Panama, boatmen, mariners, and naval officers). We also celebrate Saint Mary of Egypt, Hermitess, known for her conversion and dedication of her life to God, and she is seen as a model of repentance. (She is the Patron Saint of Chastity, warfare against the flesh, deliverance from carnal passions, demons, fever, skin diseases, and temptations of the flesh).
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these two remarkable saints, we pray for all those who are seeking to follow God’s call through lives of prayer and penance. May we grow in holiness as we imitate their dedication and their profound connection to God.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 2nd | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to detailed history of the lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/)
SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT (1416–1507): Saint Francis of Paola was born in Calabria, Italy, in 1416. Coming from a deeply devout family, he was drawn to the spiritual life early. After a vision of Saint Francis of Assisi, he chose to live a life of solitude, prayer, and penance. He eventually founded the Minim Order, a community of hermits dedicated to poverty, humility, and mortification.Known for his humility and austerity, Saint Francis was also a man of miracles. One of his most famous miracles occurred when, rejected by a sailor, he stepped out onto the sea, walking across the water to reach his destination. His deep faith and reliance on God’s providence were evident throughout his life.
Saint Francis of Paola is also remembered for his service to King Louis XI of France, whom he prepared for death. The king died in Francis’ arms, and the saint’s influence continued to guide French royalty and many others who sought his counsel.
PRAYER: Saint Francis of Paola, you lived a life of humility and total reliance on God. Help us to embrace simplicity and live faithfully according to God’s will. Intercede for us, that we may grow closer to God in prayer, sacrifice, and love. Amen.
SAINT MARY OF EGYPT, HERMITESS (344–421): Saint Mary of Egypt’s story is one of profound conversion. Born in Alexandria, she lived a sinful life for seventeen years, engaging in prostitution and a life of debauchery. However, her life changed dramatically when she tried to enter a church in Jerusalem to venerate the Holy Cross but was mysteriously repelled. This moment led her to repentance, and she chose to live the rest of her life in the desert as a hermit.
For forty-seven years, Saint Mary of Egypt lived in isolation, enduring great temptations and growing in spiritual strength. Her deep commitment to penance and prayer became an inspiration to many, especially when she met the priest Zosimus, who brought her the Eucharist. After her death, Zosimus returned to find her body and buried her with reverence, deeply moved by the holiness of her life.
PRAYER: Saint Mary of Egypt, you embraced a life of repentance and holiness, finding peace in God’s love after a life of sin. Help us to turn away from sin and live with pure hearts, dedicating ourselves to God in prayer and service. Pray for us, that we may grow in virtue and follow God’s will. Amen.
As we reflect on the lives of Saint Francis of Paola and Saint Mary of Egypt, let us strive to live lives of humility, repentance, and prayer, especially during this Lenten season. May their examples inspire us to be more devoted to God and to live lives of simplicity, penance, and love for others.
Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit, and Saint Mary of Egypt, Hermitess ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent | April 2, 2025
Reading 1, Isaiah 49:8-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
Gospel, John 5:17-30
Gospel Reading ~ John 5:17-30
“As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also does the Son give life to those whom He chooses”
“Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath
but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of
condemnation. “I cannot do anything on
my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” This was in response to the religious leaders who were critical of Jesus for working on the Sabbath by healing a man who had been paralyzed for thirty eight years, at a pool near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem (yesterday’s Gospel reading). The work that Jesus and His Father are always engaged in is that of giving life to others, ‘As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone He chooses… For the Father, who is the source of life, has made the Son the source of life’. God goes on working through His Son in a life-giving way. It is reassuring to know that God and the risen Lord go on working to bring life to all. We may not be able to work, for one reason or another. When we do work, we may feel that our work is not bearing any good fruit. Yet, God and His Son never cease to work among us and through us. Just as the sun cannot but shine, so God our Lord cannot but work. The Lord does not rest from his labours on our behalf, no more than a mother rests from her labours on behalf of her child, in the imagery of today’s first reading. The Lord calls on each of us to become the instruments of His labour on behalf of others, to allow Him to work through us for the present and ultimate well-being of others. If we trust in the Lord, listening to His words, then He will be working through us, even at those times when we seem incapable of much work.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asserts His unity with the Father, declaring that His work is a continuation of the Father’s work. This claim not only emphasizes His divine mission but also underscores His equality with the Father, something that caused great opposition from the Jews. Jesus reveals that the Son, just like the Father, has power over life and death, and He has been entrusted with the judgment of all humanity. This profound statement invites us to consider the depth of Jesus’ authority and the nature of His relationship with the Father. The passage challenges us to reflect on our own relationship with God and whether we fully honor both the Father and the Son. Just as Jesus has the power to give life, He also calls us to pass from death to life through Him. The choice is not just a future promise, but a present reality—one that can transform our lives today. The healing power of Jesus reaches into the deepest recesses of our lives, calling us to rise from our own spiritual paralysis. Are we willing to listen to His voice and be made whole?
Our first reading today from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is the words of comfort and assurances from God to His people in the kingdom of Judah, as He told them that He will always remember them and that He will always provide for them, and be reconciled with them, despite their past wickedness and sins. The Lord spoke to His people of His promised salvation to all of them. He would rescue them from their troubles and deliver them from the hands of the evil one, and all of the plots against them. This is significant given the context of what happened at that time, as the people of Israel, the descendant of the people of God had been going through a lot of challenges and trials, having been torn apart and lost their unity. Back then, during the time of the prophet Isaiah’s life and ministry, the people of God, the Israelites had been wrecked by a lot of hardships and tragedies, especially when the northern half of the land of Israel and most of the ten tribes of the twelve of the Israelites were crushed and conquered by the Assyrians. Those in the northern kingdom of Israel had long defied the Lord and refused to obey Him, and most of their kings were wicked and sinful, leading the people further and deeper into the path of sin. Thus, the terrible end eventually came upon them, as the Assyrians destroyed and laid waste their cities, and brought many of them into exile in far-off lands away from their homeland. Despite all of these, as God Himself has proclaimed, He still remembered His people and would not abandon them. Our first reading today portrays God like a woman feeding her child at her breast. The bond between the feeding mother and her baby becomes an image of the bond between God and the believing community. A mother’s love for the child of her womb is tender and life-giving. A mother loves her child as she loves herself because for nine months her child was an integral part of herself. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, God declares that His love for His people is even stronger than a mother’s love for her child. We are reminded of this during this time of Lent so that hopefully we may change our ways and turn once again towards the Lord and His mercy.
Reflecting on the first reading from Isaiah, the Lord speaks of His covenant with His people and His promise of restoration. He reassures His people, even in their affliction, that He will never forget them. This promise of comfort and mercy is a reminder that God’s love endures beyond the circumstances we face. No matter how desolate our situation may seem, God’s faithfulness remains. Just as a mother cannot forget her child, God cannot forget His people. This unbreakable bond is a source of hope for us all.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, we are reminded of God’s graciousness and mercy. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, offering comfort and strength. This psalm assures us that God’s compassion is available to all who seek it, reinforcing the theme of divine mercy present in both the first reading and the Gospel.
In our spiritual journey, we often face challenges that make us feel abandoned or forgotten, like the people of Zion in Isaiah’s prophecy. Yet, God’s unchanging love and mercy are always present, calling us to trust in His promises. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us that even in the darkest moments, He is at work, bringing healing and life to all who believe. Do I trust in the healing power of Jesus? In what areas of my life do I need His restoration? How can I deepen my relationship with the Father and Son, embracing the eternal life they offer? Let us be mindful today of God’s faithfulness and mercy. As we walk through the trials of life, may we find comfort in the truth that God will never forget us. Let us respond to His call by turning to Him with open hearts, allowing His life-giving grace to renew and restore us. May our faith in His promises guide us through this Lenten season and beyond.
Aa we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded of the great love of God, the many wonderful things that God had done for our sake. He has showed His love to us repeatedly, again and again, even when we have often betrayed and ignored Him, abandoned and left Him for other idols and distractions in life. He patiently extended to all of us the offer of His love and compassionate mercy, wanting to be reconciled with us sinners, and calling on all of us to return to Him. Let us all no longer be stubborn or difficult in our attitudes, allowing ourselves to be immersed in God’s love and grace. May the Lord, our most loving God and Father continue to love us and provide us each day, and may He empower us all with the strength and the desire to reach out to Him and His most generous love and mercy. May He instil in each one of us the strong desire to commit ourselves to Him and His path, and inspire us that we may be good role models and source of inspiration to all those whom we encounter in our lives, so that more people may come to believe in God through us. May the Lord continue to help and guide us in our respective journey of faith, and may He empower us all to live ever more worthily of His presence from now on, if we have not yet done so. Let us consciously reject the temptations to sin, and strive to live a good and worthy life at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us all and our every actions, so that we may always strive to glorify Him by those same actions and deeds. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing love and mercy. Help us to trust in Your promises, even in our times of distress. May we always turn to You for healing and restoration, knowing that You will never forget us. Guide us in our journey of faith, and may we honor both You and Your Son, Jesus Christ, with our lives. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body… Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us this Lenten season and always. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We pray for all those who are in need of repentance, that through the intercession of Saint Mary of Egypt, they may find the grace to turn away from sin and live a life of holiness. We also pray for all sailors, boatmen, and mariners, especially those who face danger on the seas, that Saint Francis of Paola may watch over them and protect them from harm. May the Church continue to uphold and strengthen the clergy in their mission to shepherd God’s people, and may all Christians grow in their commitment to holiness, following the examples of these great saints.
Let Us Pray:
Most holy and triune God, the love You share within Your very being of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is beyond my comprehension. The mystery of Your triune life is a mystery of the greatest degree. Draw me in, dear Lord, to the life You share with Your Father and the Holy Spirit. Fill me with wonder and awe as You invite me to share in Your divine life. Most Holy Trinity, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Saint Francis of Paola and Saint Mary of Egypt, whose lives of repentance, humility, and devotion to You continue to inspire us. We ask for Your grace to live according to their example, turning away from sin and growing in holiness. Protect those who work on the seas and those who face great trials in their lives. May Your love and mercy surround them always. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John Paul II, Pope, Saint Francis of Paola, Hermit, and Saint Mary of Egypt, Hermitess ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled and fruitful fourth Week of Lent ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on the Fourth Week of Lent | April 2, 2025 on EWTN” |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | April 2, 2025 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | April 2, 2025 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |
LIVE | Holy Mass commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Saint John Paul II, presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE: Pope St. John Paul II (1920 – 2005) is considered one of the most well-known pontiffs in recent history, and is most remembered for his charismatic nature, his love of youth and his world travels, along with his role in the fall of communism in Europe during his 27-year papacy. Pope St. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in the Polish town of Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometers from Krakow. He was the youngest of three children born to Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. Pope John Paul II had lost his mother, father and older brother before his 21st birthday. His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 and his father, a non-commissioned army officer died in 1941. A sister, Olga, had died before he was born. He was baptized on June 20, 1920 in the parish church of Wadowice by Fr. Franciszek Zak, made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and received his Sacrament of Confirmation at 18. He was a vibrant, athletic, and intelligent child. His deeply religious father played an important role in his spiritual formation after his mother’s death when he was 8 years old. Upon graduation from Marcin Wadowita high school in Wadowice, St. John Paul II enrolled in Krakow’s Jagiellonian University in 1938 and was in a school for drama. His promising academic career at Krakow’s Jagiellonian University was cut short by the outbreak of World War II. He studied literature, poetry, and theater before his studies were interrupted by the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939 and young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory to earn his living and to avoid being deported to Germany. While working in a quarry and a chemical factory, he enrolled in an “underground” seminary in Kraków. In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the clandestine seminary of Krakow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Krakow. At the same time, Karol Wojtyla was one of the pioneers of the “Rhapsodic Theatre,” also clandestine. After the Second World War, he continued his studies in the major seminary of Krakow, once it had re-opened, and in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Sapieha in Krakow on November 1, 1946. Shortly afterwards, Cardinal Sapieha sent him to Rome where he worked under the guidance of the French Dominican, Garrigou-Lagrange and earned a doctorate in theology. He finished his doctorate in theology in 1948 with a thesis on the subject of faith in the works of St. John of the Cross (Doctrina de fide apud Sanctum Ioannem a Cruce). At that time, during his vacations, he exercised his pastoral ministry among the Polish immigrants of France, Belgium and Holland. In 1948 St. John Paul II returned to Poland and was vicar of various parishes in Krakow as well as chaplain to university students. The short assignment as assistant pastor in a rural parish preceded his very fruitful chaplaincy for university students. This period lasted until 1951 when he again took up his studies in philosophy and theology. In 1953 he defended a thesis on “evaluation of the possibility of founding a Catholic ethic on the ethical system of Max Scheler” at Lublin Catholic University. Later he became professor of moral theology and social ethics in the major seminary of Krakow and in the Faculty of Theology at Poland’s University of Lublin. On July 4, 1958, Communist officials allowed him to be appointed titular bishop of Ombi and auxiliary of Krakow by Pope Pius XII, and was consecrated September 28, 1958, in Wawel Cathedral, Krakow, by Archbishop Eugeniusz Baziak. On January 13, 1964, he was appointed archbishop of Krakow by Pope Paul VI, who made him a cardinal three years later on June 26, 1967 with the title of S. Cesareo in Palatio of the order of deacons, later elevated pro illa vice to the order of priests. Besides taking part in Vatican Council II (1962-1965) where he made an important contribution to drafting the Constitution Gaudium et spes, Cardinal Wojtyla participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops. He attended all four sessions of Vatican II.
Cardial Wojtyla was elected Pope by the Cardinals at the Conclave of October 16, 1978 and he took the name John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. On October 22nd, the Lord’s Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate is one of the longest in the history of the Church. He was head of the Catholic Church for 27 years (between 1978 and 2005), being the second-longest serving Pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX. On May 13, 1981 he was shot and severely wounded. In 1983 he visited Mehmet Ali Agca, who had attempted to assassinate him, in prison. Pope John Paul II became a spiritual protagonist in two global transitions: the fall of European communism, which began in his native Poland in 1989, and the passage to the third millennium of Christianity. He also instituted the annual February 2 “World Day of Consecrated Life”, the February 11 “World Day of the Sick” and at the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994 and a World Meeting of Families every three years. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of young people to the Vatican for a special Palm Sunday celebration in 1984, has become the “World Youth Day”. His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. He promoted ecumenical and interfaith initiatives, especially the 1986 “Day of Prayer for World Peace” in Assisi. Pope John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi. Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, Pope John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city’s 333 parishes. He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers. He visited 129 countries, making him one of the most well-traveled world leaders in history. During his time as Holy Father he gave a multitude of important contributions to the Church including his teaching on the Theology of the Body, his emphasis on the Universal Call to Holiness, and his strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. He is also known as the “Pope of the Family.” He’s s often referred to as Saint John Paul the Great by many Catholics. He earned this title not just by being a religious figure, but by significantly improving the Catholic Church’s relations with the Orthodox Church, Islam, Judaism and the Anglican Communion. His dream was to create a religious alliance between all denominations. His dream was to create a religious alliance between all denominations. His exceptional apostolic zeal, particularly for families, young people and the sick, led him to numerous pastoral visits throughout the world. Among the many fruits which he has left as a heritage to the Church are above all his rich Magisterium and the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church and for the Eastern Churches.
Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path. With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church. He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. He organized 15 Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops – six Ordinary General Assemblies (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994 and 2001), one Extraordinary General Assembly (1985) and eight Special Assemblies (1980,1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998 (2) and 1999). His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia. As a private Doctor he also published five books of his own: “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” (October 1994), “Gift and Mystery, on the fiftieth anniversary of my ordination as priest” (November 1996), “Roman Triptych” poetic meditations (March 2003), “Arise, Let us Be Going” (May 2004) and “Memory and Identity” (February 2005).
In the last years of his life, Pope John Paul II suffered from Parkinson’s disease and was forced to cut back on some of his activities. In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at 9.37 p.m., the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter or the vigil of Sunday in albis or Divine Mercy Sunday, which he had instituted, while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord’s Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church’s beloved Pastor, Pope John Paul II, departed this world peacefully for the Father. From that evening until April 8th, date of the funeral of the late Pontiff, more than three million pilgrims came to Rome to pay homage to the mortal remains of the Pope. Some of them queued up to 24 hours to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. After his solemn funeral was celebrated on April 8, 2005, in Saint Peter’s Square, he was buried in the crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica. On April 28, the Holy Father Benedict XVI announced that the normal five-year waiting period before beginning the cause of beatification and canonization would be waived for John Paul II. The cause was officially opened by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, on June 28 2005, and Pope John Paul II was beatified May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI, his immediate successor and for many years his valued collaborator as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The canonization Mass for Blessed Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, was celebrated by Pope Francis (with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI), on April 27, 2014 in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City. In an April 24 message sent to the Church in Poland, Pope Francis gave thanks for the great “gift” of the new Saint, saying of Pope St. John Paul II that he is grateful, “as all the members of the people of God, for his untiring service, his spiritual guidance, and for his extraordinary testimony of holiness.” Pope St. John Paul II is the Patron Saint of Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation; World Meeting of Families 2015; World Youth Days. His feast day is October 22nd.
QUOTES OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE:
☆”Faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God.”
☆”Do not be afraid to take a chance on peace, to teach peace, to live peace. Peace will be the last word of history.”
☆”There is no true peace without fairness, truth, justice, and solidarity.”
☆”Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create.”
☆”I plead with you, never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”
☆”Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”
☆”Let science tell us what and how. Let religion tell us who and why.”
☆”Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”
☆”Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn’t misuse it.”
☆”We are all one family in the world.”
PRAYER TO SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE:
Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.
May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.
Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen 🙏🏽
Saint John Paul II, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Day Twenty-Five: A Love That Restores
Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent
Scripture Passage:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.” (John 5:19–20)
Opening Reflection:
Love has a restorative power. It heals broken relationships, mends wounded hearts, and rebuilds what was lost. The Gospel today invites us into the mystery of Christ’s perfect unity with the Father—a love so deep that it restores humanity to God. This divine love is not distant or unreachable; it is present in our own lives, waiting to transform us.
Meditative Reflection:
At the heart of Jesus’ words is a revelation of divine intimacy. The Son does nothing apart from the Father, and everything He does reflects the Father’s will. In this, we find our calling—to live in such closeness to God that our actions mirror His love. Yet, many times, we find ourselves estranged from God and others, much like broken family ties or friendships lost over time. Wounds of the past, pride, or fear often keep us from reaching out. But Jesus invites us to restore what is broken, just as He restores us to the Father.
The story of reconciliation shared in the second reflection reminds us that even the most distant relationships can be healed. Just as an email rekindled a lost bond between a mother and daughter, God reaches out to us, inviting us back into communion with Him. He waits for us to take that first step, whether it be through a heartfelt prayer, a sincere apology, or an act of love that mends what was torn.
Reflection Questions:
Are there relationships in my life that need healing? Do I believe in God’s power to restore what seems lost? How can I reflect the love of the Father in my actions today?
Lenten Question:
Q: What is the ultimate purpose of Lent?
A: Lent is a time of conversion, leading us back to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It prepares us to fully embrace the joy of Easter by deepening our faith and renewing our hearts in Christ.
Lenten Action:
Reach out to someone you have been distant from. A simple message, call, or act of kindness can be the first step toward healing and restoration.
Concluding Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You are the source of all love and restoration. Help me to embrace the grace of reconciliation in my own life, to seek healing where there is division, and to mirror the perfect love of Your Son. May I grow closer to You in this Lenten season and reflect Your mercy to those around me. Amen.
Resources for Lenten Prayers and Reflections:
Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Lenten Reflections | EWTN | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/reflections/lent
Lenten Prayers and Daily Reflections | My Catholic Life | https://mycatholic.life/lent-prayers-reflections/
MEMORIAL OF SAINT HUGH OF GRENOBLE, BISHOP; SAINT VALERY OF LEUCONE, ABBOT AND BLESSED ANACLETO GONZÁLEZ FLORES– FEAST DAY: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Hugh, Benedictine Bishop of Grenoble, France (Patron of St. Bruno and Patron Saint against headaches); Saint Valery of Leucone, Abbot and Blessed Anacleto González Flores. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick, especially those who suffer with headaches, we pray for God’s divine healing and intervention. May the Saints pray for us that we will persevere despite the challenges placed before us. Amen🙏
SAINT HUGH OF GRENOBLE, BISHOP: St. Hugh of Grenoble (1053-1132), also known as Hugh of Châteauneuf was born in 1053 in Châteauneuf, Dauphiné, France. Saint Hugh showed piety from a very young age. While still a layman, he was appointed a canon (priest assigned to a cathedral) in Valence. He served as an aid to Bishop Hugh of Die. He very actively helped Bishop Hugh of Die fight against the buying and selling of church offices. At the Council of Avignon, in 1080, he was elected as the Bishop of Grenoble, even though he was not yet ordained. (The bishop of Grenoble had fallen into a very poor state of health.) A personal represenative of the pope escorted Hugh to Rome where he was ordained by Pope Gregory VII, himself. Upon Saint Hugh’s return, Hugh immediately set out to reform the see by denouncing simony (buying and selling of offices) and usury (charging interest to borrowers of money, especially at high rates of interest). After he was successful in doing this and promoting devotion (approximately two years), Saint Hugh attempted to resign being bishop to enter the Benedictine monastery at Cluny (France). The pope declined to accept his resignation and ordered him to continue his work in the diocese he was at.
For the rest of the 11th century, Saint Hugh’s diocese continued having a violent conflict with Count Guigues III of Albon about the church land in Grésivaudan (a valley in the French Alps). St. Hugh alleged that the Count tried to seize the land with the help of Bishop Mallen of Grenoble. An agreement was finally reached in 1099 and the Count agreed to relinquish the disputed land as long as Saint Hugh recognized the Count’s temporal (earthly) authority within Grenoble. Saint Hugh attempted to resign many times to which the pope would never accept his resignation because of Hugh’s great abilities. It was to St. Hugh that St. Bruno and his six companions addressed themselves in their design of forsaking the world, and the holy Bishop directed them to the desert of Chartreuse, where they founded the Carthusian Order.
After several years of service and attempts at reform, the long and penitential life of St. Hugh came to a close, St. Hugh died on April 1, 1132 in Grenoble, France of natural causes, interred in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Grenoble relics burned by the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion (between the Catholics and Protestants, inspired by John Calvin, called the Huguenots), the Huguenots burned Saint Hugh’s body in the 15th century. He was canonized on April 22, 1134; just two years after his death, by Pope Innocent II during the Council of Pisa. He’s the Patron Saint against headaches; Grenoble, France.
PRAYER: God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Hugh as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen.🙏
Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Bishop ~ Pray for us🙏
SAINT VALERY OF LEUCONE, ABBOT: St. Valery (565-622) also known as Valerian, Walaricus or Walericus was born at Auvergne, France in the sixth century, he died in Leucone, Picardy, France, on December 12, c. 622; feast of his translation is December 12. St. Valery discovered Benedictine life at Issoire, developed it at Auxerre, fructified it at Luxeuil under Saint Columbanus (f.d. November 21) and multiplied it with missionary work at Leuconnais (Leuconay), in the Somme region of northern France. St. Valery was a son to a gentleman of Auvergne, and in his childhood kept his father’s sheep. He grew up a peasant and a shepherd, but out of an ardent desire of improving himself in spiritual knowledge, privately learned to read, and got the psalter by heart. He was yet young when he took the monastic habit in the neighbouring monastery of St. Antony. From the first day such was his fervour that in his whole conduct he appeared a living rule of perfection, and, by sincere humility, esteeming himself below all the world, he meekly and cheerfully subjected himself to every one. Seeking the most perfect means of advancing in the paths of all virtues, he passed from this house to the more austere monastery of St. Germanus of Auxerre, into which he was received by St. Aunarius, bishop of that church.
The reputation of the penitential lives of the monks of Luxeu, and of the spiritual wisdom of St. Columban, drew St. Valery afterwards thither, and he spent many years in that community, always esteeming himself an unprofitable servant and a slothful monk, who stood in need of the severest and harshest rules and superiors; and, next to sin, he dreaded nothing so much as the applause of men or a reputation of sanctity. Upon the departure of St. Columban, the care of protecting the monastery from the oppressions of men in power, was committed to St. Valery, till he was sent by St. Eustasius with Vandolen, a fellow monk, to preach the gospel to idolaters. The two apostolic men travelled into Neustria, where King Clotaire II. gave them the territory of Leucone, in Picardy, near the mouth of the river Somme. There, with the leave of Bertard, bishop of Amiens, in 611, they built a chapel and two cells. St. Valery, by his preaching and the example of his virtue, converted many infidels, and assembled certain fervent disciples with whom he laid the foundation of a monastery. His fasts he sometimes prolonged for six days, eating only on the Sunday; and he used no other bed than twigs laid on the floor. His time was all employed in preaching, prayer, reading, and manual labour. By this he earned something for the relief of the poor, and he often repeated to others: “The more cheerfully we give to those who are in distress, the more readily will God give us what we ask of him.”
The saint went to receive the recompense of his happy perseverance on the 12th of December, in 622. When St. Valery died, cures took place at his tomb and his veneration grew, which eventually spread to England during the Norman Conquest. William the Conqueror exposed Valery’s relics for public veneration. He was invoked for a favourable wind for the expedition in 1066, which sailed from Saint-Valery. He is honoured in France on the 1st of April and on the 12th of December, feast of his translation. St. Valery is honoured at Chester Abbey in England and in France, where a famous monastery arose from his cells. Two towns in the Somme district are called Saint-Valery after him and there are several dedications to him in England as well.
Saint Valery of Leucone ~ Pray for us🙏
BLESSED ANACLETO GONZALEZ FLORES: Bl. Anacleto González Flores (1888–1927) was a Mexican Catholic layman and lawyer who was tortured and executed during the persecution of the Catholic Church under Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles. Bl. González was beatified by Benedict XVI as a martyr on November 20, 2005. Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Flores was the second of twelve children born to a poor family in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico on July 13, 1888. He was baptized the day after his birth. As he grew, a priest recognized his intelligence and recommended that he enter the seminary. Bl. Anacleto studied there for a time before discerning that he was not called to the priesthood. Instead he became an attorney, husband, and father, as well as an activist for his Catholic faith. He was greatly involved in social and religious activities and was an enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM). He taught classes in catechism, was dedicated to works of charity and wrote articles and books with a Christian spirit. In 1922 he married María Concepción Guerrero and they had two children. He was a prolific writer and dedicated catechism teacher, and attended daily Mass.
As a member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM), he also in addition started another Catholic lay organization committed to resisting the fierce persecution of the Catholic Church under the infamous Mexican dictator, President Plutarco Elías Calles. Initially he participated only in the non-violent, passive resistance against Calles, until four members of the ACJM were murdered in 1926. Their deaths spurred Bl. Anacleto to joined the cause of the National League for the Defence of Religious Freedom, lending support to the armed resistance movement. Bl. Anacleto did not take up arms but instead gave speeches to encourage Catholics to support the Cristeros, the Catholic army fighting against Calles. In January 1927 guerrilla warfare spread throughout Jalisco and from his many hiding places Bl. Anacleto wrote and sent bulletins and studied major strategies. The young man was captured on the morning of April 1, 1927 in the home of the Vargas González family, along with the two Vargas brothers. He was taken to the Colorado jail, where his torture included being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any information. Bl. Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death by firing squad and was shot together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same day, April 1, 1927 at Guadalajara, Mexico. Bl. Anacleto González Flores was beatified as a martyr on November 20, 2005 at Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico by Pope Benedict XVI, recognition celebrated by Portuguese cardinal José Saraiva Martins.
Blessed Anacleto González Flores ~ Pray for us🙏
FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ April 1, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT HUGH OF GRENOBLE, BISHOP; SAINT VALERY OF LEUCONE, ABBOT AND BLESSED ANACLETO GONZÁLEZ FLORES| Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family! Happy Tuesday, Fourth Week of Lent, and welcome to a new month!
We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of the new month of April. May this month bring renewal in faith, deepening our journey through Lent and drawing us closer to Christ. May God’s grace guide and strengthen us every day and may His grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey. 🙏🏽
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/01/catholic-daily-mass-28/
DAY 24: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/01/day-24-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great “Thank You!” springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace “person-to-person” contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT HUGH OF GRENOBLE, BISHOP; SAINT VALERY OF LEUCONE, ABBOT AND BLESSED ANACLETO GONZÁLEZ FLORES– FEAST DAY: APRIL 31st: Today as we continue our Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we honor today the Memorial of Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Bishop (Patron Saint against headaches and of St. Bruno); Saint Valery of Leucone, Abbot; and Blessed Anacleto González Flores, Martyr.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these holy servants of God, we pray for those suffering from physical ailments, especially those with chronic headaches, for missionaries who labor tirelessly to spread the Gospel, and for those who face persecution for their faith. May their lives inspire us to remain steadfast in our calling, courageous in our witness, and devoted to God in all things.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 1st | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to detailed history of the lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/)
SAINT HUGH OF GRENOBLE, BISHOP (1053–1132): Saint Hugh of Grenoble, also known as Hugh of Châteauneuf, was born in 1053 in France and displayed deep piety from an early age. His holiness and wisdom led him to be appointed as a canon in Valence, even before ordination. In 1080, despite his reluctance, he was chosen as the Bishop of Grenoble at the Council of Avignon. Ordained by Pope Gregory VII, he undertook the reform of his diocese, combating simony (the selling of church offices) and usury (unjust financial practices).
Despite his desire to enter the Benedictine monastery at Cluny, he was repeatedly called back by the Pope, who recognized his invaluable service to the Church. Saint Hugh played a pivotal role in guiding Saint Bruno and his companions to establish the Carthusian Order in the solitude of Chartreuse. He also defended Church lands against powerful feudal lords, ensuring the spiritual and material well-being of his people.
After many years of dedicated service and deep penitential life, Saint Hugh passed away on April 1, 1132. His relics were later destroyed during the French Wars of Religion, but his legacy as a tireless bishop and reformer endures. He was canonized just two years after his death by Pope Innocent II.
Prayer: Lord God, You called Saint Hugh of Grenoble to shepherd Your Church with wisdom and humility. Through his intercession, strengthen our bishops, priests, and all Church leaders with courage and perseverance. Grant healing to those suffering from headaches and migraines, and may we follow Saint Hugh’s example of holiness, selflessness, and unwavering faith. Amen. 🙏
Saint Hugh of Grenoble, pray for us! 🙏
SAINT VALERY OF LEUCONE, ABBOT (565–622): Saint Valery, also known as Walaricus, was born in Auvergne, France. As a child, he worked as a shepherd, developing a deep love for prayer and spiritual learning. Despite his humble background, he memorized the Psalms and sought to live a life of monastic discipline. He entered the monastery of Saint Antony and later moved to the monastery of Saint Germanus of Auxerre, where he grew in virtue under Saint Columbanus’ guidance.
Renowned for his holiness, Saint Valery was eventually sent as a missionary with Saint Vandolen to Neustria. There, he preached the Gospel to the pagan inhabitants of Leuconnais (modern-day Leuconay, France) and founded a monastic community. His fasting, prayer, and ascetic lifestyle were instrumental in drawing many souls to Christ. He often said, “The more cheerfully we give to those in distress, the more readily will God answer our prayers.”
Saint Valery passed away on December 12, 622, and numerous miracles were attributed to his intercession. His relics were highly venerated, and devotion to him spread to England during the Norman conquest.
Prayer: Almighty Father, You called Saint Valery to a life of prayer, fasting, and missionary zeal. Through his intercession, bless all who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel. Strengthen those who struggle with humility and self-discipline, and inspire us to give generously to those in need. May his example lead us to a deeper love for You and our neighbor. Amen. 🙏
Saint Valery of Leucone, pray for us! 🙏
BLESSED ANACLETO GONZÁLEZ FLORES, MARTYR (1888–1927): Blessed Anacleto González Flores was a lay Catholic, lawyer, and devoted family man who lived during the brutal persecution of the Church in Mexico under President Plutarco Elías Calles. Born in 1888, he initially entered the seminary but later discerned a vocation to married life, dedicating himself to defending the Catholic faith through education, writing, and activism.
As a leader of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans, he courageously opposed the anti-Catholic government. Though he initially promoted non-violent resistance, the murder of fellow Catholics led him to support the Cristero movement, a group of faithful who fought for religious freedom.
On April 1, 1927, Anacleto was arrested, brutally tortured, and ultimately executed for refusing to renounce his faith. As he faced death, he forgave his executioners, proclaiming, “I die, but God does not die!” His sacrifice continues to inspire the faithful to stand firm in times of trial. He was beatified as a martyr on November 20, 2005, by Pope Benedict XVI.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You granted Blessed Anacleto González Flores the courage to defend Your Church in the face of fierce persecution. Through his intercession, strengthen all who suffer for their faith today. Inspire us to be fearless witnesses of the Gospel, standing firm in our convictions with love and humility. May we never waver in our trust in You. Amen. 🙏
Blessed Anacleto González Flores, pray for us!
May the lives of these holy men remind us of the power of faith, perseverance, and sacrificial love. Through their intercession, may we strive for holiness in our own lives and remain steadfast in our devotion to Christ.
Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Saint Valery of Leucone, and Blessed Anacleto González Flores, pray for us! 🙏
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent | April 1, 2025
Reading 1, Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Gospel, John 5:1-3, 5-16
Gospel Reading ~ John 5:1-16
“Immediately the man became well”
“There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus healed the man who had been sick and was likely paralysed and unable to move for a whole period of thirty-eight years. Jesus had pity on that man who had been waiting forever to have a chance to be healed by the miraculous waters of the Pool of Bethzatha. No one had helped the sick man to come near the water whenever the Angel of God came to touch the water and caused the people who came to it first to be healed. The Lord has shown Him the love that He has again and again showed us, and He became that life-giving water, renewing the life and hope in the sick man. In the Gospel reading, Jesus appears to ask a strange question of the paralyzed man, ‘Do you want to be well again?’ Given that he has had his illness for thirty eight years and that he has come to the pool of Bethzatha many times to be healed, the answer to Jesus’ question would seem to be very obvious. Of course, he wants to be healed. Yet, Jesus’ question was not superfluous. It gave the man the opportunity to tell his story and to express his need directly to the Lord. It obliged him to reflect on what it was he really wanted. Jesus did not heal this man without first engaging him and drawing out from him the desires of his heart. The Lord relates in a similar way to all of us. He looks to us to express our wants, our desires, especially our deepest desires, what it is we most want. He seeks to have a personal relationship with us. He waits for us to open our hearts to Him, to tell Him our story, to share with Him our strongest hopes and longings, and also our fears and anxieties and sorrows. If we open our hearts to Him, then we will experience His life-giving presence and, in the image of the first reading, our lives will bear fruit that will never fail, the good fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus’ compassion as He heals a man who had been suffering for thirty-eight years. The man at the pool of Bethesda had long awaited healing, but he felt helpless because no one assisted him. Jesus, however, does not require him to enter the pool—He simply commands him to rise and walk. This miraculous healing teaches us that true restoration comes from Christ alone. While the Jews focused on the legalism of the Sabbath, Jesus emphasized mercy and transformation. This passage invites us to reflect: Are we waiting for healing in the wrong places? Do we trust in Jesus’ power to restore us completely?
In our first reading today, from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, the vision of Ezekiel of the heavenly Temple of God is told to us. The prophet Ezekiel saw the vision of the Temple of God in Heaven, the great Sanctuary and the place of the Holy Presence of God, which represents the Lord’s glory and presence, and from which came forth a great river and flood of water that went down from the side of the Temple, which provided life for many of the things that dwell in the water, and which brought forth life to spring forth from wherever it touched. The great river of life coming out from the Temple of God, that gave life to all things and purified the foul-smelling water, is a representation of Christ, Whose Body is the Church of God, and through His actions, His suffering and death, salvation came to all of us, through the gift of Baptism, that all of us may enter into a new life and existence in God. This vision of Ezekiel is a reminder that from God comes healing and hope for all of us, as we see the life-giving water of the great river springing forth from the Temple of God’s Presence. He is truly the source of our strength and redemption, and from Whom we shall once again be reconciled and be led back to His most loving embrace and to the path towards eternal life and true joy. This Lenten season, all of us are reminded to reflect more on our lives and actions, and consider carefully our path forward so that we may better know how we can progress in our lives to come ever closer to God. As we draw now ever closer to the beginning of the Holy Week, we are constantly and progressively being reminded more and more of everything that God had done for us, for the sake of our salvation and liberation. God has given us the means to new life and freedom from the tyranny of sin and evil, by sending down His Son, to lead us all through the darkness and guide us into the Light of His salvation, like how He led the Israelites through the Red Sea in the past, out of the land of their slavery in Egypt and into freedom, to the land promised to them. Thus, God has also led us all into our intended destination, that is eternal life with Him.
Reflecting on our first reading, the vision of the flowing water from the Temple in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s life-giving grace. The river brings renewal and abundance wherever it flows, transforming the barren land and making even the salty sea fresh. This imagery reminds us that God’s presence refreshes and sustains us. Just as the water in Ezekiel’s vision gives life to trees that bear fruit each month, our spiritual lives flourish when we remain connected to God. During this Lenten season, we are called to immerse ourselves in His grace, allowing His presence to renew us.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalm declares, “The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.” This is a profound reminder that God remains our refuge in times of trouble. The image of a stream gladdening the city of God connects with Ezekiel’s vision, reinforcing the message that God’s presence is our source of strength and peace. Do we turn to Him in distress, trusting in His protection? Lent invites us to deepen our reliance on God, knowing that He alone is our stronghold.
Do I truly desire to be healed, or am I clinging to excuses and past hurts? Like the man at Bethesda, do I sometimes feel abandoned in my struggles? How can I invite Jesus into my healing process? Am I allowing God’s grace to renew and transform my life, just as the river in Ezekiel’s vision brings life wherever it flows? Jesus desires to bring healing and transformation into our lives, just as He did for the man at Bethesda. Today, let us trust in His power, letting go of the things that keep us from fully embracing His love. Instead of waiting passively, may we respond with faith, rising to walk in the newness of life that Christ offers.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded that in the Lord alone lies true healing, happiness and joy. For in the Lord is our true hope and liberation, our path out of the darkness, the light that dispels the despair and the troubles facing us. If only that we have enough faith in Him and are willing to turn towards Him with renewed conviction and commitment, we shall surely be blessed and be truly happy. We are all called to drink from the fountain of God’s mercy, and to receive from Him the life-giving water, the spring of life coming from God Himself. Let us all seek Him and turn ourselves towards Him, looking at His mercy, kindness and love, and entrust ourselves to Him from now on. May our Lenten observances be fruitful and help us to get ever closer to God. May the Lord continue to be with us, and may He empower each and every one of us to persevere despite the many trials and hardships that we may have to face in the journey of our faith throughout our respective lives. May God continue to help us to go forth as His faithful and committed disciples, becoming the true beacons of His light and truth, that our every words, actions and deeds may inspire many others to come to the Lord, His salvation, truth and grace as well. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and continue to guide and bless us in this journey of faith through life, and may He empower each and every one of us so that hopefully through our dedicated and faithful Lenten observances, by deepening ourselves in a life of prayer, in our fasting and abstinence to control our worldly desires and all the temptations in life, and by our ever more generous almsgiving, may all of us continue to draw ever closer to God and to His truth. May He bless our Lenten observance and time, and our every good efforts, works and endeavours, and strengthen us in all things, and remain by our side, in this faithful journey we make. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You are the source of all healing and renewal. In moments of despair, remind us that You are always near, ready to restore us. Help us to trust in Your grace and to turn away from sin, embracing the new life You offer. Strengthen our faith so that we may walk in Your love and share that love with others. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body… Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us this Lenten season and always. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Today, as we reflect on the lives of Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Saint Valery of Leucone, and Blessed Anacleto González Flores, we bring before the Lord our prayers for the sick, especially those suffering from chronic headaches. We pray for missionaries who continue to labor in faith to spread the Gospel to all corners of the world. May they be strengthened and encouraged in their work. We also pray for all those persecuted for their faith, asking God to grant them the courage and perseverance they need in their trials. Let us also pray for ourselves, that we may be inspired by these saints’ steadfastness and unwavering devotion, always seeking to follow God’s will in our lives.🙏🏽
Let Us Pray:
My Lord of all hope, You endured so much in life and persevered through it all in perfect obedience to the will of the Father. Give me strength in the midst of the trials of life so that I can grow strong in the hope and the joy that comes with that strength. May I turn away from sin and turn to You in complete trust. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the Saints who have gone before us, showing us the way to live out our faith with courage and perseverance. Today, we ask for the intercession of Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Saint Valery of Leucone, and Blessed Anacleto González Flores. Grant healing to the sick, especially those who suffer from headaches, and strength to those who carry the cross of persecution. May we, too, be steadfast in our faith, boldly proclaiming Your love and truth in our words and actions. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
Save us Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Saint Valery of Leucone, and Blessed Anacleto González Flores, pray for us! 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled and fruitful fourth Week of Lent ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on the 4th Week of Lent | April 1, 2025 on EWTN” |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | April 1, 2025 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | April 1, 2025 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |