Today, May 6
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
François de Montmorency Laval (1623-1708) was the first bishop of Quebec City. Born in France to a noble family, he was educated by the Jesuits and ordained in 1647. Despite controversy, he was made bishop in 1658 and arrived in New France the following year. In 1663, he founded the Seminary of Quebec (now Laval University) in order to supply priests for his vast diocese which extended to all the French-speaking territory of North America. He later established a minor seminary and an industrial school. His pastoral concern for the settlers and the Native people often resulted in conflict with civil authorities.
François was an outstanding educator and administrator, a generous benefactor, a caring bishop and a pious man whose spiritual influence was widespread. He well deserved his title of "Père de la Patrie" (Father of the Homeland) and was beatified by John Paul II in 1980.©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Acts of the Apostles 15,1-6.
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved." Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law." The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
Psalms 122(121),1-2.3-4a.4b-5.
I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD." And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 15,1-8.
Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
Daily Reflection
Your laments and your fears do not come from God and it is not God who is the author. It is Satan who puts these fears in your heart, and God allows it for your improvement. But God wants you to laugh at everything and endure these trials in peace. The more you lament, the more you try to reject these trials, and the longer these trials will last. You must resign yourself and let it happen even when it is not given to you to let it happen. Jesus is very pleased with you; So, what is there to be afraid of? (…) You lament because the same trials keep coming back. And then! father, what are you afraid of? Of the divine artisan, who wants to perfect his masterpiece in this way? Would you like to come out of the hands of such a magnificent craftsman as a pure and simple sketch? You, who are a lover of perfect works! Jesus lets you know that the various spiritual pains that trouble you so much are wanted directly by him to test you and not to chastise you, to purify you further and make you, as much as possible, conform to him, who is the prototype of every soul who has chosen the best part of divine service. He expects from you, as a sign of gratitude, greater docility to these divine operations.