Third Sunday in Easter
Third Sunday in Easter
Acts 2:14,22-28 Peter boldly proclaims the Resurrection
1 Peter 1:17-21 Conduct yourselves reverently; you have been delivered
Luke 24:13-35 Disciples recognize him in the breaking of the bread
Called to be the Body of Christ
Since we are called to be the Body of Christ, we are like the Eucharist for the whole world. Through our presence, peace and unity should come. We fail in our task to the degree that we are not changed into the Body of Christ.
Reflection on Eucharistic Prayer III
Find a part of this prayer that symbolizes part of your life as a Christian. Meditate on this with your sponsor, and then share with the group if you wish.
The Rightly Formed Conscience
Spiritual growth requires prayer and discipline. In prayer, we beg God to make us like Jesus. Spiritual discipline frees us from distractions to prayer, and keeps our spiritual senses attuned to God. A rightly formed conscience allows us to tell the difference between what we want to hear God say, and what God is truly saying to us.
A rightly formed conscience is available to everyone, and is not a matter of intellect. If you think you know the right thing to do in most situations, and can’t understand why the Church teaches differently than you believe, you don’t have a rightly formed conscience. If you genuinely believe that you have a reason to disobey Church teaching, and are absolutely sure you are right, you don’t have a rightly formed conscience (but you do have a problem with the sin of pride). Part of a rightly formed conscience is to always know that we are more likely to make an error in our judgement than the Pope and Bishops (the Magisterium, which means “teaching onesâ€). We have no individual infallibility in matters of faith and morals, as the Magisterium does, and so we must trust the authentic teaching of the Church when we disagree with it. This requires a powerful act of faith, especially when we must give up something we want in order to submit to the teaching of the Church.
More information on the rightly formed conscience
In the Catechism, look at:
1776, 1778 (Newman), 1779 – 1802
2240, 2242, 2243
Father, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from east to west
a perfect offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts.
We ask you to make them holy
by the power of your Spirit,
that they may become the body = and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was betrayed,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise.
He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and eat it:
this is my body which will be given up for you.
When supper was ended, he took the cup.
Again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood,
the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.
It will be shed for you and for all
so that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in memory of me.
(Memorial Acclamation)
Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and ready to greet him when he comes again,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favor on your Church’s offering,
and see the Victim whise death has reconciled us to yourself.
Grant that we, who are nourished by His body and blood,
may be filled with his Holy Spirit,
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make us an everlasting gift to you
and enable us to share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God;
with the apostles, the martyrs,
and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice,
which has made our peace with you,