Beads of Joy Blog II (2025 - 2026)

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena April 29, 2026 I Came Into the World As Light Acts 12:24-13:5a  |  John 12:44-50 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 12:24-13:5a The word of God continued to spread and grow. The community at Antioch was fasting and worshipping when the Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to. They laid hands on them and sent them off. So, they set out on their first missionary journey. John 12:44-50 Jesus cried out: whoever believes in me believes in the One who sent me. I came as light into the world so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. I did not come to condemn the world but to save it. My Father's commandment is eternal life. Today's Thread: Be who you are meant to be, and you will set the world on fire. Saint Catherine of Siena is credited with one of the most quoted lines in Catholic mysticism: "Be who you are meant to be, and you...

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter April 28, 2026 My Sheep Hear My Voice Acts 11:19-26  |  John 10:22-30 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 11:19-26 Those scattered by the persecution went to Antioch and began speaking to Greeks about the Lord Jesus. A great number believed and turned to the Lord. The Church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas, who rejoiced at the grace of God and encouraged them to remain faithful. He brought Saul from Tarsus. For a whole year, they instructed the Church. In Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians. John 10:22-30 The Jews challenged Jesus to say plainly whether He was the Christ. He said: My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. The Father and I are one. Today's Thread: They were first called Christians. Something happened in Antioch that had not happened anywhere else; they were called Christians...

Monday of the 4th Week of Easter April 27, 2026 One Flock. One Shepherd. Acts 11:1-18  |  John 10:11-18 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 11:1-18 Peter was criticized for eating with Gentiles. He explained his vision: a sheet lowered from heaven with all kinds of animals, and a voice saying what God has made clean you are not to call profane. The Spirit told him to go with the messengers. When he preached, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as on the disciples at Pentecost. The community fell silent and praised God: God has granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too. John 10:11-18 Jesus said: I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. I lay down my life only to take it up again. Today's Thread: The flock is bigger than you think. Peter thought the covenant was for Israel alone. Then a ...

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 26, 2026 I Am The Gate Acts 2:14a, 36-41  |  1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Peter proclaimed: God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The crowd asked what they must do. Peter said: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. That day, three thousand were added. 1 Peter 2:20b-25 Christ suffered for you and left you an example. He committed no sin. He bore our sins in His body. By His wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep; you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. John 10:1-10 Jesus said: I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through me will be saved. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Today's Thread: Life in abundance, not in moderation. Good Sh...

Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist April 25, 2026 Go Into the Whole World 1 Peter 5:5b-14 | Mark 16:15-20 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings 1 Peter 5:5b-14 Peter writes: humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you. Your opponent, the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith. The God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Mark 16:15-20 Jesus said: go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. They went forth and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through the signs that accompanied it. Today's Thread: He works with you, not through you alone. Mark ends his Gospel with a beautiful phrase: the Lord worked with them. They went, and he went with them. This is the pattern of the Great Commission, not ...

Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter -  April 24, 2026 Saul’s Conversion Story Acts 9:1-20  |  John 6:52-59 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 9:1-20 Saul was breathing murderous threats against the disciples when a light from the sky struck him down. A voice said: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? Saul asked who was speaking and was told: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. He was led blind to Damascus. Ananias was sent to him: this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. John 6:52-59 Jesus told them: "My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. Today's Thread: No one is beyond the reach of the light. Saul was the most unlikely candidate for sainthood in the history...

  Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter - April 23, 2026 The Company We Keep Matters Acts 8:26-40  |  John 6:44-51 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 8:26-40 An angel told Philip to go south on the desert road. He went. He saw an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah in his chariot. The Spirit said: Go and join that chariot. Philip ran, explained the Scripture, baptized the man, and was immediately taken away by the Spirit. The official went on his way, rejoicing. John 6:44-51 Jesus said: no one can come to me unless the Father draws them. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Today's Thread: When the Spirit says go, run. Philip did not question the angel. He did not ask for a detailed plan. He went. And when the Spirit said, "Go and join that chariot, Philip ...

Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter - April 22, 2026 I Will Not Reject Anyone Acts 8:1b-8  |  John 6:35-40 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 8:1b-8 A great persecution broke out after Stephen's death. The disciples scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, but they preached the word wherever they went. Philip went to Samaria, proclaimed Christ, and the crowds paid attention. There was great joy in that city. John 6:35-40 Jesus said: "Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will not reject. This is the will of the One who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what He gave me, but raise it on the last day. Today's Thread: Scattered to be scattered on purpose. Persecution drove the disciples out of Jerusalem, and the Gospel went with them. What looked like destruction was actually dispersal. God used the very thing meant to silence the Church to spread it further and faster. And Jesus promises...

  Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter - April 21, 2026 I Am the Bread of Life Acts 7:51-8:1a  |  John 6:30-35 Photo created by Google AI Image Creator. Today's Readings Acts 7:51 - 8:1a Stephen addressed the Sanhedrin: "You stiff-necked people, you always oppose the Holy Spirit. They gnashed their teeth at him. He saw the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of the Father and declared it. They dragged him out and stoned him. He prayed: Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And Saul approved. John 6:30-35 The crowd asked Jesus for a sign. Moses gave manna in the desert. What will you do? Jesus said: it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven, which comes down and gives life to the world. I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger; whoever believes in me will never thirst. Today's Thread: The Bread of Life does not run out. Stephen is being killed. His final words are not a cry for ...