Beads of Joy Blog II (2025 - 2026)

Friday of Easter Week April 10, 2026 It is the Lord. Acts 4:1-12  |  John 21:1-14 Photo created by James Dacey Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings Acts 4:1-12 Peter and John were arrested for preaching the Resurrection. When questioned by the rulers, Peter declared boldly, "This Jesus whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, is the stone rejected by the builders that has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else." John 21:1-14 The disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing. A figure on the shore told them to cast the net to the right side of the boat. The catch was so large that they could not pull it in. Then the beloved disciple said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Today's Thread: You'll know Him when He shows up. The disciples fished all night in their own strength and came up empty. The moment they listened to the voice on the shore, everything changed. Peter and John stood before rulers who had all the power a...

Thursday of Easter Week April 9, 2026 The Risen Jesus Appears Acts 3:11-26  |  Luke 24:35-48 Photo created by James Dacey Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings Acts 3:11-26 The people ran to Peter and John in amazement after the lame man was healed. Peter addressed them directly, “Why are you surprised? It is not our power that did this. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob glorified His servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied. But God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses. Luke 24:35-48 The disciples told the others what happened on the road to Emmaus. While they were speaking, Jesus appeared in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. He showed them His hands and feet. He opened their minds to understand the Scripture and told them; you are witnesses of these things. Today's Thread: You are a witness. Peter said it to the crowd, and Jesus said it to the disciple...

Wednesday of Easter Week April 8, 2026 The Road to Emmaus Acts 3:1-10  |  Luke 24:13-35 Photo created by James Dacey Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John were going to the temple for prayer. A man lame from birth was carried there daily to beg. He looked at them, expecting money. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise and walk.” He leaped up, walked, and went into the temple praising God. Luke 24:13-35 Two disciples were walking to Emmaus, discouraged and confused. A stranger joined them and began explaining the Scriptures. They urged Him to stay. When He broke bread, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He vanished. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke?" Today's Thread: Give what you actually have. Peter had no money, but he had something far greater than money. The two disciples on the road had no idea t...

Tuesday of Easter Week April 7, 2026 Acts 2:36-41  |  John 20:11-18 Photo created by James Dacey, Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings Acts 2:36-41 Peter declared that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The crowd was cut to the heart and asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and they would receive the Holy Spirit. About three thousand were added that day. John 20:11-18 Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. Jesus appeared to her, but she did not recognize Him at first. When He called her by name, she turned and cried out, "Rabboni!" Jesus told her not to cling to Him but to go and tell the brothers. Mary went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord. Today's Thread: He calls you by name. Not by your title or your worst mistake. Not even by what you used to be. He called Mary by her name, and everything changed in an instant. Peter told a crowd of thousand...

Monday of Easter Week April 6, 2026 Acts 2:14, 22-33  |  Matthew 28:8-15 Photo created by James Dacey Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Peter stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice. He proclaimed that Jesus of Nazareth was handed over and crucified, but God raised Him up, releasing Him from the throes of death. He declared that God made Him both Lord and Christ. Matthew 28:8-15 The women left the tomb fearful yet overjoyed and ran to tell the disciples. Jesus met them on the way, and they embraced His feet and worshiped Him. Meanwhile, the chief priests paid the guards to spread a lie that the disciples stole the body. Today's Thread: Say what you know. Peter didn't wait, and the women didn't hesitate. They saw something real, and they moved on it immediately. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, people were being paid good money to stay quiet about what they had witnessed. Living It Today: Somewhere in your day-to-day, someone needs to...

  Easter Sunday - April 5, 2026 Acts 10:34a, 37-43  |  Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9 Photo created by James Dacey Jr. using M365 Co-Pilot. Today's Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Peter proclaimed that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit, and that He went about doing good, and that they put Him to death, but God raised Him on the third day and commanded them to preach that He is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. Colossians 3:1-4 If you were raised with Jesus, seek what is above. Your life is hidden with Jesus Christ in God. When Christ returns, you will appear with Him in glory. John 20:1-9 Mary came to the tomb early and found the stone removed. Peter and the other disciple ran to see the empty tomb. The other disciple saw and believed. Today's Thread - The tomb is empty. Now what? Witnesses!! That's what all three readings are asking you to be today. Peter witnessed it and preached it. Paul told the Colossians to live like it's true. John s...

🔥 Holy Saturday Evening  April 4, 2026 The EASTER Vigil Mass The Night That Changes Everything Photo created by James Dacey, Jr. using Co-Pilot. The Easter Vigil • The Mother of All Vigils • Year A • Beads of Joy Blog II 🕯️ The Vigil Readings Reading 1: Genesis 1:1 - 2:2 In the beginning Reading 2: Genesis 22:1-18 Abraham and Isaac Reading 3: Exodus 14:15 - 15:1 Through the Red Sea Reading 4: Isaiah 54:5-14 The Lord calls you back Reading 5: Isaiah 55:1-11 Come to the water Reading 6: Baruch 3:9-15, 32 - 4:4 Walk in His ways Reading 7: Ezekiel 36:16-28 I will give you a new heart Epistle: Romans 6:3-11 Raised with Him Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10 He is not here. He is risen. 🔥 It Begins In Darkness No lights. No candles. No music. Just darkness and silence and a congregation standing outside in the night around a pile of wood waiting for a spark. And then: FIRE!!! A single flame struck from the darkness. The Paschal Candle lit from that flame. The priest lifts it high and s...

🕯️ Saturday, April 4, 2026 The Longest Day No Mass Till The Vigil Photo created by James Dacey, Jr. using Co-Pilot. Holy Saturday • Year A • Beads of Joy Blog II ✝️ Today The Church observes a sacred fast today. There is no Mass until the Easter Vigil tonight. 📖 The Word Today No Gospel is being read at morning prayer today. Just silence. The tomb is sealed. The disciples are scattered and terrified. Mary Magdalene is weeping somewhere. Peter is hiding. John is with Our Lady. And Jesus, the Word made flesh, is silent in the tomb. 🙏 Reflection This is the longest day of the year. Yesterday He died. Tomorrow, He rises. But today, nothing. Just the sealed stone in front of the tomb and the silence and the longest Saturday in human history. The disciples didn't know about tomorrow. They just knew about yesterday. They had watched Him die. They had seen the stone rolled across the entrance. And now they sat in their locked room with their grief and their confusion and thei...