CALENDARIO / Calendario Cinquepani EN

01 apr 2024

04 April 2024

English translation: Aprile 2024

1/4 MONDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 2:14.22-33; Ps 16; Mt 28:8-15

Do not be afraid; go and announce... Mt 28:10

The courageous women have arrived at the tomb. Now they obey the angel who instructs them to tell the apostles that Jesus is risen and goes ahead of them to Galilee. And behold, Jesus himself meets them and repeats the same invitation as the angel. They will seek to stay united with the apostles and together with them they will be witnesses of His resurrection. Those who love Jesus do nothing alone.

2/4 TUESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 2:36-41; Ps 32; Jn 20:11-18

Woman, why are you weeping? Jn 20:13

"Woman," a significant title. This is how Scripture calls Eve when Adam encounters her as God's gift that completes his life. The risen Jesus first encounters Mary Magdalene: she is a gift from God to him. But why is she weeping? Does she not know that she is precious in the eyes of her God?

3/4 WEDNESDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 3:1-10; Ps 104; Lk 24:13-35

Foolish ones, slow of heart to believe Lk 24:25

The risen Jesus has no intention of offending the two disciples who are sad and disappointed. But they truly show foolishness, because they do not take into account the Scriptures or what He himself had said many times. How foolish am I too! In fact, I live as if Jesus had not conquered death.

4/4 THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8; LK 24:35-48

Look at my hands... it is really Me Lk 24:39

Jesus, your hands are the ones that touched the dead girl and the coffin of the young man from Nain. They are the hands that broke the loaves for the five thousand, and with them, you gave your body and the cup of your blood to the apostles. You show them: the wounds of the nails are evident. The disciples understand that their lives will always be accompanied by your death and resurrection.

5/4 FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 4:1-12; Ps 117; Jn 21:1-14

There is no salvation in anyone else Acts 4:12

Peter, uneducated, fisherman, and sinner, is speaking to the leaders of the families of the high priests. Now there is no one capable of giving words of truth, except those who believe in Jesus and speak of Him. Do you really want to save your life? You have only one option: fully adhere to Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.

6/4 SATURDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER [P]

Acts 4:13-21; Ps 117; Mk 16:9-15

He rebuked them for their unbelief Mk 16:14

Those who claim that the resurrection of Jesus is an invention do not take into account these words. Even the apostles did not expect to see Jesus again, and when they saw Him, they thought they were hallucinating. Before coming to faith, we all go through unbelief. Faith is a gift, a gift that I cannot boast about. It is a gift to ask for.

7/4 DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

2nd Sunday of Easter Year B [P]

Acts 4:32-35; Ps 117; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed Jn 20:29

Those who trust in the words of the apostles are "blessed," meaning close to God. Thomas did not do this. He relied on his own eyes and fingers rather than the testimony of his brothers. Jesus showed mercy to Thomas and He has much mercy for me, who am no better than him. Thank you, Jesus!

8/4 MON ANNUNCIATION of the LORD [P]

Is 7:10-14; 8:10c; Ps 39; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

Do not be afraid, Mary Lk 1:30

Mary obeyed. Even though she did not understand, she decided to trust in the Lord. She overcame the fear that often overcomes us: the fear of entrusting ourselves to grace, that is, to God's free love, in order to rely on our apparent securities.

Thank you, Mary, for fearlessly saying your yes, the beginning of the salvation of all mankind.

9/4 TUE 2nd Week of Easter [II]

Acts 4:32-37; Ps 92; Jn 3:7-15

So must the Son of Man be lifted up Jn 3:14

It is night. Secretly, a character, Nicodemus, arrives. He wants to hear Jesus, and Jesus reveals himself to him not as one who performs miracles, but as the one who dies to save those who are in sin, heirs of Adam's sin. Whoever loves him when he is lifted up on the cross will be saved from the destructive power of sin, freed from the world's power, and resurrected to a new life.

10/4 WED 2nd Week of Easter [II]

Acts 5:17-26; Ps 33; Jn 3:16-21

An angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison Acts 5:19

What a surprise! Who would have ever imagined it? They didn't even expect it themselves, and they didn't even ask their God for it. Angels sure know how to act! I will never despair because God still has angels at his disposal, and if he wants, he will send them.

11/4 THU 2nd Week of Easter [II]

(Memorial: St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr, † 1079)

Acts 5:27-33; Ps 33; Jn 3:31-36

Without measure, he gives the Spirit Jn 3:34

Jesus, you are still speaking to Nicodemus, to reveal yourself. In this way, we can also know you: it is you who immerses us in the light and love of the Father! You do this with the words you draw from his heart. I am listening.

12/4 FRI 2nd Week of Easter [II]

Acts 5:34-42; Ps 26; Jn 6:1-15

He withdrew again to the mountain Jn 6:15

When Jesus realizes that the people did not understand the sign of the loaves, neither the ones they ate to their fill nor the leftovers, he hides. They wanted to make him king. He does not accept to be made king by men, but only by God the Father. The king created by men imposes himself, the one made by God humbles himself. All that's left is to pray!

13/4 SAT 2nd Week of Easter [II]

(mf: St. Martin I, pope and martyr, † 655)

Acts 6:1-7; Ps 32; Jn 6:16-21

It is I; do not be afraid! Jn 6:20

Why were they afraid? They had never seen anyone walk on water before. From Jesus, we can expect even this, that He can do what no one has ever done. When He is with us, no matter what, fear no longer belongs to us.

14/4 SUN 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B [III]

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4; 1 Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48

They gave him a piece of broiled fish. Lk 24:42

They see him again, with great surprise. They do not know what to think. How is it possible to see Him if even Pilate's soldiers saw him dead? The surprise remains, even greater, when they see him eating their fish. I can only humble myself and believe. Nothing is impossible for God, and I cannot confine Him within my understanding abilities.

15/4 MON 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 6:8-15; Ps 118; Jn 6:22-29

Work for the food that endures for eternal life. Jn 6:27

The people had been looking for Jesus, eager to eat the bread of the miracle again. But it was still only bread. They had not understood that it was a sign to recognize Him as the sent one from God, the true shepherd. They must not seek the leftovers from the previous day, but a new food that nourishes a new life, the one that God sows in us with the arrival of Jesus.

16/4 TUE 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 7:51 - 8:1; Ps 30; Jn 6:30-35

It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven

Jn 6:32

Jesus responds. The manna of Moses' time came every day, punctually, for free. But it was a food that did not prevent anyone from dying or sinning. The true food from God will prevent us from sinning because it will unite us to Him, and from dying because those who are one with the Father are already in eternal life.

17/4 WED 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 8:1-8; Ps 65; Jn 6:35-40

I will raise him up on the last day Jn 6:40

The concept of the "last day" has always been a mystery to me due to my lack of understanding. It will be the day of resurrection, the one accomplished for me by Jesus. It is the day when I will see my God and will no longer hunger or thirst. Do I have to wait for this day or has it already begun? In fact, Jesus already satisfies and quenches me, and already allows me to enjoy the love of the Father and the peace of surrendering myself to Him.

18/4 THU 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 8:26-40; Ps 65; Jn 6:44-51

The bread that I will give is my flesh Jn 6:51

"… my flesh for the life of the world": without this "flesh," the world only knows death and the anticipation of death. I am blessed because I can eat the Bread that is "the flesh" that gives true life, a life that knows no death, because it unites me with the God of love, the eternal God.

19/4 FRI 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 9:1-20; Ps 116; Jn 6:52-59

Whoever eats this bread will live forever Jn 6:58

Truly mysterious are the words of Jesus! They introduce us to a new, different world; a world free from the fear of death. I desire to enter this new world, not known or built by men. I eat the bread that comes from the hands of Jesus, and I allow myself to be transformed into an instrument of His love.

20/4 SAT 3rd Week of Easter [III]

Acts 9:31-42; Ps 115; Jn 6:60-69

It is the Spirit that gives life

Jn 6:63

Jesus teaches us to distinguish and discern between biological life and spiritual life. The first is the 'place' of the second. And it is the spiritual life that fills the biological life with joy, gives it meaning with love, and sustains it with hope. I will stay close to Jesus, who offers me the Spirit, so as not to render useless the passing days and those to come.

21/4 SUN 4th Sunday of Easter Year B [IV]

Acts 4:8-12; Ps 117; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd

Jn 10:14

How many images Jesus uses to make himself known! Today he uses the one that prophets and psalms have already used to bring us closer to the love of our Father. He is the shepherd who takes care of the sheep, nourishes them, defends them, and keeps them united. Today Jesus reveals that God loves us through him. Jesus, I will stay close to you!

22/4 MON 4th Week of Easter [IV]

Acts 11:1-18; Ps 41-42; Jn 10:1-10

Whoever does not enter... through the gate... is a thief... Jn 10:3

It is important to know that not only the shepherd approaches the sheep, but thieves and robbers also come close. How can we distinguish them? I will look at which way they enter the sheepfold. If they pass through the gate, they are trustworthy. If they come through Jesus, I listen to them. If someone does not refer to Jesus, it is not for me: I ignore them and leave.

23/4 TUE 4th Week of Easter [IV]

(mf. St. George, martyr, † ca. 303; St. Adalbert, bishop and martyr, † 997)

Acts 11:19-26; Ps 86; Jn 10:22-30

I know them and they follow me Jn 10:27

Jesus, in the temple, continues speaking about the sheep to respond to the Jews. He tells them that his sheep listen to Him and follow Him, while the others do not accept Him. He cannot concern himself with them. Have they understood? I understand that I will have life only from Jesus.

24/4 WED 4th Week of Easter [IV]

(mf. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, † 1622)

Acts 12:24 - 13:5; Ps 66; Jn 12:44-50

The things that I say, I say as the Father has told me Jn 12:50

Jesus, you know that not everyone who hears your words listens to them. There are also those who despise you. However, you want to be obedient to the Father and reveal his love to us. Even at the risk of being despised, I will listen to you and ask for the strength to be a faithful friend to you.

25/4 THU FEAST OF ST. MARK, Evangelist [P]

1 Peter 5:5-14; Ps 88; Mk 16:15-20

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved Mk 16:16

Saint Mark, you give us these formidable words of Jesus. When we look at you, raised on the cross, and declare our faith before all, entering the water of baptism, God saves us from the evil of the world and eternal emptiness. Mark lived out these words: today we honor and thank him.

26/4 FRI 4th Week of Easter [IV]

Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2; Jn 14:1-6

In my Father's house there are many dwelling places Jn 14:2

What does Jesus want to reveal to us? The Father doesn't need a house made of bricks. Is His house perhaps the place where He welcomes us to love us? Certainly. The dwelling place is not for one person alone, but for a community. In the various "dwelling places" Jesus prepares a place for each one. Each of us will be active in a community or in a fraternity of Jesus' disciples.

27/4 SAT 4th Week of Easter [IV]

Acts 13:44-52; Ps 97; Jn 14:7-14

Whatever you ask in my name, I will do Jn 14:13

Jesus repeats this promise twice. It is not important to know what to ask for, but rather how to ask "in my Name". When am I 'in his Name'? When I let myself be saved by him, when my interests are no longer worldly or earthly, then I am in His Name. What will I then ask the Father? Only what is necessary to fulfill his Kingdom.

28/4 SUN 5th Sunday of Easter Year B [I]

Acts 9:26-31; Ps 21; 1 Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8

I am the vine, you are the branches Jn 15:5

hen I see a vine, I think of these words. Who am I? I can only answer by referring to Jesus. I belong to Him. There is no other place for me on earth, but in the Body of Christ. His fruit is mine and mine is His. A mystery of joy and consolation!

29/4 MON ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA, († 1380), Patroness of Italy and Europe [P]

1 Jn 1:5 – 2:2; Ps 102; Mt 11:25-30

Take my yoke upon you

Mt 11:29

Saint Catherine of Siena, in her short life, is an example for us. She took upon herself the yoke of Jesus. She lived with Him, with joy, but also with toil and risk. Jesus' desires were hers, His will was hers, His hardships were on her shoulders, whether she was writing reprimands to princes and popes or helping the condemned at the moment of death: all with the same courage and the same love.

30/4 TUE 5th Week of Easter [I]

(mf: St. Pius V, Pope, † 1572)

Acts 14:19-28; Ps 144; Jn 14:27-31

I give you my peace Jn 14:27

This promise of Jesus has remained imprinted in our hearts, so much so that it is always present in our celebrations. We hear it every time we prepare to receive the Body of Christ. His peace is the richness of life and love that He has received from the Father! Thank you, Jesus!