What Will Matter by Michael Josephson

“What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; 
not what you got, but what you gave!

What will matter is not your success, but how hard you tried.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew, 
but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.

What will matter is not your memories, 
but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s not a matter of chance, but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.”

Daily Readings for May 17, 2015

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

1ST READING

The Apostles experienced paralysis by fear of the unknown, of not having Jesus with them. But this all changed when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Today’s feast reminds us that Jesus’ physical presence was a gift for a particular moment in time. He remains with us through the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

P S A L M

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. 2 [3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R) 7 [8] For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R)

2ND READING

Christ has given each of us a gift. It is up to you to discover His gift to you. Knowing our gift is important. This tells us how God wants us to evangelize and build up His Kingdom. Let us continue to discover the fullness of grace that God offers to us.

Ephesians 4:1-13 (or Ephesians 1:17-23)

1 Brothers and sisters: I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. 9 What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

GOSPEL

Jesus commissions His Apostles to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It is not about whether or not we should share the Good News of salvation with others but how we are going to evangelize. The Gospel is for everybody and we must ensure that it reaches everyone. Let us do what we can to accomplish this most important task.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Mark 16:15-20

15 Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for May 16, 2015

1ST READING

There are many who faithfully proclaim the Gospel. We do not compete with one another. Instead, we should work together to proclaim the Gospel and be united against the sins of the world. Christians should support one another and know that the truth sets us all free.

Acts 18:23-28

23 After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples. 24 A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

P S A L M

Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

R: God is king of all the earth.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. 2 [3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 7 [8] For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R) 9 [10] The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For God’s are the guardians of the earth; he is supreme. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus told His disciples that His earthly pilgrimage is ending and that He will return to the Father in Heaven. The disciples must have been disappointed. Jesus reminded them that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to them. There comes a time when we have to make decisions for ourselves and for our faith.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.

John 16:23-28

23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25 “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for May 15, 2015

1ST READING

The Lord encourages us to speak, just as He did with Paul. The world needs to hear the Gospel. Those who forsake their faith grow in number every day and what do they get in return? Nothing! Worldly pleasures are passing away. Let us see the urgency to live and proclaim the Gospel.

Acts 18:9-18

9 One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,  “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some  crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; 15 but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the tribunal. 17 They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. 18 Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

P S A L M

Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: God is king of all the earth.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 2 [3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 3 [4] He brings people under us; nations under our feet. 4 [5] He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R)

GOSPEL

Sin seems to triumph in the debates about truth and holiness. As Christians, we have to be prepared for the next battle of truth. The world’s political agenda is about pragmatism (what works) and utilitarianism (what is useful). We have to change the parameters of the debate, ensuring that the key question centers on what is true and right, not what is expedient and useful. The truth trumps all other concerns.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

John 16:20-23

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com

Daily Readings for May 14, 2015

Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle

1ST READING

Twelve is a number of fullness for the Jews. Judas needs to be replaced and so Matthias is chosen. It is God who chose him, just as God has chosen us now. There is much to do to proclaim the Gospel as we read in the Acts of the Apostles. Let us discover what our role in the Church is so that we can perform it diligently and faithfully, always mindful that, in serving God and His Church, we should promote the dignity of the human person.

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

15 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16 “My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. 20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it; and May another take his office. 21 Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” 26 Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

P S A L M

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R: The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

1 Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned on high 6 and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? (R) 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. 8 To seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus came to serve and not to be served. This is the leadership model for the Church. This is not easy to do in good times, let alone in times of struggle and difficulty. Bishops have a difficult job with all the challenges the world gives to the Gospel. Let us pray for our bishops daily so that they will be worthy successors of the Apostles in the way they care for their flock.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

John 15:9-17

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another.”

Credits to: www.kerygmafamily.com