April 28, 2025 // Monday of the Second Week of Easter // Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Chanel; Priest and Martyr, Optional Memorial of Saint Louis Mary de Montfort, Priest
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Acts 4:23-31
Reflect on the Word //
My husband and I were on a retreat together with other couples when it was our turn to share a prayer that we could all say together. We chose the Memorare. It was sentimental to us—it was really one of the first prayers we ever prayed together as a couple. Praying together is intimate and vulnerable, and we loved the words of this prayer that encouraged and comforted us to entrust our prayer intentions to our mother in Heaven, as it begins: Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee . . .
Before this instance in the First Reading of Peter and John “raising their voices to God with one accord” with their community (Acts 4:24), they each learned to raise their voices to God alone. Maybe in the quiet break of dawn, amidst their life’s uncertainties and worries. In that instance of turning to the Lord—with or without words—their prayer life began. An interior world opened up for them with a relationship with the Lord.
And in time, they began to pray with one another, then with their families, in a group, with their community, and with Jesus. Imagine the vulnerabilities they shared with one another. What Scripture verses, which hymns did they turn to out of familiarity and comfort? Was it uncomfortable for them at first—to share their interior world of prayer with others?
In today’s First Reading, Peter and John began their prayer with knowledge of the Lord—a fruit of time spent in prayer of knowing Who He is and who they were in return. We can follow their example in prayer today, speaking God’s Word with boldness, and praying for and with those closest to us.
Relate to the Lord // What well-loved prayer or Scripture can you lift up today?
Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She runs a prayer ministry with her husband, called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick & suffering, and she writes about living with greater faith (hope & love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.
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