Friday May 10, 2019

Third Week of Easter

CHRIST LIVES IN ME

Introduction

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This is the question of Jesus the Lord when he lets Saul, the persecutor, encounter him on the way to Damascus. Jesus identifies himself with his persecuted disciples. From that moment on, Saul will serve the Lord, whose life he will live. It is an encounter that radically changed Saul into Paul.
The Lord speaks to us today: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me and I live in them.” This will be our encounter with Christ. May this encounter be so deep that it changes us.

Opening Prayer

Our living and loving God,
how could we know the depth of your love,
if your Son had not become flesh of our flesh
and blood of our blood?
How could we ever have the courage
to live for one another and if necessary to die,
if he had not given up his body
and shed his blood for us?
Thank you for letting him stay in the Eucharist with us
and making himself our daily bread.
Let this bread be the food that empowers us,
to live and die as he did,
for one another and for you,
our living God, forever and ever.

Reading 1: ACTS 9:1-20

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him
for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that,
if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,
he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus,
a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
He said, "Who are you, sir?"
The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,
for they heard the voice but could see no one.
Saul got up from the ground,
but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;
so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.
For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias,
and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias."
He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight
and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul.
He is there praying,
and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come in and lay his hands on him,
that he may regain his sight."
But Ananias replied,
"Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man,
what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.
And here he has authority from the chief priests
to imprison all who call upon your name."
But the Lord said to him,
"Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine
to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,
and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."
So Ananias went and entered the house;
laying his hands on him, he said,
"Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me,
Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came,
that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes
and he regained his sight.
He got up and was baptized,
and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,
and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.

Responsorial Psalm: 117:1BC, 2

R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: JN 6:56

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood,
remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For 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.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever."
These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Intercessions

– For the Church, that the Eucharist may remain the source of its vitality and of its ability to witness to the presence of the Lord in his community, we pray:
– For Christians everywhere, that they may hunger and thirst for justice in the world, we pray:
– For us here and for all Christians who come together around the Lord’s table, that Christ may unite us heart and soul and make us open tables to one another, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Our loving God,
as a Father who deeply cares,
you invite us to the table of your Son.
He will change our bread into his flesh,
our wine into the drink of life.
Make us one with him,
appease our hunger with his bread
and refresh us with his drink,
that we may live his life
of courage and commitment
and that we may live with him in your love,
now and forever.

Prayer after Communion

Thank you, God our Father,
for nourishing us on the way to you
with the true bread and drink of life,
your Son, Jesus Christ.
In this and in every Eucharist
let him take on flesh and blood in us
and make us encounter him so deeply,
that we may do for one another
what he has done for us.
Let Christ live in us, now and for ever.

Blessing

Paul encountered the Lord and he became a totally new person, completely changed. Our encounter with the Lord in the Eucharist should bring about such a change in us. For Jesus told us today: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me and I in them.” Let him fully live in you, and may Almighty God bless you for this task, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

The Ethiopian, a royal official, wrestles with the celebrated text from Isaiah, much as have scripture scholars of the past and present. The passage is from the last of the four servant songs, in which the servant is clearly individualized but not identified. What is clear is that he suffers in the cause of good. Regardless of who it was the original author intended, there is no doubting the fact, as is evident from today’s reading that early Christians saw the text realized in a remarkable way in Jesus of Nazareth.
The Ethiopian evidently found Philip’s explanation of the text convincing. Upon reaching a location where water was present, the servant asks for baptism, following which Philip’s duties are ended and he is seen no more. In the church in our time, cat- echesis precedes baptism. In the earliest days of the church, the opposite was the case. After professing faith in Christ’s salvific death and resurrection, the candidate was baptized, with the fuller teaching on Christ coming only later.
This narrative is illustrative of the message of today’s Gospel. It is the Father who draws the believer as the first instructor in the faith. And it is this faith, centered in the person of God’s Son Jesus, that brings eternal life. Christ is the true bread from heaven, which, unlike the manna in the desert, is imperishable.
Why is it that we have such confidence in our belief?
It is because we have it on the word of God himself, a fact that is hard to explain to an unbeliever. Belief is not of our own doing; it is God who draws us to himself. A celebrated author once said that she abandoned her faith because she could not accept the teaching on the Eucharist. To see it as a sign was fine but not as the reality of Christ’s body and blood. We admit the mystery, but with the apostles we have nowhere to go, for Christ has the words of eternal life.
Faith is not easily upheld; sometimes it is very costly. Martyrs have gone to their deaths in its defense. But most of all it bears us up as we travel the bumpy road of life.

Points to Ponder

The central truths of our faith
Identifying Jesus as the
Servant of the Lord
Faith and eternal life
The true bread from heaven.

Saturday May 11, 2019

Third Week of Easter

LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO TO?

Introduction

Once there was peace, the Church of the Risen Lord continued to grow throughout the Holy Land. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter continues the mission of Jesus: he speaks, he heals, he raises to life.
In the Gospel, many disciples are disappointed with Jesus. They had expected another kind of Messiah, one who led his disciples, not one who served them and would give them his flesh to eat; how could he do that anyway? Many people, including a good number of disciples, turned away from Jesus. Those who stay are perhaps not too sure what to think and do. So, Jesus confronts the apostles, “What about you?” Peter answers: “Lord, to whom shall we go to?” Yes, to whom shall we go?

Opening Prayer

Faithful God of the covenant,
in the daily choices we have to make,
give us the courage to opt always
for your Son and his ways
and to remain close to him.
Bless the difficult road we sometimes have to take
without seeing where it will lead us.
Keep us from making half-hearted decisions
when our faith is rather weak
and make us accept all the consequences of our choice.
Keep us always faithful
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Reading 1: ACTS 9:31-42

The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria
was at peace.
She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers.

As Peter was passing through every region,
he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda.
There he found a man named Aeneas,
who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed.
Peter said to him,
"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed."
He got up at once.
And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him,
and they turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha
(which translated is Dorcas).
She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving.
Now during those days she fell sick and died,
so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs.
Since Lydda was near Joppa,
the disciples, hearing that Peter was there,
sent two men to him with the request,
"Please come to us without delay."
So Peter got up and went with them.
When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs
where all the widows came to him weeping
and showing him the tunics and cloaks
that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed.
Then he turned to her body and said, "Tabitha, rise up."
She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
He gave her his hand and raised her up,
and when he had called the holy ones and the widows,
he presented her alive.
This became known all over Joppa,
and many came to believe in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R. (12) How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 6:63C, 68C

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 6:60-69

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said,
"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, "Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe."
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father."

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer walked with him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Intercessions

– That the Gospel of the Lord may keep striking the ministers of the Church as an ever-new message, that they may proclaim it with conviction and warmth, we pray:
– That those whom the Lord has called to serve him, in the priesthood or the religious life, may continue to give themselves in joy and faithfulness to God and people, we pray:
– That those who find no purpose in life may discover a God to love and worship through the life of faith, hope and love they find in our Christian communities, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God,
the death of Jesus your Son, was the price
he had to pay for our freedom.
In these signs of bread and wine,
he gives himself again to us
as our food and drink of life.
In his strength, let us go his way to you and to people
as flesh and blood for others,
with faith and hope in your kingdom
that will stand, forever and ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord, our God,
in response to your invitation of love
we have chosen you through our godparents
as the God of our lives.
In the strength of this Eucharist
help us to renew day after day
this commitment to you and to your kingdom.
Let your Son build up with us
a community of peace and service,
and when it is slow in coming
reassure us that in your own good time,
the seed will bear fruit and grow forever.

Blessing

We have made our choice for God when we received baptism. There, through our godparents, we opted for God. Let our life never contradict this option but strengthen it, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Faith is the “conviction of things not seen.” These words from Hebrews 11 point to things not seen—that is, things that are not the object of direct and immediate knowledge. Faith is the only evidence of such things. Thus, Jesus is credible on the attestation of God himself.
At the end of Jesus’ eucharistic discourse in John, some of his disciples were so nonplussed that they could not accept his word. To eat the body of Christ could only be seen as cannibalism and, therefore, beyond human acceptance. Hence, there were some among his followers who walked with him no longer. When Jesus asks the Twelve what they choose to do, they can only breathe a sigh of relief at the response of Peter: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
We should not be surprised if at times we are troubled by doubts. We walk by faith and not by sight. We continue on solely because it is Christ who gives meaning to our lives. His is a teaching that is consistent and coherent, but not always easy to accept and to obey. We stay on course because he is the way, the truth, and the life. Even in our moments of doubt, we realize that his is a message of eternal life. To walk in another direction is inconceivable. We accept the Eucharist as a mystery of faith. Based on God’s own word, we have total assurance, to pray:
Lord, “I believe; help my unbelief’ (Mark 9:24).

Points to Ponder

Faith as evidence of the unseen
The Eucharist and the real presence
Understanding moments of doubt.

Monday May 13, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

OPEN CHURCH: ALL ARE CALLED

Introduction

“I have come that they may have life – life in abundance,” says Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He is the door to all. In the first reading, Peter defends his action of baptizing the pagan Cornelius on the same grounds: also pagans are called to accept the Gospel and the Holy Spirit comes down on them too, although apparently, the same Christians seem to have understood the case of Cornelius and his household as an exceptional instance. Is the Church—are we—open to accept all? What do we do to make this a reality? Remember, Jesus had come to bring life to all.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, Father of all,
you sent your Son, Jesus Christ among us
to reveal to us that you care about people
and that your love extends to all,
without any distinction of race or culture.
Give us a great respect for all people,
whatever way they come,
and let your Church embrace all cultures,
that Jesus may truly be
the Lord and Shepherd of all,
now and forever.

Reading 1: ACTS 11:1-18

The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea
heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem
the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,
'You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them."
Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,
"I was at prayer in the city of Joppa
when in a trance I had a vision,
something resembling a large sheet coming down,
lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.
Looking intently into it,
I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,
the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
I also heard a voice say to me, 'Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.'
But I said, 'Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
But a second time a voice from heaven answered,
'What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.'
This happened three times,
and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,
who had been sent to me from Caesarea.
The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.
These six brothers also went with me,
and we entered the man's house.
He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,
'Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,
who will speak words to you
by which you and all your household will be saved.'
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us
when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?"
When they heard this,
they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,
"God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too."

Responsorial Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R. (see 3a) Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 10:1-10

Jesus said:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

Intercessions

– Lord Jesus, let our Church keep its gates wide-open for all, from however far come those who are attracted by your voice, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, make our communities open its bolted doors to strangers and to people who are different, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, do not allow us to close our ears and hearts to people who cry out to us their pains and their needs, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God,
in these signs of bread and wine,
we recognize your care for all
and we welcome your Son, Jesus Christ.
Give us, the Holy Spirit of your Son,
that our love may become
as wide as the world,
and that all people may share
in the life and joy you offer to all
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord God, source of all life,
we thank you for the presence
of your Son, Jesus Christ, in our midst.
Do not allow us to withhold
his Word and his person
from all who hunger for him,
whether they know it or not.
Let us be his word and his body
to the world of today,
that our words and deeds
may echo his voice
and that we may be the door to you,
our God, for ever and ever.

Blessing

Let Jesus not be a stranger to us but someone whose voice we recognize when he calls out to us in the needy, in loners, in people who have not experienced much justice and love. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

In the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel, read in part on Good Shepherd Sunday, two distinct images appear. One depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd; the second speaks of him as the sheep gate. It is the latter that appears in today’s Gospel. To enter the sheepfold through Christ is the sole recognized way of access; to enter through others ways is the route of deceivers and robbers. The authentic leaders of the faithful remain faithful to the voice of Christ.
The image certainly underscores the importance of ortho¬doxy and authenticity of teaching. But it also points to a willing¬ness to accept change.
The first major issue that early Christianity had to face was the decision to accept Gentile converts, a question that arises in today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles. One of the major obsta¬cles to religious homogeneity centered on the question of the Jewish food laws. A considerable part of the Jewish legal code dis¬tinguished between clean and unclean foods.
Therefore table fel¬lowship with unbelievers was excluded. In today’s reading, at the direction of the Lord himself, all foods were declared clean. The full acceptance of the Gentiles is authenticated with the giving of the Holy Spirit, in a scene often referred to as the Gentile Pentecost.
It was moments such as this that made Christianity a univer¬sal religion. Otherwise it would have withered on the vine or remained a sect, albeit a fringe one, of Judaism.
Both in early Christianity as well as in later centuries, there were moments of great change. Change is an integral part of growth and development. It should not cause us dismay. As long as we enter through die sheep gate, we need have no fear.

Points to Ponder

Christ: Shepherd and sheep gate.
Jew and Gentile, co-equal in the church
Adjusting to change.

Tuesday May 14, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

ST. MATTHIAS, APOSTLE

Introduction

Matthias was elected by the apostles to replace Judas, the traitor, because he had been a disciple of Jesus from the very beginning, from the time when Jesus was baptized by John until the ascension. His qualification was, then, that he could witness to the risen Christ. And so should we.

Opening Prayer

Lord God,
your apostle Matthias was a witness
to the life and death of Jesus Christ
and to his glorious resurrection.
May also today your people bear witness
to the life of your Son
by living his life as best as they can,
and radiating the joy
of people who are rising with him
to a new and deeper life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Reading 1: ACTS 1:15-17, 20-26

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, “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.
Judas was numbered among us
and was allotted a share in this ministry.
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.

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men
who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us,
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.”
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,
who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
Then they prayed,
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,
show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this apostolic ministry
from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”
Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,
and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.

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

R. (8) The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people.
R. The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 15:16

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

Gospel: JN 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
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.

"I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
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.
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.
This I command you: love one another."

Intercessions

– That in the name of the risen Lord the Church may raise up its members and even outsiders to a new and better life, we pray:
– That the risen Lord may give us peace and serenity of heart, that in him we may have someone to live for and to make our lives meaningful, we pray:
– That the risen Lord my give peace to our Christians communities in the certainty that he stays with us and breaks for us the bread of the eucharist, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
with bread and wine we celebrate
the presence of the Lord Jesus among us.
Let this be an assurance for us
that he wants to raise us up from our lethargy
and to make us vigorous and eager
to be a leaven in our communities
towards a life of service
and a road to deeper justice and love.
Grant us this through Jesus Christ our Lord

Prayer after Communion

Lord God, our Father,
Jesus has spoken to us here in our eucharist
his words of good news.
Let these words become in us
deeds of good news,
and may we ourselves become good news and a blessing
to all we encounter
by our spirit of joy and forgiveness,
of service and generosity.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

In the gospel of today, Jesus told us: “I appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that must endure.” Be fruitful in your words and deeds, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Commentary

Today’s reading is about the same as yesterday’s. Let’s take a different part of it. “The servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” This is another of those texts that you just have to come back to and stay with. There is little you can say by way of commentary. If there is anything to be said, let Meister Eckhart say it:
“God needs our friendship so much that He cannot wait for us to pray to Him: He approaches us and begs us to be His friends…. So much should your love be one, for love does not wish to be anywhere but where there is likeness and oneness. Where there is a master and servant there is no peace, for there is no likeness. A woman and a man are unlike, but in love they are alike. And so scrip-ture rightly says that God took woman from the man’s rib and side and not from the head or from the feet.”

Wednesday May 15, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

CHRIST OUR LIGHT -- ETERNAL LIFE

Introduction

“I came not to judge the world but to save the world,” says Jesus to us today. What he came to bring us is life, life without end, eternal life. He comes as light in our world. If we believe in him, we come to see in his light where we lack love that moves the world, where our sense of justice is only half-hearted. In his light, we learn to see how we can serve one another and become rich and mature as human beings. Then we too become small lights that bring a bit of light and warmth in our cold world.

Opening Prayer

Lord, our God,
through your Son, Jesus Christ
you assure us that he came
not to condemn us but to bring us life,
a life worth living,
a life that is rich and refreshing us and our world
with love and a spirit of service.
Let Jesus stay with us
as the light in which we see
all that is good and worth living for
and let us share in his life that has no end.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Intercessions

– That young churches may also be willing to send missionaries to people who do not yet enjoy the light of Christ, we pray:
– That people who live with uncertainty and in the darkness of fear and suffering may see the light of Christ bring them relief and strength, we pray:
– That all of us in this community may be at least pale reflections of the light of Christ, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Eternal Father,
we have not to wait for the end
of our pilgrimage on earth
to enjoy the happiness of eternal life.
As we will eat the body of Jesus
and drink his blood of strength,
make the life of Jesus grow in us
and blossom forth into eternal life.
Fulfill in us this promise
given us by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God, Father of all,
the zeal of your missionaries
won many people for the young Church.
May the Word proclaimed to us
never leave us indifferent,
but help us to grow in the knowledge
and even more in the love of your Son,
and of you, our living God
and Father, forever and ever.

Blessing

Blessed are we that we do not live in the dark. We may still have questions, we do not understand everything about our faith, but we know the person of Christ and we believe in him. May his light shine brightly on us, and may Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Transmitting the message. In today’s Gospel, Jesus affirms that to accept him is to accept the Father who sent him. In seeing Christ as the visible expression of God himself, faith in Christ embraces the message that God has sent into the world. Jesus comes as savior, not as one who condemns.
Condemnation is self- inflicted when God’s word is rejected. The message is then communicated within the Christian community through a legitimate mandate. When, in Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas and Saul become bearers of the message, the sending community in Antioch imposes hands on them and sends them off. In the Christian tradition, the imposition of hands in the ordination rite authenticates the ordinands as legitimate carriers of the message. As Saul and Barnabas set off on their mission, they are one in spirit and teaching with the Antioch community.
We too are part of that Christian tradition, recipients of a patrimony two thousand years old. We want to recall gratefully those who have gifted us with the faith: parents, teachers, members of the clergy. The transmission of the faith has endured difficult moments. The way was not always smooth and welcoming.
Now, by the same token, the task is laid on our shoulders. We are to convey the message to others—first of all, as parents. The home is the first and primary school of Christian values. We may, in addition, be catechists or teachers in religious education. It is a serious and indispensable task. If our children are to become faith-filled adults, the great part of that responsibility rests with us. How often today we meet young adults with little or no appreciation of their faith. It is an inestimable loss.
Jesus was the first bearer of the message; the apostles were the second. We now play our own part in that great tradition.

Points to Ponder

Jesus, the image of the Father
The imposition of hands
Our duty to transmit the faith.

Thursday May 16, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

SERVANTS WITH CHRIST

Introduction

In his preaching, Paul presents Christ as the one who is coming which the whole Old Testament was leading to, and John the Baptist as the immediate announcer of Jesus’ appearance of that fulfillment.
Jesus had told his disciples quite insistently and emphatically that neither power nor rank was to be the mark of the disciple but service: serving love. Now at the Last Supper, he showed this by his own example when he, the Lord and Master, washed the feet of his apostles. They, the servants, are no greater than their master. And his messengers are no greater than Jesus who sends them.

Opening Prayer

All-powerful God,
your Son Jesus, reminds us today
that we are no greater than your and our servant,
Jesus, our Lord and Master.
Give us the love and endurance
to serve you and people
without waiting for awards or gratitude
and to accept the difficulties and contradictions,
which are part of the Christian life
and which are normal for followers
of him who bore the cross for us,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Reading 1: ACTS 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"

Responsorial Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 AND 27

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'"
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia RV 1:5AB

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

Intercessions

– For the leaders and ministers in the Church, that they may not seek honor and power, but in all simplicity, serve their brothers and sisters, we pray:
– For all those in public office, that they may not just seek power and private gain but give the best of themselves to work for the interests of people and country, we pray:
– For doctors and nurses, that they may serve the sick with great love and dedication, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God,
as your Son Jesus himself serves us
in the signs of bread and wine,
he asks us to drink with him the cup
of self-sacrificing service.
Let your Son fill us with that love
which he alone can understand
that to be great is to serve others
and to use up our lives
to give them a chance to live.
May we seek no other reward
than to share the destiny of Jesus,
our Lord and Savior forever.

Prayer after Communion

Loving Father,
in this Eucharistic celebration
your Son Jesus has been with us
as the servant of us all.
Let him dispose our hearts
and give us his sensitive courage
to understand and accept others,
to accompany them on the road of life,
to suffer their pains, to rejoice with their joys
and to carry each other’s burdens,
that he may be with us,
now and for ever.

Blessing

“Servants are no greater than their master,” is Jesus’ reminder to us today. What moves service and makes it dedicated and unobtrusive is love. If we love people, they can come and ask us for any service. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Rising to speak in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, Paul summarizes the favor God has shown the Israelites through the ages. The culmination, of course, is God’s gift of Jesus, who comes as his people’s Savior. In John’s Last Supper narrative, Jesus performs the great act of humility in washing his disciples’ feet. They are told that, in turn, they should do the same for one another. Jesus goes on to say that anyone in the future who receives one of his disciples receives him, as well as the One who sent him. Drawn by the Holy Spirit, the one who receives a disciple in humble charity is then enveloped in the Trinity itself.
Yet a somber note is struck in this idyllic, grace-filled picture. There is one seated at the table who is about to become the betrayer. Jesus alludes to him in a free adaptation of Psalm 41:10: “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” Meal sharing was a sacred act, a convivial expression of desired wellbeing and blessing. For an enemy or a deceiver to share a meal was a grievous act of dishonesty. The allusion, of course, is to Judas, who is about to turn Jesus over to the authorities.
Is this not a situation that comes to us in life in ways seldom foreseen? To be betrayed or discarded by a friend is a cruel blow. It is felt deeply when inflicted by one whom we esteemed and cherished. And how should we deal with this? If we are the recipient of an offense, we gain nothing by allowing the wound to fester. If, on the other hand, we cause an injury, we want to ask forgiveness, in the words of scripture, before offering our gift at the altar. Forgiveness is fundamental to New Testament teaching.
But the words “I forgive” or “You are forgiven” do not fall easily from our lips, because it is very difficult to utter them insincerely.

Points to Ponder

The humility of Christ in the foot washing
The reception of a disciple of Christ
The evil of character assassination
The act of forgiveness.

Friday May 17, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

Introduction

In the synagogue, Paul proclaims the risen Christ. That Christ is risen is not merely an important event of the past: it is, as Paul says, “a message of salvation meant for you. We have come here to tell you the Good News.” It is meant for us today.
What is our task and the mission of all Christians in the world today? To proclaim the Good News that Christ is risen and alive among us. To do what Christ did. To be Christ to one another and to the world. For we are God’s priestly and missionary people. We do not stand alone in this task. For the living Christ is with us today as our way, our truth and our life.

Opening Prayer

Lord, our God,
your Son Jesus Christ, is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is Good News of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it to us.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Reading 1: ACTS 13:26-33

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue:
“My brothers, children of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him,
and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets
that are read sabbath after sabbath.
For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence,
they asked Pilate to have him put to death,
and when they had accomplished all that was written about him,
they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days he appeared to those
who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.
These are now his witnesses before the people.
We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you
that what God promised our fathers
he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus,
as it is written in the second psalm,
You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”

Responsorial Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11AB

R. (7bc) You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.”
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
No one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Intercessions

Let us pray to our Father in heaven that Christ, who is our way, truth and life, may still be among us today and that we may become the way to him. We say: Stay with us, Lord.
– For the pope, bishops, priests, and all who have a ministry of service in the Church, that the truth may become visible in them because of the way they serve, we pray:
– For public officials, that they may prepare for the people the way to justice, peace and unity, we pray:
– For the hungry and the lonely, for the poor and the little people, that we may restore their dignity and their hope in life, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God,
your Son Jesus, showed us
that he is the way, the truth and the life
by giving himself for us all on the cross
and giving himself to us now.
May we learn from him
to give to one another
our time, our compassion, our service
and above all to give ourselves,
together with Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he who sees Jesus, sees you.
May the people around us
see the Father in heaven and the Son
when we become to one another
the way to hope, justice and love,
the truth that uplifts and reassures,
the life that is not afraid
of committing ourselves
even when the cost is high.
May you, thus, become to all with and through Christ
the way, the truth and the life for ever.

Blessing

Christ is the way, the truth, the life to us and to everyone. If he is indeed, living among us, then we ought to be to one another and to the whole world the way, the truth and the life. May God bless us for this mission, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

In today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles, Jesus becomes Son of God with his resurrection. But was he the Son of God before that? The answer is “yes” if we are speaking solely in terms of his being. But the true Christ as a life-giving son, constituted in power, comes only with his resurrection, as Paul himself teaches (Rom 1:1-4). And regardless of how he may have been seen previously, he is now confirmed as Son of God, as the agent of effective sanctification.
In one of John’s most celebrated passages, Jesus today speaks of the dwelling places that have been prepared for us in the life to come.
Jesus himself is the access to our heavenly dwelling. In a full acceptance of Christ—his person and his teaching—we have accepted the way. No one can approach the Father except through him. In the truth as well, he stands as the living expression of God’s fidelity to his promises. In the life, we share the Holy Spirit that unites him and the Father.
Tolle et legge! “Take up and read!” St. Jerome said that to be ignorant of the scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ. There are many spiritual treatises that shed light on our calling. Roman documents serve as guideposts on our way. But none of these is a sub¬stitute for the scriptures.
To take one Gospel and read prayerfully one chapter each day would take us less than a month. To respond to the Gospels in faith leads ultimately to that heavenly dwelling that has been prepared for us.

Points to Ponder

Jesus as son of God
The heavenly home prepared for us
Jesus, way, truth, and life
Loving the scriptures.

Saturday May 18, 2019

Fourth Week of Easter

NO EXCLUSIVENESS

Introduction

In their particularism, the Jews of Antioch in Pisidia wanted to monopolize salvation, perhaps allowing pagans to share in it later through them. For this reason, they reject Christ, his Gospel and his missionaries. But no particularistic group can monopolize Christ. He came as the light of the whole world. By coming among us, Christ accepted people so to speak on their own terms, to save them in their own situation, mentality, and culture. So the Church of the apostles was to welcome not only Jews, but also pagans. So that the Church to be missionary today is by welcoming all and serving all. In this way, the Church will do as Christ did, be the sign of Christ to the world, show the distant God is close to and present in us.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
you are distant and unknown, and yet so near
that you know and love and save us
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
May he be present in us and in our actions
that we may do the same works
of justice, truth and loving service
and thus, become the sign to the world,
that your Son is alive
and that you are a saving God,
now and forever.

Reading 1: ACTS 13:44-52

On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 8:31B-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to Jesus,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."

Intercessions

– For the Church, that we may listen with attention and joy to the Word of God and come to know the Lord better, we pray:
– For all of us, that we may not selfishly keep the Lord Jesus for ourselves only but make him known to others by the way we live his Good News, we pray:
– For our Christian communities, that we may be fervent in prayer and ask in the name of Jesus for more unity and love, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God,
in these signs of bread and wine,
you give us your Son as the light to all people,
but only if we believe that we can see the light.
Give us these eyes of faith
and let the light of your Son
shine in the works we do,
that people may praise you.
We ask you this in the name of Jesus,
who lives in you for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
through your Son Jesus Christ
you entered our world to save people
in their concrete situation and mentality.
Through your Son, who is with us now,
open your Church and missionaries and all of us
to welcome all peoples with love
and to accompany them with humility
in their mentality and culture
on their road to you.
We are sure that you will hear our prayer,
for we ask you this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

Blessing

If we believe and love him deeply, we would like to see God, to know him better. Perhaps, we can show to the people around us a bit the face of God in our goodness and love. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Many people in the course of their lives echo the request of Philip: Show us the Father. Since God in himself is invisible and unseen, it is not unusual to hear the query, “What is God like?” The truth of the matter is that for the Christian the question has already been answered. God is like Jesus. To know the person and teaching of Jesus is to know God.
There are countless illustrations in the scriptures where this becomes evident. What, for example, is the lesson to be drawn from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15)? God’s forgiveness is boundless. Whom does God resemble? The forgiving father. Or if we want to know where God’s concern lies in a particular way, we read the account of the final judgment (Matt 25). There we can see God’s love for the poor and underprivileged. Or for the suffering, as in the story of the Good Samaritan.
As we look at today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles, we see Paul and Barnabas rejected by their own people. Disappointment and persecution have become part of their ministry. But in looking upon Christ, they see the suffering that was part of his life. Yet God stood by the side of Christ, saw him through his mis¬sion, and ultimately brought him to victory. All of this is showing us the Father.
When Christians act in a Christlike manner, they too bring us the Father in different ways. The friend by our side in time of distress. The person who stays by our bedside in time of illness. The one who forgives and does not condemn when we make a serious mistake.
In the scriptures as well as in our personal experience, there are countless ways in which we are being shown the Father.

Points to Ponder

The Father in Jesus
Examples of Jesus’ revelation of the Father
God’s presence in our daily life.

Sunday May 19, 2019

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

1. Love Is Inventive
2. See How They Love One Another

Greeting (See Second Reading)

God lives among his people,
he makes his home among us
in his Son Jesus Christ.
In Jesus, may he be our God-with-us.
The Lord be with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction

1. Love Is Inventive

We are often surprised because of the things people who love us do for us or give us: it amazes us how inventive love can be. Look at God, the origin of all love: he lets his own Son become one of us; Jesus astonishes us by his love for sinners, for misfits in life, for those who suffer. He gives up his life for us. And it is that inventive love which he makes the heart of our faith and our life. If we only had a bit of love like that we could make ourselves and our world all new. It is this inventive, renewing love which Jesus comes to share with us in this Eucharist.

2. See How They Love One Another

If you would be asked to define what is most typical of our Christian community, could it be said of us, as of the first Christians, “See how they love one another”? According to our Lord himself, the mark of his disciples should be that we love one another as he has loved us. Gathered here for the Lord’s meal of love, let us ask him to make us love one another the way he has loved us.

Penitential Act

God has loved us much more than we can imagine.
But how much have we answered his love?
How much have we answered the love of people?
Let us examine ourselves before the Lord.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, with your love you came
to renew this old and sick world:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, to your Church and to the world
you left as your testament and heart
your commandment of love.
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you made your own love
the model and measure of our love for one another:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Renew us by your love
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray
that our love may draw its strength
from God’s own love
(PAUSE)
God, loving Father,
you made us aware of the depth of your love
when your own Son laid down his life for us.
Jesus asks us to love one another
the way he has loved us—all the way.
And yet, our love remains brittle and fickle;
it will always fall short.
Give us a bit of your own love,
make it reliable and lasting like yours,
ever respectful of people,
always inventive and new,
and reaching out especially
to the poor and the unloved.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.

First Reading: God Had Done Great Things with Them

Paul and Barnabas had suffered and toiled much to found new Christian communities and to encourage the faithful. Yet they acknowledged that it was God who did all this good work with them.

Reading 1: Acts 14:21-27

After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God."
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading: See, I Make All Things New

Since the resurrection of Jesus, a new world has begun to take shape among people, that of the presence of God among us through the risen Christ. John gives us a hopeful vision of this new world in the making.

Reading 2: Rev 21:1-5a

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away."

The One who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new."

Alleluia Jn 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: A New Commandment for a New People

At the Last Supper Jesus leaves to his disciples the commandment of love as his last testament. This love is the key to a new world.

Gospel: Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

When Judas had left them, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another."

Intercessions

Jesus reminds us today that love is the fundamental law of Christianity. Let us pray to God our Father so that among us love may not remain an empty word, and let us say: R/ Lord, unite us in your love.
– For the Church, the People of God, that with the strength of our commitment we may be a voice and a force promoting justice and love among people and among nations, let us pray: R/ Lord, unite us in your love.
– For the Churches groping for unity, that one day they may eat together the one bread of the one Lord, let us pray: R/ Lord, unite us in your love.
– For scientists and economists, that by their inventions and endeavors they may promote the quality of life and human freedom and dignity for all, let us pray: R/ Lord, unite us in your love.
– For all people of good will, that they may build up together a just society based on fairness and love, where there is no room for any discrimination, let us pray: R/ Lord, unite is in your love.
– For all of us here, that we may form a community of service, love and hope, open to all needs and all just aspirations, let us pray: R/ Lord, unite us in your love.
God of hope, in you we trust. Renew us, our lives and our world through him who is your presence among us, Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

Faithful God of hope,
the bread that we eat is meant to be
the bread of peace,
but to many it is still the stale bread
of tears and injustice.
The cup that we drink is meant to be
the cup of unity and joy,
but often it is still a bitter cup
of sadness and inequality.
Let the bread and the wine
which we bring before you
become for us your Son Jesus,
the food and drink by which we build a better world,
for he is our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

Let us with joy give thanks to the Father that a new life and a new world have begun for us on the day when his Son rose from the dead.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

With Jesus living among us,
let us pray to our Father in heaven
that the fullness of his kingdom
may become a reality among us: R/ Our Father...

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you.
Look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church
and grant us always the peace
that comes from unity and sharing
and from working together to build up
your kingdom of justice and love,
in which you live with us for ever. R/ Amen.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus our Lord,
who says to us, his disciples today:
Love one another as I have loved you.
Happy are we to be invited
to eat the bread of life and love. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion

Loving Father,
the Eucharist in which we have shared
is for us the sign and token
that we can learn to love one another
as Jesus has loved us:
to the end and without measure.
Thank you for the love you have shown us.
Let our love bear witness
to all the love we have received from you,
that our efforts to spread your joy and justice
may lead people to recognize you
as the one true God
and to accept the One you have sent,
Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Blessing

In this Eucharistic celebration
we have been united as a community
of faith, hope and love.
Now we return to our respective tasks.
Let us keep united and take to heart
the Lord’s commandment of love.
Let us try to love one another
as he has loved us.
This is the key to a new world.
And take home with you
the blessing of almighty God:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.

Go in the joy and the love of the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.

Commentary

“I give you a new commandment: love one another.” You can be commanded to obey, to behave this way or that, but how can you be commanded to love? External behavior is subject to external rules, but how can the inner movement of our spirit be commanded? Can you be commanded to remember, or to forget, to think, to feel? How can you be commanded to love?
Meister Eckhart provided a key insight into this puzzling verse in the gospel. The command to love, he said, is not an external command but an inner one; it is an inner drive and urgency of our being. In “commanding” us to love, Jesus is telling us to look, to see our true nature and to follow it. It is like the inner urgency to eat when you are hungry, to drink when you are thirsty. “When I am thirsty, the drink commands me; when I am hungry, the food commands me. And God does the same. He commands me to such sweetness that the whole world cannot equal. And if a person has once tasted this sweetness, then indeed he can no more turn away with his love from goodness and from God, than God can turn away from His Godhead.”

Sunday May 26, 2019

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

1. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus
2. The Spirit Will Teach You

Greeting (See the Gospel)

As the Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ teaching,
may the love of the Father and the Son
and the peace of our risen Lord
be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction

1. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus

Every now and then you hear about an old person, aware that death is not far away, giving advice to his or her daughters and sons: When I will be gone, do this and that for your own good and happiness. Jesus’ parting words are also meant for us; they are a sort of testament. Jesus is saying that if we find that elusive true peace which he alone can give, we have to love him and the Father, and also one another. We have to keep listening to the Holy Spirit reminding us of Jesus and his teachings.

2. The Spirit Will Teach You

There are at times new problems we have to face in our personal life and in the life of the Church. How do we solve them? Jesus reminds us today that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to remind us of Jesus’ teachings and to make us understand them. The Spirit will help us and the Church to see what is to be done in the light of our faith. We ask Jesus to give us this Spirit.

Penitential Act

Our peace is disturbed by our sins.
Let us seek the peace of the Lord’s forgiveness.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you ask us to keep your word
and you assure us that you will live in us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you promise us the Spirit,
who will remind us of your words and deeds:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you give us your peace,
the kind of peace the world cannot give us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and give us the peace of your pardon.
Let no fear trouble our hearts
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray
that the Spirit of Christ may guide us
(PAUSE)
Loving Father,
keep us faithful to the word of your Son.
Give us the Holy Spirit
to remind us of all Jesus has said to us
and done for us.
Let this Holy Spirit protect us
from all fear and cowardice
and give us the courage to build up the Church
in peace and with patient love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

First Reading: The Liberating Spirit Opens the Church to All

The Church does not belong to any partisan group. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles decide collegially that the Church must be open to all.

Reading 1: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:

"The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"

Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading: The Church, Temple of God’s Presence

The apostle John describes the Church as a city wherein God dwells. It is founded on the apostles and is open to all.

Reading 2: Rev 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,

with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.

Alleluia Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us

We express our love for Jesus by living according to his gospel. He stays with us through his Holy Spirit, who gives us an understanding of what the gospel asks of us—and the strength to live ac-cordingly.

Gospel: Jn 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,
'I am going away and I will come back to you.'
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe."

Intercessions

Inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord Jesus that he may unite us and the world in his peace and love. Let us say: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
– That in the dissension and controversies in the Church of our day, Christians who communicate together may not excommunicate one another, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
– That we may have the courage to be faithful to the Second Vatican Council and be converted to its spirit, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
– That those who are troubled and afraid may find peace in the gospel of the Lord and become aware how near the Lord is, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
– That the Lord’s disciples today may not extinguish the Spirit but learn to recognize him at work in the world and in the Church today, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
– That our faith may be our peace, that the Lord’s love may be our joy; that all our life may belong to him and that he makes his home with us, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
Stay with us, Lord, send us your Spirit and show us the Father; be our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

Loving Father,
as we are gathered around these gifts,
the Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ words:
”Do this in memory of me.”
Show us your love and come with your Son
to make your home in each of us
and in our communities.
Do not let us be troubled or afraid,
Give us your peace and let us share it
with a divided and suffering world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

We can give thanks to the Father since Jesus our Lord is risen. He lives among us here and in his Church through the Holy Spirit to bring our thanks before the Father.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Through the Spirit of understanding and love
let us pray to our Father in heaven
the prayer of Jesus our Lord: R/ Our Father...

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,
before leaving this world
you said to your apostles:
”Peace I leave to you,
my own peace I give you,
my gift to you is the kind of peace
which the world cannot give.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church
and grant us through your Holy Spirit
that peace and that unity
which only you can give
in your kingdom that lasts for ever and ever. R/ Amen.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God,
who continues to live among his people.
He invites those who love him
to keep his word and to eat his body. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion

Our God and Father,
you and your Son Jesus make your home
with those who keep the word of Jesus.
He has spoken his word to us here
and we believe in it and love it
and will make it come true in our lives
by the power of the bread of life.
And should we forget it, let your Spirit remind us
and teach us to live by it with joy.
Let that word and your love bring us your peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.

Blessing

Jesus told us today:
“Those who love me will keep my word,”
that is, they will put my words into practice,
and will try their best to live as I lived.
May the Holy Spirit guide us
to help us live according to the Lord’s gospel
and may almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ
and live in his presence.
R/ Thanks be to God.

Commentary

An early Christian writer said that the Word became flesh “so that God should become accustomed to living in us, and that we should become accustomed to living in God.” For the next several days the readings make reference to the Holy Spirit, the promised Helper or Comforter. This is because in two weeks’ time there will be the great feast of Pentecost. The Spirit will come not just for a visit but to remain with us: to become ordinary.
What kind of comfort can we expect from the Comforter? Look more closely at the word “comfort”. Modern usage has weakened its meaning to softness and gentle touches; in fact it has come to mean just about the opposite of its real meaning. The word comes from the Latin confortare, which means “to strengthen”; fortis means “strong”. Comfort therefore means strength! The Holy Spirit will make us robust.
And what kind of peace can we expect? “I give you my peace. Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you.” Not the ego’s peace, which is like the peace after a good meal, or after some private victory. He promises his peace.
The readings these times are like Spring cleaning.

Sunday May 12, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

1. I Call Them by Their Name
2. The Voice of the Shepherd

Notes. 1. Remember that today is the World Day of Vocations. What is said of Jesus is applicable also to the shepherds who take his place. Not that they are Jesus himself: they are only humble signs of Jesus, who should by their life and actions show people the way to him.

2. Those who intend to have a special celebration for vocations this day or especially during the week that follows please see the Sacramentary and Lectionary for texts for Masses for vocations or the special Mass in this book.

Greeting (See Second Reading)

The Lamb on the throne will be our shepherd
and will lead us to springs of living water.
God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.
May this Lamb of God, Jesus our Lord,
be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction

1. I Call Them by Their Name

It is very reassuring to know that our guide or community leader knows us personally and calls us by our name. It makes us say or think: He knows me and I know him. This calls for deeper trust and loyalty and love. On the Sunday of the Good Shepherd Jesus himself reminds us how he knows us personally. At the same time the fact that we know him too, at least a bit, changes our whole life. For knowing him, we know God. We experience in him God’s goodness and care and close presence in everyday life. Would that we could also be near to one another and Jesus’ pastors and shepherds could be close to their people.

2. The Voice of the Shepherd

Who are the pastors, the shepherds, whom people trust and listen to? As if instinctively they entrust themselves to priests who do not preach themselves but the Lord Jesus and his Good News. They listen to and confide in priests who know them and who also take the time to listen to them and their problems and hopes. For in them they recognize something of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and model of all shepherds. Let us join our Good Shepherd in his thanks to the Father.

Penitential Act

“The sheep that belong to me
listen to my voice,” says our Good Shepherd.
Have we listened to him and followed him?
Let us examine ourselves before the Lord.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you know us
and you call each of us by name.
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you reassure us
that we will never be lost or deserted by you.
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, the Father entrusted us to you
and you give us life that lasts for ever:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and never let sin separate us from you.
Forgive us, make us follow you all the way
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray
that we may truly know and love the Lord Jesus
(PAUSE)
Our loving God and Father,
you have let us experience
how much you care for us
by giving us Jesus as our Good Shepherd.
He knows us, for he carries us in his heart.
May we be ever close to him,
so that we may know him too,
hear his voice and follow him without reserve.
Like his love, may our care overflow
on the people you have placed on our way.
We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord. R/ Amen.

First Reading: Pastors Are Taking Risks

Jesus’ Good News was first to be brought to the Jews, but it cannot be restricted to one group; it is destined for all. The conflict of Paul and Barnabas with the Jews becomes the occasion to preach directly to the pagans.

Reading 1: Acts 13:14, 43-52

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

R.(3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R.We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading: The Lamb Will Be their Shepherd

People from every race, people and culture will follow the Lamb as their Shepherd and be guided by him to eternal life.

Reading 2: Rev 7:9, 14b-17

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Alleluia Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Those Who Hear My Voice Follow Me

Jesus is our Good Shepherd; he knows us personally, and leads us to the fullness of life if we are willing to go his way.

Gospel: Jn 10:27-30

Jesus 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.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

Intercessions

Let us pray to Jesus, the Lamb of God and our shepherd, that he may lead all to the springs of life. Let us say: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, you call an immense crowd from every nation, race and language. May they hear your voice and follow you. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, those who recognize you are few. Let none of them be lost and keep them faithful to you. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, many are still going through persecutions. May they keep serving you day and night and be united with you in their trials. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, too many suffer from hunger and many thirst for justice and truth. Let the earth yield its fruit and let your people work for justice. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, see the misery of those who suffer, wipe away all tears from their eyes and bring them the joy of your and our love. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
– Lord, see the riches of heart of many who are willing to serve you and your people in ministries of love and service. Call them and let them lead your people. And so we pray: R/ Our Lamb and Shepherd, unite us all.
Lord Jesus, call us by our names and unify us as your one people, for you are our Shepherd and Lord for ever. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Father who cares,
you set for us the table of life
and offer us the cup of joy
of Jesus, your Son and our Shepherd.
Let him make us more and more
your faithful people;
and let him help us to proclaim
by what we are and do
that his message of life and joy
is destined for everyone
everywhere in the world.
For he is our Lord for ever. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

We thank our Father for giving us his own Son as our Shepherd and guide. As Jesus offered himself for us, we offer ourselves with him, that others might live and be happy.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

The Father has placed us in the care of Jesus.
With our Good Shepherd we pray
our prayer of filial trust: R/ Our Father...

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from our factions and division
and bring us together under the leadership
of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Let us share in the peace
of his caring and forgiving love
and save us from all anxiety,
for we are sure that he will bring us
to the source of living water,
for he is our Shepherd and Savior Jesus Christ:
R/ For the kingdom...

Invitation to Communion

This is the Lamb on the throne
who leads us to the springs of life,
that we may never hunger or thirst again.
Happy are we to be invited
to the table of our Good Shepherd. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion

Father, we have listened to the voice of your Son
speaking to us here in this Eucharist.
May we keep belonging to him
and following him wherever he leads us.
Let no fear or enticement ever overcome us
to snatch us away from your love.
As he has given us himself as the bread of life,
may we also give ourselves to one another.
Let our Good Shepherd lead us
to the fresh pastures of your eternal joy.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Blessing

In this Eucharistic celebration
Christ has been with us as our Good Shepherd.
May he also stay with us in life
and guide us through his Holy Spirit.
May he make us shepherds to one another,
people who care, who support and uplift.
May we thus become to the world
a sign of God’s caring, faithful love,
with the blessing of almighty God
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.

Let us go in the peace and the joy of the Lord.
R/ Thanks be to God.

Commentary

“I and the Father are one.” This is one of “hard sayings” of Jesus. He is not saying it in a weak sense: that he and the Father are of like mind, etc. In Greek, it says, literally, “I and the Father are one thing.” Had his hearers understood him in the weak sense they would not have taken up stones immediately to kill him. The union of Jesus with the Father is the inexhaustible mystery of our Faith.
It is not only about Jesus; it has to do with us too. In this age when so much emphasis is placed on the individual, we are inclined to see Jesus too just as an individual—a special one, to be sure, but still an individual. That could not be a full account of Jesus. He is “the first-born of many brothers and sisters,” “He is the head, we are the body.” He came into the world for us, not for himself. Meister Eckhart had an overpowering sense of the union of every Christian with God in Christ. “The soul is one with God and not united. Here is a simile: if we fill a tub with water, the water in the tub is united but not one with it, for where there is water there is no wood, and where there is wood there is no water. Now take the wood and throw it in the middle of the water, still the wood is only united and not one (with the water). It is different with the soul: she becomes one with God and not united, for where God is, there the soul is and where the soul is, there God is.”

Monday May 20, 2019

Fifth Week of Easter

GOD LIVING IN US

Introduction

In the first reading, Luke shows Paul working the same signs among pagans as Peter among the Jews (here the cure of a crippled person), and preaching the same message.
In the Gospel, Christ speaks of God’s indwelling. In the Old Testament, God’s dwelling place was first the Tent and the Ark of the Covenant, then later, the Temple. The Temple was the sign that God lived among and with his people. This was taken often too materially and almost magically. God’s presence was more interior, i.e., through his wisdom found in the hearts of the just, said the wisdom books. Christ says that God’s presence is much more intimate: he lives by love in the hearts of those who love him and keep his word, a presence that can be known only by one who loves.
Christ will manifest his presence among us now in the Eucharist.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, loving Father,
we look for your presence
in the temple of nature
and in churches built by our hands,
and you are there with your people.
But above all, you have made your temple
right here in our hearts.
God, give us eyes of faith and love
to recognize that you live in us,
with your Son and the Holy Spirit,
if we keep the Word of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.

Reading 1: Acts 14:5-18

There was an attempt in Iconium
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet."
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
"The gods have come down to us in human form."
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes,"
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
"Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts."
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

R.(1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
"Where is their God?"
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: Jn 14:26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Jn 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
"Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you."

Intercessions

– That we bear witness that we are disciples of Jesus by loving one another deeply and sincerely, we pray:
– Now that Christ is no longer physically among us, we may discover his presence in every human face, we pray:
– That the Holy Spirit may teach us to live by the Word we have heard from Christ speaking to us in the Gospel, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God, loving Father,
your Son Jesus Christ is here with us
as we are gathered in his name
in this Eucharistic assembly.
Give him to us now
as our bread and wine, our food and drink,
that where we are, you may be present,
because your Son is alive in us,
he who lives with you and in us forever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, loving Father,
we thank you for giving us your Son
and for letting him live in us.
Help us to live the kind of life
he lived and wants us to live,
a life of obedience to your will
and of dedication to people and to our task in life.
Through us, you may be present
in this cold, calculating world
and bring to it the warmth of love,
of friendship and compassion,
through Christ who lives in us now,
we hope and pray, forever.

Blessing

Jesus assures us that we are certain that our Father in heaven loves us and lives in us if we live according to his words. We hear his words and we know them. Let us live accordingly, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

“Not to us O Lord...but to your name give the glory.”
These words from Psalm 115, found in today’s responsorial, express well the sentiments of Paul during his ministry. It is seen in the attempt of the citizens of Lystra to deify him and Barnabas after the cure of the lame man. The apostles emphasize that it was the true God who had effected the cure, albeit through human instruments.
Paul instinctively drew back from any form of hero worship. The community at Corinth was drawn into camps that championed Peter, Apollos, or Paul. Paul states clearly that he wants no part of it. He asks, “Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor 1:13).
Young people today look for role models, a pursuit that can have its positive features. The problem lies in the fact that so often in those heroes, human weaknesses soon emerge. In church life, the same situation may obtain. A pastor who serves his people diligently and tirelessly is recognized as such. But it can happen that our vision is too centered on human qualities, while the purpose of all ministry is to keep us centered on the Lord. Our sense of admiration may never deflect from that singular vision.
It all too often happens that we may have a pastor for a number of years who is gifted with leadership and a caring spirit, only to be followed by a pastor who lacks those qualities. When all is said and done, it is the Lord whom we serve, and that remains true when times are good or bad.
Jesus in today’s Gospel sums it up well. “Those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” That is the leader around whom we all place our fidelity. Let us praise the name of Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Points to Ponder

Christ as the center of our lives
The place of human role models
A faith that goes beyond the human.

Tuesday May 21, 2019

Fifth Week of Easter

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Introduction

In carrying out his mission of proclaiming the Gospel, Paul and Barnabas with him, is persecuted, stoned, driven from one place to another. He doesn’t give up; he continues founding local communities and giving them a basic structure of leadership, so that they can function on their own. He has even the courage to “put fresh hearts into the disciples” and to acknowledge that God has accomplished great things in them.
Likewise, before his passion and death, Christ speaks of peace and encourages the apostles not to be troubled or afraid. Nothing will keep him from carrying out his mission of love. No one can rob us of our interior peace, serenity and freedom if we are united with God in love.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, almighty Father,
you have absolute power over the world,
and yet you respect the freedom of people,
even of those who persecute your faithful.
Make us realize that our faith
does not protect us against the evil
which people bring upon one another,
but that you want us to build according to your plan
a kingdom of justice, love and peace.
Help our faith to stand the test
when our meager efforts fail.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.

Reading 1: Acts 14:19-28

In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God."
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21

R.(see 12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,
and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: See Lk 24:46, 26

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

Gospel: Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
'I am going away and I will come back to you.'
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

Intercessions

– That Christians who are persecuted may learn from Christ to pray for their persecutors and to forgive them, we pray:
– That through trials and adversity, we may grow as human persons and as Christians, we pray:
– That we may always retain our serenity and peace of heart in suffering and contradiction, because we know God is with us, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, loyal Father,
your Son Jesus Christ,
retained his inner freedom and peace
at the moment of his passion and death,
because he was faithful to his mission of love.
Let him give us in this Eucharist
the same loyalty and love,
that the hardships of life
may not trouble our hearts
but keep us firmly anchored in you
who are our God forever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, God of peace,
through your Son Jesus Christ,
you bring us peace, a kind of peace
which the world cannot give
and which no earthly power can take away.
Let us live in union with you,
that this peace of your Son
may be with us always
and that we may have the quiet strength
to put fresh hearts in our brothers and sisters,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Blessing

“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid, for peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” This is the assurance Jesus gives us. We are in God’s hands. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Hope and peace emerge as significant themes in today’s readings. Paul and Barnabas come to the end of their initial journey. There had been moments of joy, but adversity also had dogged them along the way. Today Paul is stoned by the Jews and left for dead. But restored to health, he is able to complete his journey.
It is in the midst of suffering that hope proves its mettle. It does not stand simply as a conviction that the ultimate goal will be reached. It means that in the midst of trial and severe human misgiving, there is the conviction that the future remains intact. We cannot separate hardship from the meaning of hope.
Hope has major importance in the church today. The storm clouds of dissension, polarization, and misconduct weigh heavy. In addition, we look at those parts of the world, traditionally strong in the faith, where in our time belief is severely threatened and the future uncertain. It is hope that convinces us that the final word will be God’s.
Peace has been cynically described as a “period of preparation between two wars.” In the biblical sense, however, peace is the restoration of primitive accord. Peace was lost when humanity rebelled against God. Pain and suffering became our common lot, as well as moral disorientation. There was a rupture in the relationship of God and the world. As Christ comes to his disciples in the upper room, he announces the reestablishment of peace between heaven and earth. In our new covenant in the Holy Spirit, our restoration is attained, not only with God but with our fellow human beings and the created world, which is also redeemed. He has made us one through the blood of the cross.
“War, war—never again” is not simply an ardent wish. It is a Christian mandate. Peace is held in contempt in a world of strife and conflict. The Gospel states today that the evil prince of this world may make temporary gains, but only the Father who lives in Jesus, our hope and our peace, will triumph.

Points to Ponder

Hope rooted in the promise of Christ
Hope the virtue of difficult times
Peace, a story of reintegration
Blessed are the peacemakers.

Wednesday May 22, 2019

Fifth Week of Easter

ONE IN THE TRUE VINE -- FACTIONS IN THE CHURCH

Introduction

Implanted by baptism in Christ, the true vine, and therefore, by vocation and by our being Christians, we are called to be one in him, however we often fall apart into factions because of our background of land and culture, regionalisms and differences of language, social origins and classes, conservatives against progressives. So it was in the early Church: Christians discriminated because of their pagan origins, different parties even among those of Jewish extraction. Are we any better? No wonder that we bear little fruit… Let the Lord prune and purify us and unite us all in Christ as branches on the same vine.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father,
you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ,
as the true vine of life
and our source of strength.
Help us to live his life
as living branches attached to the vine,
and to bear plenty of fruits
of justice, goodness and love.
Let our union with him become visible
in our openness to one another
and in our unity as brothers and sisters,
that he may be visibly present among us,
now and for ever.

Reading 1: ACTS 15:1-6

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters
about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the Church,
and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria
telling of the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all the brethren.
When they arrived in Jerusalem,
they were welcomed by the Church,
as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,
and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers
stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them
and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

Responsorial Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4AB, 4CD-5

R. (see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: JN 15:4A, 5B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Intercessions

– Lord Jesus, keep your Church from dividing and competing factions; make us all deeply one in you, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, let the sick and those who suffer remember that you are one with them, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, let the new wine of your grace flow in us, that it may make us great and strong in love and gentleness, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God, loving Father,
you planted your Son among us
as the true life-giving vine.
Let him give himself to us today
as the bread of strength
and pour himself for us
as the unifying, life-giving wine,
that we may live in him
and he in us.
And that we may bear fruits
of unity and love
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, loving Father,
we thank you for filling us
with the sap of life
from Jesus, our true vine.
May we go on living in union
with him and with one another,
that in the uncertainties of life
we may go on believing, hoping
and building together a kingdom of love.
And when we grope in the dark in days of trial,
reassure us that you are purifying our faith
and that you are always with us
in people and in your Son,
Christ Jesus, our Lord for ever.

Blessing

Our Lord tells us today: “Remain, live in me, as I remain in you.” Yes, let us stay in his love and do the things of everyday life in union with him and in his strength. And let us take him to our brothers and sisters by our common concern and love. May Almighty God bless you for this, the Father who loves you, the Son who lives in you, and the Holy Spirit who guides you.

Commentary

Paul respected Jewish tradition as part of his own heritage. Nonetheless, his Christian belief saw no place for circumcision as necessary for salvation. Such a position would fly in the face of the all-sufficient saving work of Christ. When Jewish Christians came to Antioch from Judea, urging circumcision, Paul saw at once the moral conflict that their demand made. It was then decided to bring the matter to the attention of the Jerusalem authorities in order to seek a definitive solution.
Paul’s perspective is characterized by collegiality. Where opinions conflict, the effort must be expended to arrive at a consensual solution. Paul has no intention of being a “lone ranger” in the matter. He wants to hear the voice of the church and so makes his way to Jerusalem as the emissary of a developing church.
There is only one avenue of salvation: adherence to Christ. Just as the branch only lives when united with the vine, so too the Christian must be one with Christ. There is no independent way of bearing fruit. Christ stands as our life and our greatest benefactor.
The door to life is opened in baptism, not circumcision. In being called to do good, it is Christ who enables us. In walking away from sin and remaining on the path of virtue, it is because we are one with the vine. There are many devotions in the church; in their variety, they satisfy many spiritual needs. But they are to be seen as ways to express gratitude for the gift that is ours, not as stepping stones to holiness.
The psalmist says it well today. We make our way to Jerusalem so we can give thanks to the Lord.

Points to Ponder

Christ alone as the center of faith
Living as a branch on the vine
Salvation, the gift of a gracious
God Governing through consensus.

Thursday May 23, 2019

Fifth Week of Easter

ALL ARE WELCOME IN THE CHURCH

Introduction

In full collegiality, the apostles decided at the Council of Jerusalem that the Church is to be open to all without any distinction. All are saved in the same way: through Jesus Christ. God loves all people. That must have been a tremendous challenge for the Jews, to whom pagans were unclean and alien.
Is the Church indeed open to all today? Is there no distinction of color, language, and social class? Is there no discrimination against the poor, against people with a “bad record?” People with long hair, who have different tastes in music, people with shorter sleeves or skirts? What are the things that really matter and that are objects of faith? What makes us stay and live in the love of Christ?

Opening Prayer

Lord, our God,
you want your Church
to be open to all persons and all nations,
for your Son was available to all
and you love all people.
God, give us open minds
and open hearts.
Save us from our narrow prejudices
and stop us from trying to create people
in our own image and likeness.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.

Reading 1: Acts 15:7-21

After much debate had taken place,
Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,
"My brothers, you are well aware that from early days
God made his choice among you that through my mouth
the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us.
He made no distinction between us and them,
for by faith he purified their hearts.
Why, then, are you now putting God to the test
by placing on the shoulders of the disciples
a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
On the contrary, we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they."
The whole assembly fell silent,
and they listened
while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders
God had worked among the Gentiles through them.

After they had fallen silent, James responded,
"My brothers, listen to me.
Symeon has described how God first concerned himself
with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:

After this I shall return
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
known from of old.

It is my judgment, therefore,
that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,
but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,
unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.
For Moses, for generations now,
has had those who proclaim him in every town,
as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10

R.(3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia: Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Jn 15:9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
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.

"I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete."

Intercessions

– That the leaders of the Church may be always open to the Holy Spirit, especially when they have to take important decisions, we pray:
– That God who knows the human heart, may keep the leaders and the faithful in the Church from discriminating against anyone, we pray:
– That the Spirit of the Lord may dispose us to see the good that there is in others, also in those who differ much from us, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
your Son Jesus, is here among us
not because we are a privileged class
but because you are good and loving.
Give us the Spirit of your Son,
that we may love all people
without any discrimination.
May faith and love unite us all
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God, Father of all,
we remain in your love
if we keep your commandments.
Give us the strength
to keep your command of love
without any discrimination.
And if we have any favorites,
let it be the poor and the little people,
those without rights or name,
that we give them access to justice and joy.
In this way, may the joy of your Son be in us,
now and until it is complete forever.

Blessing

A world, even a Church, without discrimination and judgment, where people accept, appreciate and love one another, how great that would be! May we be one in the Lord who loves all of us, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of what is recorded in Acts of the Apostles 15 and is read today. The burning question centered on the extent to which a Christian’s newfound freedom would require submission to the Jewish law in accepting circumcision. The issue was discussed at what has been called “the Council of Jerusalem.”
James was the head of the Jerusalem community where the adherents to Jewish tradition resided. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas were spokesmen for the position excluding circumcision as part of Christian practice. Peter makes an impassioned plea, arguing from his own experience. He had witnessed the Holy Spirit given to Gentiles without any restrictions. Barnabas and Paul follow up with the same argument. After what was probably a heated debate, a decision is reached and is enunciated by James. Gentile Christians were not held to the Jewish law, except in four areas that he presents.
This decision had profound effects. Up to this point, there was still a strong belief that the Jewish population would accept Christ and be baptized. However, that conclusion now became more remote. The legal tie with Judaism was now practically severed, as the church became increasingly Gentile in its makeup. However, it is worthy to note that the decision of the Council of Jerusalem pertained to Gentile Christians only; nothing was said about Jewish Christians in their approach to the law. It was only a question of time, however, until the Jerusalem decision came to characterize the whole church.
John’s Gospel again today highlights the heart of the Christian call. Love unites Father and Son, and the Son and his followers. Love remains the first and greatest commandment. Such love produces a joy that is indeed complete.

Points to Ponder

Freedom from the Jewish law
The overriding law of love
The early church and consensus.

Friday May 24, 2019

Fifth Week of Easter

YOU ARE MY FRIENDS

Introduction

Fraternal love among Christians, but also love of all people for one another, without boundaries or reservations is inseparable from friendship with God. Both loves are in fact one. For Christians, human relations have a religious content and express a religious relation. For sure, we can and must love God in himself. But we experience God when our love, like his, is liberal and without calculation, oriented towards people in their otherness. Such a love converts us, that is, turns us to God and to others, overcomes selfishness, forgives and shares. It recognizes the sensitivities and respects the backgrounds of others; see today’s first reading, Jews and Christians recognizing one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is Christian love in action.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, love is your name
and you have revealed all its depth
when you sent your only Son into the world
and let him be the sacrifice that took our sins away.
Through Jesus, who calls us his friends,
make our love as strong as life and death;
let it always have the last word in us
and be given for free, like yours.
May we always remain in your love
and love one another as Jesus has loved us,
he who is our Lord, for ever and ever.

Reading 1: ACTS 15:22-31

The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
"The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"

And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

Responsorial Psalm 57:8-9, 10 AND 12

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 15:15B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
For I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: JN 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
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.
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.
This I command you: love one another."

Intercessions

– That the Church may be deeply aware, that what matters to God is not our language or culture or face, but that his friends are those who learn to love, we pray:
– That we may know that we, God’s servants, are more than servants, for we belong to his household and are his friends, we pray:
– That we may know that we could not choose and love God, but that he has chosen and loved us, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God, loving Father,
your love appeared with a human face
in your Son, Jesus Christ.
He showed all the depth of your love and his
by laying down his life for us, his friends.
As he gives himself to us as the bread of life,
may he be our food
on the road of life and of love,
not only when it is easy to love
but also when it is hard to be faithful
and when love demands self-forgetting sacrifice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Our loving God,
in this Eucharistic celebration
you have given us new proof of your love
by giving us your Son and his Spirit.
Jesus has strengthened our love.
Accept our thanks
and bring out the best in us,
that we may bear rich fruit
of faithful, reliable love.
Let your Holy Spirit unite us
to build community with one another
and to live in your love and joy,
now and for ever.

Blessing

Just imagine! Today, Jesus has called us his friends and asked us to remain in his love. Let us do all we can to put this into practice, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

When a church is named, it is often after a sainted person whose life places in relief one or more aspects of Christ’s teaching.
Or it may be named for Christ himself under one of his many tides. Therefore, it is more than a little surprising that we do not meet a church named for “Jesus, our friend.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly designates himself as our friend, the clear proof of which was his willingness to lay down his life for us.
One of the main thrusts of the Johannine teaching is to underscore Jesus’ initiatives in our regard. We are chosen; we are friends. Our relationship now is one of friendship, not slavery; it is through his presence that we now bear fruit. And it was for our sake that he laid down his life.
Perhaps the absence of the tide of Jesus as friend is due to the fact that friendship in modem parlance has lost much of its force. We use it today even of people who may be no more than acquaintances, whereas true friendship must be tested and proven. Christ is the greatest example of such true friendship.
When the Jerusalem assembly had completed its work, a delegation was commissioned to bring its decision to the broader church. Judas and Silas accompany Paul and Barnabas to bring the decision to Antioch.
The decision regarding freedom from the law was to have widespread consequences. It meant that Gentile Christians did not have to pass through the portals of Judaism in coming to Christ.
The way to Christ is a one-way route. It is not complicated even though it sets a high standard. It is a loving response to the One who calls us friends and walks with us on our journey.

Points to Ponder

Jesus as friend
What greater love than this?
The chosen friend.