Sixth Sunday of Easter
Also Read: Mass Readings for 5 May 2024 Homily for 5 May 2024 – Sunday
First Reading: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, (44-45)
We read in the passage today, how God builds his community and in such an amazing way! The Holy Spirit was so powerfully active in the believers! St. Peter led the way in literally following the voice of the Holy Spirit and the church was strengthened.
We ask Our Father in Heaven today, to build us, -in our spirits, our families, and our communities. Let us inspire each other in this construction work that we have been entrusted with. Let us forge unions that will withstand the wiles of the enemy. We recently learned during the “lockdowns”, how precious community life truly is. Let us not forget the lessons and utilize every opportunity to “build” ourselves and others.
Through Christ Jesus we have the victory, Amen! Alleluia!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2-4
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. (1)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. (4)
Alleluia!
Second Reading: First John 4: 7-10
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (10)
We are born of God, through Christ and therefore we too possess the love of God! Yet we have been allowed the freedom by God the Father, as to the extent we may operate in His Love. We must recognize his love for us first and then from that love, we can reach out to his other children around us. God the Father sent us the Holy Spirit, so that like Peter we may discern his voice and accept our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen!
Alleluia: John 14: 23
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15: 9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. (9)
I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (17)
Beginning from the Gospel of John 13:12 until John 17, St. John captures the words of Christ’s last teaching to his apostles; before his journey to Calvary. Christ Jesus emphasizes the love of the Father through him for us and how each one of us must in turn live in that love for each other! As explained here by Christ, this tenet of our faith is so wonderfully uncomplicated; yet so complex for us to practice in our daily lives!
Some of the ways we could try making this practice a little less complex could be to ponder on the scriptures we read/hear in the day. Reminding ourselves of the words of God regularly can help us refocus and regain joy in the Lord’s strength. We ask Mother Mary to help us ponder on the words of God. Continuously praying in tongues, especially during our personal prayer time can fortify our faith and help us overcome difficult situations. We are living in a world that does not know love and for us to live in love is surely a challenge. But we take courage from our Lord when he said: “Take courage I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16:33) No other conqueror in the history of the world has ever been able to accomplish the everlasting victory that Christ Jesus has won.
Therefore we will raise an Alleluia, we have the victory in Jesus’ name. Amen!
