SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 May 2021
First Reading: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48
Loaves and Fish
But Peter made him get up saying, “Stand up I am only a mortal.” (26)
The humility of the man proves his greatness. It would have been quite convenient for Peter to give in to pride and accept the adulation that he had begun to receive. But not this Peter, a man who had experienced and lived with the Risen Christ, was a higher mortal now. May we not pride ourselves in the talent/grace/skill God has blest us with, but act out of a humble and grateful heart! For apart from God we can do nothing. While many talented/graceful/skillful people might languish in despondence around us! Only when we are blessed by the Lord in our own field/profession or art, does our work become a success. In our innermost self, we must be acutely conscious of the fact that we cannot take credit for any of the success that we might achieve.
Then Peter began to speak to them, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” (34)
Enlightened by his vision on the terrace a little earlier, Peter acknowledges the equality of all men before God. Why must we, mere mortals, then stand in the way of their return to Him? “While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.” (44) Proving Peter absolutely right in his conviction, God now sends his Holy Spirit on all who heard the word.
May we realize that we ought to sow the seeds and not worry about the harvest as disciples. Our Lord God Almighty will take care of the rest. Matthew 13:31 describes the work of the Kingdom, beautifully. May we do our daily tasks in faith. May our minds always be open to working upon the promptings of the Dear Holy Spirit. May we offer our five loaves and two fish to Him. It is the Lord who will feed the five thousand. (Mt.14:17) Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4
“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)
Have you ever felt a long, warm, loving embrace from a dear one? Through the Holy Spirit, God embraces us, in those strong arms, especially when we are at the lowest, weakest, and darkest points of our life. By his strong arm, he wins us back to himself, in a victorious embrace! Praise the Lord.
Second Reading: First John 4: 7-10
God is love!
“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (8)
To know God we must develop a humbled spirit and a quietened heart. When we are contrite in spirit and receptive to the creator, we will be able to experience God’s love. Our minds may never really comprehend the depths of God’s love for us. But our soul and spirit can truly see his face and embrace his love in our hearts. For to know love, it must be experienced!
Gospel: John 15: 9-17
God’s commandment is Love!
Do we know Love? How do we explain Love? God is Love! So can we say we know God? If we truly abide in God, we would know Him. Each one of us encounters and experiences God in our own unique and special way. We must only be willing to submit our minds, hearts, souls, and spirits totally into his hands. It may take us months and years, to come to this realization. Our Dear Holy Spirit comes to our aid in this particular matter. He will refine us like the refiner and renew our minds to truly see God.
Christ told us his commands so that his joy may be in us and our joy may be complete. (11) God commands us because He calls us friends. (14) He gives us his commands so that we may love one another. (17) When meditating on these words, we are naturally filled with a great sense of awe and reverence for our great and humble God! The entire universe with all its beauty, wisdom, and strength cannot fathom the love of God!
Prayer
May we realize God’s Love in us. Jesus King of Divine Mercy, we trust in you. Amen!
