6th Sunday of Easter: May 9, 2021
"GOD is LOVE."
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First Reading: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
In today's first reading Peter says, "God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him."
God's invitation to know, love and serve him is for every single human being. However this invitation requires a response of yes or no.
In today's reading the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles and Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
This invitation to hear the message of God's saving love begins with each one of us, the baptized. We are called to spread this message of the Good News to all.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
God's saving power has been revealed to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ has conquered sin and death for all humanity. We have salvation through Jesus Christ. Think about what this means to you. What does salvation mean to you? Our salvation should be always be on the forefront of our minds. Am I living day to day with my salvation in mind? Lord, help us to live in your love every day and to remember what we need saving from.
Second Reading: 1John 4:7-10
Today's second reading is all about LOVE....GOD is LOVE! This is the best, most concise definition of God and who he is. John is making the message so clear, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God!"
God's love has been revealed to us through his son, Jesus! "God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him....he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins."
Let us never take for granted what God has done for us....sending his Son. Give thanks to God every day for this gift!
Gospel: John 15:9-17
In today's gospel Jesus commands us, "love one another." It is a very clear command. We all inherently know it, but do we practice it daily? Do we practice it daily in our own homes and within our own families? Jesus didn't say, pick and choose who you want to love, he says, "love one another as I love you."
This command to love is no small feat, as it is one that Jesus speaks of over and over in the Gospels.
No matter what, God will always love us. His love is unconditional. However He asks for our love in return. He asks us to love Him and one another. This love is meant to be reciprocated. Each day we are given on this earth is a gift. Each day we are invited to enter into the presence of God, into His love. Our response is either "Yes Lord, I love you today" or "No Lord, I'm ignoring you today; It's all about me".
"Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love."
SAINT OF THE DAY
Sat. May 8: St. Peter of Tarentaise
Sun. May 9: St. John of Avila
Mon. May 10: St. Damien of Moloka’i
Tues. May 11: St. Ignatius of Laconi
Weds. May 12: St. Leopold Mandic
Thurs. May 13: Our Lady of Fatima
Fri. May 14: St. Matthias
Sat. May 15: St. Isidore the Farmer
We believe in the
communion of saints!
Holy men and women of God,
pray for us!
Pope Francis asks us to pray the Rosary throughout the month of May.
In a press release announcing the initiative, the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization explains that “in response to the Holy Father’s heartfelt wish, the month of May will be dedicated to a ‘marathon’ of prayer, to ask for the end of the pandemic, which has afflicted the world for more than a year now, and to ask for the resumption of social and work activities".
I encourage you to pray the Rosary as a family. If the Rosary is new to you, pray at least a decade and grow from there. If you need rosaries or pamphlets on how to pray the Rosary, please let me know (you can respond to this note.)
May is the month we dedicate and honor Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother too. We begin our celebration of Mary with a May crowning this first weekend of May. We continue to honor her by bringing her flowers throughout the month. We also can make a special effort to pray the Holy Rosary and reflect on the life of her son, Jesus. Mary so loves us, that she is our "great intercessor". She brings all of our prayers straight to her son. What a mother we have in Mary!
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Pope Francis encourages us to pray this prayer.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself as father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
show yourself as father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.
