Tag: discipleship

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One Bread One Body

A shadow image of person against a sunlit background with the words now you are the body of christ and each one of you is a part of it on the body

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Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ Mass Readings

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A
Responsorial: Psalm 147: 12-15, 19-20
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061420.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. We have this incredible gift in the Eucharist which we can receive every single day, so, today we pause to focus on the Eucharist. Just like with anniversaries and birthdays, I think it’s important to step back at least once a year and celebrate the gift of the Eucharist lest we take it for granted.

Now it’s very easy to get lost in an interesting theological or philosophical discussion about the Eucharist. But while I think there’s a time and a place for that, our purpose is to try to understand how the Gospel message applies to us here and now – to do as the Second Vatican Council teaches us – to read the signs of the times.

First, what do we know about the Eucharist? It’s wildly important to Christians. The Eucharist is, as the Catechism reminds us, the “source and summit of Christian life,” (CCC, 1324) Why? Because for Catholics as well as some other Christians, the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. How do we know that? Because Jesus tells us so in today’s Gospel passage from John. This passage where Jesus describes eating his flesh and drinking his blood connects to the Last Supper described in the other Gospel accounts.

But if we believe – I mean if we really believe that what we receive in the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, then it should change you. It should change me. How?

Well, St. Paul gives us a bit of clue in our second reading from First Corinthians. Paul tells us, “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. (1 Cor 10:16-17).

When we participate in the Eucharist, we become the one body of Christ.

That’s mind-blowing! We become one. But it is also a sobering idea, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in the U.S. Why is it sobering? Because through our faith in Christ Jesus and the precious gift of the Eucharist, we are united through Jesus to the Father forever. We are united with people of color, with Hispanics, with criminals, with illegal aliens, we are all united through Jesus with the Father.

You see, through the Church’s mission of evangelization, and by “church” I mean you and me and all believers, we are called to bring the message of salvation to everyone so that they might have all their hurts and sins reconciled, just like you and just like me. Through Jesus, there is no “black” or “white” or “brown” or English or Spanish or borders or democrats or republicans or gay or straight or whatever it is that separates and divides us. All disciples of Jesus are united as one body in Christ. When I stop to think about that, it makes all the labels I’ve been taught since I was a child seem silly.

Where do we go from here? I don’t know. But what I can tell you is that as a people of faith, we are called to advocate for the common good. We should actively work through our participation in the electoral process to help bring about a just society where the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God is recognized in all humans – recognized and respected. Working through the electoral process doesn’t just mean voting. We should get to know our elected officials. We should write letters, send emails, make phone calls, etc. Advocating for the common good is every believer’s responsibility.

We are a eucharistic people and that has consequences, not only in how I live my life, but also how I relate to those around me and how I participate in civic life. The Eucharist reminds us that black lives matter – that all lives matter – because we are all united into the one body of Christ to the Father. This is not just an idea, but a core aspect of our faith. The horror of George Floyd’s murder and the outrage that has spilled into our streets is a sad reminder that Christians have a lot of work to do.

Homework! Nourished by Christ present in the Word of God and in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. How can I give of myself more freely and more generously? How can I be more responsive to the needs of those who live far from me?
  2. Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. What religious practices strengthen my faith? What religious practices strengthen my resolve to follow God’s will for me?
  3. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. When do I feel closest to God? When do I feel most distant?

I think doing our homework will help us experience true discipleship. Do you get it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPEG file.

References:
1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
2. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
3. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The Holy Eucharist, 790, 1003, 1322-1419
2. The Eucharist and the communion of believers, 805, 950, 2181-2182, 2637, 2845
3. Real presence in the Eucharist, 1088, 1377-81
4. The Eucharist as spiritual food, 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837
5. Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life”, 1324
6. Signs and institution of the Eucharist, 1333-40
7. The Eucharist as sacrificial memorial of Christ’s presence, 1362-78
8. Fruits of Holy Communion, 1391-98
9. The Eucharist makes the Church one body, 1396

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061420.cfm
Lectionary: 167

First Reading
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A
Moses said to the people:
“Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God,
has directed all your journeying in the desert,
so as to test you by affliction
and find out whether or not it was your intention
to keep his commandments.
He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger,
and then fed you with manna,
a food unknown to you and your fathers,
in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD.

“Do not forget the LORD, your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
that place of slavery;
who guided you through the vast and terrible desert
with its saraph serpents and scorpions,
its parched and waterless ground;
who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock
and fed you in the desert with manna,
a food unknown to your fathers.”

Responsorial
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. (12) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Brothers and sisters:
The cup of blessing that we bless,
is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?
The bread that we break,
is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one body,
for we all partake of the one loaf.

Sequence
Lauda Sion

Laud, O Zion, your salvation,
Laud with hymns of exultation,
Christ, your king and shepherd true:

Bring him all the praise you know,
He is more than you bestow.
Never can you reach his due.

Special theme for glad thanksgiving
Is the quick’ning and the living
Bread today before you set:

From his hands of old partaken,
As we know, by faith unshaken,
Where the Twelve at supper met.

Full and clear ring out your chanting,
Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting,
From your heart let praises burst:

For today the feast is holden,
When the institution olden
Of that supper was rehearsed.

Here the new law’s new oblation,
By the new king’s revelation,
Ends the form of ancient rite:

Now the new the old effaces,
Truth away the shadow chases,
Light dispels the gloom of night.

What he did at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
His memorial ne’er to cease:

And his rule for guidance taking,
Bread and wine we hallow, making
Thus our sacrifice of peace.

This the truth each Christian learns,
Bread into his flesh he turns,
To his precious blood the wine:

Sight has fail’d, nor thought conceives,
But a dauntless faith believes,
Resting on a pow’r divine.

Here beneath these signs are hidden
Priceless things to sense forbidden;
Signs, not things are all we see:

Blood is poured and flesh is broken,
Yet in either wondrous token
Christ entire we know to be.

Whoso of this food partakes,
Does not rend the Lord nor breaks;
Christ is whole to all that taste:

Thousands are, as one, receivers,
One, as thousands of believers,
Eats of him who cannot waste.

Bad and good the feast are sharing,
Of what divers dooms preparing,
Endless death, or endless life.

Life to these, to those damnation,
See how like participation
Is with unlike issues rife.

When the sacrament is broken,
Doubt not, but believe ‘tis spoken,
That each sever’d outward token
doth the very whole contain.

Nought the precious gift divides,
Breaking but the sign betides
Jesus still the same abides,
still unbroken does remain.

The shorter form of the sequence begins here.

Lo! the angel’s food is given
To the pilgrim who has striven;
see the children’s bread from heaven,
which on dogs may not be spent.

Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing,
Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,
manna to the fathers sent.

Very bread, good shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of your love befriend us,
You refresh us, you defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.

You who all things can and know,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with your saints, though lowest,
Where the heav’nly feast you show,
Fellow heirs and guests to be. Amen. Alleluia.

Alleluia
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 6:51-58
Jesus said to the Jewish crowds:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world.”

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.”

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The Ascension 2020

Person in dark room looking into bright light

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The Ascension of the Lord Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-ascension.cfm
deacon rudy’s notes

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord! I tend to agree with the theologian Michael Himes who suggested that the Ascension is probably one of the most misunderstood feasts in the life of the Church and one of the most poorly celebrated in our liturgical calendar. Today isn’t a celebration of some grand bon voyage party where we all wave our hands goodbye as Jesus moves on to a better place. That idea misses the mark and reinforces the incorrect idea that there’s something inherently wrong with this world and our human bodies.

That’s probably why the two holy men dressed in white appear to the apostles. To me, that’s a funny scene. These two blessed are dispatched to encourage the apostles. Can you picture that scene? These two guys show up and look around and they see a group of guys staring up at heaven. They probably do a double take before they realize that these are the guys who Christ picked to lead the Church.

I can almost see them shaking their heads as they say, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts, 1:11). Of course, we know why, right? In the Gospel today we hear that the eleven had doubts, (Matthew, 26:17). These guys who walked with Jesus and knew he was crucified and were in his presence after his resurrection and who witnessed as Jesus as he told Thomas to look and touch his wounds still had doubts. It’s not because they were only human that they had doubts. It’s because of our fallen nature at work. That Original Sin disorients us from God and makes it difficult for us to tune in to who God is.

You see, as our second reading from Ephesians affirms, what sits at the right hand of the Father is a human being just like you and just like me in every way except sin, (Ephesians, 1:20). We also affirm this every time we recite the Creed. What the ascension makes clearer than ever is that what unites us with God is our humanity. That’s what the doctrine of the Incarnation is all about – God makes humans and all creation holy by becoming human.

To be the best version of ourselves not only means pushing ourselves to learn and grow as individuals and as a people, but to unite all that we are and that we become with the Father through Christ Jesus. One of the Church Fathers, Irenaeus of Lyons who was in contact with Polycarp who was instructed by John the Apostle, is often quoted as having said, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.”

The Good News of Jesus Christ is all about our salvation – yes – and that includes helping us all realize the beauty and dignity of God’s creation – including us! That is a powerful message. There are too many people walking around afraid because of COVID-19, or feeling unfulfilled, unhappy, despondent. That there have been so many suicides during this pandemic is sign of the great work before us as a Christian people.

You see, the Gospel challenge, which is affirmed by what we learn from Acts, is that we are to go out into the world to give people hope – hope that their lives having meaning, (Matthew 28:19-20). But that meaning only makes sense through Jesus Christ. All three of the most recent popes have reminded us of the need for the new evangelization – an evangelization not only aimed in distant missionary fields, but also among our increasingly secularized world.

All of us are called to participate in the Church’s effort at evangelization. Even witnessing our faith by going to mass or praying at home can send a powerful message to our friends and family. But there is also a need to support missionaries in foreign lands and here at home both financially and prayerfully. Sitting at home and doing nothing is not an option. If we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s that we need to stay connected. We just don’t know who among our family and friends might on the verge of succumbing to despair. We must share the hope of Jesus Christ. Don’t worry, because we are not alone! Jesus reminds us that he will be with us, (Matthew 28:20).

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. When they saw him, they worshipped, but that doubted. What distracts me from prayer and worship? How do I deal with distractions and doubts?
  2. All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. How have I seen God’s power active in my life? How can I learn to surrender my will to God?
  3. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. How can I accompany those who are doubting or troubled? When have I invited others to experience God’s presence?

I think doing our homework will help us practice what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown.

References:
1. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.
2. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
4. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
6. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Faith seeking understanding, 158
2. “All that Jesus did and taught,” 512
3. Appearances of the risen Jesus, 641-44
4. Jesus’ ascension, 659-72, 697, 792, 965, 2795
5. As Lord of history and the cosmos, 668
6. As head of the Church, 669
7. Cloud as symbol of the Holy Spirit, 697
Coming of the kingdom, 672-73
8. Promise of the Holy Spirit, 729
9. The Church as missionary, 767-68, 849-56
10. The Church as the body of Christ, 790, 795
11. The Church was founded on the apostles, 857-60
12. Outpouring of the Spirit, 1287
13. Hope, 1817-21
14. Gift of wisdom, 1831

The Ascension of the Lord
Mass readings: http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-ascension.cfm
Lectionary: 58

Reading 1
Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
Ephesians1:17-23
Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Alleluia
Matthew 28:19A, 20B
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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Sixth Sunday of Easter 2020

light filtering through trees and person walking through Satchari national park habiganj sylhet

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial: Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel: John 14:15-21

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051720.cfm
deacon rudy’s notes

Brothers and sisters, have you ever randomly opened up the Bible and found the perfect verse? Today’s readings are like that for us. You see, these readings weren’t picked. They are part of the regular sequence for Year A for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. You will find these same readings used in the year 2017. While all the readings are a treasure, this year these readings have special resonance for us.

Today’s Gospel message is part of the farewell discourse given during the Last Supper. The Church gives us this piece of Gospel now so that we can unpack its meaning in these weeks leading up to Pentecost. But in the light of the pandemic, these readings give us insight into the meaning of a life of discipleship.

Jesus says to us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot accept,” (John 14:15-17). Jesus will not leave us as orphans, powerful message, (John 14:18).

The world seems to begin emerging from this pandemic. We cannot all be leaders, scientists, and medical professionals, so we have to trust others. Unfortunately, the mixed messages and even contradictory statements fuel the darkness of uncertainty and confusion.

It is encouraging to see people turning to prayer, but there is still this underlying – well fear I guess would be the right word that seems to shroud some people I know in a sort of darkness. How should we disciples respond? Well, our first reading from Acts helps us, I think. You see, earlier in this same chapter we read from today, the church at Jerusalem is subjected to persecution at the hand of Saul (who will become Paul). The disciples are scattered. I would call that a period of uncertainty and fear, wouldn’t you? How did the disciples respond?

Acts tells us that those who were scattered went about preaching the Good News, (Acts 8:4). The deacon Philip (see Acts 6:5), makes his way to Samaria and begins to preach and perform all sorts of miracles. Remember, the Samaritans were regarded as mixed blood heretics who did not worship at Temple in Jerusalem, (Kurz, loc. 2829). Philip went there nonetheless, and many were converted. This was no fluke! Peter and John themselves go to Samaria to lay hands on the converts and pray that the Spirit be upon them. This image not only underscores apostolic authority in full support of legitimate evangelization efforts, but this also introduces the sacrament of confirmation. These things happen during a time of crisis and uncertainty and fear in the early church.

The message for all of us, I believe, is that we should be more willing than ever to share the light of our faith – to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our family and friends who have fallen away from the faith or those who have never known Jesus. Peter reminds us that one of the ways we can do that is by being ready to offer an explanation of our faith to anyone who asks about the Good News. What’s the Good News? That God sent Jesus to walk among us. That Jesus suffered and died for you and for me so that death would no longer have a hold over us.

The gates of heaven are open to all believers. We no longer have to fear, no matter what life throws at us. That is good news and it melts the darkness away! It’s a powerful message that so many people need to hear. Will this news be well received? No, I don’t think so. Peter warns us that we will be ridiculed for our beliefs. But even that’s okay. Peter says, “For it is better to suffer, for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.”

Yes, this can be a daunting task, but my brothers and sisters, we are not alone! God has sent the advocate to be with us always. The Spirit within us can be a source of incredible courage to have the tough conversations or even like Philip to go to places where others wouldn’t even consider. Who in your life is someone who is unusually afraid of this virus or a resurgence? Perhaps that is the person you should approach to share the peace and joy of Jesus you have on your heart. Sharing the light of Christ in your heart might disperse the darkness of their world.

Homework! Having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and in the Eucharist for those fortunate enough to go to mass or an Act of Spiritual Communion for those who still can’t get into mass, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. First, If you love me, you will keep my commandments. What commandments do I struggle to keep? How can I avoid temptations?
  2. Second, I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. When have I felt abandoned or lost? What has strengthened and comforted me?
  3. Third, In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. Where do I see God present and active in the world? How can I help others see God?

I think doing our homework will help us face the challenges of discipleship. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Art for this post: CC BY-SA 4.0. A person walking through Satchari National Park, located in far eastern Bangladesh. Satchari means “seven streams.” From the jury: “the light is magic.” Photo by Abdul Momin.

References:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
2. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
3. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Titles of the Holy Spirit, 243, 388, 692, 729, 1433, 1848
2. Suffering for the sake of Christ, 520, 556, 1435, 1967
3. Promise of the Spirit, 729
4. Church as communion with Jesus, 788-89
5. Missionary call of the Church, 849-56
6. Invoking the Holy Spirit, 1083, 2670-72
7. Baptism and the Holy Spirit, 1226
8. Confirmation, 1285-1305
9. Exorcism, 1673
10. Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper, 2746-51

Sixth Sunday of Easter
Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051720.cfm
Lectionary: 55

Reading 1
ACTS 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ to them.
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip
when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent them Peter and John,
who went down and prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial
Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Peter 3:15-18
Beloved:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good,
if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.

Alleluia
John 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
John 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”