One another, Easter6C

May 25, 2025

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67 (66); Apoc 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29

O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbors. As his disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it:

For the Church: that we may always be attentive to the creative work of the Spirit so that many may encounter Christ without unnecessary burdens: let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of Christ in our hearts: that we may abide in the Spirit’s peace which surpasses all understanding and find strength to face the many challenges that arise in daily life: let us pray to the Lord.

For reconciliation: that God will help us to let go of hurts and renew relationships within families, in church communities, and in workplaces: let us pray to the Lord.

For openness to God’s Word: that we may allow the Word to enter our hearts and produce an abundant harvest of virtue: let us pray to the lord.

For Christian unity: that God will lead all believers to a deeper understanding of the Good News and guide us in working together to confront the evils of poverty, abuse, addictions, and illiteracy: let us pray to the Lord.

For discernment: that the Holy Spirit will remind us of all the Jesus taught and help us apply it in our lives and to the challenges of our society: let us pray to the Lord.

For the growth of Christian community: that we may appreciate the gift of community, find support and encouragement within it, and work to enhance it: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are preparing for ordination this spring: that God will pour out the Spirit upon them and help them effectively proclaim the Gospel and build up the Body of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are burdened by fear or anxiety: that the Spirit will free them so that they may live life fully and offer their gifts in the service of their brothers and sisters: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who await the fulfillment of God’s promises: that God will lead refugees to places of safety, protect those facing persecution, and give peace to those with terminal illnesses: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill or recovering from injuries: that God will heal the sick, provide quick recovery for those who have been wounded, and heal hearts from painful experiences: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are graduating this spring: that God will guide them to opportunities to use their skills and continue to grow into fuller maturity: let us pray to the Lod.

For all who are recovering from natural disasters: that God will protect those in dangerous situations, help those who are recovering to reestablish their lives, and guide all who are fighting fires or assisting those who have suffered loss: let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders: that God will guide those working for peace, open new ways to resolve disputes, and help them remember that all life is sacred: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will turn hearts from violence in our cities, open new resources to address painful issues, and help everyone’s voice to be respected: let us pray to the Lord.

Open our hearts to your power movingaround us and between us and within us,until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,in communities transformed by justice and compassion,and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025aq, May 25). Sixth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

SOCL, Easter5C

Sunday May 18, 2025

See

We excel at performative connection—masters of the visible metrics while our souls starve in isolation. Our phones buzz with notifications while our hearts ache with absence; we count followers while feeling fundamentally unseen. The digital age has perfected the illusion of intimacy without its substance.

The revolutionary command to love isn't about warm feelings but costly presence. True connection requires precisely what we fear most: vulnerability that risks rejection, attention that sacrifices efficiency, and commitment that transcends convenience. We've constructed elaborate systems to appear connected while remaining fundamentally untouchable.

The path forward isn't found in perfecting our presentations but in surrendering our protections. Like water that can only nourish by being absorbed, love only transforms when we allow ourselves to be changed by the encounter. Our greatest fear—being truly known—remains our deepest hunger.

Listen

Acts 14:21-27; Psalm 145 (144); Apocalypse 21:1-5; John 13:31-35

Reflect

(John 13:31-35)

Consider a relationship where you maintain careful distance—where you've chosen safety over vulnerability, efficiency over presence, or control over surrender. What walls have you built to protect yourself from the mess of authentic connection?

Jesus challenges us to measure our love not by comfortable emotion but by uncomfortable action. How might your relationships transform if you loved as he did—with a willingness to be inconvenienced, even wounded, for the sake of genuine presence?

Reflect on one small step toward authentic connection you could take today: a difficult conversation you've avoided, a boundary you've hidden behind, or a person you've kept at convenient distance. What single act of presence might begin to shift everything?

Pray

Lord,, you know us more deeply than we know ourselves. Dismantle our carefully constructed barriers to authentic connection. Transform our fear of vulnerability into courage for true presence. Teach us to recognize the sacred invitation in each uncomfortable encounter, finding you in the faces we've learned to avoid. Make us vessels of your revolutionary love in a world starving for genuine communion.

The Word today, Easter5C

May 19 - May 24, 2025

Monday 19 May

Acts 14:5-18 The powerful events which accompanied the preaching could easily be mistaken in their origin. But as St Paul said, For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)

John 14:20-26 The teaching of the Fourth Gospel on the Spirit is distinctive and relevant: The “advocate” will stand alongside us to reach us everything and remind us of all that Jesus said.

Tuesday 20 May

St Bernardine of Siena, priest

Acts 14:19-28 In our attempts at evangelisation today, we can still learn from the example of the first preachers: they took risked, were full of zeal and they knew God was with them all along.

John 14:27-31 Peace—the great gift of the risen Lord —means much more in the Bible than usual and especially here in John. It includes life in abundance, on account of the resurrection and even freedom from death and the fear of death.

Wednesday 21 May

St Christopher Magallanes and his Companions, Martyrs

Cristóbal Magallanes was born in 1869 in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara. During this time in Mexico’s history, the government feared the power of the Catholic Church, and it tried to eliminate the practice of the faith and closed the seminaries. In 1915, Fr Magallanes opened his own small seminary in Totatiche and soon had more than a dozen students. He was on his way to celebrate Mass when he was arrested. Without a trial, he was convicted. On May 21, 1927, he and 21 other priests and three lay Catholics were executed.

Acts 15:1-6 Early Christians had to make up their minds whether or not to impose the full Jewish Law on new believers. It was not easy, as we see from today’s reading which features supporters on each side.

John 15:1-8 In the Fourth Gospel, there are seven I AM sentences, all echoing the name of God as I AM WHO I AM. In the same way, the image of the vine for the people of God is rooted in the Old Testament, as well as in the parable of Jesus. We the branches lives because of him.

Thursday 22 May

St Rita of Cascia OSA, religious

Acts 15:7-21 What about the imposition of the Jewish Law? Paul and James are shown, giving different arguments, both supporting a more free attitude. The basic principle is attractive and useful today: lets not make things more difficult for people who want to join us.

John 15:9-11 Today we hear a very short Gospel— short and rich. Who does not need the message of love? Who does not need the message of joy?

Friday 23 May

Acts 15:22-31 As a result of the various deliberations, a careful letter is written from Jerusalem. As you can hear, only one of the dietary laws as insisted upon—perhaps as a compromise.

John 15:12-17 The metaphor of the vine is dropped. With directness and simplicity, the writer takes us straight to the heart of the matter: love of neighbour — precisely because God is love and God has so loved the world.

Saturday 24 May

Acts 16:1-10 Today’s reading is odd and inspiring. It is odd that Paul had someone circumcised, because he was so against it. It is inspiring that the same Paul dreams about the Macedonian Greeks who want him to preach among them. It would remind us of St Patrick and his dream about the Irish calling him to return.

John 15:18-21 It cannot be that our destiny should be different to that of Jesus. He too did not belong “this world” and he too was hated. It is to be expected that being a believer will incite others against us—a mark that we are on the path of true discipleship.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025ao, May 18). Fifth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings