One another, Easter5C

May 18, 2025

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

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 be known as disciples of Jesus by the love and care that we show one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of insight: that we may recognize all that God is doing in our lives, our faith community, and the world around us so that we may cooperate in bringing forth the reign of God in our time and place: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love as God has loved us: that we may have the courage to lay down our lives in service of one another and for those who are most in need: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom of mind and heart: that God will free us from old attachments and help us follow the movement of the Spirit into new relationships and new forms of service: let us pray to the lord.

For the renewal of community life: that God will guide us in deepening our relationships, encouraging one another along life’s journey, and caring for one another as we face hardships: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who strive to manifest a New Heavens and a New Earth: that God will inspire those working to end injustice and poverty, assist the elderly and homebound, and be a source of hope for all who are suffering: let us pray to the Lord.

For all nearing despair: that the Spirit will help them recognize God’s love for them, give them new hope, and show them alternatives to suicide: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are caught in human trafficking: that God will free them from bondage, help someone to recognize their need, and restore them to loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal them, give them new courage, and renew their vision for a future filled with God’s promises: let us pray to the Lord.

For newly established churches and for newly organized parishes: that God will strengthen their spirits, help them form supportive relationships, and guide the development of ministries and services: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have been displaced by war, famine, or natural disasters: that God will protect them from harm, touch the hearts of many to reach out and assist them, and lead them to places of safety: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are graduating this spring: that they will find good ways to use their gifts and skills so that they may contribute to society and find meaning and satisfaction in their work: let us pray to the Lod.

For good stewardship of natural resources: that we may honor God’s work of creation through caring for the earth, water, and air that we share so that all may enjoy and share in its benefits: let us pray to the Lord.

For all couples preparing for marriage: that they may appreciate the gift that they are to one another and form a partnership of life for the good of each other: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will turn minds and hearts from violence, open new ways for dialogue about wounds and grievances, and help all who are burdened with anger to find healthy ways to express it: 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. (2025ao, May 18). Fifth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm

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

SOCL, Easter4C

Sunday May 11, 2025

See

The cultural dismissal of faith as illusory consolation or opium has left its mark on us all. Is it all projection? Has God truly spoken and revealed God’s self ? In Christian faith, our response is a resounding yes and, while we should be wary of facile solace, at the same time we should not deny ourselves the good and wholesome reassurance of faith. After all, one of the most repeated phrases throughout the Bible is “Do not the afraid” (though not in John, curiously). There are grounds for fear; but we, of all people, should not be overwhelmed by the negative.

Listen

Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100 [99]; Rev 7:9, 14b-17; John 10:27-30

Reflect

(John 10:27-30)

Jesus tells us that we can rely on his relationship with us. Think of the relationships you have in which you feel safe and secure because there is mutual understanding and the relationship has stood the test of time.

Jesus says that the disciple is one who listens. What is your experience of listening to the word of God in the Scriptures? To what other voices have you listened and found guidance?

The faithful disciple is also one who follows the path of love that Jesus preached and practiced. Although it may be difficult at times, it is in following it we find life. Where have you had the experience of listening, responding, loving, and finding life?

Pray

Safe in your hand, O God, is the flock you shepherd through Jesus your Son. Lead us always to the living waters where you promise respite and refreshment, that we may be counted among those who know and follow you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lies and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, Easter4C

May 12 - May 17, 2025

Monday 12 May

St Pancras, martyr

Acts 11:1-18 Should followers of Jesus follow all the Jewish Law, including circumcision, Sabbath and food regulations? It was an important question for the first generation. The answer, given three times in a vision, shaped the future of Christianity.

John 10:1-10 We encounter another of the seven I AM sentences of this Gospel, perhaps one of the less remembered ones: I am the gate. We need to think of point of access or encounter, as in“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

Tuesday 13 May

Our Lady of Fátima

Acts 11:19-26 This is a summary statement, letting us know about the expansion of The Way after the decision not to impose Jewish regulations on Gentiles.

John 10:22-30 The feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) is mentioned: this feast celebrated the rededication of the Temple in the previous century. At the time of writing that restored Temple was also in ruins, causing consternation for both Jews and Christians. The Christian response was to name Jesus as our shepherd, who would lead us both to God and to eternal life.

Wednesday 14 May

St Matthias, apostle

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 The writer of the Acts has great esteem for the Twelve and, as part of the continuity between the two Testaments, the “college” of the apostles is restored after the betrayal and death of Judas. The prayer of discernment shows confidence in God’s presence and inspiration.

John 15:9-17 What would you choose to represent the heart of the Christian proclamation? Following Jesus’ own example, our Gospel places at the heart of the Christian project the command to love. We may put “command” in inverted commas: really we are dealing with loving and being loved.

Thursday 15 May

St Carthage, bishop

Acts 13:13-25 The continuing story of Paul takes us rather breathlessly to Antioch in Pisidia (Turkey today). We hear the first part of a sermon, outlining the story of salvation until the ministry of John the Baptism. You may notice the emphasis on David—great symbol of God’s faithfulness through time, fulfilled in Jesus. Tomorrow we get to hear the second part of the sermon, when Paul challenges the hearers directly.

John 13:16-20 Our reading from John takes place at the Last Supper and follows the washing of the feet. As it draws out some of the meaning of the foot washing it also looks ahead to Jesus betrayal.

Friday 16 May

St Brendan the Navigator, abbot

Acts 13:26-33 For this scene, we have moved to Antioch in Pisidia. In a typical speech, Paul started yesterday reviewing the history of salvation; today Paul gives an account of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in the light of the Holy Scriptures.

John 14:7-14 Today we hear a reading familiar from funerals. However, it is really about Jesus own departure / death first of all. NB: one of the great I AM sentences from this Gospel.

Saturday 17 May

Acts 13:44-52 The switch to the Gentiles is signalled yet again in this brief story. Most likely, the Gentiles were the so-called Godfearers, that is, people already attracted to Judaism because of its pure doctrine of God, high moral code and its antiquity.

John 14:7-14 Our reading from John is very rich again today. It does contain a startling line: whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works. What could that possible mean? Somehow it means that after the great event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our task is to offer salvation, the salvation not yet achieved or somehow not available before Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025al, May 11). Fourth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm

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