One another, Easter4C

May 10, 2025

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

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 recognize the voice of the Lord in our lives, distinguish it from the many other sounds which demand our time and attention, and follow the invitations of Jesus to a fuller life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have shepherded us, particularly parents, pastors, teachers, and mentors: that God will continue to work through them and guide them in helping others may grow: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who preach amidst opposition and peril: that God will embolden their hearts, empower their words, and inspire them in announcing God’s mercy and unbounded love: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from fear: that we may rely upon the Spirit’s strength as we face challenges and negative messages in our work and society: let us pray to the lord.

For all the newly baptized: that they may enter more fully into the life of the parish, share in its mission, and help all of us to be renewed: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to share our gifts: that we may place our gifts at the service of others for God’s glory even if they are not accepted: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing of the divisions in the human family: that God will heal the wounds of racism and ethnic discrimination so that there may be one crowd of people from every land offering praise and worship to God with a common voice: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who serve in pastoral ministry: that God will guide them in the service of the community, help them to follow Jesus more closely, and continually renew their strength and energy: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are discerning a call to pastoral ministry: that they will hear God’s invitation to share in nurturing and guiding the faith community and respond with generous hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all mothers and those who have been like a mother to us: that God will bless and strengthen them and inspire us to greater love by their witness of love and concern: let us pray to the Lord.

For students, as they complete the semester:  that God will give them strength, guide them as they study for exams and write papers, and help them to recall what they have learned: let us pray to the Lord.

For inspiration: that the Holy Spirit will guide the administration and Congress as they seek ways to resolve the issues around immigration and that Gospel may open new ways to help all who must flee their homes: let us pray to the Lod.

For greater care of earth's resources:  that God will move hearts to greater awareness of the fragility of the air and freshwater so that they may be preserved for our children and grandchildren: let us pray to the Lord.

For peacemakers: that the Holy Spirit will inspire all who are working to end violent conflicts, open avenues for the safe moments of the vulnerable, and help everyone to recognize the dignity of every human life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, particularly our mothers:  that they may experience the love of the Good Shepherd and join the great multitude of holy ones rejoicing in God's presence: 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. (2025al, May 11). Fourth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm

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

The Word today, Easter3C

May 05 - May 10, 2025

Monday 05 May

Bl. Edmund Ignatius Rice, religious

Acts 6:8-15 Stephen, whose feast we celebrate on 26 December, was one of the seven chosen to relieve the pressure on the apostles (Acts 6:5). Today we begin his story, a story of extraordinary witness leading to martyrdom. The Greek for a “witness” is martys, whence our word martyrdom.

John 6:22-29 The focus throughout John 6 is really on the person of Jesus. This is very evident in today’s Gospel: ‘This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.’

Tuesday 06 May

Acts 7:51-8:1 As we listen to the story of Stephen’s death, we might notice echoes of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion peculiar to Luke’s Gospel. This is intentional, because Luke sees Jesus’ death as also that of a prophet-martyr.

John 6:30-35 Appetites, such are hunger and thirst, are often used metaphorically to speak of hungers of the heart. Today, Jesus satisfies our hunger because he is our bread of life.

Wednesday 07 May

Acts 8:1-8 Three important characters overlap in today’s narrative: Stephen, Paul and Philip. We will hear much of Paul later; for the moment the story of Philip is taken up. He was also one of the seven chosen in Acts 6:5. Is this the same Philip who was an apostle? This is not so clear, although early tradition affirms it is one and the same person.

John 6:35-40 Our Gospel today is rich in invitation. The words of Pope Francis come to mind: Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed.

Thursday 08 May

Acts 8:26-40 Today we hear a memorable anecdote involving an exotic figure, the finance minister of the “Candace” or queen of Ethiopia. There are considerable links with the Emmaus story: the unrecognised “guest”, the explanation of the Scriptures, the sudden disappearance and displacement. Luke wants us to “hear” these stories together.

John 6:44-51 The sermon on the bread of life continues. You may notice references to the incarnation, the cross and the resurrection.

Friday 09 May

Acts 9:1-20 The story of Saul / Paul begins today, a story which will occupy the rest of the Acts. The conversion of Paul was a key event for early Christianity, placing at the service of The Way a remarkable person of faith, intelligence and energy.

John 6:52-59 The “giving of my flesh” takes place in this Gospel at the crucifixion. Eating and drinking are metaphors for faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, celebrated sacramentally in the Eucharist.

Saturday 10 May

St Combgall, abbot

St John of Ávila, priest and doctor

Acts 9:31-42 The story we are about to hear has a double resonance. It resembles the story of Jairus’ daughter in Luke 8, which in turn resembles the story of Elijah and the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17. Luke’s message is clear: prophetic actions continue among the followers of The Way.

John 6:60-69 There are several things “going on” in this reading. The departure of some mostly likely refers to a split in the community when some walked away (no unknown today, alas). The close of John 6 is a version of the scene in Capernaum—who do you say I am? The wording is very different, but Peter is the spokesman and this affirmation of faith is one of the strongest in this Gospel.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025ak, May 4). Third Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm

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

One another, Easter3C

May 04, 2025

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30 (29); Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

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 empowered by the Holy Spirit, we may give convincing witness to the freeing and healing power of the Risen Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater discipleship: that we may be limited by past failures but be open to God’s new invitations and rely upon God to bring to fulfillment the mission entrusted to us: let us pray to the Lord.

For a new perspective on life: that God will broaden our vision to see ourselves praising and serving God in harmony with all of creation: let us pray to the Lord.

For growth in trust: that we may surrender our disappointments and failures to God so that we may be renewed and raised up for new opportunities: let us pray to the lord.

For the grace of awareness: that God will open our minds and hearts to recognize Christ in the Eucharist, the people, events, and experiences of daily life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who face suffering or persecution for being a Christian: that the Spirit will strengthen them to give faithful witness to Christ and God’s love for all: let us pray to the Lord.

For Pope Francis: that God will strengthen and inspire him as he leads the church in seeking the reign of God, deepening our loving service, and growing in unity as God’s family: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who exercise ministry in the Church: that their actions may be rooted in love, service, and commitment to Christ as they assist fellow Christians in deepening their discipleship: let us pray to the Lord.

For all dioceses who are awaiting new bishops and parishes who are waiting for new pastors: that God will guide and inspire the selection process and bring forth leaders filled with wisdom, love, and deep spirituality: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who will be receiving First Communion soon: that they may grow in their faith and their awareness of God’s love for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For our families: that mealtimes spent together may be times of nourishment, healing, reconciliation, and encouragement of one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of openness and acceptance: that we may welcome the stranger and immigrant into our communities and help them to build a new life: let us pray to the Lod.

For all who earn their living on the seas: that God will protect them from harm and increase the quality and quantity of fish for the good of the human family: let us pray to the Lord.

For insight and courage: that we may bring the witness of the Gospel to the social and political issues of our day and that the Spirit will give us words to effectively communicate the truth: let us pray to the Lord.

For Peace: that God will turn hearts from violence, open minds to the pain that it causes, and open new opportunities for dialogue and understanding: let us pray to the Lord.

Open our hearts to your power moving around 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. (2025ak, May 4). Third Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm

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