Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C
Prayer
Loving Father,
Open our eyes to see your Son who rose from the dead and opened for us the bright promise of immortality. May we bear witness to his life, death, and resurrection in this Easter Season and throughout our lives. Grant this Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commentary
1st Reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
If you recall, in previous weeks, Saints Paul and Barnabas were met with difficulties as they tried to bring the Gospel to the Greek speaking Jews. They had better luck among the Gentiles. While these Apostles experienced difficulties with those outside of the Church, they also faced tensions within the Church.
Paul and Barnabas were confronted by the problem of what to do with the new Christians who were not circumcised. These new converts were told by others leaders that “they would not be saved,” unless they followed the Mosaic practices.
Paul and Barnabas convened with the Apostles and the elders of the Church in Jerusalem about this matter. A message was sent to the newly formed Gentile Church that a “decision of the Holy Spirit” and the council to not place such Mosaic burdens upon the Gentiles was agreed upon and that, apart from accepting to obey few obvious laws, the Gentile converts were fine. This Council of Jerusalem would be the 1st of many in the history of our Church; our latest Syniod on the Family being the last.
Question:
Do you see value in laws and precepts of the Church?
2nd Reading: Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
The vision of John in our 2nd Reading is something that a producer would love to recreate today. Especially with new technologies and graphics, imagine the heavenly Jerusalem with all of its precious stones, crystals, high walls, twelve gates and angels thrown upon a movie screen.
Imagine that in 3-D. Wow!
However, neither the best of all producers’ cinematic tricks, nor even the vivid experience of John’s revelation, could replace what lies behind all of what is portrayed.
The imagery of the NewJerusalem is only a facade of what dwells within its walls. Notice that there is never a full description of God. And yet, John is able to point Him out as the new temple.
This, incidentally, is one of the reasons why the Book of Revelation (even though it was written late in the 1st Century) was accepted as an authentically inspired work and included in the Christian canon of the Bible. If John had described God in detail, the Book would have been dismissed as a mere fanciful dream or hallucination. Our Church judges apparitions of Mary or the Saints today in the same way. If the so called apparitions are too detailed, they are often held with suspicion.
Question:
Have you ever had a vision of God or do you just trust in His presence?
Gospel: John 14:23-29
In our 1st Reading, we read about the Jerusalem Council convening and making a decision in consultation with the Holy Spirit. It is this same Spirit that the Church turns to this Sunday n anticipation of the Feast of Pentecost in a few weeks.
On the night before He dies, Jesus tells His disciples that he will be going to His Father in heaven. He promises them that He will return again. Meanwhile, Jesus offers them two departing gifts. The first is a personal gift from Himself: “Peace I leave with you; my peace is my gift to you.” The second gift will come later (after His resurrection). The gift of the Holy will be sent by His Father and in Jesus’ name.
As Catholics, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit who proceeds (given) from the Father and the Son. In the Orthodox Church, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and through the Son. What appears to be a minute debate today regarding Who and how the Spirit is given, was a major battle in the early Church.
Nevertheless, our two Churches celebrate the necessary gift of the Holy Spirit who makes us holy.
Question:
How have you thanked the Father and Jesus for the gifts of Peace and Holy Spirit in your life?
This Week’s Task
In a few weeks, we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost.
Take time this week to study up on the Third Person of the Holy Trinity – the Holy Spirit.
Study Section 2, Chapter 3, and Article 8 on “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Group Prayer
The leader guides the group with an Easter renewal. A bowl of holy water may be placed in the center so members can bless themselves:
Leader: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Response: I do.
Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
Response: I do.
Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
Response: I do.
Psalm
Response: O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
Conclude with an Our Father
Used with permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.