'DO YOU BELIEVE AT LAST?'

MONDAY THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTER

DID YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading  Acts 19:1-8

The moment Paul laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.  Readings Lectures

He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months. Reflections

Responsorial Psalm: Kingdom of the earth, sing to God

Gospel John 16 :29-33 Be brave, for I have conquered the world

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already – when you will be scattered, each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.’ 

JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY

SIX SUNDAY OF EASTER  

JESUS CHRIST THE ROOT OF DAVID THE BRIGHT STAR OF MORNING 

First Reading Actsm7:55-60 The stoning of Stephen

Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words he fell asleep. Readings Lectures Reflections

Responsorial Psalm 

The Lord is king, most high above all the earth

Second Reading  Apocalypse 22:12-14,16-17,20 Come, Lord Jesus

I, John, heard a voice speaking to me: ‘Very soon now, I shall be with you again, bringing the reward to be given to every man according to what he deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Happy are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city.’ 

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to make these revelations to you for the sake of the churches. I am of David’s line, the root of David and the bright star of the morning. 

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ Let everyone who listens answer, ‘Come.’ Then let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the water of life, and have it free. 

The one who guarantees these revelations repeats his promise: I shall indeed be with you soon. Amen; come, Lord Jesus.

Gospel John 17-20-26 Father, may they be completely one

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’

Almighty God our Father thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Son Jesus Christ. He is the root of David the bright star of the morning. Father thank you for the lovely day. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ's love, tenderness, healing and compassion to all who approach you Father with an open heart.

Jesus Christ gave us glory through His coming. He prayed for protection, unity and oneness among his chosen. May  we experience peace in our hearts that we maybe united as one as Christ prayed. Grant us this to the glory of your Most Holy Name. Thank God our Father. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ,  and thank you Holy Spirit that dwells in our heart.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Guide me, guard me. Defend me. Be my protection.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Virgin Mary Queen of Peace pray for us.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Paul VI, Pope. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.

I CAME FROM GOD ASK IN MY NAME

SATURDAY SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER: JESUS IS CHRIST 

First Reading Act 18:23-28 Apollos demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ

Paul came down to Antioch, where he spent a short time before continuing his journey through the Galatian country and then through Phrygia, encouraging all the followers. Readings Lectures 

An Alexandrian Jew named Apollos now arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, with a sound knowledge of the scriptures, and yet, though he had been given instruction in the Way of the Lord and preached with great spiritual earnestness and was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus, he had only experienced the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, they took an interest in him and gave him further instruction about the Way. Reflections

When Apollos thought of crossing over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote asking the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived there he was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably by the energetic way he refuted the Jews in public and demonstrated from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Responsorial Psalm: God is King of all the earth

Gospel John 16 :23-28 The Father loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.

I have been telling you all this in metaphors, the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors; but tell you about the Father in plain words.

When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’

I SHALL SEE YOU AGAIN NO ONE WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR JOY

FRIDAY SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER: DO NOT BE AFRAID I AM WITH YOU

First Reading Acts 18:1-18 

'I have many people on my side in this city'

At Corinth one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’ So Paul stayed there preaching the word of God among them for eighteen months. Readings Lectures Reflections

But, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. ‘We accuse this man’ they said ‘of persuading people to worship God in a way that breaks the Law.’ Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘Listen, you Jews. If this were a misdemeanour or a crime, I would not hesitate to attend to you; but if it is only quibbles about words and names, and about your own Law, then you must deal with it yourselves – I have no intention of making legal decisions about things like that.’ Then he sent them out of the court, and at once they all turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the court house. Gallio refused to take any notice at all. 

After staying on for some time, Paul took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut off, because of a vow he had made.

Responsorial Psalm: God is king of all the earth

Gospel John 16 :20-23 Your hearts will be full of joy that no-one will take from you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.

A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come;but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a man has been born into the world.

So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions.’

PRAYER: Heavenly Father you are King of over all. Father you reign supreme. Your majesty is eternal you alone be adoration and worship. Thank you loving Father for a new refreshing day. Thank you for the gift of life and for your Spirit that abides in me, and with me. Take all glory now and for ever Father the Lord Most High deserves all honor and praise.

Loving Father thank you for you subdue our enemies under us. My inheritance and my glory comes from you. I will speak of your faithfulness, your mercy and your love. I will not fear for you are the I am that I am. No one will even attempt to hurt me. My assurance comes from you.

Thank you loving Father for your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. I sing your praise Father for your Son goes up into heaven in triumph and victory. He conquered evil and all forms of hostilities. Christ foretold those who love you the challenges they will encounter in loving you Father and Him. However He promised that our sorrows will turn to abundant joy, and that no one will take away our joy - for His promised Advocate will remain with us as our comforter. Spirit of God come dwell in our hearts.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, defend me. Be my guide and my guard.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Rejoice Queen of Heaven. Rejoice the Blessed Virgin Mother of our Lord and Saviour. Hail Mary. Ave Maria. Hail Holy Queen. Pray for us and bring us to your Son Jesus Christ 

our Master.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today. 

gloriahelg

GOD GOES UP WITH SHOUTS OF JOY - THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST

THURSDAY WEEK SIX OF EASTER: 

WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS LIFTED UP  

THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM HE

First Read Acts 1:1-11 Jesus was lifted up while they looked on

In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is’ he had said ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Readings Lectures Reflections

Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’

As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Responsorial Psalm: God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast

Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23 God made him sit at his right hand in heaven

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. 

This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

Gospel  Luke 24:46-53 

He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven

Jesus said to his disciples: 

‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this. 

‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’ 

Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.

My God I thank you for today. I worship you. I praise your Most Holy Name in songs of adoration and thanksgiving. It is Ascention Thursday. Your Son Jesus Christ was taken up to heaven. The Angels rejoiced for Christ rose. He is Lord of lords. He is the Prince of Peace. He conquered death. He reconciled us back to you loving Father.  He is our Brother, we are your children. Father may Your Holy Name be glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Father, God of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are the King of glory. Give me a spirit of wisdom and perception. Father  bring me to full knowledge of You and your Son Jesus Christ. Enlighten the eyes of my mind so that I can see what hope your call holds for me. The rich glories you have promised the saints, and the Spirit to know the great power that you Father has exercised for us believers. 

Christ rose from the dead, He is at your right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination. Father there is no other name that can be named in this age nor in the age to come. You put all things under His feet and made Christ the ruler of everything. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ that fills all creation. Come Holy Spirit the promise of Christ. Come dwell in me.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of  our risen Lord pray for us. Ave Maria.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Philip Neri, Priest. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday. Happy Feast of Ascension of our Lord and Saviour. 

 

JESUS SAID EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE

WEDNESDAY SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER: 

GOD HAS APPOINTED A MAN TO BE THE JUDGE 

First Reading Acts 17,15,22-18:1 

 I proclaim the God you already worship without knowing it

Paul’s escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to rejoin Paul as soon as they could. 

So Paul stood before the whole Council of the Areopagus and made this speech: 

‘Men of Athens, I have seen for myself how extremely scrupulous you are in all religious matters, because I noticed, as I strolled round admiring your sacred monuments, that you had an altar inscribed: To An Unknown God. Well, the God whom I proclaim is in fact the one whom you already worship without knowing it. Readings Lectures Reflections

‘Since the God who made the world and everything in it is himself Lord of heaven and earth, he does not make his home in shrines made by human hands. Nor is he dependent on anything that human hands can do for him, since he can never be in need of anything; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath – to everyone. From one single stock he not only created the whole human race so that they could occupy the entire earth, but he decreed how long each nation should flourish and what the boundaries of its territory should be. And he did this so that all nations might seek the deity and, by feeling their way towards him, succeed in finding him. Yet in fact he is not far from any of us, since it is in him that we live, and move, and exist, as indeed some of your own writers have said: “We are all his children.”

‘Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man. 

‘God overlooked that sort of thing when men were ignorant, but now he is telling everyone everywhere that they must repent, because he has fixed a day when the whole world will be judged, and judged in righteousness, and he has appointed a man to be the judge. And God has publicly proved this by raising this man from the dead.’ 

At this mention of rising from the dead, some of them burst out laughing; others said, ‘We would like to hear you talk about this again.’ After that Paul left them, but there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman called Damaris, and others besides.   After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Responsorial Psalm: Your glory fills all heaven and earth

Gospel John 16 :12-15 The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.

He will glorify me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’

PRAYER: God my Father Your glory fills all heaven and earth. Hossanah to you Most High God. Father I worship today in adoration for your gift of a new day. Let your Angels and Saints praise you. May all your creatures give you praise. To you be all glory.

Father you made the world and everything in it. You O God is Lord of heaven and earth. You give life to all your creatures. Father you are not far from us your creatures for it is in you that we ave our being. We  live, we move, and we exist, you are all in all. We are your children.

Father you appointed your Son Jesus Christ our Lord to be the judge. He promised that he will send to us the Spirit to lead us to complete truth and to knowledge you Father, and the knowledge of Him. The Spirit of Truth will glorify Him for the Spirit bears witness to Him. Everything you O God has is His. Come Holy Spirit of Truth Come and enlighten us.

Glory to be to you O God the Father, Glory be to you O God the Son and to you God the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ my Redeemer I trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary pray for me. Blessed Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian protect me. Guide me, guard and direct my steps.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for us. Bring us to your Son Jesus Christ our Prince of Peace.

Your Birthday Saints: St. Bede the Venerable, Monk. Saint Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi, Religious and  Saint Gregory VII, Pope. May they pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.

 

THE COMING OF THE ADVOCATE

TUESDAY WEEK SIX IN EASTER: A BELIEVER IN THE LORD JESUS

First Reading Acts 16:22-34 

Become a believer and you will be saved, and your household too 

The crowd joined in and showed their hostility to Paul and Silas, so the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be flogged. They were given many lashes and then thrown into prison, and the gaoler was told to keep a close watch on them. So, following his instructions, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Lectures Readings Reflections

Late that night Paul and Silas were praying and singing God’s praises, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. All the doors flew open and the chains fell from all the prisoners. When the gaoler woke and saw the doors wide open he drew his sword and was about to commit suicide, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, ‘Don’t do yourself any harm; we are all here.’ The gaoler called for lights, then rushed in, threw himself trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas, and escorted them out, saying, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

They told him, ‘Become a believer in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, and your household too.’ Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all his family. Late as it was, he took them to wash their wounds, and was baptised then and there with all his household. Afterwards he took them home and gave them a meal, and the whole family celebrated their conversion to belief in God.

Responsorial Psalm: You stretch out your hand and save me, O Lord

Gospel  John 16:5-11 Unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Now I am going to the one who sent me. Not one of you has asked, “Where are you going?” Yet you are sad at heart because I have told you this.

Still, I must tell you the truth: it is for your own good that I am going because unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you.

And when he comes, he will show the world how wrong it was, about sin, and about who was in the right, and about judgement: about sin: proved by their refusal to believe in me; about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father and your seeing me no more; about judgement: proved by the prince of this world being already condemned.’

MY PRAYER: My Father in heaven I thank you for the new day. Father you rule over the world. Father you stretch out your hand and save me. You freed me from bondage. The chains are broken. Each morning I experience your unfailing love. Your Holy Spirit refreshes me. Thank you my Father my God. I love and adore you.

Lord Jesus Christ my Lord and Master, your words are true and they are life.  Each day you reveal your word to us 'Still I must tell you the truth...' Lord I want to know you. Come reveal yourself to me more deeply. I believe that I have been baptised into Christ, and His Holy Spirit lives in me 1 Corinthians 3:16. Fill me with the Holy Spirit  the Advocate you promised to send. He will guide and guard my actions that I be saved from judgement and condemnation. Come Holy Spirit my Advocate, come be my protection  against the prince of the world. Thank you my Lord and Redeemer.

Lord Jesus Christ  thank you for loving me. Your shame, my honor. Jesus I trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Be my protection, defend me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Hail Holy Queen. Virgin Mary Mother of Christ our Mother pray for us bring us to your Son Jesus Christ.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Vincent of  Lérins, Monk. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.

gloriahelg

 

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

MONDAY WEEK SIX IN EASTER: The Spirit of Truth will be my witness

First Reading Acts 16:11-15 The Lord opened Lydia's heart to accept what Paul was saying

Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that particular district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went along the river outside the gates as it was the sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. 

We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she sent us an invitation: ‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord,’ she said ‘come and stay with us’; and she would take no refusal.

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord takes delight in his people Readings Lectures

Gospel John 15:26-16:4 The Spirit of truth will be my witness

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness.

And you too will be witnesses, because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken. They will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is doing a holy duty for God.

They will do these things because they have never known either the Father or me. But I have told you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told you.’ Reflections

PRAYER: My Father in heaven, my God I thank you for you take delight in your creatures. Father you are full of mercy, love and compassion. Father I thank you for a new week. I offer all my efforts to you that at the end each day of the week all glory may be yours through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and  our Redeemer.

Father send me your Spirit of truth to guide me to the truth about the knowledge of Jesus Christ your Son. Let the Spirit of truth transform me that your glory be revealed in my life. Keep faithful me to your word, keep me faithful the Christ. Keep faithful to His teaching.

Lord Jesus I want to follow you. Remove every hindrance from me that would  be an obstacle. Lord fill me with your love. Come Holy Spirit, come Spirit of Truth come dwell in me. 

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary pray for me. Blessed Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Patron Saint pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Be my protection, be my guide and guard. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Hail Mary. Ave Maria. Hail Holy Queen.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint John the Baptist de Rossi, Priest. May he pray for you today as you celebrate your birthday.

gloriahelg

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

First Reading Acts 15:1-2,22-29

It has been decided by the Spirit and by ourselves not to burden you with any burden beyond these essentials

Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers, ‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’ This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders. 

Then the apostles and elders decided to choose delegates to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; the whole church concurred with this. They chose Judas known as Barsabbas and Silas, both leading men in the brotherhood, and gave them this letter to take with them:...... Readings Lectures Reflections

Responsorial Psalm:  Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you

Second Reading Apocalypse 21:10-14,22-23 He showed me the holy city coming down out of heaven

In the spirit, the angel took me to the top of an enormous high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God out of heaven. It had all the radiant glory of God and glittered like some precious jewel of crystal-clear diamond. The walls of it were of a great height, and had twelve gates; at each of the twelve gates there was an angel, and over the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; on the east there were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

I saw that there was no temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple, and the city did not need the sun or the moon for light, since it was lit by the radiant glory of God and the Lamb was a lighted torch for it.

Gospel  John 14:23-29  A peace the world cannot give is my gift to you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.

 Those who do not love me do not keep my words. And my word is not my own: it is the word of the one who sent me. I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.

 Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe.’

God my Father in heaven let the peoples praise you. Thank you Father for the new day. Thank you for your faithfulness and love. Father to you be the glory, honor, thanksgiving and adoration. May our worship today give you all the glory. Lord Jesus Christ thank you for sharing your passion with us. May God's Holy Spirit dwell in us. Give us strength and transform us. Renew our world with your spirit of Peace.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Blessed Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Hail Holy Queen.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Rita of Cascia may she pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.

THE WORLD HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU

SATURDAY WEEK FIVE IN EASTER: JESUS CHRIST MY CHOICE

First Reading Acts 16:1-10 'Come across to Macedonia and help us'

From Cilicia Paul went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra. Here there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess who had become a believer; but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy, and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek. Readings Lectures

As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to respect them. So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers.  Reflections

They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas. 

One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and appealed to him in these words, ‘Come across to Macedonia and help us.’ Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News. 

Responsorial Psalm: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth

Gospel John 15 :18-21 The world hated me before it hated you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice withdrew you from the world, therefore the world hates you.

Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will do all this, because they do not know the one who sent me.’

PRAYER: God my Father I raise my voice in praise to you for your goodness over me. Father thank you for your faithfulness, love and mercy. It is a new day let all your creatures raise their voices in praise, adoration and worship. We cry out Halleluyah to your Most Holy Name.

Lord Jesus Christ thank you for sharing your passion with me. I want to remember your word that the world hated you, my loving and trusting you I equally will be a victime of those who still do not love you. Those who hate truth and would promote falsehood. Help me to manifest your presence with courage. I marvel at your word grant me deeper knowledge of the scripture that I may grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. 

Fill me with your Holy Spirit to instruct me.  Make me sensitive to people's beliefs, views, opinions, traditions, customs and direct my actions in relating to all your creatures.

They will be my inspiration, guide, courage, confidence and strength. That the world may accept your visitation, give God all the glory for your sacrifice  in redeeming our world. 

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Blessed Virgin Mary pray for me. Blessed Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Hail Holy Queen. 

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest and Companions, Martyrs. May they pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today. 

gloriahelg