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I CALL YOU FRIENDS

FRIDAY WEEK FIVE OF EASTER: THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR ADVOCATE

First Reading Acts 15:22-31
It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by us not to burden you beyond these essentials

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: Lectures Readings

‘The apostles and elders, your brothers, send greetings to the brothers of pagan birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We hear that some of our members have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds. They acted without any authority from us; and so we have decided unanimously to elect delegates and to send them to you with Barnabas and Paul, men we highly respect who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Reflections

Accordingly we are sending you Judas and Silas, who will confirm by word of mouth what we have written in this letter. It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond these essentials: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols; from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from fornication. Avoid these, and you will do what is right. Farewell.’ 

The party left and went down to Antioch, where they summoned the whole community and delivered the letter. The community read it and were delighted with the encouragement it gave them.

Responsorial Psalm: I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples

Gospel John 15 :12-17  What I command you is to love one another

Jesus said to his disciples:


‘This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.

You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’

MY PRAYER: God our Father in heaven I will thank you among the peoples. Yours is glory, honor, thanksgiving and adoration. I worship you in the presence of your Angels and Saints. To you God be all glory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ thank you for accepting me as your friend. Come Lord Jesus and send your Spirit into my heart and mind. Reveal your awesome power of protection and defend me against the evil one. Thank you Lord Jesus for revealing the Father's unfailing love to me. Divine Master I fix my eyes on you, I trust in your mercy, I trust in your love and protection. Holy Spirit, Spirit of Counsel, my Advocate come and instruct me.

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

Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria. Hail Mary. Hail Holy Queen, Mother bring us to Christ your Son.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Bernardine, Priest. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday today.

gloriahelg


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