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May 7 - Fifth Sunday of Easter The Risen Jesus Works Through You
Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12
In the Gospel this week, Jesus says: “...I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). The way to a good and full life, the way of a life full of meaning, the way to being the best version of ourselves is not a theory or a textbook or a list of do’s and don'ts. It's a person: Jesus Christ. Saint Paul tells us that we are Christ’s body here on earth. We are called to help point others toward him.
When we Catholics receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are also called to give His presence to the world. We become His hands and feet, His presence in our family, community, country, and world. Let’s put this in actionable terms for this week: We believe that God is Love. Love is often shown in small, unseen, humble acts of kindness. This week, look for these moments, but also be the maker of those moments. Call a friend randomly to let them know you are thinking of them, smile at the cashier at the grocery store, or put another person first in some way. The Kingdom of God, after all, is like a small mustard seed.
Discussion Questions:
- The “North Star" has symbolic meaning because it depicts a beacon of inspiration and hope to many. What or who are the other “North Stars” in your life?
- Jesus reminds us that He is the way and the truth and the life. What are some examples of how you imitate Jesus by showing the way, the truth, and the life to those you encounter who are spiritually lost and don’t know the way?
- Jesus reminds us in the Gospel today: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” We all know that is easier said than done, particularly in times of stress and difficulty. How do you embrace this message? How do you remind yourself and others that “Jesus is with Us” - always?
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May 14 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21
This weekend we hear(d) witness talks from moms in our parish. Last week, the homily series focused on our role of pointing others to Jesus Christ by being His hands and feet. For many of us, our mothers and grandmothers, or the mother-figures in our lives, have exemplified that kind of living. For those of us that have had that experience, this is a great opportunity to express gratitude to them, and to thank God for putting them in our lives.
Now, for some of us, our relationship with our mothers can be complicated and there is likely some brokenness in one way or another, no matter how great that relationship might be. Pray in a special way this week for people struggling with their relationships with their mothers.
Regardless of what our relationship with our physical mother is like, we also have a mother in our faith: Mary. May is a month in which we recognize Mary in a special way.
The Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about her:Being the Mother of Jesus, Mary is also our Mother. Good mothers always stand up for their children. Certainly this Mother does.” (YOUCAT #148)
We believe that Mary is the Mother of all Christians. This reminds us that one way of looking at our faith community is to see ourselves as a family. So as we recognize mothers, let’s all recognize our common Mother, Mary, with gratitude. May she help guide us closer and closer to her Son, Jesus. And may we, as a Church, act more and more like a loving family towards one another as we look to her example.
Discussion Questions:
- Jesus reminds us in the Gospel today - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The 4th Commandment tells us to honor our fathers and mothers. Can you think of some ways that you lived out this commandment - when you honored your mother or felt the honor of being a mother?
- “Jesus Is With Us” remains our theme, but that would not be possible without Mary, Jesus’ mother. Do you have a special devotion to Mary? Do you pray to her to intercede for you and your family? Can you describe your relationship with Mary the Mother of our Church?
- Our Gospel this week says: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Who are some of the key women in the Bible who give you hope and inspiration? Call by name the moms or women who have mentored or influenced you throughout your life. Describe them.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________May 21 - The Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20
Before leaving this earth, Jesus shared these parting words with the disciples:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.-Matthew 28:19-20
Making disciples of all nations can easily feel like a task way beyond us, or something only the Pope, Bishops, and priests are responsible for. Yet we all have a role to play in this mission. A priest or deacon will do the baptizing, but who invites people to get to know Jesus in the first place? We all do!
When we Catholics receive Christ in the Eucharist, we are also called to give his presence to the world. The Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “God gives himself to each one of us individually, and he wants to transform us through communion with him. Once we are transformed, we are supposed to transform the world.” (YOUCAT #217).
That can start with simply being kind, warm, caring, and having a heart of service for others. It can also include sharing our own story of faith with someone when the time is right. Have you ever done that before? Try writing down your faith story in a way that you could share it with someone in 5 minutes. This could be a good exercise to help us identify the core of our story of how the Gospel and the Risen Jesus has changed our lives. You never know when you might have an opportunity to share it with someone.
And remember, we’re never alone in this great mission. After all, Jesus promised: “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Which, as it turns out, is the perfect Scripture passage to wrap up our series: Jesus is with Us!
Discussion Questions:
- We are a community of believers and by virtue of the resurrection, “Jesus is With Us” - always. How does your understanding of this Easter joy exude from you in your daily encounters?
- At the end of every Mass we celebrate together there is a sending forth of the congregation: “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord; or, Go in Peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” How do you receive and live out these words throughout your daily life?
- Together we make up the body of Christ. We have not been left alone; we have each other! Jesus is with Us! How can you, or do you, embrace this theme, sustain it, and share it with those most in need of hearing the good news of Jesus resurrected and alive?
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May 28- Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23
How much does fear inhibit you from living the full life you were born to live? That’s a tough question, I know. For example: things like fear of rejection, fear of failure, and fear of embarrassment can be paralyzing. Fear can prevent us from stepping out of the comfortable and into the incredible.
If you can relate to that in some way, you are in good company: In today’s Gospel we find the apostles hiding in a room together because of…you guessed it: FEAR. They locked the door behind them. And yet…they haven’t made a door (and never will) that can keep out God. We hear in the Gospel: “Jesus came and stood in their midst…” Jesus gives them peace, he tells them multiple times: “Peace be with you.”
Today, Pentecost, we celebrate the birthday of the Church. Why is Pentecost the birthday of the Church? Pentecost, as we hear in both Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel today, was the moment the apostles received the Holy Spirit…and it changed them for good.
Before receiving the Holy Spirit: they were hiding in fear behind locked doors.
After receiving the Holy Spirit: they were courageously proclaiming Jesus Christ, and performing signs and wonders in the Temple area of all places! (that’s a big shift from hiding to going right to the middle of it all!) (see Acts 5:12-16)
They moved from the comfortable (staying in hiding away from danger) to the incredible (changing the world through the Gospel). You (yes, YOU!), as a baptized Catholic Christian have been gifted the exact same Holy Spirit that we read about today. YOU are part of this story.
So, what role will you play, or are you playing, in the story? Pray to the Holy Spirit today. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you to live in.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your relationship wtih the Holy Spirit like? Is this a Person of the Trinity you pray to?
- Consider how the apostles acted in the upper room "pre-Holy Spirit" compared to how they acted after receiving the Holy Spirit. Does your faith journey have some significant "before and after" moments that deepened your faith?
- What was your expereince of the Sacrament of Confirmation? What stands out to you from that expereince?