May 10, 2015

6th Sun. of Easter

May 10, 2015:  Sixth Sunday of Easter

Find ten connections between the above and
today's Bible readings and celebration?
Legend at bottom
Listen

Thanks to Ed Bolduc's blog
Pope Francis Regina Cœli
We remember with gratitude and affection all mothers.  The Lord bless them all, and may the Mother of God, to whom this month is dedicated, watch over them all.
The Lord calls us to love each other, to desire the good for one another, even if we don't always understand each other or get along; it's precisely there that we see what Christian love is.
Read
  • Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48  Peter:  “God shows no partiality.”  The Spirit fell on all who were listening.  “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people?”  He ordered them to be baptized....
  • Ps 98:1-4  "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power."  Sing praise to the Lord, for he has done wondrous deeds; he won victory, made his salvation known, revealed his justice, remembered his kindness and faithfulness.  All the earth has seen God's salvation.
  • 1 Jn 4:7-10  Love one another, because love is of God.  God revealed his love by sending his Son so that we might have life.  Love isn't that we've loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son.
  • Jn 15:9-17  “As the Father loves me, so I love you.  Keep my commandments and remain in my love, and my joy will be in you.  Love one another as I love you.  No one has greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.  You're my friends if you do what I command.  I chose you and appointed you to go bear lasting fruit, so the Father may give you what you ask in my name.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  We're covered with God's fingerprints (Larry Gillick, SJ).  Fingerprints are unique.  May God’s fingerprints be on me and the prints I leave behind.
    • One Bread One Body:  "Loving the dead into life":  We can live the miracle of crucified, unconditional love because we've received love, given by the Father, revealed by Jesus, and poured out through the Spirit.  Many are love-bankrupt, trying to give what they don't have.  I don't need more love from God, just greater awareness of his love for me; then I'll have love enough to love a culture of death and transform it into life and love.
    • Passionist:  God acted independently of Peter's protocol, sending the Spirit onto those who had not obeyed the rules. God’s love is bigger than our rules and expectations. God loves me profoundly not because I deserve or earn it, but because God so chooses.  Challenge:  Jesus commands me to do likewise, to love those who annoy or disgust me, not to avoid, judge, or dismiss them.  Instead, we execute sinners, turn our backs on the hungry, and refuse compassion to migrants.  Offer love, compassion, and forgiveness to someone you have a hard time loving, and choose a broader area and try to make a difference.
    • DailyScripture.net:  Love is our reason for being, our purpose and goal.  Everything God does flows from unlimited love for us, enduring love with power to change and transform us to be like him:  merciful, gracious, kind, forgiving, and loving friends and enemies alike.  God gives life, peace, and joy to all who open their hearts to him.  Jesus' love was directed toward others' good.  Jesus gave us a new way to love and serve one another.  Our love for God and willingness to lay down our life is a response to God's love for us in Christ.
    Friendship with God is love beyond duty.  "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  Jesus' love was unconditional, directed to others' good, and sacrificial.  Jesus' new commandment is to love to the death, overcoming selfishness, fear, and pride.  It's a selfless and self-giving love that puts others' welfare ahead of mine.  We prove our love when we embrace the cross. When my will crosses with God's, God's must be done.  If we open our hearts to God's love and love our neighbor, we'll bear lasting fruit.
    Dress legend
    • 'Precious feet' pin:  Cornelius fell at Peter's feet to pay homage.  (1st reading)
    • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  The Spirit fell on those listening to Peter  (1st reading)
    • Tie with flags:  "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power."  (psalm)
    • 'Hand' tie pin:  The Lord's right hand has won victory  (psalm)
    • 'Hearts' suspenders:  Love one another  (2nd reading, gospel); as the Father loves me, so I love you (gospel)
    • 'Jubilee year' pin:  “I tell you this so my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." (gospel)
    • 'Apple' pin:  "I appointed you to go bear lasting fruit" (gospel)
    • Blue and white shirt:  blue for waters of baptism (1st reading), white for Easter season
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