Greetings on this the Fifth Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12
Summary
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father (PS 33:22; 1 Ptr 2:5; Jn 14:12).
Reflection
Personal note: Travel is over for now. Back home. Now preparing for the Appalachian Trail final push in June.
Each of you, Baptised in Christ, are living stones as St Peter describes.
The phrase “Living Stones” merges the attributes of stone (firm, enduring, dependable) with the living attributes of loving, caring and proclaiming, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Ptr 2:9b).
Personal Reflection
Each baptized person has the strength and the humanity to be proclaimers of the divine love that is in Jesus Christ. Let’s do that today.
Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week of Easter Readings: Acts 4:23-31; Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9; John 3:1-8
Summary
Our gospel portion today, John 3:1-6, is the preeminent baptismal gospel portion used by the Church. In it, Jesus describes the necessity of baptism of water and Spirit. By water and the Holy Spirit we receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. In that divine life, which God gives, will keep us safe from the poison of sin and allow love itself to grow always stronger in our hearts.
Nicodemus
Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ (Jn 3:5-7).
Ezekiel – from stone to fleshly hearts, from rebellious spirit to divine spirit. This points to a renewal of both body and spirit.
I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them (Ez 36:25-27).
Joel – a restoration for all, from the youngest to the oldest. All are renewed.
It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions (Jl 3:1).
Reflection
From the Second Sunday of Easter we celebrate the Divine Mercy. First among the gifts of mercy, is the gift of new life in baptism. May we recall our own baptism today and pray for the baptism of all peoples – that the gift of divine love – bring the relief we all need:
Safe from the poison of Sin.
A life guided and infused with divine love.
Personal Reflection
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).
A blessing for you based on the baptismal rite.
My brothers and sisters, I entrust you all to the mercy and help of God the almighty Father, his only Son, and the Holy Spirit. May he watch over your life, and may we all walk by the light of faith, and attain the good things he promised us.
Go in peace, and may almighty God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless you.
