Posted: 5/24/2014 2:11:21 AM EDT
Sixth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 55 25 MAY 2014 Reading 1 ACTS 8:5-8, 14-17 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Responsorial Psalm PS 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 R/ (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or: R/ Alleluia. Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!” R/ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or: R/ Alleluia. “Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. R/ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or: R/ Alleluia. He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. He rules by his might forever. R/ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or: R/ Alleluia. Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness! R/ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. or: R/ Alleluia. Reading 2 1 PT 3:15-18 Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. 
Gospel JN 14:15-21 Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Overview of the Gospel: • This Sunday’s reading takes place at the Last Supper (John chapters 13—17), and is a continuation of last week’s reading. • Now that Jesus is about “to pass from this world to the Father” (John 13:1), he explains to his own how he will continue to reveal himself to them. He promises them that he will send the Holy Spirit, “another Advocate,” or Paraclete. The Greek word, paracletos, means one who stands beside and defends. It can also mean consoler, comforter, intercessor, mediator or spokesman. • Jesus had often promised to send the Spirit (John 14:26; 15:36; 16:7-14; Matthew 10:20), and he does so in a limited way on the evening of Easter (John 20:22). • The fullness of the Holy Spirit, however, will be sent by Jesus to his disciples 50 days after his Resurrection on Pentecost. Through the Holy Spirit Jesus will be with his Church always until he comes again in glory (verse 18). Questions: + In the 1st Reading, how do we see the Holy Spirit acting in the lives of the early believers? What Sacrament is anticipated in verses 14-17 (see CCC 1287-1288)? + In the 2nd Reading, St. Peter instructs us that we are to be ready to defend and explain our Faith at any time. In what way are we to do this (verse 16a)? What is the immediate reason for doing so (verse 16b-17)? What is the ultimate purpose for doing so (verse 18)? + In the Gospel Reading, how are the disciples to show love to each other (John 13:34)? To Jesus (John 14:15)? Why is this idea repeated four times (verses 15:21, 23—24)? + What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in verses 16-17 and 25-27? What is the relationship of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to the Christian? To each other? How has the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus in your life? + What is the difference between how Jesus gives peace and how the world does? + Where do you need Jesus’ peace? How can you find peace in this reading? + How at home are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your life? Are they more like owners or temporary guests? + Of all the promise made here (verses 16-18, 21, 23, 26-27), which means the most to you? Why? Bible Study--6th Sunday of Easter--Cycle A Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 243, 687, 692, 729, 788, 2466, 2615, 2671 
"Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas; that is why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned. The Holy Spirit is light and strength." --St. John Vianney |
Thanks, BeNotAfraid! It's nice to know that you can always find the Word of God in a quiet little corner of Arfcom. 
I really love this Gospel reading. It's starts off with a hard saying "if you love me, you will keep my commandments" but then blossoms in to promises of love and the Holy Spirit. I think all of Jesus' hard sayings can be thought of in this pattern. God's "no" is always a "yes" to something so much more. ETA: Love the St. John Vianney quote too! |