May 24 - The Feast of Pentecost: Holy Spirit teaches us, reminds us and lets us speak

 First Reading  Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in JerusalemResponsorial
Psalm  Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God's Spirit renews the earth. Second Reading  1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
We are all one in Christ Jesus.Gospel ReadingJohn 20:19-23  Speaking to the Apostles at
the Last Supper, Jesus said that after he left this world he would send
them the gift of the Father, that is, the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn
15:26). This promise was powerfully fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the
Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, who were gathered in the Upper Room.
This extraordinary outpouring was not limited solely to that moment, but was an
event that was renewed and still continues to be renewed. Christ glorified at
the right hand of the Father continues to fulfill his promise, sending upon the
Church the life-giving Spirit, who teaches us, reminds us,
and lets us speak. The Holy Spirit teaches us to
follow Jesus and to walk in his footprints. He reminds us of all that Jesus
said. He is the living memory of the Church, and when he reminds us, he helps
us to understand the words of the Lord. He lets us speak with God in prayer and
lets us speak to men through prophecy, making us humble and docile “channels”
of God’s Word. Prophecy is made with candour, to openly demonstrate the
contradictions and injustices, but always with compassion and constructive
intent. 

May 17 - The Feast of Ascension: We are Pilgrims

 First Reading 
Acts of the Apostles 1:15-17,20a,20c-26
Matthias is chosen to take Judas' place among the apostles. Responsorial Psalm 
Psalm 103:1-2,11-12,19-20
Bless the Lord who rules heaven and earth. Second Reading 
1 John 4:11-16
God is seen in our love for one another. Gospel ReadingJohn 17:11b-19 Today we celebrate the feast of Ascension. The
Ascension of Jesus reminds us that during our lives we are “only passing
through” on this earth, as we say. We are pilgrims on a journey. Just as Jesus’
earthly life was temporary, and he ascended to sit at the right hand of the
Father, so also our lives here are temporary, will come to an end, and we will
meet God in the next life. The Ascension of Jesus reminds us in all of our
busyness not to forget what life is all about. The Ascension of Jesus reminds
us that God has great plans for us that are out of this world. The Ascension
also reminds us what Jesus said before the ascension: “Go, therefore, make
disciples of all nations...”. It calls us to bear witness to Jesus through our
words and deeds. Be proud of you Catholic faith. Don’t be ashamed to practice
it in public. 

May 10 - Sixth Sunday of Easter: Sacrificial Love

 First Reading  Acts of the
Apostles 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes to Cornelius and his household, and they are
baptized.
Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 98:1,2-3,3-4
A song of praise for God's salvation
Second Reading  1 John 4:7-10
God is love.
Gospel ReadingJohn 15:9-17
Jesus is talking of a very
special kind of love, love that does not think of oneself but sacrifices for
the sake of the other. This is unselfish love, loving the other for the other’s
sake without anything in it for oneself. As we read in Ephesians, “Christ
loved us and gave himself up for us” (Eph 5:2); “Christ loved the Church and
gave himself up for her.” (Eph 5:25). To make sure we would not confuse this
very special type of love with other types of love, which often are more lust
than love, the writers of the New Testament used a very special word to
describe the love of Jesus for us and the love of God for us. They said Jesus
loved us with agape love ἀγάπη (agape). That is love that does not
think of oneself but sacrifices for the sake of the other. Jesus is our model
for loving with this sacrificial love, agape love, loving the other for their
benefit without putting ourselves first. When does Jesus show us that agape
love most of all? When he died on the cross for us. That is why in the Gospel
today Jesus also says, “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his
life for his friends.” (John 15:13). May Jesus help us to live that agape
love.