Community Word: Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the way to the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit
Order: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Mt 28:19a)
Reflection:
The Sunday gospel readings after Easter should not only strengthen every Christian’s belief in life-after-death but should also remind all of us that our life as Christians is meant to be a life of witnessing. Our community word this month tells us – Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the way to the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father sent Jesus to accomplish the mission to save the world, to speak the word of God, and to bring love to the world. Jesus in turn, sent his disciples to continue the mission that he started. To this day, this is still the mission of the Church and the mission of each one of us as baptized Christians. This is the mission that will proper God’s kingdom that will lead us to the Father with the power of the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts.
The scriptural readings for May reinforce Christ as the center of our faith and help us to deepen our Christian faith.
For the 5th Sunday of Easter – We follow Jesus as the way to the Father when we believe that He is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus revealed His plan for His disciples and His intimacy with the Father that no one can go to the Father except through Him. He categorically tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the only way to eternal life. He is the one who has prepared for us a future of unending happiness, to our eternal dwelling place in God’s kingdom. We cannot consider death as the end but the beginning of our everlasting life, for Jesus promised, “I go and prepare a place for you… so that where I am you also may be,” (Jn 14:3).
For the 6th Sunday of Easter – We follow Jesus as the way to the Father when we love Him by keeping His commandments. We are reminded that as a community, we jointly express our love for the Lord and obey His commandments. Our love for God should manifest in how we live our life, in constant faithfulness and obedience to Him. Our love for Him should make us resolve to continue His mission on earth. Our love for Jesus should make us strive more to be like Him, in every way. We truly will be in communion with Jesus when we put to action His greatest commandment to love God above all, obeying His commandments, and living a life pleasing to Him. And, thus we can claim Jesus’ promise: “Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and reveal myself to him,” (Jn 14:21b).
On the Ascension of the Lord – We follow Jesus as the way to the Father when we preach His gospel and make disciples in His name. Ascension marks the glorious conclusion of Jesus’ mission on earth. All that was said about Him has been fulfilled and now He is taking His place at the right hand of the Father. We have the task to carry on what Jesus has started. We must set to be on our way to bring His gospel “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b). But He does not leave us alone in fulfilling this task. We do our roles in His Name and with His power, “the power of the Spirit” (Acts 1:8a). He bestows on us through His word, the sacraments, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged by the assurance of the Lord, “I am with you always, until the end of age,” (Mt 28:20b).
On Pentecost Sunday – We follow Jesus as the way to the Father, when we forgive and receive the peace of the Holy Spirit. This is the event when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, and we celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit in every Christian heart and in every Christian community, like BLD. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is the most wonderful thing that could ever happen in our life. For present in the Holy Spirit is God Himself, the Creator and Giver of life, who redeems and blesses. It marks the birthday of the Church, the day when appearing before His disciples, Jesus is overjoyed that He has not only overcome death but He is now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. After giving His apostles the gift of peace, He breathed the Holy Spirit unto them, “When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth,” (Ps 104:30).
Prayer:
Thank you Lord Jesus, for You laid down Your life for our salvation. You have made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and to remind us of our vulnerability. Your passion, death and resurrection should lead us to repentance of our sins and true conversion. Yes Lord, accepting our sinfulness will make straight our paths, reform our ways of living and strengthen our faith. Truly Lord, we believe that Your entry into our lives will make us fruitful, as a disciple. Welcome Holy Spirit, be here with Your presence, fill us with Your power, live inside us. And we give glory to You Lord for coming into our lives!
Readings (Cycle A – Year I)
May 7, 2023 – Act 6:1-7/ Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19/ 1 Pt 2:4-9/ Jn 14:1-12
May 14, 2023 – Act 8:5-8, 14-17/ Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20/ 1 Pt 3:15-18/ Jn 14:15-21
May 21, 2023 – Act 1:1-11/ Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9/ Eph 1:17-23/ Mt 28:16-20
May 28, 2023 – Act 2:1-11/ Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30/ 1 Cor 12:3B-7, 12-13/ Jn 20:19-23