Ascension - C

 

These Things

Luke 24: 46-53

 

“You are witnesses of these things?”

 

What are the things that Jesus is referring to?

 

Earlier, Jesus summarized his life, as given in Scriptures, “It is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.”

 

Therefore, Jesus commissions the disciples to witness to God’s love in giving humanity God’s only Son, who died but rose “for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus had also revealed God’s great love in his compassion to sinners, outcasts of society, in his teaching of God’s mercy.

 

Consequently, the disciples are witnesses of God’s love and forgiveness when they live God’s compassion and mercy that they have seen in the life, action, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

 

 

6th Sunday of Easter - C (May 22, 2022)

 

Peace of God Who Dwells with Us

John 14: 23-29

 

Jesus assures us that when we keep his words, “my Father and I will come and dwell” with us.  

 

Only then do we have peace.  

 

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5th Sunday of Easter - C (May 15, 2022)

 

The Reason and Standard of Love

John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

 

“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”

 

The word “as” can mean both “for the reason that” and “to the same degree that.” [1]  

 

In other words, Jesus has loved us first.  So, now he tells us the reason we should love one another.   

 

He also gives the ultimate example of love for us to follow.  Prior to this passage, he has washed the disciples’ feet.  Soon, he will give his own life on the cross for us.  That is the degree with which we must love one another.

 

[1]. These two meanings are seen both in English for the word “as” (www.merriam-webster.com) and in the original Greek word kathōs.

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

4th Sunday of Easter (May 8, 2022)

 

God’s Unity

John 10: 27-30

 

“My Father and I are one.” 

 

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, these words of the Good Shepherd reassures us of the great gift that he gave to humanity – unity.  By his cross and resurrection, he brings all humanity into unity with God. 

 

Consequently, this divine unity brings together one family of God “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue” (2nd Reading).

 

The Good Shepherd now shares with us this mission.  On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we pray that each of us embrace our proper vocation as witness and instrument of God’s unity.  Together, may we bring all people into one family of God.  

 

Image source: www.qumran2.net