Liturgical Year: 5 May 2024 - 6th Sunday of Easter

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

If the Ascension of the Lord is going to be celebrated next Sunday, the alternative Second Reading and Gospel shown here (which would otherwise have been read on that Sunday) may be used today.

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First reading

Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48

The pagans have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have

As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘I am only a man after all!’

Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’

While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.

Commentary

Humility and Recognition: Peter, upon meeting Cornelius, acknowledges his own humanity and redirects Cornelius's reverence toward God. This moment underscores Peter's humility and the recognition of God's sovereignty.
Inclusive Gospel Message: Through a vision, God reveals to Peter that the gospel is for all people, regardless of nationality or background. Peter learns that God shows no partiality and accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.
Surprising Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: As Peter preaches to Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit descends upon them, surprising the Jewish believers present. This event demonstrates God's acceptance of Gentile believers and the universality of the gospel.
Baptism of Gentiles: Witnessing the Holy Spirit's manifestation, Peter orders the baptism of Cornelius and his household, symbolizing their incorporation into the Christian community and their spiritual rebirth.
Confirmation of God's Plan: The conversion of Cornelius confirms God's plan to extend salvation to all people. It challenges prejudices within the early Christian community and emphasizes God's universal love and grace.

This passage emphasizes Peter's humility, the inclusivity of the gospel, the surprising outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of Gentiles, and the confirmation of God's plan to save people from all nations.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 97(98):1-4

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Alleluia!

Sing a new song to the Lord

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

have brought salvation.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Alleluia!

The Lord has made known his salvation;

has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love

for the house of Israel.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Alleluia!

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

ring out your joy.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Alleluia!

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Second reading

1 John 4:7-10

Let us love one another, since love comes from God

My dear people,

let us love one another

since love comes from God

and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,

because God is love.

God’s love for us was revealed

when God sent into the world his only Son

so that we could have life through him;

this is the love I mean:

not our love for God,

but God’s love for us when he sent his Son

to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

Commentary

Command to Love One Another: John exhorts believers to love one another, emphasizing that love originates from God. This command reflects Jesus' teaching to love one's neighbor as oneself and underscores the centrality of love in the Christian life.
Love's Divine Origin: John emphasizes that love is not merely a human emotion or virtue but is rooted in God Himself. God is the ultimate source and embodiment of love, and those who abide in Him will naturally manifest His love in their relationships with others.
Manifestation of God's Love: John points to the ultimate expression of God's love in sending His Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for sin. Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross demonstrates the depth and selflessness of God's love for humanity.
Reciprocal Nature of Love: John underscores the reciprocal nature of love, stating that God loved us first before we could love Him. This highlights the initiative and priority of God's love and calls believers to respond with love and gratitude toward God and one another.
Transformative Power of Love: John emphasizes the transformative power of God's love in the lives of believers. As recipients of God's love, believers are called to reflect His love in their attitudes, actions, and relationships, thereby bearing witness to the reality of God's presence in their lives.

This passage highlights the command to love one another, the divine origin of love, the manifestation of God's love in Jesus Christ, the reciprocal nature of love, and the transformative power of God's love in the lives of believers. It calls believers to embody God's love in their relationships and bear witness to His love in the world.

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Gospel Acclamation

Jn14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

Jesus said: ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him.’

Alleluia!

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Gospel

John 17:11-19

Father, keep those you have given me true to your name

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father,

keep those you have given me true to your name,

so that they may be one like us.

While I was with them,

I kept those you had given me true to your name.

I have watched over them

and not one is lost

except the one who chose to be lost,

and this was to fulfil the scriptures.

But now I am coming to you

and while still in the world I say these things

to share my joy with them to the full.

I passed your word on to them,

and the world hated them,

because they belong to the world

no more than I belong to the world.

I am not asking you to remove them from the world,

but to protect them from the evil one.

They do not belong to the world

any more than I belong to the world.

Consecrate them in the truth;

your word is truth.

As you sent me into the world,

I have sent them into the world,

and for their sake I consecrate myself

so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’

Commentary

Jesus Prays for His Disciples: Jesus intercedes for His disciples, asking the Father to protect them and keep them faithful to God's name amidst the challenges of the world.
Protection and Unity: Jesus seeks divine protection for His disciples, emphasizing the importance of unity among believers as a witness to God's love and truth.
Sanctification Through Truth: Jesus prays for the sanctification of His disciples through the truth of God's Word, setting them apart for God's purposes and conforming them to His likeness.
Sent into the World: Acknowledging His disciples' mission in the world, Jesus prays for their protection from the evil one and their consecration to God's mission.

This passage highlights Jesus' prayer for the protection, unity, and sanctification of His disciples as they fulfill their mission in the world. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God's truth and being set apart for His purposes.

May-2024

Daily Readings

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5 May 2024 - 6th Sunday of Easter - Readings

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