3 May Fifth Sunday of Easter
“You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me” (Jn 15:3-4).Communion Connection –
In John’s Gospel there is a bond between the word of Jesus and loving others as He loves us. It is in the context of mutual love that the lived word has its effects of purification, holiness, preservation from sin, fruitfulness, closeness to God. An isolated individual cannot long resist the enticements of the world, whereas in mutual love – living in communion with God and with one another – everyone finds the healthy environment that protects their authentic Christian life.Additional Catholic Resources:
AUDIO Word of Life – http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2012/04/01/aprile-2012/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-vine-and-the-branches/840/
10 May Sixth Sunday of Easter
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (Jn 15:9-10).Communion Connection –
Jesus’ love was a love that healed every wound of the soul and of the body, gave peace and joy to every heart, overcame every division, rebuilding fraternity and unity among all. If we put His word into practice, Jesus will live in us and will make us too instruments of His love.Additional Catholic Resources:
AUDIO Word of Life – http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2014/02/26/marzo-2014/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/love-both-conditional-and-unconditional/961/
17 May Ascension of the Lord
“He said to them, ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mk 16:15-16).Communion Connection –
“Go.” The word is direct and commanding. It is simple – but we know it’s not easy. Not easy because we are constantly tempted to stay within our own separate and isolated lives. But if we don’t “go”, we’ll never accomplish the mission given to us by God – to bring all creatures back to Him so that all may be one; so that we may live in communion with one another and with Him who loves us most. As with the disciples though, we will find it is a little easier if we do it together. So c’mon…let’s go!Additional Catholic Resources:
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/feast-of-the-ascension/842/
Order of Carmelites Lectio – http://ocarm.org/en/calendar-date/2015-05-17
24 May Pentecost Sunday
“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming”(Jn 16:13).Communion Connection –
The Spirit leads our faith community along the journey of truth in many ways: “through the contemplation and study of believers,” through the charisms of saints, through the Teaching of the Church (See Dei Verbum, 8). The Spirit also speaks in the hearts of all believers, where he dwells. Time after time, he suggests that we forgive, serve, give and love. He instructs us on what is good and what is evil. He reminds us to live the Word of the Gospel sown in us each and every week.Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life – http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2007/06/01/giugno-2007/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/living-the-flesh-living-the-spirit/963/
31 May Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:19-20).Communion Connection –
These words, the last spoken by Jesus to his disciples, mark the end of his life on earth and, at the same time, the start of the life of the Church where Jesus is present in many ways: in the Eucharist, in his Word, in his ministers, in the poor, in the marginalized… in all neighbors. Perhaps we could emphasize a specific presence of Jesus. What is asked of us is love that is mutual, that serves, that shares in the sufferings and joys of our brothers and sisters – that love which covers over everything, forgives all things, typical of Christianity.Additional Catholic Resources:
VIDEO Word of Life https://vimeo.com/97066591
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/life-lived-in-the-spirit/964/