Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, May 16, 2021

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We are called to carry on Jesus’ mission

Gospel: Mark 16:15–20
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

The risen Christ acts through his disciples who show up, giving them: wisdom when serious problems and issues arise; power over the evil forces of unjust systems, policies and governments; a healing touch, when someone just needs a faithful presence standing with them in the valley of the shadow of death.

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Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 9, 2021

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What it means to love Jesus

Gospel: John 15:1–8
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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

Just as the power of this love for our lives comes when we draw power from the vine, so our joy comes from knowing that we have been chosen, called, and sent. The abiding power of that love in and through us has power to renew and transform us and the whole of creation.

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Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 2, 2021

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What it means to be rooted in Jesus

Gospel: John 15:1–8
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

There is a strong emphasis on “bearing fruit”; the expression occurs five times in the passage. It speaks not only of the fecundity in our relationship with God, but also of missionary outreach and of interdependence with the other branches on the vine.

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Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2021

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What it means to belong to Jesus

Gospel: John 10:11–18
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus emphasizes that, in giving his life for his sheep, he is doing so of his own will. It is not just by force of circumstances. His death is to be the living proof that "the greatest love a person can show is to give one’s life for one’s friends".

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Third Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2021

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We are witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus

Gospel: Luke 24:35–48
The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

It’s clear from today’s narrative and the Emmaus account that the presence of the risen Lord with us is not easily recognizable. … Each of us needs to come to experience the risen Christ accompanying us on the journey so we can celebrate our joys and receive strength during the rough passages

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