1 May
Sun
6th Sunday of Easter (C)
Acts 15:1-2,22-29
Ps. 67(66):2-3,5,6,8
Rev. 21:10-14,22-23
Jn. 14:23-29
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St Luke's book on the early Church, the Acts of the Apostles, lets us see how the early Christians, especially the second generation, struggled with their new faith. They had not been direct disciples of Jesus but had come to the Faith through the preaching of the Apostles. Among them were "some men" who came down from Judea and upset some of the new converts in Antioch. Essentially, the problem was fear of change and fear of what is new and liberating. In that, those men of Judea were not very different from us and people of our own age.

It may seem paradoxical to speak of fear of what is liberating: surely we all love freedom, do we not? No: not exactly and not so simply expressed. For the Jews, the Old Testament was "good news" - It gave them identity, culture, religion, civilization and, most of all, security in their relationship with God. So the freedom of the children of God which Jesus preached was startling and unnerving.

Jesus assured us that the truth, his truth, would make us free. To enjoy the freedom of the truth we must accept it creatively, to illuminate new situations for us.




Holy Spirit, lead us to that creative fidelity which will bring us the true freedom of the children of God.




DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.
Elaboration

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