This Week’s Gospel Message for Sunday, May 19, 2024 is from John 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.’
Reflection
“The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that we hear today starts with a detail that is easily overlooked or taken for granted. The disciples were gathered together in once place. This was not inevitable. After all, they had scattered like leaves in the wind when Jesus was crucified. They were afraid then and they were still afraid now, on Pentecost. Still, they came together as one. Perhaps that was the work of the Spirit even before its manifestation. Similarly, the Holy Spirit draws us together today. Despite our various fears or concerns or preoccupations, we gather as one to worship the Lord.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2024
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Genesis 3:9-15, 20; John 19:25-34
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (Memorial) – “First taught by St. Ambrose in the fourth century, the title of ‘Mother of the Church’ for the Virgin Mary was proclaimed by St. Paul VI in 1964. To better focus the Church’s attention on the maternal care of the Blessed Mother for the disciples of Christ throughout the ages, Pope Francis inscribed this memorial into the General Roman Calendar to be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost.”
Tuesday James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37
Wednesday James 4:13-17; Mark 9:38-40
Thursday James 5:1-6; Mark 9:41-50
Friday James 5:9-12; Mark 10:1-12
Saturday James 5:13-20; Mark 10:13-16
SOURCE: Living with Christ, May 2024