Holy Cross Parish

6th Sunday of Easter  

        Sunday, 14 May, 2022
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8,14-17 

Psalm #66   R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.  

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18  

Gospel Acclamation Verse: Whoever loves. Me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my Father will love him and we will come to him. (John 14:23) Alleluia Gospel: John 14:15-21

Theme: Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to those who love him and keep his commandments

Commentary:  
Have you blown a balloon up using your own breath? Isn’t it amazing how this lifeless piece of latex seems to come to life as it fills with your breathe? It can also be fun to let the balloon go and watch it slowly swirl to the ground as it looses the air you breathed into it, getting smaller and small to its original size. 

When we forget to breathe our bodies get starved for oxygen and we become as lifeless as an empty balloon. The word “Spiritus” means breathe or wind, and it is God’s Holy Spirit who breathes his life into our lives. 

What happens when a lid is put on a jar that has a burning candle in it? The lid cuts off the oxygen and the candle flame goes out. Our hearts, like that candle, glow with warmth and shine with the light of God’s goodness and love. His Holy Spirit keeps that flame of love burning and alive with his life-giving breathe. 

Jesus tells us today that He will send another Advocate to us when he is no longer with us. An Advocate is someone who speaks for us, to help us. Jesus tells us that he will never leave us alone to fend for ourselves, that because we keep his commandments he will ask the Father to send us the Spirit of truth. He reminds us that this Spirit of truth, this Holy Spirit, is seen in us when we do as Jesus commands and love one another as Jesus loves us.  

We get to choose to show our love for the Father, and Jesus when we choose to show kindness even to people who are not kind to us, take care to treat everyone the way we would want them to treat us, share with those who have less than us, forgive and be forgiven, and to remember to pray for everyone. 

It is choosing holy moments over unholy moments. When we choose holy moments we are drawing close to Jesus. Unholy moments pull us away from Jesus. It truly is our decision, our choice. 

Today is Mother’s Day. Mothers, and those that take care of us, show their love in many different ways. Today is a chance to show that you notice and appreciate all the love shown to you. Find a nice way to show your thankfulness for all that is done for you. 

What would your days be like if you chose to do even one loving act to the people you are with every day? 

May the Holy Spirit inspire you to let God’s love shine though you every day. 

Prayer for Families: 

Heavenly Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit help us in loving others as You love us. Send your Holy Spirit to help us to share what we have with those who have nothing, to give us the strength and courage we need to forgive others and to be forgiven, to fill our lives with friendship and love so we never feel alone or afraid, and to show us the way to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in loving others. May your Holy Spirit fill our lives and make our hearts burn with the flames of faith and love. This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. AMEN. 

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