Seprator   Cart
Skip Navigation Links
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH
FAITH FORMATION
LANGUAGE ARTS
ONLINE COMMUNITY
STORE

Featured this Month

Celebrate a Saint
May 2: Saint Athanasius - defended all the doctrines of the Church.
Helping People Pray
Free on-the-go prayer activity for kids.
Free Monthly Saints Calendar
Celebrate feast days with this free downloadable calendar.
10 Top Family Movies
Check out our 'favorite' list, voted in by YOU!
The Basics of the Catholic Faith
A summary of the teachings and beliefs of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
3minute-retreat-rail.png
daily-inspiration.png
Top Close

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C
God Speaks to Us Through the Sunday Readings
First Reading
Acts of the Apostles 15:1-2,22-29
The early Church community determines, with the help of the Holy Spirit, not to impose the requirement of circumcision on Gentile Christians.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8
A prayer that all the nations sing praise to God.

Second Reading
Revelation 21:10-14,22-23
The vision of the splendor of the heavenly Jerusalem is described.

Gospel Reading
John 14:23-29
Jesus promises his disciples that the Father will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This portion of John's Gospel comes near the end of the first of four chapters that make up Jesus' long farewell discourse at the Last Supper. This section of chapter 14 actually sums up the themes of the opening of the discourse: the Christian's life is not shaped by Jesus' absence but by God's abiding presence; God's presence overcomes anxiety about God's absence; and the present holds in it the seeds of a fresh future shaped by love, not fear.

These verses also contain a glimpse of some of the other themes of the farewell discourse: Jesus' relationship with the Father and the disciples' relationship to Jesus connect the disciples to the Father as well. Jesus promises to send an Advocate or intercessor who will remind the disciples of everything that Jesus taught them and bring them peace.

Jesus is preparing his disciples in advance for his absence so that they will continue to believe in him and not feel all alone after his return to the Father. After the initial excitement of his Easter appearances, Jesus will remain with his followers in a very different way throughout the centuries.

As our celebration of the Easter season is coming to an end, the liturgy reminds us that Jesus remains with us through the Holy Spirit, who teaches us everything we need to know, reminds us of all that Jesus taught, and brings us peace.




Max Char 500
I thank you for the reflections on the readings for the Mass of the weekend. It really does help when attending Mass to connect with the readings and the homily and these are certainly helpful insights. It is easier to understand than I can follow to be a better person in life. Thanks again!
I just wanted to say THANKS for Sunday Connections. We love having it to use with our two teenage daughters. It helps them to focus on the readings at Sunday mass and all of us have had our Aha! moments when we really understand what God wants of us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is so kind and merciful; yesterday, today, and forever. Through His Catholic people, the Body of Christ , our Lord continues His call, healing, deliverance, and love. Every day the Holy Spirit guides, teaches, and protects us. It is a wonderful thing to be open to Him and Acknowledge His place in our lives and the lives He allows to cross our Path.
Page: 1 of 21 view all
Bottom Close