The crowds find the teaching of Jesus too hard, and many who followed him now leave and go back to their former ways. Rejection does not stop us from proclaiming the Good News; rather, it reminds us that people have the freedom to choose their path. May we keep inviting them to follow the Lord!
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter
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The Lord teaches the people that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood have eternal life. May our frequent reception of Holy Communion strengthen us with God’s grace in the messiness of life and inspire us to live for Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
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Jesus teaches the crowds that he is the “Bread of Life” that came down from Heaven. Whoever eats this bread will never hunger again. May we draw near to the one who feeds us so that strengthened by the Lord we can share His life with one another.
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of the Year
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One of the best ways to face a test in school is to start with a prayer, asking the Lord for peace in our hearts. One of the best ways to face a test in life? Do the same!
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Jesus states that he is “the Bread of Life” and when we draw near to Him we will never hunger nor thirst again. We need this spiritual nourishment to grow and thrive in this life…and in preparation for the next.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
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Study: How have I responded to rejection in my life? What has given me strength?
Pray: What challenges do I need to set before the Lord today?
Serve: Who is struggling with rejection in my life? How can I help and support another?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter
At first glance these readings seem to be a jumble: what do stones have to do with shepherds? How are they connected to the person of Jesus Christ?
A quick overview might look like this:
What we discover points to Jesus as the Lord who has encountered rejection and triumphs through his saving sacrifice. The power he has comes from the Father, who sent his Son to save us, even when we didn’t understand. What’s more, God keeps reaching out to us – breaking through our ignorance, weakness and sin – to build a bridge that leads us to new life.
God comes to us, in our need, to save and set us free.
The invitation today is one of acceptance. Will we embrace the Good News of Christ? Will we respond to the faith, hope, and love of the Gospel and allow our lives to be touched by God’s blessing? Is there anything blocking me from reaching out to the Lord?
In the light of Easter glory I would like to suggest some possibilities for spiritual growth:
Thus, the path which the Lord walked becomes our own. Our spiritual compass – pointed toward Jesus Christ, inspires us to stay the course even when we are mistreated and misunderstood. Like the shepherd and the stone, we can face rejection with the promise of hope – for we draw strength from the one who triumphed in his struggles to bring triumph to our lives.
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One of the hallmarks of the Early Church was the transformation that took place in the hearts of the disciples. Standing before the Risen Lord, they were freed from the fear of sin and death as they opened their hearts to the power of repentance. Their example inspires us to call upon God for the grace we need every day to walk in the light His love.
Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of Easter
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