Here are some of the key themes that surface in the readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter.
1st Reading – Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
Seven reputable men are appointed to assist with the daily distribution as the Christian community grows.
Freed from these tasks, the Apostles continue to focus their efforts on prayer and the ministry of the word.
Psalm – 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”
We rejoice in the kindness and justice of the Lord, who preserves those who fear him.
2nd Reading – 1st Peter 2:4-9
Christ “the stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone” calls us to become living stones that are built up into God’s spiritual house.
We are chosen by God, called to offer our lives by the one who leads us out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel – John 14:1-12
Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life” who prepares a place for us in heaven.
Christ, united to the Father, invites us to believe in him and carry out his work in the world.
Jesus teaches a hard lesson that it is not enough to know merely facts about him; a true relationship demands that we spend time and effort to encounter the Lord in this life so that we can be with him forever in heaven.
We are nourished with the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, instituted at the Last Supper, so that we may humbly serve one another in the name of Christ.
Three Great Things 