CALL TO WORSHIP: SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

At the Last Super. Jesus told his followers not to feel abandoned. He would not leave them orphans; He would always be with them through the gift of the Spirit who would dwell within all humanity. We are all the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, channels of understanding and hope, called to be gentle and to reverence with each other

• To the point: In John’s gospel, “world” refers to everything opposed to God. The world sees neither Jesus nor the Spirit of truth; faithful disciples do. The world does not love; faithful disciples do. The world does not have life; faithful disciples do. Faithful disciples see, love and live because of the Father’s gift of the Spirit dwelling within them. This divine indwelling is God’s very love. We are to be God’s love made visible, that the world may see Jesus, come to the truth, and choose to live in faithful love.

• Connecting the Gospel (John 14: 15-21) to the second reading: Peter is writing to a community who welcomed “Christ as Lord in their hearts” and who remained faithful by their good conduct in Christ. These disciples have heeded what Jesus asks in the Gospel: to keep his commandments. Through their faithfulness, the world that conducts itself with evil is “put to shame.”

• Connecting the Gospel to experience: The world’s trappings are attractive. The “Spirit of truth” poured into our hearts by the Father leads us to discern where true satisfaction lies: in Jesus himself and being faithful to love as he has loved us.

CENTERING PRAYERS

The gospel

(John 14:15-21)

“The Father will give you another Advocate to be with you always.”

Jesus, you show yourself to us
through your Spirit.
Please breathe that Spirit again.
This whole planet needs it now.

Instruct our scientists how
to find cures for the virus
and other climate problems.
And, inspire us to learn
new ways of feeding our globe’s family.

Help us learn how to love you by taking care
of all creatures and all creation.
We want to love you, Lord.
That is everything.
Show us how. Amen

The first reading

(Acts 8:5-8, 14-17) 

“Unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people.”

Phillip brought your word to the possessed.
Unclean spirits went out of them; great joy came to Samaria.
Lord, please,
get the unclean virus
to come out of the people.
Let the Holy Spirit enter at once,
to put signs of yourself
within our lives this very day.  Amen.

The second reading

(1 Peter 3:15-18)

“Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous.”

How hard it is to suffer.
You, Christ, suffer with us.

Let us swing wide our doors
to let in your suffering whenever it knocks.

Let the Holy Spirit entice us to know you better,
to love you more.

Let us come to life in that Spirit.

Copyright © 2020, Anne M. Osdieck.

Reflection

At the Last Supper, Jesus told the apostles in a very touching way that he would not leave them orphans. They were called to remember him by the way they lived, openly showing their love for others as he did. He said that God’s Spirit would sustain them — the Spirit of Truth.

This is the same Spirit that overshadowed Mary as she conceived Jesus, who appeared at Jesus’ baptism and during his time in the desert, and who was in him during his whole public ministry and throughout his passion and dying.

When Jesus prays that his followers receive this loving Spirit, it means that he profoundly abides with us- because we are invited into the loving relationship he shares with his Father and the Spirit. The Spirit dwelling within us calls us to forgive, make peace, and walk in holiness,

Today’s second reading instructs us to be channels of understanding and hope, acting gently and reverently toward each other.

“So the Love of God”

(Dan Schutte)

“A Dwelling Place”

(Short meditation with Rev. James Kubicki)

“A Dwelling Place”

(By the Rev John Foley)