Sixth Sunday in Easter – May 18, 2014

Love

Love is an overused word.  It's cultural value has risen and fallen with the years, but remains core to many conversations.  Some people equate it with sex, thereby cheapening its meaning.  Others use it as a lofty goal of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, an ideal that can never be obtained.  In the Christian context, we employ it to describe a set of behaviors that show deference and respect, even in spite of personal feelings.  As believers, we face a challenge.  Do we live up to Christ's command to love, to give others dignity?

WEEKLY BLOG What does the world need now?

MP3 PODCAST  In this week's audio podcast, we consider a value that transcends the so-called “cultural war:” love.  This value defines the ideal of the Christian community.

FIRST READING  In Acts 8, Peter, John and other disciples spread the Good News and, with it, the gift of the Spirit.

PSALM  Psalm 66 is a song of praise for God and for his activity in life.

SECOND READING  In 1 Peter, the author urged his audience to place Christ first in life and to treat others as if he were always present.

GOSPEL  In John 14, Jesus gave his followers the command to love others and the power to fulfill that command, the Spirit.

CHILDREN'S READINGS  In the story for the first reading, Jenna had spirit, the energy and drive to get things done; Jesus gave his Spirit to his followers to get things done, to evangelize others and create a community of love.  In the story to the gospel, Lenny played “Twenty Questions” with his father to find the answer to something that has no form but that which we give it, to something that shows itself in our actions:  love.

CATECHISM LINK  In this week's Catechism Link, we investigate Christ's gift of the Spirit to us.

FAMILY ACTIVITY  This week, have your family members write love notes to each to increase family unity.