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Sixth Sunday in Easter - A - May 29, 2011

Love

The theme for the Sixth Sunday in Easter is love. Love spreads when we witness to the work of God in our lives, when we praise God for his power, when we respond to criticism with kindness. When we do these things, we keep the command of Jesus, the command to love.

MP3 PODCAST In this week's audio podcast, we explore love, not as an emotional attachment, not as set of behaviors, but as a value. Love as a value stands against the so called “cultural war,” since it transcends cultures.

FIRST READING In the book of Acts, the story of Phillip in Samaria described early Christian evangelization: proclaim Christ through word and deed, baptize believers, then lay hands on them to receive the Spirit. Note how the proclamation of Christ through word and charism began with the Spirit. This is our starting point. Pray for the Spirit to act in us, then, pray for the Spirit to act in others.

PSALM Psalm 66 is a song of praise, but it also gives us reasons to praise God. Praise God for his awesome power. Praise God for his faithfulness. Praise God for his intimate presence in my life. I can praise God with song, but I can also praise God with my vows and my lifestyle.

SECOND READING There is sometimes a cost to living the Christian walk. We sometimes face criticism for doing good, sometimes for spreading the gospel. The author of 1 Peter recognized that fact and gave us encouragement. Respond to critics with a loving attitude and thank God for suffering, just like Jesus did.

GOSPEL In John's Gospel, Jesus commanded his followers to love. To accomplish that feat, he promised a Guide, the Holy Spirit. He also promised to return soon. With help and a goal, we can take heart that we can love, and know that God loves us. For, in Jesus, we see God's love.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In story for the first reading from Acts, Jenna loved to pretend she was Rebel fighter from the Star Wars movies. Jenna had an energetic spirit that was not going to be denied. Like Jenna, we have the Spirit of God, a Spirit of power that will not be denied. In the story for John's Gospel, Lenny and his father play the game of Twenty Questions. Lenny tries to figure out a thing that is not an animal, vegetable, or mineral; it can sometimes be touched, can always be felt, and flows between people. It reveals who we truly are.

CATECHISM LINK In this week's Catechism Link, we explore how the Spirit works in our lives and how the Church celebrates that work.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Have your family members share “Love Notes” with each other. In this way, they will keep the command of Jesus, the command to love.