6th Sunday of Easter

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

INTRODUCTION

May 14, 2023

Good noon/afternoon brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are now in the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Today also we celebrate Mother's Day.

The First Reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. We can hear that Jesus revealed to the city of Samaria in the person of Philip, Peter and John.

The Second Reading is taken from the First Letter of Peter. He said to them, "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.”

The Gospel is taken from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. Jesus said to his disciples, "whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."

Let us all stand to begin the Eucharistic celebration.

FIRST READING

Acts 8.5-8, 14-17

Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip

when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.

There was great joy in that city.

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!"

Come and see the works of God,

his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him.

He rules by his might forever.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness!

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

SECOND READING

1Ptr. 3:15-18

Put to death in the flesh, Christ was raised to life in the Spirit.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter

Beloved:

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be will of God, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.

Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.

The word of the Lord.

Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Jn. 14:15-21

I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live.

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.

Whoever my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.

And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

May 14, 2023

Priest: We are grateful to the Lord for his promise of the Spirit and the assurance that he will not leave us orphaned. With persevering trust in him who is the "God-with-us," let us direct our petitions to him, as we say:

LORD, YOU ARE OUR HOPE AND OUR STRENGTH

1. That the Holy Father Pope Francis, our Bishop, Priest, and all our religious leaders may receive the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to edify us with their example, strengthen us with their prayers, and lead us in the power of the Spirit. Let us pray.

2. That our civil leaders may receive the gift of courage and wisdom to uphold the rule of law and promote with special concern the good of all people, particularly the homeless, the landless, and the unemployed. Let us pray.

3. That Israelis and Palestinians may encounter Jesus to live in harmonious collaboration in the land that has already seen too much bloodshed, hatred, and destruction of lives. Let us pray.

4. That those who are in pain and suffering from the different illnesses, the elderly and the may receive the Holy Spirit to hear and follow God's commandments, motivated by love for Him and the desire to please Him. Let us pray.

5. That all mothers, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, may be blessed with gentleness, patience, and love for their children as Mary was to Jesus and may they be blessed abundantly for the love they've shown. Let us pray.

6. That our brothers and sister who offered praises and thanksgiving to God especially may constantly enjoy the presence of Jesus, communion with the Father, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray.

7. That the faithful departed especially

may live in the company of saints in heaven. Let us pray.

Priest: Lord Jesus, you are the source of our hope and salvation. Continue to prepare our hearts to receive your Spirit of Holiness, even as we do our best to show our love for you through the fulfillment of our daily duties. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.