Jesus calls us His friends.

He wants us to be slaves to nothing so that we are truly to love.

His love for us is absolute even to the point of dying for us.

We are His chosen representatives to be His presence in this world.

He asks us to continue to spread His message.

Are you ready to give up much in order to do this?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050921.cfm

Notice how everything Jesus says is devoted to us.

We are the branches, intimately connected to Him.

He encourages us to “stick with Him” in all things, even if it may be difficult at times as we are pruned.

We can ask for what we need to remain close to Him and He will provide it for us.

What do we need to remain close to Jesus?

Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050221.cfm

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
He did lay down His life for us.
Jesus knows each of us and he calls to us.
When we follow Him, we are part of the flock with one Shepherd.
The Father’s love and Jesus’ love come to us in Jesus’ voice.
Can you hear Him?

Jesus appeared to the disciples to strengthen their belief in His resurrection.
Jesus had to “connect the dots” for the disciples who were still trying to sort out what had just happened.
The disciples were present at the crucifixion. Now they saw Him again in person.
It was hard to understand what this meant and what God was doing.
Jesus told them that what was in the scriptures was true. He died to save us.
We were not there. But we now know the story. Are the dots connected for us?

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041821.cfm

Jesus gives us a commandment and a promise.

Stay with Me and live in accord with what I have taught you.

I will send you help, the Advocate.

You will see Me through Him.  You will experience Me through Him.

When you see Me, you will have life and realize the love of God in your life.

The Spirit comes to us again on Pentecost, only a few weeks away.  Are you ready?

Jesus said “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

Jesus is the way we see God.

He encourages us to stop looking elsewhere for what we need, or need to know.

He passes on to us the power of His spirit.

Are we ready to follow His words and do the works that He has shown us how to do?

Jesus offers us life and not a scattered existence.

He is willing to lead us if we are willing to follow.

There are so many ideas and individuals who would lead us astray.

Jesus tells us to keep our eyes and ears on Him and He will take us through the right gate.

We know who He is.

Why would we follow someone or something else?

Jesus’ disciples knew much of what happened to Him.  They knew the history.

Their hearts burned while He opened the scriptures for them.

This was not just history but faith.

It all came together for them….  His life, His death, His resurrection.  History, faith, and experience gave them meaning.

We, too, can find him again and again in the breaking of the bread.

History, faith, and experience can cause our hearts to burn, too.

• • As Jesus is about to end his last meal with his disciples, He tells them of the Holy Spirit’s coming.
  • That Spirit will make Jesus ever present to them, will advocate for them.
  • The result will be an abiding peace that only Jesus can give.
  • Trust in Jesus and His words are necessary for this sense of peace.
  • Can you let go of the world’s pressures, promises, and temptations?
  • Can you trust in Jesus instead?

• Jesus gives His final charge to His disciples:
• Love one another.
• Jesus is about to make the ultimate sacrifice that will fulfill His father’s will.
• He makes it out of love for His Father and love for us.
• The love of the Father also is imparted to us in this sacrificial act, and we are to impart it to one another.
• How will you do this?

• Jesus comes to us again in this time of reflection after Easter.
• Today He once again reminds us of His never-ending love and care for us.
• He is the Good Shepherd and He knows that His sheep hear His call and His guidance.
• Jesus reminds us of the power given to Him and His use of that power to care for us throughout all of eternity.
• What do we hear when we hear Jesus’ words?
• How does He make His love – and the love of His Father – known to you in your life?
• What do these words encourage you to think and do?

• The Lord Jesus is with us and calls us to work with Him in bringing others to him.
• We are the Church with the mission to call others to His truth.
• Jesus will show us how to fish or how to live our lives to achieve His purpose.
• It is easy for Jesus to become a stranger to us in the busyness of our lives… even in this short time after Easter.
• The disciples recognized Jesus, then joined Him for a meal of fish and bread as nourishment. The Eucharist is the meal Jesus provides to strengthen us.
• What will help you to recognize Jesus in your life?
• What will help you know how to answer His call?

• The Holy Spirit burst in upon the Apostles on Pentecost.
• The Holy Spirit changed those Apostles forever.
• If you are open to Him, the Holy Spirit will burst into your life too!
• Speak to Him about your life, your doubts, your hopes and He will help you resolve your concerns and wishes.
• Jesus promised us that He would never leave us alone.  He promised to send us the Holy Spirit which is also His Spirit.
• We have before us the power of Almighty God, in the Spirit.  Anything is possible.
• We must never be afraid.  We must move forward in faith and in life.
• Reach out to your God and He will lead you into the future He has planned for you.
• You are loved and blessed beyond your wildest dreams!

• The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces His lifting up by his Ascension into heaven.
• In our Christian life, entering the glory of God demands daily fidelity to His will, even when it demands sacrifice and sometimes requires us to change our plans.
• We have One who always defends us from the snares of the devil, who defends us from ourselves and from our sins!
• The Apostles returned to Jerusalem “with great joy.” But how could this be?  With the gaze of faith they understand.
• Jesus stays with us forever, He does not abandon us and in the glory of the Father supports, guides and intercedes for us.

• It is a reminder that all things are possible if you remain with Him in thought and deed.
• Whatever you want will be done for you.
• You are to be His disciples and bear much fruit.
• If you but yourself off from the vine you can do nothing.
• Can you organize your life around this message?
• Imagine what God has in store for you and your faithfulness!

• The disciples met a stranger as they walked the road to Emmaus. He turned out not to be a stranger.
• He taught them who He was by exposing them to the scriptures which foretold His coming.
• He ate with them to show them that He was really alive and not just an apparition.
• When He broke bread with them they saw who He was. Jesus had returned from the dead.
• As you look at your own life are there still questions of who Jesus was and is to you?
• Have you met Him personally? Is He just an apparition?
  He will come to you and you too can meet Him in the Eucharist – the breaking of the bread. Believe what you have heard and it will happen!