The Holy Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of our faith. It is also a powerful revelation of the essence of Almighty God.
As Catholics, we do all things “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. “
We have heard and seen the overarching creative thrust and intervention of God in all of physical and human existence.
We are sent forward with the power and authorization of this trinitarian God. Do we realize the magnitude of our task?
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?
The story of the resurrection was so fantastic that it can be hard to believe it.
Thomas, the Apostle, could not believe at first.
He believed when he saw Jesus again.
We, too, have received the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and Confirmation.
We have received Jesus in the Eucharist.
“My Lord and My God” come to me once again!
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection are the single most important events in all of history – past and future.
Jesus’ Death and Resurrection are the most important events affecting your life. Without His Resurrection, you would have no future.
With His Resurrection, you have eternal life before you.
In celebrating the Sunday Eucharist, we worship, praise, and thank God for His saving acts.
We also bring our lives to offer in thanksgiving.
In gratitude, we do this every Sunday, the Lord’s Day and invite all to join us.
The Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the epitome of love.
We were created because of that love and for that love.
We are destined to remain in that love for eternity.
God is with us always, in spite of what we do that is not right. God’s love is unconditional.
We are called to believe so that we may respond and not reject our destiny.
Can we open our hearts to God’s urgings?
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.
The promises of Jesus have been fulfilled.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the life.
We can trust in His saving power.
His life was about healing body, mind, and soul.
He is with us now. Believe!