May 2019: Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel
Third Sunday of Easter
5 May 2019
Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel
John 21:1-19
1. The disciples spend a fruitless night, fishing and catching nothing. Things change dramatically when Jesus appears and invites them to try again. Remember those who came to you and encouraged you to try again when you felt discouraged. Perhaps on some of these occasions the results were beyond your expectations.
2. The story can serve as a reminder that sometimes we are wasting our time if we try to work on our own without the Lord’s help. When have you found that your work or life was more fruitful when you acknowledged that you needed God’s help and you spoke to God about your need?
3. After his denials during the passion, Peter is given the chance to be fully reconciled with his Master. Remember those who have given you an opportunity for reconciliation after you had hurt them or let them down. What was it like for you to be given this chance? To whom have you offered the possibility of reconciliation?
John Byrne OSA
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com
Fourth Sunday of Easter
12 May 2019 • Day of Prayer for Vocations
Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel
John 10:27-30
1. Jesus tells us that we can rely on his relationship with us. Think of the relationships you have in which you feel safe and secure because there is mutual understanding and the relationship has stood the test of time.
2. Jesus says that the disciple is one who listens. What is your experience of listening to the word of God in the Scriptures? To what other voices have you listened, and in that way found guidance?
3. The faithful disciple is also one who follows the path of love that Jesus preached and practiced. Although it may be difficult at times, it is in following Jesus’ path that we find life. Where have you had the experience of listening, responding, loving, and finding life?
John Byrne OSA
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com
Fifth Sunday of Easter
19 May 2019
Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel
John 13:31-35
1. Judas leaves, and Jesus announces that the moment has come for God’s power to be made manifest. This is unexpected at a moment of imminent betrayal. Have there been times for you when the power of God was made manifest in strange circumstances?
2. ‘I shall not be with you much longer.’ Jesus announces a parting of the ways. There are places we have to go in life, where others cannot come with us. There are places others have to go and we cannot accompany them. When have you experienced this going on alone as necessary for a fuller life for yourself, or for someone else?
3. Jesus proclaims love as the distinguishing characteristic of his followers. Have there been times when reaching out to others has heightened your sense of walking in the footsteps of Jesus?
4. Who are the individuals or communities whose love for one another and for others has been a witness to you?
John Byrne OSA
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com
Sixth Sunday of Easter
26 May 2019
Seeing your Life through the Lens of the Gospel
John 14:23-29
1. Jesus seeks to reassure his followers in the face of his imminent death. Although he will be leaving them, he promises them the gift of the Spirit. How have you been aware of the gift of the Spirit of God in your life?
2. Remember times of separation from a loved one, through change of residence or other circumstances. How has the love between you been a support after the separation?
3. To his followers, Jesus promises: ‘we will come and make our home with them.’ Our God is not a distant God, but one who lives in us. What has helped you to be aware of the closeness of God to you?
4. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.’ When you have been anxious, who have been the ‘Jesus-people’ for you, who were able to calm your anxiety. How did they do this? For whom have you been one who calmed anxiety?
John Byrne OSA
Email jpbyrneosa@gmail.com