May 2025: Newsletter Reflections
Newsletter Reflections
Third Sunday of Easter
5 May 2025
It is the Lord!’ The beloved disciple recognises the friendly and helpful man at the lakeside. As of yet it had not dawned on Simon Peter or the others who it is. ‘It is the Lord!’ Yes, words of recognition, but much more: seeing with eyes of faith. His recognition spurs on the others to recognise the risen Jesus with eyes of faith.
Aren’t there moments in times of need when helps seems to come from an unexpected source and we sense the presence of the Lord. The unexpected catch of fish was such a moment for the disciples. Pray for light to recognise such a moment in the recent past.
‘Come and have breakfast.’ A homely invitation! Jesus knew the hunger of these men after a night’s fishing. He knows our needs too. Tell the risen Jesus of yours right now. Wait quietly to receive Jesus’ to be linger in his presence as he looks at you with a smile of affection.
www.sacredspace.com
Irish Jesuits
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
11 May 2025 • Day of Prayer for Vocations
To fully understand today’s short Gospel (Jn. 10:27-30) it’s important to know how sheep were raised in olden times in the Middle East. They were raised mainly for the wool they produced and had therefore the prospect of a longer life-span than sheep in Europe. The shepherd got to know his sheep roaming on the open terrain. So intimate was the relationship of shepherd and flock that they would recognise the voice of the shepherd calling them by name. Those who keep pet sheep know all about this. When Jesus claimed a similar relationship with those who believed in him, his listeners had experience of what he meant.
The essence of the Christian life is to become attuned to Jesus’ voice, gently drawing us towards becoming loving persons. We are aware that today there’s the Evil One also tugging at our heart strings with a view to making us selfish, self-centred and less loving. Today’s Gospel reading urges us to distinguish between these two discorded voices – the more we choose to listen to the voice of our Shepherd, the gift of eternal life will never be stolen from us.
blessingtonparish.ie
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Fifth Sunday of Easter
18 May 2025
Love Has High Standards: The film ‘Love Story’ had a classic line: ‘Love is never having to say you’re sorry.’ As Christians, though, we are aware of our weak nature and tendency to sin. We need to ask pardon – frequently. More often than not, the souls we hurt are those closest to us: our spouse, a child, a parent or in-law. Is my love great enough to overlook the weaknesses of those who hurt me and turn my wounded ego to compassion and pardon? To err is human, but to forgive is divine.
Love Is from the Heart: Christ told his disciples, ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40). This applies as well to harboring grudges in our hearts. Love goes beyond kind words and actions to the very heart of man: to our thoughts. Although it may initially cause distress to our will to think well of those who have hurt us, it is truly therapeutic! Thinking well of others renews our faith in God’s mercy. If we are merciful, how much more we can expect Our Lord to be patient and merciful with us!
Conversation with Christ: My Jesus, your life is a witness of love to me. You forgave your enemies and even prayed for them. My love is to mirror your love, but I realise I can love so much more than I have loved until now. Help me today to increase my love and let go of those remnants of egoism that hold me back from a Christ-like love.
www.epriest.com
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Sixth Sunday of Easter
25 May 2025
St Francis of Assisi was an ardent advocate of the doctrine of the indwelling of God in man. It enabled him to love every one equally whatever his status in life. One day he met a fellow who had no love for God. As they walked along they met a man who was blind and paralysed. St Francis asked the sightless cripple: ‘Tell me if I were to restore your eyesight and the use of your limbs, would you love me?’ ‘Ah,’ replied the beggar, ‘I would not only love you but I would be your slave for the rest of my life.’ ‘See,’ said Francis to the man who maintained that he could not love God, ‘this man would love me if I gave him his sight and his health. Why don’t you love God Who created you with eyesight and strong limbs?’ That is what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. If we love him because of the countless blessings he has given us by ‘keeping his words’ he will start dwelling within us in the company of his Father and the Holy Spirit, making us the temples of the Triune God.
sundaypulpit.com
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