The Vineyard Laborer

Receive the Holy Spirit Jn 20: 19 – 23 Solemnity of Pentecost Intro Today is Pentecost Sunday. In today’s reading Jesus breathes upon his disciples and gives them the gift of the Spirit. The Gospel 19  When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Reflection Today is Pentecost Sunday. On this day we recall how the Spirit was given to u...

The Ascension of the Lord Mt 28: 16 – 20 Introduction Today is the feast of the Lord’s Ascension. As Jesus is taken up to heaven, he commissions us to make disciples of all nations. And even if he is taken physically from us, Jesus assures us of his presence until the end of time. The Gospel 16  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Reflection Today’s reading is taken from the last chapter of Matthew’s gospel. It describes to us how the risen...

I Will Not Leave You Orphans Jn 14: 15 – 21 Sixth Sunday of Easter Introduction In today’s Gospel, Jesus promises another Advocate who will remain with his disciples. This Advocate is also called the Spirit of Truth who will accompany the disciples and will never leave them orphans. The Gospel 15  “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17  This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 18  “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19  In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20  On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21  They who have my commandments and keep them are those who lov...

Where I am, There You May Also Be Jn 14: 1 – 12 Fifth Sunday of Easter Introduction Today’s reading is a farewell discourse of Jesus addressed to his disciples. While Jesus tells them that he will be gone for a little while, he promises them that soon they will all be reunited once more in the Father’s house. The Gospel “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4  And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7  If you ...

The Good Shepherd Jn 10: 1 – 10 Fourth Sunday of Easter Introduction Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. In our reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the good shepherd. He knows his sheep and his sheep know him. They listen to his voice and leads them to green pastures. The good shepherd’s only purpose is for his sheep to have an abundant life. The Gospel “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3  The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4  When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5  They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6  Jesus used this figure of speec...