The “Bread of Life Discourse” (John 6), as it’s called, provides the context for the “Farewell Discourse,” or the “Last Supper Discourse,” that we read today. No bread, no wine, no transubstantiation is mentioned, but a total handing over, not unlike what a mother goes through when giving birth, seems to be taking place. It is a preview of both the anguish and the joy of Good Friday, when the Church will be born from Christ’s side.
Jesus, who spent much of his public ministry defending the dignity of women, invites the apostles to identify with the birthing pattern, in an apt analogy and reminder for all: “You will grieve, but your grief will become joy” (verse 20).
Continued prayers here for the Ukraine and the conversion of Mr. Putin. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Ukraine. Please protect and send aid to those in Ukraine and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace – we pray for all who are working towards it and for all who are in danger from this conflict. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God, please help those in most need of thy mercy. Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us! Saint Joseph, Protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church, pray for us! Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, may your kingdom reign in Ukraine and all the world.
Thought I would share this with you from our church to you. (This is the oldest Novena in the Church, corresponding to the nine days between Jesus' Ascension into heaven and the day of Pentecost.) Novena Prayer for Pentecost -- 2022 (May 27 through June 4) (Say these prayers at the beginning of each Novena day) Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your love. Set our lives aflame with your gifts. Grant us wisdom to choose what is good and true; understanding to embrace your plan of salvation; right judgment to act according to your will; courage to share our faith with others; knowledge to live as disciples of Jesus Christ; reverence to respond faithfully to your grace each day; and wonder and awe in your presence. Inspire us with enthusiasm for our Catholic faith. Grant us boldness to proclaim the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, and help us to bring the transforming power of the gospel to our world. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. AMEN. OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE SIGN OF THE CROSS Continue with the reading for each day; then, meditate on that reading. Friday, May 27, 2022 – You Will Receive Power But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1: 8
This points me to ask when did pain start in human history, where was God and what was His plan? It all started in Genesis 3 when Adam and the woman disobeyed God :-( God was always there with them! His plan was to send His begotten Son to save us! *** Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” *** 2 Corinthians 5:17, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” *** John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 16:20, “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” ******* I smile as I read in *** Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” *** Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” *** 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always (even when I’m in pain), pray continually (even when I don’t feel like it or have no words), give thanks in all circumstances (all means good, bad and ugly); for this is God’s will for you (Salina) in Christ Jesus.” Amen! Only God…but God! With the Holy Spirit Who guides me, reminds me and prays for me :-)
I also learn today that *** Adam’s wife was initially named ‘Woman’ in Genesis 2: 23, “The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” *** Adam’s wife was renamed ‘Eve’ after the fall in Genesis 3:20, “Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.” *** I’m wondering if ‘woman’ as in ‘Wow, man!’ Yes, she was part of man! Now after the fall, she became a mother! Doesn’t it tell me that after the fall, my focus switched from my husband to my kids with my name changed from ‘woman’ to ‘Eve’ in addition to childbirth pain??? I think I need to go back before the fall to be, “Wow, man!” now that my husband is retired and my children are out of the house :-):-):-)
Thank you Salina for your comments. I always look forward to them. You are one of Gods instruments to help us better understand His message.
Amen! Thank you Holy Father for this beautiful day and for this Gospel today. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you Holy Father, most of all, for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord Jesus Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory. Amen Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask that you release your warrior angels and heavenly hosts. We decry and declare that they would take us off the enemies' radar and scramble the enemies frequencies (airwaves). Your Kingdom must come now. Your will must be done right now, as in the heavens, also on earth. Amen Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the power of God - Cast into hell satan and all evil spirits that prowl about the earth seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q Contact Us
© 2023 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Miguel, thank you for this. As a mother, I couldn’t agree more with the anguish and joy of childbirth. Continue prayers to lift the families in Texas during this time of sorrow and grief.