Tag: Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena

“Because without me you can do nothing.” | Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

From the Gospel acclamation: “Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 15:4a, 5b)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.”

In the middle of this passage, which we just heard in Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says something astounding. Although we may have encountered these words countless times in prayer and verified through life experiences, the truth of it remains: without God we can do nothing, as withered as a dead branch only good to be thrown into a fire and burned. This is the result of not being connected to the source of life. Just as a branch that is disconnected from the vine withers and becomes worthless, failing to remain in Jesus means loss of spiritual vitality and his life-giving relationship.  Jesus invites all of us to remain connected to him, know his love, and produce the good spiritual fruit of faith, love, and a holy life.

God, help me wholeheartedly accept Jesus’ invitation to remain in him. It is my choice, and you respect my free will; yet, without you, I can do nothing. Let me choose to abide in Jesus’ love and experience the spiritual vitality that comes from being connected to him. Without a firm connection to you Lord, how can I hope to know through faith your gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, and other spiritual fruits? Remain in me, Lord, so I can remain in you and bring to others your love and mercy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

From the Gospel acclamation: “Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 14:27-31a)

Jesus said to his disciples: “You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

In doing as his Father commanded, Jesus relates the joy of obedience to him and by example prepares the disciples for his ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the second coming. “I am going away and I will come back to you.” Through obedience, Jesus makes clear that he loves the Father by doing what he commanded. So with joy and love, he begins by saying to the disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Before returning to the Father, Jesus destroys the power of sin and death through his passion, death, and resurrection. His obedience brings victory over the grave, revealing the fulness of God’s love and mercy.

Father in heaven, Jesus your Son is the face of your love and mercy. Grant me the grace today to remain in your love by loving even when it feels as if love is unmerited or undeserved. In the Our Father, I express what ought to come to mind when I am challenged to love: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In his own words, Jesus did “just as the Father has commanded me.” Help me prevail today in expressing love for you by doing what you command and serving others, understanding as the early disciples did that the demands can be great: As they said: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena

From the responsorial psalm: “Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does. Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 14:21-26)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.”

As Jesus speaks to the disciples, Judas questions in what particular way Jesus will reveal himself and the Father to the world. Obedience to Jesus’ commandments demonstrates love for him as it reveals love of the Father and the Son in action. The Holy Spirit would come as Jesus promised so that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell within. Guiding their understanding of Jesus’ teachings and bringing them to recall all that he has taught them, the coming of the Holy Spirit is a promise fulfilled that ensures that the disciples—and all who believe—will have divine assistance in understanding the truths Jesus has shared with them and the grace to put them into action.

God, help me understand what Jesus was telling the disciples. What he said would happen did happen: the Holy Spirit came to give them greater understanding and strengthen their faith. Jesus spoke the words of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, expressing the will of the Trinity: As Jesus said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” Lord, just as you sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples, help me also prepare a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit through obedience to the teachings of your Son, to the Church, and in union with the Eucharistic celebration throughout the world. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.