Keep His Word

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052619.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to keep his word.

We usually keep things that we love. We keep things that are memorable or special to us. In the new method now, Konmari, the creator Mari Kondo basically tells people to do away with unnecessary things and just keep things that spark joy. This is indicative of how special something should be for you to keep it. This is how special God’s word should be to us.

God wants us to keep his word.

In the gospel, Jesus said that whoever loves him will keep his word, and in turn God the Father will love him. Jesus wants us to keep his word. He wants us to live his word. He taught us how to live right, and he wants us to remember his teachings. As we do, we show him how important he is to us. As we keep his word and live in a way pleasing to him, we are telling him we believe him. We are telling him we give him importance in our lives. And because of this, God is pleased and will love us even more.

In the first reading, the disciples lived this when they chose representatives to send to the people in Antioch. They wanted to focus on God. They wanted the people to focus on doing what God wants, and not on unnecessary burdens. This is what we should do, to help each other to do God’s word and live pleasing to him.

Do I keep God’s word? In what way? Do I live pleasing to him and consistent with his teachings? How can I help and encourage other people live pleasing to him as well?

May we always remember to keep God’s word and remain in him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for the times I do not live my faith. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. You know that I love you, and I will do my best to show that to you through my life. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

May 26 2019

Sixth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 57

Reading 1 ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:

"The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right.  Farewell.'"

Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3,5,6,8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 REV 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,

with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.

Alleluia JN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:
"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.

"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
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.

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."