May 15, 2026 Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter Gospel: John 16:20–23
Today is Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter. The passage from the Gospel of Saint John continues our Lord Jesus Christ’s farewell discourse to His disciples before His Passion.
Before we receive the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, original sin and actual sin leave our souls numb to spiritual sorrow. Our flesh finds satisfaction in the fleeting joys of the world, while our souls, estranged from God, endure the anguish of separation—this is sin. Sin draws us away from God and closer to the devil. As Saint Peter the Apostle warns: “Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (cf. 1 Pet 5:8). Especially when we resolve to receive Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they persist in tempting us, causing us to experience a labor pain akin to that of childbirth.
We encounter this birthing pain because we are to be reborn in Christ. I prefer to call this pain of rebirth a unique grace bestowed by God upon each of us. For it is through this singular grace that we choose to renounce the worldviews, life perspectives, and values imposed on us by the devil, and instead, under the illumination and guidance of the Holy Spirit, embrace the worldview, life vision, and values taught by the Word of God. This rupture is the distinctive grace God grants us.
Beloved brothers and sisters! When, within the boundless charity of Christ, we are cleansed from original sin in the water flowing from His sacred side through the Baptism of Christ, we are set free from sin and death. Whenever we are in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit—the “Advocate” promised by Christ to His disciples after His Ascension (cf. John 14:25–26), the “Spirit of truth” (cf. John 15:26–27)—then “in Him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, and [we] have been brought to fullness in Him” (cf. Col 2:9). Thus, together with all who have received the Spirit, we share in Christ’s divinity and partake in His royal, priestly, and prophetic offices. Consequently, we are called to proclaim the Gospel to the world, so that through all we do, others may see the infinite mercy God reveals in them. In this way, we are filled with the joy God gives us. Then, whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ name, He will grant us, for He is faithful to His promises.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, so that what was promised by the sanctifying power of your Word may everywhere be accomplished through the working of the Gospel and that all your adopted children may attain what the testimony of truth has foretold. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
May 14, 2026 St. Matthias the Apostle Gospel: John 15:9–17
Today the Church solemnly celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Some dioceses, having sought and received permission from the Apostolic See for pastoral reasons, have transferred the celebration to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. According to the General Roman Calendar, today is the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle. Therefore, mindful of the practical needs of regions where the Ascension is transferred, we also provide a reflection for the Feast of St. Matthias.
Today’s Gospel from St. John continues the discourse of Jesus before His Passion. When we hear Jesus say, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love” (Jn 15:9–10), we may view His commandment as an unbearable imposition. In reality, the commandment Jesus gives us is simple: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus not only taught us this commandment but also fulfilled it perfectly, showing us how to view the world according to God’s design. To see the world rightly, we must learn to let go—to release everything we possess in this world and bravely leave behind our comfortable surroundings. Like St. Matthias, we must courageously go forth to the whole world, bearing witness to the truth and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we follow Christ’s teaching, renouncing our selfish desires and living always according to the Word of God, then His words will abide in us, and His joy will be complete in us. When our hearts are filled with His joy, we will offer fitting prayers to the Heavenly Father, who, in His abundant mercy, will surely grant us every grace we need, according to the teaching of His only Son.
O God, who assigned Saint Matthias to the college of Apostles, grant, through his intercession, that we may so rejoice at the deep love You have shown us, that we may be counted among those You have chosen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May 14, 2026 The Ascension of the Lord (Mass during the Day) Gospel: Matthew 28:16–20
Today the Church solemnly celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Some dioceses, having sought and received permission from the Apostolic See for pastoral reasons, have transferred the celebration to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. However, many dioceses uphold the ancient tradition of celebrating the Ascension on the fortieth day after Easter, which is today. We provide distinct reflections accordingly.
The Gospel from St. Matthew recounts the final appearance of Jesus to the Eleven before His Ascension. Often, like the disciples who went to the mountain in Galilee as instructed, we worship Christ yet fail to fully comprehend His teachings. This is because we frequently follow the inclinations of the flesh, desiring the fleeting treasures of this passing world rather than the eternal riches of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We often forget that we have been baptized into Christ’s infinite charity. From His pierced side flowed the fountain of mercy, washing away our original sin. When we receive the Holy Spirit in Christ—the “Advocate” promised to His disciples (cf. Jn 14:25–26) and the “Spirit of Truth” (cf. Jn 15:26–27)—He dwells within us. By His power, He will give life to our mortal bodies (cf. Rom 8:11), making us temples of God.
Today, Jesus commands the Eleven to go forth, leaving their comfortable confines, so that His Church might be truly universal. As members of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we are called to preach the Word to every creature, so that others may receive the same Baptism, the same Holy Spirit, and the same Body and Blood of Christ, becoming one in Him. Therefore, our lives must embody the spirit of the Word, conforming our thoughts, words, and deeds to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Christ dwelling within us becomes present to those He desires to choose through our virtuous words and deeds, fulfilling His promise to remain with us always.
Almighty God, make us rejoice with holy gladness, we pray, and exult in humble thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Your Son is our glory. As the Head has gone before in glory, so the Body is called to follow in hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
全属于祢 
您必须登录才能发表评论。