An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 17, 2026
“Father, The Hour Has Come”
Now that Jesus had prepared His disciples for His death and return to the Father, the time for their preparation was over. Jesus now turned His prayer directly to His Father in what is known as the High Priestly Prayer (John Chapter 17). Our readings today reflect the final days before the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (next Sunday).
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14): After Jesus ascended into heaven, the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem at Jesus’ instruction and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete). As they waited, they and the disciples “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.”
In our Epistle reading (1 Peter 4:13-16), Peter spoke of the persecutions that were happening in Jerusalem. Peter teaches us that in Christ, suffering and glory are inextricably linked; and so it is with us, especially those who suffer for the name of Christ. St. Peter considered suffering for one’s faith as a blessing and cause for joy. “Whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.”
Our Gospel passage is from the Gospel of John (John 17:1-11).During the last few Sundays, we heard from Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, as Jesus prepared the apostles for His death and return to the Father, and for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now, in this passage, the apostles overhear Jesus as He turns His focus directly to His Father in a final passionate and intimate prayer. Jesus reaffirmed His suffering as a blessing and “glorification” so that He may “give eternal life to all you gave him”. He then prayed for His disciples and for the Church that would follow. This happened at the end of the Last Supper, shortly before His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest.
Just as the disciples gathered in the upper room to await the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, so we await as well. During next Sunday’s Mass,we will remember Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit into our world, to be our advocate, teacher, and guide. The Spirit will lead us home to the Father and to Jesus. Along the journey to our home of glory is our own passion, suffering, and death.May we see it as an opportunity to unite our suffering with the suffering of Jesus and, through our suffering, rejoice and find meaning, purpose, and glory.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051026.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 10, 2026
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always...”
Our readings this Sunday give us a further glimpse into the growth of the early Church, as well as the formation of the Apostles themselves. We also hear of the first Sacrament of Confirmation; we hear one of the first descriptions of Christian apologetics (defense of the faith); and we hear Jesus’ promise that He will send the Holy Spirit to be at our side always.
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 8: 5-8. 14-17), we hear perhaps the first evidence of the Sacrament of Confirmation. In this story, Philip, a Deacon, was ordained to evangelize and Baptize, but the power to impart the special grace of the Holy Spirit was reserved for the Apostles and their successors. This was a separate rite imparted by the laying of hands by a Bishop, the same as it is today.(CCC #1288)
Our Epistle reading (1 Peter 3:15-18) continues our readings from St. Peter’s letter to the mostly Gentile Christians in Asia Minor. Peter tells them to always be ready to give a defense of their Christian faith, but with gentleness, humility and reverence; and always live what they preach, even to the point of suffering persecutions, just as Christ suffered.
In our Gospel reading (John 14:15-21), we hear Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to His Apostles. Jesus was not only preparing His Apostles for His departure and return to the Father, He was also promising them that He will send the Holy Spirit to be with them and remain in them forever. The word John used, ‘Paraclete’, is a Greek compound word meaning “One who is called to one’s side”. The English translation is ‘Advocate’. This new advocate, being spirit, cannot be seen, but will live within us always.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments”, says the Lord. That should mean that we observe Jesus’ commandments out of a sense of love, not obligation. “On that day, you will realize that I am in the Father . . .”, says that Lord. “That day” is the day the Spirit came upon the apostles at Pentecost. That same Spirit comes to us at our Baptism and Confirmation, and comes to us every time we receive the Eucharist; and it is this same Spirit that comes to us every time we call upon Him.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051026.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scriptures - May 3, 2026
“I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life”
Over the next three Sundays before Pentecost, we will be hearing from Jesus' farewell discourses at the conclusion of His last supper in John's Gospel (Chapters 14-17). It is a final teaching to His apostles and a heartfelt intercessory prayer to His Father on behalf of His disciples and His church.
In our First Reading (Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7), we hear about some of the growth pangs of the early Church, as seven "helpers" were chosen to minister to the needs of the Hellenist widows (Greek speaking Jews). "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task…” Thus, the Diaconate was born and the first servants of the Church were ordained. Known as Permanent Deacons, they have been fulfilling the mission of ministering to the needs of the Church and its people ever since.
In our Epistle reading (1 Peter 2:4-9), St. Peter calls his readers to remain steadfast in following Jesus, the rock of their faith. He is the “Living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God.” This was a time when early Christians were enduring many sufferings for their faith, not unlike our own times. We learn that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood” called to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
In our Gospel reading (John 14:1-12), Jesus began His final message to His apostles to prepare them for His departure and return to the Father. Jesus teaches them that He and the Father are one. “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” Jesus is “the way” to the Father. They are slow to learn, but Jesus is patient. The Holy Spirit will make all things clear.
Our readings today bolster the cornerstone of our faith - that our way to the Father, the truth the Father reveals to us, and the life we hope for in the resurrection are all found in Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This becomes clear to us through the work and grace of the Holy Spirit.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050326.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - April 26, 2026
“The Sheep Follow Him Because They Recognize His Voice”
Now that we are almost half way through our Easter season, our readings are beginning to prepare us for the mystery of Pentecost. It is the
great enlightening that gave the apostles and early disciples the wisdom, grace, and courage to proclaim the risen Christ as the primacy of our salvation. They did this despite all manner of suffering and persecutions, following Jesus as the model.
Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:14, 36-41)is from St. Peter’s first homily at Pentecost. In it, he stressed the forgiveness that is offered to everyone through the sacraments, even “those far off” Gentiles, even those who crucified Jesus. “Repent and be baptized . . for the forgiveness of your sins”. Peter’s words had great effect, as about three thousand persons were baptized that day.
Our Epistle reading (1 Peter 2:20-25)offers Christ as the model for patient suffering as “a grace before God”. Peter’s words echoed those of the Prophet Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Is 53:4-8), “When He was insulted, He returned no insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten . . . He bore the punishment that makes us whole….”
In our Gospel reading (John 10-1-10)we hear the beginning of Jesus’ Good Shepherd Discourse. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees using a metaphor of Himself as the good shepherd and the gate. “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” In this figure of speech, Jesus is the true shepherd, who is the one who will lead us to eternal life. We are His sheep and we know His voice; we follow Him.
The lament of the Jews on hearing the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost was, “What are we to do, my brothers?” This may be our lament, too, as we recall the times we turned away from Jesus. The words of Peter should be as comforting to us. We should honor our baptism, repent, and be reconciled; believing that Jesus is the “guardian of our souls” and will forgive us and lead us “through the gate” to eternal life.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - December 25
“AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US”
Our readings for Christmas Mass at night draw a direct connection between what Isaiah prophesied more than 500
years before Christ was born and what took place that Christmas night when the prophesy was fulfilled in all its humble glory.
In our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6), we hear the prophesy of Isaiah that is proclaimed every Christmas Eve night - God's own Son will come to deliver us. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”
In our Epistle (Titus 2:11-14), St. Paul leads us to remember that Christ promised to come again and will deliver us from all lawlessness. Paul teaches us how to live while we await the return of Jesus our Savior. “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) is the account of Jesus' humble birth as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census of the house of David. The first to bear witness were the lowly shepherds from the surrounding hillsides.
The birth of the Jesus the Messiah was not just something that happened a long time ago. It was an event foretold for centuries and awaited fervently by the people of Israel. From the moment of Jesus' birth to his tragic death and triumphant resurrection, he was the embodiment of humility, patience, and love. It is how he calls us to live "temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope."
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-night.cfm
Click 'Read more' for the reflection on the Christmas Day readings.