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Sixth Sunday of
Easter [a]
April
27, 2008
Readings
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21
Calendar
April
27: Orthodox Easter
May
1: Feast of the Ascension (Depending on the diocese)
May
1: Usually the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker;
International Workers' Day
May
3: World Press Freedom Day
Quotes
If you do not hope, you will not
find what is beyond your hopes.
St. Clement of Alexandria
In the
joy of the resurrected Lord, trustful of his permanent help, we go ahead, sure
that God will help. And Mary, his most beloved Mother, stands on our side.
Benedict
XVI, 19 April 2005
Flagrant inequalities exist in
the economic, cultural and political development of the nations: while some
regions are heavily industrialized, others are still at the agricultural stage;
while some countries enjoy prosperity, others are struggling against
starvation; while some peoples have a high standard of culture, others are
still engaged in eliminating illiteracy. From all sides there rises a yearning
for more justice and a desire for a better guaranteed peace in mutual respect
among individuals and peoples.
Pope Paul
VI, Apostolic Letter of 14
May 1971, (#2)
Love of
neighbor is an absolute demand for justice, because charity must manifest
itself in actions and structures which respect human dignity, protect human
rights, and facilitate human development. To promote justice is to transform
structures which block love.
1971 Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World
Those who
sit atop the social and economic pyramid always speak of love, while those at
the bottom always speak of justice.
James Carroll
Thoughts for your consideration
If one is aware of world problems, one can feel overwhelmed and
discouraged. Justice for the poor, peace between nations, food for all the
hungry, housing for the homeless, equal rights for all men and women, human
rights for the oppressed, and an end to war and violence, can all seem to be
impossible.
The first reading talks of joy and healing. Catholic Social teaching must not fall into
the trap of discouragement and guilt.
God is calling us and our world to healing and even joy.
The second reading speaks of hope. The healing that God wants for
our world can happen. Good can overcome
evil.
The gospel speaks of a relationship of love and solidarity between
the Father and Jesus and then with all of us.
This unity and solidarity can be made real, not just in our hearts or
not just in an interior feeling, but also in the way people are treated and in
the way love is expressed in action for justice and peace.
As people of faith we are more aware than ever of countless world
problems and examples of injustice. As
people of faith we are more aware than ever that we want an end to all the
injustice. As people of faith we believe
more than ever that with God's help we can offer something better to our world
and its people.
Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing
Group
In the midst of world problems, what signs of hope do you see?
What things give you hope?
Actions - Links
April
27 to May 3 is "Cover the Uninsured Week," an effort to make health care
coverage for all Americans a priority. Find
out more at: http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/
. Interfaith materials can be found at http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/interfaith/
.
"Crazy Facts"
From data from the US Census Bureau a Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation project reports that "47 million individuals lacked health
insurance coverage of any kind during 2006. Other research shows that tens of
millions more Americans go without health coverage for shorter periods of time. The percentage of the non-elderly population
that is uninsured has climbed steadily from 15.9 percent in 1994 to 17.9
percent in 2006."
The
Children's Defense Fund calculates that "9.4 million children in America are
living without health coverage" and that "every 41 seconds, a child is born
uninsured."
Prayers of
Intercession
Response: Loving God, give us a new Spirit for justice and peace.
For all who are sick, especially those
without insurance, we pray....
For all our children, especially those with a
quality education, we pray....
For all workers, especially those who find
themselves without a living wage or enough work, we pray.....
For all those in the military, especially
those in Iraq
and Afghanistan,
we pray....
For all those who are living in nations without
true political freedom and guarantees of human rights, we pray....
Prayer
A Christian
Prayer for Peace
Blessed
are the PEACEMAKERS,
for they
shall be known as
the
Children of God.
But I say
to you that hear,
love your
enemies,
do good
to those who hate you,
bless
those who curse you,
pray for
those who abuse you.
To those
who strike you on the cheek,
offer the
other also,
and from
those who take away your cloak,
do not
withhold your coat as well.
Give to
everyone who begs from you,
and of
those who take away your goods,
do not
ask them again.
And as
you wish that others would do to you,
so do to
them.
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