Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: Saints Nereus and Achilles, Early Christian Martyrs; Saint Pancras, Early Christian Martyr; Bl Jane of Portugal OP (1452-1490)  

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 2:11-15

Mass: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; Resp Ps 148; Jn 16:12-15

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel that when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide us to all truth (Jn 16:13). We need the Holy Spirit to help us better understand the mind of Jesus, things as He says, we cannot bear now (Jn 16:12). It is the Holy Spirit who guides us. Moreover, if we turn to our Catechism, we learn that our moral life as Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These, as stated, "are permanent dispositions that make us docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit" (1830). There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (CCC 1831). These are gifts we can receive to help lead us to all truth. Then there are the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity (CCC 1832). May our hearts and minds be open to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit-in abundance! 

One way to focus your prayer is with the text from the hymn we sing every day at midday. You might pray with the text, or any part of it, before going to a meeting, an appointment, or before making a decision. Or before whatever comes your way this day, and every day. Please join us we sing:

Now Holy Spirit One

with Father and with Son,

Come swiftly penetrate and fill

the hearts that thirst for you.

Let our selves in praise

sing out, proclaiming You,

Let love surge forth, a living fire

enkindling all we meet.

Be mindful of our prayer

You Father and the Son,

Who with the Spirit Paraclete

for ever reign. Amen.

O Truth, by the glory and splendor of your face, do not hide it from me. Cause all its beams to shine upon me, that in your light I may see light.

(William of St. Thierry)

SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLES,

SAINT PANCRAS,

BLESSED JANE OF PORTUGAL,

SAINT JOSEPH, 

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY.

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This beauty is just outside the entrance to the monastery.

© Gertrude Feick 2021