Catholic Daily Mass Reading: 14th May 2023
FIRST READING
“They laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:5-8.14-17)
In those days: Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 66: 1-3a.4-5.6-7a.16 and 20 (R.1)
R/. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Or: Alleluia.
Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome your deeds!” R/.
“Before you all the earth shall bow down,
shall sing to you, sing to your name!”
Come and see the works of God:
awesome his deeds among the children of men. R/.
R/. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Or: Alleluia.
He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
Let our joy, then, be in him;
he rules forever by his might. R/.
Come and hear, all who fear God;
I will tell what he did for my soul.
Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,
nor withhold from me his merciful love. R/.
SECOND READING
“Put to death in the flesh, he was made alive in the Spirit.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 3:15-18)
Beloved: In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 14:23
Alleluia. If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 14:15-21)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you. “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
Our Lord Jesus Christ invites us to love him by keeping his commandments. Let us ask the Holy Spirit, whom the father sends to us, to fill our hearts with a sincere love for God and one another.
FOR THE POPE, BISHOPS, PRIEST, AND DEACONS OF THE CHURCH: that the Lord will continue to sanctify them through the action of the Holy Spirit, hear their humble prayers and grant them the grace to serve him faithfully in love. We pray O Lord.
FOR CIVIL LEADERS: that they may develop policies that respect the family and recognize its unmatched contribution to the advancement of society. We pray O Lord.
FOR CHRISTIANS FACING TRIBULATION: that the Holy Spirit may give light and strength to those in many regions of the world who are persecuted and discriminated against because of the Gospel. We pray O Lord.
FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED MEMBERS IN OUR MIDST: that they may experience the love of their brothers and sisters in this community and the soothing touch of the risen Lord. We pray O Lord.
For other intentions: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. We pray O Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
Lord God, through the death and Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you won for us our salvation. Be attentive to the needs of those whom you have gathered together, that they may find in you their true refuge. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
In today’s first reading we see how the people of Samaria, experience the joy of receiving the good news through the ministry of Philip. They rejoiced that they came to know the true saviour. James and John strengthen them in their faith by laying hands and obtaining for them the power of the Holy Spirit. In today’s gospel Jesus promises the same Holy Spirit, the counsellor, to be with them for ever. The Counsellor is the spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Lord as he departs from this world after fulfilling his mission. So a Christian is never left abandoned by God, but always lives in the Holy Triune God. St Peter, in the second reading advises the people to be ready to answer their adversaries with a defence of gentleness and reverence. This is the consequence of receiving the Holy Spirit. Lord, fill me with your Spirit of courage and joy.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL: Day 14 of May Devotion
God’s choice is always the best at all times and when you let God do what He wants with you, it will not only be perfect, but more importantly, it will bring joy to your heart.
When God chose our Mother Mary to be the channel through which His only begotten Son will come into the world, He did not make a mistake, because Mary said yes to Him and that brought tremendous blessings to the world. God did not make a mistake to choose you, therefore, say yes to Him as our Mother Mary did and you will become a channel through which He will do great things in our world. Make yourself available for God so that he will make use of you for the good of humanity.
Meditation: John 15:9-17
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you have chosen me to go out and bear fruit for you. Help me to always say yes to you and may I become a channel through which your grace and blessings will come upon those who come in contact with me. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
M A Y D E V O T I O N
Program of Daily Events for May Devotion (Personal / Group)
1. Introduction: Sign of the Cross + / (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament optional)
2. ACT OF CONTRITION: O my God because you’re so good, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you and by the help of your grace I will not sin again.
3. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: O most pure heart of Mary, full of goodness, show your love towards us. Let the flame of your heart, O Mary, descend on all people. We love you immensely. Impress on our hearts true love so that we may long for you. O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we sin. You know that all we sin. Grant that through your most pure and motherly heart, we may be healed from every spiritual sickness. Grant that we may always experience the goodness of your motherly heart, and that through the flame of your heart we may be converted. Amen.
4. Rosary Recitation and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Begin with the invocation of the Holy Spirit: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the heart……….
5. ART OF REPARATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: O Most Holy Virgin, and Our Mother, we listen with grief to the complaints of your immaculate Heart surrounded with the thorns placed therein at every moment by the blasphemies and ingratitude of ungrateful humanity. We are moved by the ardent desire of loving you as Our Mother and of promising a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart. We therefore kneel before you to manifest the sorrow we feel for the grievances that people cause you, and to atone by our prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which they return your love. Obtain for them and for us the pardon of so many sins. Hasten the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus Christ and cease to offend the Lord, already so much offended. Turn your eyes of mercy toward us, that we may love God with all our heart on earth and enjoy him forever in Heaven.
6. Talk on Blessed Virgin Mary.
7. Gift of candle light and offering of petition. (Lighting of candles and submission of petition).
8. MEMORARE: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
9. Prayers for the intention of Our Holy Father (One Our Father, One Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father).
10. Benediction