Catholic Daily Mass Reading Today, 22nd May 2023 + Reflection (Homily)
FIRST READING
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 19:1-8)
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptised?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 68:2-3.4-5ac.6-7ab (R. sec 33a)
R/. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
Let God arise; let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee from his face.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God. R/.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God;
they shall exult with glad rejoicing.
O sing to God; make music to his name.
The Lord is his name. R/.
R/. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
Father of orphans, defender of widows:
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
he leads the prisoners forth into prosperity. R/.
ALLELUIA: Colossians 3: 1
Alleluia. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 16:29-33)
At that time: The disciples said to Jesus, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection for Today (Homily)
Jesus says he has overcome the world. It is the world that is opposed to the kingdom that Jesus has come to establish. A Christian is being pulled between the forces of this ‘world’ and the forces of God. To be worldly minded means to be controlled by the passions and desires of the flesh. The world tells us to make money, eat, drink and make merry. Life is short; therefore try to get maximum out of the world and make it yours. Your life is measured by the power you wield, wealth you amass, popularity you command, and the positions you hold. To be Godly-minded like Jesus means to carry your cross daily, to serve others, to welcome the stranger, to visit the sick, to be a Good Samaritan, to be the last in order to be the first, to be like a little child, to be poor in spirit, to enter through the narrow door. This is the sign of overcoming the world. Lord, help me to be on your side even if it means carrying my daily crosses.
BLESSING FOR THE NEW WEEK
Lord Jesus, I bless your name for giving me this day and for making me wake up from sleep strong and healthy. May your most Holy name be praised now and forever. Amen.
I offer to you all that we shall do today. Keep us safe, bless our families, favour the work of our hands and may your presence surround us and may it dispel and ward off every attack of the evil one.
Give me a faith that will be willing and ready to give a helping hand to others so that they will come to you and receive their blessings and miracles.
Through my work may the sick be healed, the eyes of the blind be opened, the deaf hear, the dumb speak and those whose hope is lost find their way back to you O Lord.
Make use of me to your own glory and may I become a channel of upliftment as I step out of my house today. May I be ready and willing to help others and in doing so may I never lack your help in my life. Amen.
It is a new day my dear friend, be positive in mind and heart, put in your best in what you do. Be kind to people, you will definitely receive God’s blessings and your testimonies will be sure at the end of the day.
May God’s help and glory rest upon you so that you will do good in his name. Amen. Help others today and you will find help when you need it.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL: Day 22 May Devotion
You cannot please God if you are proud, arrogant and selfish. These are vices and should not be allowed to take root in us in our journey of faith.
Our Blessed Mother Mary was very humble and in her humility she called upon God in prayer and she always received a positive response. We must try to humble ourselves like our Mother Mary before the Lord so that He will exalt us in due time. You lose nothing by being humble, but you can lose everything by being selfish and arrogant. In humility serve your brothers and sisters in this life and God will lift you up someday.
Meditation: James 4:1-10/Mark 9:30-37
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, help me to be humble and to use every opportunity you give me to be at the service of humanity in a manner that will bring glory to your name and may my prayers be answered when I call upon your name. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today’s Saint: ST. RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS
Rita was born in Italy in 1377. She lived an ordinary life as a married woman until the time when her husband was murdered. Then, in her desire to live a consecrated life, she joined the Augustinian Nuns and spent the rest of her life doing penance and praying out of love for the crucified Lord. She died in 1447.
9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST
DAY 4: THE ROLE of the HOLY SPIRIT in God’s Plan of Salvation
INTRODUCTION – The story of mankind is a story of God’s mercy and goodness. Mankind’s rejection of grace was followed by God’s promise of new life through the Saviour to come. God’s offer of grace and our rejection of it are the pattern of life even today. God’s love is everlasting. If we want to realize the deepest desires of our hearts, we must begin by opening ourselves to His love. We do this by admitting our wrongdoing and asking pardon for our failures.
PRAYER POINTS:
– Ask for the grace to die to flesh and its passions.
– Spend time in worship to the Holy Spirit. (Pray as the Spirit leads)
1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.
R/. Amen
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (7x)
2. ACT OF CONTRITION – O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ, and, most of all, because they offend your infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of your grace, never to offend you again, and carefully to avoid the occasion of sin.
3. PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST:
O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.
5. BIBLE READING: Gen 1: 26-27 and Luke 1:26-38
6. CONCLUDING PRAYER:
LET US PRAY:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I know that my body is Your Temple. I believe and trust that you are the source of life, Almighty God, our Creator. My whole body is filled with your life and love. Lord Jesus, touch me with Your Precious Blood and wash away all my sins.
I ask your forgiveness for every sin of mine. Heal me of all the hurts, anger, guilt feelings and all painful memories that linger in my deepest being. I have sinned, Lord, against you and against my neighbour. Jesus, you are present in the Eucharist. Lord, do come into my heart. While you are in my heart, I have nothing to fear, for you are the Son of God, and in my heart you are near.
In you is life, and in your life, Lord Jesus, I find life. You touched the bleeding woman and healed her. Have mercy on me, Lord. It is You Who guide me with your strength and make me righteous in your presence. Lord, God, You are almighty. You are merciful. You have touched me and healed me of all my ailments of soul, mind and body. I thank you specially for bringing me closer to you, for loving and protecting me and for healing me completely. With deep faith in my heart, I adore You my loving Jesus Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are God for ever and ever. Amen.
7. Closing / Concluding Hymn