May 2024: Mass Readings and Resources

The readings for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter remind us of the importance of abiding in Christ and living out our faith in the world.

The readings for Thursday of the 5th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the profound connection between love and obedience, reminding us of the transforming power of Christ’s love in our lives. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow the Word of God to guide our reflections.

Sts. Philip and James, also known as St. Philip the Apostle and St. James the Less, are two of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Although they are often overshadowed by some of the more well-known apostles such as Peter, Paul, and John, Philip and James played important roles in the early Christian church.

The readings for Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the important aspects of discernment, evangelization, and following Jesus. These themes remind us of our call as disciples and challenge us to deepen our commitment to Christ.

The readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter Year B are a call to love each other just as we are loved by God. Topics for this weekend could human dignity, community, or God’s commandments. Here are some ideas.

In the readings for Monday of the 6th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the transformative power that comes from listening to the Word of God, opening our hearts, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These themes invite us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and consider how we can grow in our relationship with God.

In the readings for Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter, we encounter profound themes of conviction that resonate in both the First Reading from Acts 16:22-34 and the Gospel of John 16:5-11. To fully appreciate these themes, let us reflect on the two definitions of convict and their connections to the readings.

The readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter invite us to deepen our faith and embrace the mysteries of God’s revelation and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

The readings for the Thursday of the 6th week of Easter invite us to consider persistence, divine providence, transformative joy, and the mystery of God’s plan.

The readings for Friday of the 6th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on important aspects of our faith journey and our relationship with God. We reflect on trust in God, stewardship of time and ministry, transformation of sorrow into joy, and the power of prayer and access to the Father.

St. Damien of Molokai volunteered to be a missionary to Molokai in Hawaii. There was a colony of people afflicted with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) there. Because of fear of the disease, these people were isolated from other communities.

As we reflect on the Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God and strengthen our faith. We see openness to learning, exemplified by Apollos in the first reading, and growth in faith, illustrated by his own journey of development as a disciple. In the gospel, we see the importance of unity in Christ.

The readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter Year B tell us that God knows our hearts and wants us to belong to him, not to the world. So this weeks focus can be on commitment, rejecting evil, and living lives of service.

The readings for the The Ascension of the Lord for Year B encourage us to being open to the Holy Spirit and willing to spread the Good News. Discussion topics for this week could include evangelization, the Holy Spirit, and transitions.

In the readings for Monday of the 7th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the peace that can be found in Jesus.

The feast of Our Lady of Fatima commemorates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta were shepherds, and while watching their sheep Our Lady appeared to them on six separate occasions. She instructed them to be devoted to God and to pray the rosary.

St. Matthias was chosen by the apostles to replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Unlike the other apostles, he was not called directly by Jesus, but was chosen by casting lots.

In the readings for Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the responsibility of Church leaders. They have the important task of caring for and protecting the community of believers, much like a shepherd tending to a flock. This highlights the significance of their role in guiding and nourishing us spiritually.

In the readings for Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter, we encounter the themes of hope, unity, Jesus’ prayer for us, and how He sees us as precious gifts.

The Gospel for Friday of the 7th Week of Easter from John 21:15-19 reveals a profound encounter between Jesus and Peter after His resurrection. It presents a beautiful narrative that resonates with the core teachings of the Catholic faith. This passage invites us to reflect on the themes of love, restoration, and service, which are fundamental to our spiritual journey as followers of Christ.

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter of John 21:20-25, we encounter a profound encounter between Jesus and the beloved disciple, John. We are invited to reflect on the enduring bond of love that existed between Jesus and John, and the lessons we can glean from their relationship.

The readings for the Pentecost Year B clearly tell us that we need to be willing to receive the Holy Spirit and then use the gifts we receive. Discussion topics for this week could include evangelization, the fruits of the Spirit, and reconciliation. Here are some ideas

The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church recalls that Mary received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with the Apostles. At this time, she understood what it meant to say yes to God and saw the grace bestowed on us all by her son, Jesus Christ. This feast also reminds us that at the cross, Jesus gave Mary to the Church to be a mother to us all.

Even during his own lifetime people respected St. Bede for his faith and wisdom. He was called venerable by those around him.

The readings for the Trinity Sunday Year B affirm that we are members of God’s family and that God desires the whole world to be united into his relationship of love. Discussion topics for this week could include the Trinity, baptism, or what it means to be a child of God. Find some ideas here.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, we encounter a beautiful passage that invites us to reflect on our commitment to Christ and the rewards that come with it.

The gospel for Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time presents the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who encounters Jesus and receives his sight. This passage offers profound insights into faith, compassion, and the significance of encountering Jesus in our lives.

The feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. John was aware of the presence of the Lord and leapt in Elizabeth’s womb.