May 2023: Mass Readings and Resources

The readings for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the themes of inclusion and unity in the context of our faith.

In the readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God’s plan for our lives, even when we face challenges and uncertainty.

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 Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter call us to continue the missionary work of Jesus and his disciples, spreading the good news of the gospel to all corners of the world.

Reflecting on the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Easter offers us an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the central role that Jesus Christ plays in our faith. These passages emphasize that faith in Jesus is the means of salvation and eternal life, and that there is no other way to access these gifts.

The readings for Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter offer a wealth of insights for reflection. One of the most prominent themes that emerges from these readings is the idea of perseverance.

The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A tell us that we are called to follow Jesus and serve him, even though we don’t know where that might lead us.

As we reflect on the readings for Monday of the 5th week of Easter, we are called to consider our role in spreading the Gospel message.

The readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter offer guidance on how to deal with struggles in our lives by reminding us of the importance of evangelizing and building up communities of faith, finding peace and comfort through faith, and resisting the temptations and attacks of the evil one through obedience to God’s will.

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.

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.

The readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the themes of unity, love, and the mission of the Church. They remind us of the foundational values that should guide our lives as followers of Christ.

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.

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 A remind us that God is always with us and always caring for us, no matter where we are or what the circumstance. So some possible themes for this Sunday are trust in God and a reverence for human dignity.

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.

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 A remind us that even though Jesus is not with us in his human body, we are still connected to him and to each other in prayer.

The feast of the Ascension of the Lord Year A commemorates the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. He also gave the Great Commission, that all of the world should be saved. So this is a day to focus on our service to the Kingdom of God and evangelization. Here are some ideas for youth ministry, your home, and your Sunday School.

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.

As we reflect on the readings for Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter, we discover important messages that can transform our lives as young Catholics. These readings talk about being faithful to God, getting along with others, and the amazing gift of eternal life.

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.

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

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.

St. Philip Neri lived in Italy in the sixteenth century. He trained with his uncle to be a merchant, but felt himself called to serve the poor of Rome instead. There he ministered to the sick and to prostitutes. After 17 years of ministry, he decided to enter the priesthood. Eventually he founded an order of priests known as the Oratory. These priests visited various churches in Rome to preach and to hear confessions. Philip himself was known for his piety, humor, and joyful nature.

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 Mass readings for Pentecost Year A clearly emphasize the role of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit’s gifts, we are empowered to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world. This important day marks the birth of the Church and is celebrated 50 days after Easter, signifying the end of the Easter season.

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.

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 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.