by Norbert Doulanni | May 5, 2025 | Evangelium
Blessed François de Laval (1623 – 1708)
Psalter: Week III
White
He was the first bishop of New France. He founded a seminary and had schools and churches built. He resigned his bishopric in 1684 but remained in New France and acted as deputy to his successor.
Entrance Antiphon: Rv 19: 5; 12: 10
Sing praise to our God, all you who fear God, both small and great, for now salvation and strength have come, and the power of his Christ, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who open wide the gates of the heavenly Kingdom to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, pour out on your servants an increase of the grace you have bestowed, that, having been purged of all sins, they may lack nothing that in your kindness you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 7:51-8:1
Stephen said to the people, the elders and the scribes: ‘You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? In the past they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers. You who had the Law brought to you by angels are the very ones who have not kept it.’ They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him. But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words he fell asleep. Saul entirely approved of the killing.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,17,21
R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, or you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love. You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn10:14
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 6:30-35
The people said to Jesus, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ ‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered: ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Rm 6: 8
If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
A child asks his mother: “Mama, when are we going to church next? Is it tomorrow”? When the mother questions him further, the young boy reveals that he wants to go back to church because the priest gave him candies last week. Jesus’ contemporaries echo a similar sentiment, saying, ‘Give us that bread always.’ Their sole desire is for bread, the material sustenance, rather than grasping the depth of His teachings. In the same vein, we, self-proclaimed Christians, may find ourselves following Christ for varied reasons. Scripture reveals that true Christian identity is rooted in faith in Christ. It prompts us to question our internal motivations for going to church. Am I merely going to church as a formality, or do I genuinely believe in Jesus Christ, the bread of life?
by Norbert Doulanni | May 5, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Asaph
Psalter: Week III
White
He was a monk of the monastery at Llanelwy, founded by St Kentigern. He was consecrated bishop in 573, and the town of Llanelwy (as well as the diocese) is called St Asaph in his honour.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 6:8-15
Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said. So they procured some men to say, ‘We heard him using blasphemous language against Moses and against God.’ Having in this way turned the people against him as well as the elders and Scribes, they took Stephen by surprise, and arrested him and brought him before the Sanhedrin. There they put up false witnesses to say, ‘This man is always making speeches against this Holy Place and the Law. We have heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene is going to destroy this Place and alter the traditions that Moses handed down to us.’ The members of the Sanhedrin all looked intently at Stephen, and his face appeared to them like the face of an angel.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:23-24,26-27,29-30
R/ They are happy whose life is blameless.
I ponder on your statutes. Your will is my delight; your statutes are my counsellors.
I declared my ways and you answered; teach me your statutes. Make me grasp the way of your precepts and I will muse on your wonders.
Keep me from the way of error and teach me your law. I have chosen the way of truth with your decrees before me.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! ‘You believe, Thomas, because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 6:22-29
After Jesus had fed the five thousand, his disciples saw him walking on the water. Next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side saw that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that the disciples had set off by themselves. Other boats, however, had put in from Tiberias, near the place where the bread had been eaten. When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat. Do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life, the kind of food the Son of Man is offering you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do if we are to do the works that God wants?’ Jesus gave them this answer, ‘This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Look, O Lord, upon the offerings we present to you in commemoration of Saint Athanasius, and may witnessing to your truth bring salvation to those who profess the same unblemished faith as him. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : 1 Cor 3: 11
No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant us, we pray, almighty God, that the true divinity of your Only Begotten Son, which we firmly profess with Saint Athanasius, may, through this Sacrament, ever give us life and protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life”. One of the main problems our world faces today is food scarcity. The number of people who lack food daily continues to rise in our societies. Even in Jesus’ time, food shortages were prevalent, prompting people to voluntarily follow someone who could provide them with some bread to eat. Jesus uses the miracle of the loaves to capture their attention and guide them toward a deeper reality. Today, He invites us to seek lasting food. However, we cannot ignore the pressing reality of the need for material food. Similar to Jesus, we are called to work to alleviate the food crisis in our society. As a Christian, how do I contribute to mitigating the wave of hunger in my society?
by Norbert Doulanni | May 2, 2025 | Evangelium
Saints Philip and James,
Apostles – Feast
Psalter: Week II
Red
Philip was born at Bethsaida and started as a disciple of John the Baptist. After the Baptist’s death he followed Christ. James, a cousin of the Lord, was the son of Alphaeus. He ruled the Church at Jerusalem; wrote an epistle; led an austere life; and converted many Jews to the Faith. He was crowned with martyrdom in the year 62.
Entrance Antiphon
These are the holy men whom the Lord chose in his own perfect love; to them he gave eternal glory, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who gladden us each year with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James, grant us, through their prayers, a share in the Passion and Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, so that we may merit to behold you for eternity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything. Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18(19):2-5
R/ Their word goes forth through all the earth.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands. Day unto day takes up the story and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard yet their span extends through all the earth, their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
Gospel Acclamation Jn14:6,9
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, says the Lord. Philip, to have seen me is to have seen the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 14:6-14
Jesus said to Thomas: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.’ Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me? ‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father, so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason. I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask for in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, the offerings we bring for the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James and bestow on us religion pure and undefiled. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Jn 14: 8-9
Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us. Whoever has seen me, Philip, has seen the Father also, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Purify our minds, we pray, O Lord, by these holy gifts we have received, so that, contemplating you in your Son together with the Apostles Philip and James, we may be worthy to possess eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Lord, let us see the Father!” Philip’s plea reminds us of the psalmist’s cry: “
O God, you are my God; for you, I long. For you, my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water” (Ps 62). Philip’s entreaty serves as a reminder to us to prioritise what is essential over things that are passing. As Christians and ministers of the Word of God, our primary duty is to seek the face of God and lead others to Him. For this to be possible, we must be firmly rooted in Christ Jesus, the True Way to eternal life. Indeed, without knowing the Way, we cannot seek the Father, approach Him, or guide others to Him. Let us pray and seek the grace to remain fervent with God’s love. It is this fervour that propels us to seek God’s face on a daily basis.
by Norbert Doulanni | May 1, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Athanasius (295 – 373)
Psalter: Week II
White
He was born in Alexandria. He fought hard against Arianism all his life, undergoing many sufferings and spending a total of 17 years in exile. He wrote outstanding works to explain and defend orthodoxy.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 15: 5
In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant, that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 5:34-42
One member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee called Gamaliel, who was a doctor of the Law and respected by the whole people, stood up and asked to have the apostles taken outside for a time. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin, ‘Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these people. There was Theudas who became notorious not so long ago. He claimed to be someone important, and he even collected about four hundred followers; but when he was killed, all his followers scattered and that was the end of them. And then there was Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, who attracted crowds of supporters; but he got killed too, and all his followers dispersed. What I suggest, therefore, is that you leave these men alone and let them go. If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves fighting against God.’ His advice was accepted; and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name. They preached every day both in the Temple and in private houses, and their proclamation of the Good News of Christ Jesus was never interrupted.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 26:1,4,13-14
R/ There is one thing I ask of the Lord, to live in the house of the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead: have mercy on us, triumphant King. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 6:1-15
Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee – or of Tiberias – and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick. Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with his disciples. It was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover. Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do. Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted. When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted.’ So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. The people, seeing this sign that he had given, said, ‘This really is the prophet who is to come into the world.’ Jesus, who could see they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, escaped back to the hills by himself.
Prayer over the Offerings
Look, O Lord, upon the offerings we present to you in commemoration of Saint Athanasius, and may witnessing to your truth bring salvation to those who profess the same unblemished faith as him. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Cor 3: 11
No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant us, we pray, almighty God, that the true divinity of your Only Begotten Son, which we firmly profess with Saint Athanasius, may, through this Sacrament, ever give us life and protection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Greek word “anapesein,” used in John 6:10, means “to lie down”. Jesus could have simply asked for the bread to be distributed to the people while standing. Instead, he deliberately chooses this posture which is one of humility, total submission, and surrender. Therefore, as children of God, worn out by life’s challenges, Christ extends an invitation us to approach Him and find rest (Mt 11:). For Jesus to freely intervene in our lives, a complete surrender is necessary. Our free will becomes the conduit through which He can step in and multiply our meagre “five loaves and two fish”. While Philip, analysing the situation mathematically, deems it impossible to feed the vast crowd with their limited resources, Jesus operates beyond the confines of scientific and natural laws to manifest His greatness within us, provided we surrender all to him. In any circumstance, let us turn to Jesus; for when we are down to nothing, that is precisely when God begins a transformative work in our lives.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 30, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Joseph the Worker
Psalter: Week II
White
The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in order to Christianize the concept of labor and give to all workmen a model and a protector
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 67: 8-9, 20
O God, when you went forth before your people, marching with them and living among them, the earth trembled, heavens poured down rain, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who for the salvation of the world brought about the paschal sacrifice, be favourable to the supplications of your people, so that Christ our High Priest, interceding on our behalf, may by his likeness to ourselves, bring us reconciliation, and by his equality with you, free us from our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 5:27-33
When the officials had brought the apostles in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:2,9,17-20
R/ This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.
The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal. They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save. Many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen, he who created all things, and has granted his mercy to men. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 3:31-36
John the Baptist said to his disciples: ‘He who comes from above is above all others; he who is born of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven bears witness to the things he has seen and heard, even if his testimony is not accepted; though all who do accept his testimony are attesting the truthfulness of God, since he whom God has sent speaks God’s own words: God gives him the Spirit without reserve. The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to him. Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.’
Prayer over the Offerings
May our prayers rise up to you, O Lord, together with the sacrificial offerings, so that, purified by your graciousness, we may be conformed to the mysteries of your mighty love. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Mt 28: 20
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Almighty ever-living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Often, when someone recounts a story or an event, the initial reaction is to verify the authenticity of the narrative. Questions arise such as: Were you present? Who informed you? Where did you come across this information? One of the reasons behind these inquiries is the desire for witnesses to substantiate the account. The same principle holds true for followers of Christ today. To preach the Good News of the kingdom of God in a world that values “proof,” we must serve as genuine witnesses, initially through our actions and, if necessary, through our words. It’s crucial not to be discouraged if the world rejects our message; instead, we should turn to Jesus in prayer and ask for strength.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 29, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint PIUS V, POPE
Psalter: Week II
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 17: 50; 21: 23
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will tell of your name to my kin, alleluia.
Collect
As we recall year by year the mysteries by which, through the restoration of its original dignity, human nature has received the hope of rising again, we earnestly beseech your mercy, Lord, that what we celebrate in faith we may possess in unending love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 5:17-26
The high priest intervened with all his supporters from the party of the Sadducees. Prompted by jealousy, they arrested the apostles and had them put in the common gaol. But at night the angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and said as he led them out, ‘Go and stand in the Temple, and tell the people all about this new Life.’ They did as they were told; they went into the Temple at dawn and began to preach. When the high priest arrived, he and his supporters convened the Sanhedrin – this was the full Senate of Israel – and sent to the gaol for them to be brought. But when the officials arrived at the prison they found they were not inside, so they went back and reported, ‘We found the gaol securely locked and the warders on duty at the gates, but when we unlocked the door we found no one inside.’ When the captain of the Temple and the chief priests heard this news they wondered what this could mean. Then a man arrived with fresh news. ‘At this very moment’ he said, ‘the men you imprisoned are in the Temple. They are standing there preaching to the people.’ The captain went with his men and fetched them. They were afraid to use force in case the people stoned them.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:2-9
R/ This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.
Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.
Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.
The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia! Christ has risen and shone upon us whom he redeemed with his blood. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 3:16-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that, as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 15: 16, 19
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, and have appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” encapsulates the heart of the Christian message, conveying the overwhelming love of God poured out for all humanity through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. This verse is, in essence, the summary of the Gospel. Jesus calls sinners to accept and rejoice in this love when he says, “Repent and believe the gospel.” We must forsake our sins and accept that God loves us so much that He gave his only Son for our salvation. This Gospel passage emphasises that God is more interested in our salvation than our damnation. God’s love is not limited or conditional; it is boundless and unconditional. His love surpasses all understanding, a selfless love that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of our salvation. This divine love knows no bounds, reaching out to everyone, regardless of our flaws, mistakes, or shortcomings. As we enter the Easter season, let us open our hearts to receive this love anew.
