Daily Readings for Friday, June 6 2014. Today is Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Lectionary: 301

Reading 1
Acts 25:13b-21

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea
on a visit to Festus.
Since they spent several days there,
Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,
“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.
When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.
I answered them that it was not Roman practice
to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers
and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay;
the next day I took my seat on the tribunal
and ordered the man to be brought in.
His accusers stood around him,
but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus who had died
but who Paul claimed was alive.
Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,
I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem
and there stand trial on these charges.
And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody
for the Emperor’s decision,
I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

R. (19a) The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, 
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all you his angels,
you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
John 21:15-19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, 
he said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; 
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: LOVE-PENTECOST

"A third time Jesus asked him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' " –John 21:17

As we draw near to the conclusion of the Pentecost Novena and to the celebration of Pentecost in this year of the Great Jubilee, Jesus simply and repeatedly asks us: "Do you love Me?" We have come to Jesus; we pray; we go to Mass. Of course, we love Jesus. Why would He ask us again and again whether we love Him?

We can deceive ourselves about love. We can say the right words and do the right things, but still not be living in love. Jesus warned us: "None of those who cry out, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. When that day comes, many will plead with Me, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? Have we not exorcised demons by its power? Did we not do many miracles in Your name as well?' Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Out of My sight, you evildoers!' " (Mt 7:21-23)

We can lose our love. Jesus said to the church of Ephesus: "I hold this against you, though: you have turned aside from your early love" (Rv 2:4). Probably there are people in hell who once loved Jesus but lost their love.

How can we truly love? How can we never stop loving? How can we love ever more deeply? "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" (Rm 5:5). Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost and love!

PRAYER: Father, give me such love this Pentecost that I will bring repeated Pentecosts to those around me.

PROMISE: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." –Ps 103:1-2

PRAISE: St. Norbert led a life of ease and opulence even as a subdeacon of the Church but experienced a life-changing conversion after escaping death. He sold his estates, gave away the proceeds, and pursued a life of poverty.

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