Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Both the first reading at Mass today (Acts 6:1-6), describing the commissioning of St Stephen and the first deacons, and the gospel reading (John 14: 1-12) have occurred at weekday Masses recently, and I don’t want to repeat what I have written earlier. I would urge you to listen to the homily and reflections about them at the Holy Father’s Mass earlier today – click here – and at the Regina Caeli just now – click here.
In his address on the second occasion he referred to the Schuman Declaration 70 years ago yesterday, the reason behind Europe Day, and reiterated the Catholic Church’s support for European integration, a message many need to hear in this country. He also referred to the ecological initiatives being taken by young Catholics in the Sahel region of Africa, on the 40th anniversary of the first visit to Africa of St John Paul II.
As we hear the first reading it’s worth remembering that the Holy Father has set aside this month as a special month of prayer for deacons, as I posted a few days ago.
God bless and have a good Sunday
Fr Ashley