May 1: Sent to be Instruments of Grace

Anonymous Russian Master: The Apostles Peter
and John the Theologian
(detail from the Appearance of the Mother of God
to Venerable Sergius of Radonezh), late 18th cent.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Reading I: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17).

As with the people of Samaria, we rejoice for the Philips in our lives who bring to the surface the good news of salvation perhaps long hidden in the depths of our consciousness and who baptize us; and for the Peters and Johns who make us aware of the Holy Spirit working in us.

Father, your truth is spoken to us once and for all in every moment by your Word dwelling within us even from the womb, the same Word who challenges us in every situation to accept your divine life in the Holy Spirit. Because of the limitations of our created being, hemmed in as it is by space and time, and weighed down by the sin or the world and our own sinfulness, we often find it so difficult to grasp our true relationship with you.

As we are grateful for those, our sisters and brothers, and most significantly our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word now made flesh, who awaken in us an awareness of who we really are and what we are called to be, may we also, Father, join with them in sensitizing others around us so that they too may see clearly and recognize their true nature and calling.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.