Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 11, 2019
First Reading: Acts 9.31-42
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.32As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.34"Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up.35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor.37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"39Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.40Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.2Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.3The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.4Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"5The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.6The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.7Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.8For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,9that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."11And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."12How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?13I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,19in the courts of the house of the LORD - in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: John 6.53, 60-69
53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges of discipleship. In the First Reading from Acts, we see the early Church thriving under the guidance of the apostles. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, performs two remarkable miracles: healing a paralytic man named Aeneas and raising Tabitha, a devout disciple, from the dead. These miracles demonstrate the continuation of Jesus' ministry through His followers and highlight the transformative power of faith. The people’s response—converting to the Lord and believing in His power—shows how God’s grace can touch hearts and change lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges His disciples with a difficult teaching: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not have life in you.” Many find this teaching hard to accept, and some even walk away. Yet, in the midst of this challenge, Peter’s confession stands out: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter’s response reminds us that true discipleship requires trust and commitment, even when the path is unclear or difficult. Jesus’ words are not just about the Eucharist but also about the spiritual nourishment we receive from Him. The Holy Spirit, as Jesus explains, is the one who gives life, and His words are spirit and life.
These readings call us to reflect on our own faith journey. Like the early Church, we are called to trust in God’s power and to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. Like Peter, we are invited to remain faithful, even when the teachings of Christ challenge us. In our daily lives, we can apply these lessons by deepening our prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and standing firm in our commitment to follow Jesus, even when the world around us may question or oppose our beliefs. Let us remember that the words of Christ are spirit and life, and let us allow them to transform us, just as they transformed Peter and the early Church.