The Love of GOD

26/05/2026

26/05/2026

May 26, 2026 - Tuesday

Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest

In today’s first reading, we are deeply struck by the strong call to a renewed and disciplined way of living in response to the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The exhortation to “gird up the loins of your mind” speaks to readiness and alertness, reminding us that faith is not passive but requires an intentional and focused heart and mind. To “live soberly” invites a life of clarity, self-control, and freedom from distractions that pull us away from God. Above all, the call to set our hope completely on the grace to be revealed in Christ teaches us that our ultimate security and joy should not be anchored in worldly things, but in the promise of eternal life with the Lord.

Furthermore, today’s scripture reading also challenges us to live as an obedient child of God, no longer shaped by past ignorance or sinful desires, but transformed by the holiness of the One who calls us. The command “Be holy, because I am holy” is both inspiring and demanding, reminding us that holiness is not just a title but a way of life reflected in thoughts, actions, and choices. It calls us to examine our daily conduct and to align it with God’s character—pure, loving, and faithful. In this way, holiness becomes not an impossible burden, but a response of love to the God who first loved and redeemed us.

1st Reading: 1 Peter 1:10-16

Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched for and investigated it, investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.

The Word of the Lord.

______________________________________________________________________________


Responsorial Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

______________________________________________________________________________

Living a life that is pleasing to God is not always easy, because it often places us in situations where our values differ from those around us. When we strive to align our words, thoughts, and actions with God’s will, we may sometimes be misunderstood by our families, friends, or colleagues, especially when they are guided by personal interests or worldly standards. These differences can lead to challenges, disagreements, or even quiet resistance. Yet, these experiences remind us that discipleship truly involves choosing what is right before God rather than what is simply accepted by others.

In these moments of difficulty, we are reminded that faithfulness to God is not measured by the approval of people, but by our willingness to remain obedient to His will. God does not leave us alone in such struggles; instead, He strengthens us with patience, wisdom, and courage to continue doing what is good and true. Even when we are not fully understood, we are called to remain steadfast, trusting that God sees our efforts and sustains us through every challenge.

Gospel Acclamation: See Matthew 11:25

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.


Gospel Reading: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, "We have given up everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

The Gospel of the Lord.

24/05/2026

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH (PENTECOST SUNDAY* )

_PENTECOST DAY. The purpose of Pentecost is the introduction to God doing something He has never done before, that of filling the faithful with His Holy Spirit. The purpose is that we become witnesses to His character, presence, power and authority. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ ( Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2), and it marks the beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world PENTECOST_ .

_My dearly beloved, continue to support the Church's mission of the proclamation and propagation of the word of God to all, with your time and your resources. May the Holy Spirit fall afresh on you today in Jesus Name. Amen_ .

_WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN TODAY'S READINGS_

_The Spirit, New Law of the Christian. The first reading and the gospel talk of the descent of the Spirit. The stories of Luke and John complement each other and teach us that the Spirit is the new law, the force that leads us to do good_ .

_The Spirit is the source of unity. It pulls down barriers and wherever it enters it destroys sin. The second reading describes a consequence of the presence of the Spirit. Each of us has been given gifts by the same Spirit and they must not be a source of competition but must rather be put at the service of unity_ .

Today's Topic:
*THE WIND AND FIRE OF PENTECOST* 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
First Reading Acts 2:1 - 11, Second Reading 1 Corinthians 12:3b - 7. 12 - 13 and Gospel of John 20: 19 - 23.

Sunday, May 24, 2026, Readings for Pentecost

Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (Year A)

*REFLECTIONS*

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:21–23.

_At Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary, giving birth to the church that courageously bears witness to the risen Lord, Jesus’ promise of sending an Advocate to guide his disciples is fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is sent for a purpose… to remind the disciples of the teachings of Jesus and to instruct them further; to invest the apostles with the authority to forgive sins; to build up the faith and unity of the Christian community through various gifts of the spirit_ .

_Today, there is a major renewal of interest in the Holy Spirit and spiritual charisms. Unfortunately, however, many ‘gifts of the spirit’ are restricted to spectacular, extraordinary and momentary phenomena which often become a cause of rivalry, conflict and division. Charisms that build up faith and unity in the Christian community, and lead to greater understanding, forgiveness and service, are true signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit_ .

_Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, which took place fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead. Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ first appearance to the Apostles as a group—Thomas being absent—on the evening of the Resurrection. During this appearance, Jesus conferred on them the authority to forgive sins, a power foundational to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This gift anticipates the fuller outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when the Apostles were empowered to carry out their mission with boldness and divine strength_ .

_By breathing on the Apostles, Jesus recalls the creation account in Genesis, when God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7). Now Christ, the New Adam, breathes new life—the divine life of grace—into His Apostles. While this breathing conveys the Holy Spirit in an anticipatory manner, Pentecost represents the full bestowal of the Spirit upon the Church, sanctifying and empowering the Apostles and all disciples_ .

_Our knowledge of Pentecost comes to us from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s continuation of his Gospel in which he details the beginning of the Church: “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them” (Acts 2:2–3)_ .

_When the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles at Pentecost, there were physical manifestations. God often accompanies significant biblical actions with visible signs to reveal the invisible reality of His presence and activity. Though the transforming reality of Pentecost was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the accompanying signs teach us about the Spirit’s nature and work_ .

_The “strong driving wind” that “filled the entire house” symbolizes the ongoing, life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, the Spirit is unseen yet powerful, moving where He wills and producing visible effects in the lives of believers. Though we understand the natural causes of wind today, its mystery and uncontrollable nature remain, reflecting the Holy Spirit’s divine origin and unstoppable work in the world. He comes from God’s hidden presence, unseen but active, bringing about a new creation in the Church and in every soul He touches_ .

_The “tongues as of fire” signify the Spirit’s purifying and transforming action, burning away sin and igniting hearts with zeal for God’s mission. Together, these signs reveal the Spirit as the powerful, life-giving, and sanctifying presence of God, animating the Church and guiding her to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth_ .

_Before Pentecost, the disciples hid in the Upper Room, fearful and uncertain. Though Jesus had taught them, performed miracles, and revealed His perfect love, their hearts were not yet fully transformed. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came as a divine fire, emboldening them to become fearless witnesses_ .

_When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the same gift bestowed upon the disciples at Pentecost. We might not feel a strong driving wind or see tongues of fire descend from Heaven, but the reality is the same. The signs at Pentecost were not only for the disciples, they were also for us, revealing the Holy Spirit’s workings and power in our lives_ .

_Reflect today on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced the Spirit’s presence in your life? Like the first disciples, have you allowed the Holy Spirit to fill you with power from on high, emboldening you, purifying you, and setting you on fire with zeal to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to you? The Holy Spirit will transform us—if we let Him—setting our feet on the path to eternal glory_ .

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.