Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • May 12, 2023 5 MORE THAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS We are Professional Remembrance Planners Explore the many unique ways to honor and celebrate lives. Call or visit Bradford O’Keefe today. BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES Professional. Compassionate. Dignified. 228-374-5650 • Bradfordokeefe.com A special thank you for prayers answered from our Holy Mary, St. Joseph, and Our Lord and Savior. CHD Thank you, Jesus, Mary, & St. Jude, for prayers answered. AVN. 9274 Hwy 49/Airport Gulfport, MS 39503 228-863-5525 1-800-880-2446 FAX: 228-863-9612 www.butchoustalet.com Opening Remarks -- Image: A scene from a Superman movie has Lois Lane being held for ransom on the roof of a tall building in the city of Metropolis. Superman is made aware of the crime and flies across the sky to apprehend the criminals. On seeing Super-man approaching, the criminals hurl Lois off the roof, and Super-man makes a course adjustment to rescue Lois rather than pursue the criminals. As he catches Lois in midair, Superman says, “It’s okay now, Lois, I have you.” Shocked but delighted, Lois looks around and, realizing they are flying, looks at Superman and says, “But who has you?” Turning Point: Soon the Liturgical season of Easter will be history, and we will return to Ordinary Time. This presents another turning point in our faith growth and probes us to ponder the question, “Who has me?” Indeed, we can be “had” by any number of attractions, demands, worries, and desires. We can be “had” by pursuing wealth, power, pleasure, or personal convenience. Or we can be “had” by Jesus. Those who are regular church-goers often claim Jesus as their personal possession -- quite different from Jesus having them. If Jesus is one of my possessions, I can use Him as I please and ignore or discard Him when He is inconvenient. But if Jesus has me because I have surrendered my life to His Lordship and willingly submit to His leading me in ways and places I would not go on my own, I am entering a new realm of faith. So, let your ongoing prayer be, “Jesus, I surrender all to you. Conform me to your divine will and purpose for my life.” Today’s readings explore the amazing possibilities of such a heartfelt prayer. Taking Ownership: Jesus’ resurrection breathed new life into the first-century Church by transforming His disciples from fearful and uncertain onlookers to bold, effective faith-filled leaders dedicated to the Lord and committed to changing the world. Today’s first reading highlights Phillip, the deacon, preaching and working miracles in imitation of Jesus, and the apostles, Peter and John, administering the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation as they take ownership of their faith. This is a shift from resting on the former glory of being eyewitnesses while Jesus did all the work. To fully experience the true impact of loving and serving the Lord, we must move from a non-committal to an experiential faith. We can only convince someone that Jesus still lives if we show them how He lives in us. If our ministry flows from love of Christ, persecution, setbacks, hardship, or temporary hindrances can offer fresh opportunities for service and create even greater effectiveness than formerly experienced. With the Lord, problems are not stop signs but road markers leading us on a different path to grow closer to Christ. Are you willing to creatively discover ways God wants to use you? Joy: The Psalmist reminds us to freely express our joyful praise and thankfulness to God for His marvelous deeds on our behalf. His witness of delighting in God’s accomplishments and how God rescued him from distress encourages others to do the same. The one true and living God who came through for us in the past will not let us down when present challenges threaten to rob our joy and faith. Reflect: In what ways can you witness Easter joy and resurrection faith to encourage someone in their walk with Christ? Create Opportunities: Today’s second reading begins, “Sanctify (make sacred, undefiled, and irreplaceable) Christ as Lord in your hearts.” It presents a challenge to do more than treat the Lord as a convenience or an emergency need or only to give Him minimal time, attention, and thought. Fullness of life in the Spirit (peace, happiness, and faith) comes when we love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul and love and serve one another. Peter continues, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” Jesus’ disciples never waited for someone to ask -- they created opportunities to speak of their faith and demonstrate the Lord’s power and mercy. Pray for the gifts of wisdom and discernment to know how to speak and act in ways that point others to Jesus. There is a legend about Jesus ordering the apostle Thomas to go to India and Thomas refusing. One day the two were in a marketplace, and Jesus seeing some Indian merchants approached them and, pointing to Thomas, said, “He is my slave, and I will sell him to you.” The merchants agreed, went to Thomas, and, pointing to Jesus, asked, “Is that man your Master? Thomas replied, “Yes.” The merchants took him to India, where he lived out the rest of his days and converted many to the faith. God wants our cooperation but would rather have it voluntarily. Love and Joy: In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of love as the key motivator for sacrificial living and fullness of joy -- the two go together. God’s presence and fellowship are most evident through those who believe, speak, and act. Jesus knew the need for reassurance in times of trouble and offers the Holy Spirit as our advocate in times of need. Ask the Spirit to help you love the Lord and the people He brings into your life. Read Galatians 5:22-26 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-12 this week as a roadmap to your spiritual growth. Commit now to put thoughts and works of the flesh to death and draw closer to Jesus, giving him first place in all things. Finally, as you navigate life’s daily ups and downs, the question remains: What attitudes, actions, and ministries of mine demonstrate that Jesus “has” me? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web- site: www.homilypearls.com. 1st Reading: Acts of the Apostles 8:5-8; 14-17 Psalm Response: 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18 Gospel: John 14:15-21 Sixth Sunday of Easter Who has you? Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries