Gulf Pine Catholic • May 8, 2026 5 Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised. JCH Opening Remarks -- Image: In a scene from a Superman movie, Lois Lane is held for ransom on the roof of a tall building, while Superman flies across the sky to apprehend the criminals. Seeing Superman approaching, the criminals hurl Lois off the roof, and he adjusts his course to rescue Lois rather than pursue them. As he catches Lois in midair, Superman says, “It’s okay now, Lois, I have you.” Shocked but delighted, Lois looks around, realizes they are flying, and says to Superman, “But who has you?” Who has you? We can be “had” by demands, worries, desires, pursuing wealth, power, pleasure, or personal convenience. Or we can be “had” by Jesus. Some Christians claim Jesus as their personal possession. 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 into ways and places I would not go on my own, I am entering a new realm of faith. 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, transforming His disciples from fearful, uncertain onlookers into bold, effective, faith-filled leaders dedicated to the Lord and committed to changing the world. Today’s first reading highlights Phillip, a deacon, preaching and working miracles in imitation of Jesus, and the apostles Peter and John administering the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. This is a shift from them being eyewitnesses while Jesus did all the work. To fully experience the impact of loving and serving the Lord, we must move from a noncommittal to an experiential faith. We can only convince someone that Jesus still lives by showing how He lives in us. If our ministry flows from love for Christ, persecution, setbacks, hardships, or temporary hindrances can offer fresh opportunities for service and lead to even greater effectiveness. With the Lord, problems are not stop signs but road markers pointing us toward a different path to grow closer to Christ. Are you willing to creatively discover how God wants to use you? Joy: The Psalmist reminds us to freely express our joyful praise and thanksgiving to God for His marvelous deeds on our behalf. He delights in God’s accomplishments and in God’s rescue from distress. God, who came through for us in the past, will not let us down when present challenges threaten to rob us of 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 challenges us to do more than treat the Lord as a convenience or an emergency need, or 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 wait for someone to ask -- they create opportunities to speak about 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 that Jesus ordered the apostle Thomas to go to India, but Thomas refused. One day, in a marketplace, Jesus approached some Indian merchants, pointed to Thomas, and said, “He is my slave, and I will sell him to you.” They agreed and asked Thomas if Jesus was his Master. Thomas replied, “Yes.” Thomas spent the rest of his days in India, converting many to the faith. God wants our cooperation and prefers it to be voluntary. Love and Joy: In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents love as the key to sacrificial living and the fullness of joy. God’s presence is most evident in those who believe, speak, and act. Jesus knew the need for reassurance in times of trouble and offered the Holy Spirit as our advocate. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you love the Lord and the people He brings into your life. This week, read Galatians 5:22-26 and first Corinthians 13:1-12 as a roadmap for your spiritual growth. 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 is retired and lives in Tennessee. Visit his website: 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 Torrelli Sunday Scripture Commentaries To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic, call 228-702-2109 for more information.
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