SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
17th May 2020


Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today's Gospel is a continuation of last week's Gospel: Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. In today's reading Jesus offers encouragement to his disciples, who will soon see him crucified. He reassures them that even though he will leave them, he will not abandon them. Instead he will send them the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, through whom the disciples will continue to live in union with Jesus.

Jesus uses the term Advocate to describe the Holy Spirit, whom the disciples will receive. Another word used to describe the Holy Spirit is Paraclete, a legal term meaning "one who offers defence for another". Note that Jesus says that he will send "another Advocate". Jesus himself is the first advocate, interceding for his disciples with the Father.

In today's reading Jesus contrasts his impending departure with the permanence of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will leave to return to the Father, but the Holy Spirit will remain with the disciples.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the disciples will come to know and appreciate the unity of the Son and the Father. They will also understand that they too participate in the communion between the Father and the Son: "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you" (John 14:20).

Today's reading is one example of the contrast that John's Gospel presents between the community of disciples, to whom God will reveal himself, and the unbelieving world, which will remain in darkness. The unbelieving world cannot accept the "Spirit of truth", whom the disciples will receive. Only through the Spirit will God's revelation and love be known.

Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy. May the blessings of risen Christ fill you with hope.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ


Notices:

Novena for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches and the Restoration of Public Mass as soon as possible:

The following Litany will be said by Catholics across the UK from Sunday, 26th April, until the following week Monday, 4th May, the Feast of the English Martyrs.

Please join us. If you hear about it later than those dates, please join anyway. This novena petitions Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, that it may be safe to re-open Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

For the Intention that it may be safe to re-open the Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible, we pray:

Sacred Heart
Lord, have mercy on us.
- Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
- Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
- Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
- Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
- Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
- Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee,
- Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints,
- Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
- Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
- Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
- Have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
- Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.


Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died