The fourth Sunday of Easter opens us to a new dimension of our walk through the Liturgical Life of the Church. The Epistle for this Sunday is taken from the Letter of James 1:17-21. One striking portion of the reading says:"...every perfect gift is from above , coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration..." It beehoves us then to appreciate the gift coming from the Father. What is this precious gift... this is the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. He is the jewel that adorns the paradise of God, the Tree of Life. His life, His words as we read in the Gospel, and His passion are all gifts that seeks to revive our souls. Hence St. James adminishes us to be quick to listen but slow to speak because the anger of man does not accomplish the will of God. How much we truly need patience in dealing with our various circumstances. But we should remember that the foundation of patience is the confidence we have in the Providnece of God and His solicitude for our good and well being.The gospel reading for today is taken from John 16:5-14. The Gospel reading speaks of Christ's promise of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost as our comforter. He will not only confort us but He will also teach us. How often we ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost? How many times have we neglected to seek recourse in our Great Counselor? Let us believe in the promise of the Lord and Let us trust in His good will to lead us to the paths of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord Father of all Lights, you have given us your Son and now you have sent to us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and our teacher. Inspire us with greater hope, greater faith and greater charity so that we may spend our lives on earth with faith and devotion. That while we are in this dark world like stars reflecting the light of the sun, we may also be like the stars reflecting your light into this vast and dark world engulf in Sin. We believe in your power to save us and in your power to renew our lives. As we recall the promises we made in Baptism and the pledge of salvation through the Eucharist, we thank you and we pray for final perseverance. Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and Our Lord. Amen.
Note: The picture above was taken by Dr. herbert r. many years ago while on a field research in Visita, San Miguel Island. The mooring fishing boat in the shore and under the shade of a huge Talisay Tree reminds the Christian Pilgrim of the solicitude of God. That the word of God and the Eucharist are like mooring places where we find refreshment and the strenght we need to take on our Pilgrim Journey.
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