6th Sunday of Easter (May 5, 2024)

We moderns often view Jesus as though he were a cute, cuddly, non-threatening buddy of ours who only speaks in saccharine tones about love, joy, and friendship.
In reality, however, the Lord of Majesty mixes His divinely earnest protestations for love with challenge and clear commands: “keep my commandments … love one another …lay down your life … go and bear fruit … do what I command you … love one another.”
Our Lord can demand so much because He loves so much and He asks no more than He’s already given. That is why we members of His Church should not only talk about building a culture of life, but actually practice what we preach in our very own lives.
Let us examine ourselves: Do I actually try and love the other? Do I keep the Lord’s commandments every day or have I compartmentalized my life of faith from my “real” life? Would I be willing to witness to the dignity of all human life when and if the time ever came?

For all who lay down their lives, their resources, and their reputations to defend unborn children from abortion, we pray to the Lord ...