Today is the Feast of the Visitation. The Church celebrates this great event when Mary went to visit Her cousin, Elizabeth, to help her out. When Mary greets Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb jumps.
The passage is filled with sorrow. The people have suffered greatly because of their lack of gratitude to God for all those gifts that they were given, both as individuals and as a group.
Jesus came to do the Father’s will. He is quite aware of the predictions of the Agony on the Cross. He knew he had to complete these predictions in order to win our salvation through His death on the Cross and to give His life for the world.
Jesus appears to the apostles on the evening of the first day. His first words are: “Peace be with you.” Jesus came to bring us peace. He came to take away our fear. Jesus tells the apostles that He is sending the Holy Spirit who will enable them to forgive sins.
Paul is in Rome where he is brought to trial before the Roman rulers. He is writing to the people to explain that he is on trial and tells them not to be concerned because he is guided by God.
Jesus has appeared to the apostles at the Sea of Tiberias. He has taken the role of servant once again and prepared breakfast for them. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Peter is hurt by this.
Today, Jesus is speaking to the Father pleading that we who walk the earth today may be one with Jesus and the Father as they are one. His prayer is that the glory that was given to Him may be given to us.
Paul is telling the people that he is about to leave. He warns them to be faithful and not to listen to those who would try to take them away from following God
Jesus is aware that He is about to die. He lifts His apostles up to God in prayer and asks God to bless them, to strengthen them in truth, to have eternal life. Eternal life is that they may know God and Jesus whom God sent.
The apostles tell Jesus that they now believe that He has come from God. Jesus warns them that though they say they believe, they will soon be overtaken by fear, scatter and leave Him alone.
Jesus assures His apostles that the Father loves them as He loves Jesus. Jesus tells the apostles that they are to ask for what they need from the Father in His name, and the Father will grant them their requests.
Jesus is continuing his talk to the apostles at the last supper. He is trying to tell them what is about to happen. He assures them that they will experience pain, sorrow, and rejection soon but they will later experience deep joy and happiness.
Paul addresses the people of Athens concerning an altar dedicated to the “unknown God.” Paul tells them that this God is “The God” of all. He is above all and has no need for anything.
Jesus continues to speak to His apostles and to teach them about His departure. Jesus tells them that if he does not go away, then the Advocate, (the Holy Spirit) will not be able to come.