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Pope Leo’s inaugural Homily: "(Christ) is the path to follow together, among ourselves,…with our sister Christian churches,with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God,with all women/men of good will…to build a new world where peace reigns!"

Among Jesus’ last words, He says: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (Jn.13:31ff) The word “as” makes a huge difference. Just as Jesus“washed their feet” and “laid down His Life”, so must we do for one another.

Jesus makes an amazing promise: “Whoever loves Me will keep My Word, and My Father will love him; we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”(Jn.14:21-26) When we love Jesus & remain faithful to His Word, God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—will live within us as our Peace.

Some of Jesus’ final words in this world at the Last Supper were: “Peace I leave with you,My Peace I give to you.” He goes on to make a sharp distinction between the “world’s peace” and His Peace. (Jn.14: 27-31) We have Jesus’ Peace when we live in unity with Him and one another.

Jesus teaches: “My Father is the vine grower; I am the vine.” He continues that we are the “branches” growing on the Vine. The only way we can live & grow, Jesus tells us, is “if you remain in Me and My words remain in you.” (Jn.15:1-8) Let us live,bloom and remain one in Jesus.

In 3 brief verses (Jn.15:9-11), Jesus reveals incredibly important truths. 1) Jesus loves you and me as much as His Father loves Him! 2) It’s critical that we remain in Jesus’ Love. 3) The way to do that is: “if you keep My commandments”. Jesus, help me to “remain” in You always.

Jesus commands us to love! That might sound contradictory, because our understanding of “to love” another is quite different from Jesus’. Jesus’ actual command is: “to love one another as I love you.” (Jn.15:12-17) That’s very different. Jesus,help me love others as You love me.

Jesus explains what it means to be His disciple: “You do not belong to this world for I have chosen you out of the world.” So,He tells us,just as“the world”persecuted Jesus,so“they will persecute you.”(Jn.15:18-21) That’s what“to be chosen”means. Jesus, give me Your courage/joy.

At the Last Supper, along with giving us the Eucharist, Jesus reveals the Holy Trinity. “Whoever loves Me will keep My Word,and My Father will love him,and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him…The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything.” (Jn.14:21-29)

Jesus tells His Apostles He“is going to the One Who sent Me”, because“if I did not go,the Advocate will not come to you.”(Jn.16:5-11) Jesus sent the Advocate/the Holy Spirit to be with the Church/each member of the Body of Christ to guide and encourage us to live as one in Jesus.

As Jesus’ Hour is upon Him,there is much more to teach His Apostles:“I have much more to tell you,but you cannot bear it now.” That is why He will send His Holy Spirit,“the Spirit of Truth,Who will guide you to all Truth.”(Jn.16:12-15) Come,Holy Spirit;open my heart to all Truth.

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord marks the 40 days that the Risen Jesus lived with His Apostles before returning to Heaven. It marks an ending of Jesus’ physical Presence in His Body;but also a new beginning of Jesus’ abiding Presence with His Body the Church. Alleluia!

On the night before His suffering/death,Jesus comforts the Apostles: “You will weep and mourn…but I will see You again and your hearts will rejoice,& no one will take your joy away from you.” Jesus Promises: “Whatever you ask the Father in My Name,He will give you.”(Jn.16:20-23)

Immediately after learning that she would bear the Son of God in her womb, Mary traveled “in haste” to visit Elizabeth who was also pregnant. There, Elizabeth’s unborn child “leaped for joy”, Elizabeth prophesied, and Mary magnified the Lord. Faith in quiet action! (Lk.1:39-56)

The Solemnity of the Ascension focuses our attention on Heaven—-where Jesus has gone before us,we know that one day we will follow. We will only know lasting happiness when we reach life’s final destination:living forever with God in Heaven—-as long as we follow the Way of Jesus.

Jesus tells His disciples that even when they abandon Him: “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” So if we stay united with Jesus, we will never be alone, & will always know the Peace of Christ. Let us always have courage for Jesus has“conquered the world.”(Jn.16:29-33)

Today’s Gospel is of the Shepherd who leaves “the 99 sheep in the desert to go after the lost one”. (Lk:15:3-7) If we question Jesus for doing that, it’s likely because we see ourselves among the 99. But what if we’re the one who is lost? Jesus, please rescue me today and always.

On this Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul, the Pillars of the Church, Jesus reminds us that the most important question we have to answer is: “Who do you say that I am?” If our answer is like Peter’s,“You are the Christ,the Son of the Living God”(Mt.16:13-19),we will find Eternal Life.

In today’s Gospel, we see 2 individuals who expressed interest in becoming Jesus’ disciples at some point; basically telling Jesus “I’ll follow You sometime; just not yet.” Jesus’ response says that we must say “Yes” to Jesus now. Our Eternal salvation depends on it.(Mt.8:18-22)

St.Thomas,the Apostle,is sadly remembered for his one moment of doubt,when he refused to believe Jesus had Risen from the dead until he could see for himself. He should be remembered for his profound profession of Faith when he did see: “Jesus,You are my Lord & my God.”(Jn.20:29)