Listen here to my homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. It was given to Ss. Cosmas & Damian Parish in Punxsutawney, PA on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at the 11:00 AM parish mass.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.

The Gospel of the Lord

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of Wisdom, by which I may know how to direct all my actions to God, as to my last end, so that one day I may see Him in heaven.

Come, O Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of Understanding, by which I may be able to know what is good for my soul, and that You would dwell in me with Your grace.

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of Counsel, by which I may choose in this life all that is good, and turn away quickly from all that may lead me into sin.

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of Fortitude, by which I may be able to overcome all the temptations of the devil, and be loyal to my faith in all the difficulties of my life.

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of Knowledge, by which I may be able to know God and His goodness, so as to love Him and serve Him in all that I do.

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of Piety, so that I may be more reverent and fervent in my prayers, at Holy Mass, and in the reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.

Come, O Holy Spirit, to grant me the gift of the Fear of the Lord, by which I may fear to offend You by willful sin, and so endanger my soul to lose Your Presence in this life and for eternity.

O Holy Spirit, make my soul a fit dwelling place for You. Whatever good I have, comes from You who are the Giver of all heavenly gifts. Stay with me always, for I desire to be Your true child, and a faithful servant to the glory of Jesus Christ. Give me the grace to persevere in doing what is right, and help me to act at all times with patience and charity. Let the angelic virtues of modesty and purity adorn the temple of my soul, as You wish it to be Your residence; and as You filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin with immense graces, fill mine also with Your love.

Amen