Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 6th Sunday of Easter – Cycle A

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
  • 1 Peter 3:15-18
  • John 14:15-21

“Happy Birthday!” all the Pauline children cried out.  Within seconds, they all sprung to their mother’s side and embraced her in a flurry of hugs and kisses.  It looked like a human cyclone of Paulines—arms, legs, and elbows were whirling everywhere!

“Thank you, thank you!”  Mrs. Pauline said as she caught her breath.  “I love you all, too! … But today is not my birthday!”

Mr. Pauline smiled sheepishly.  “Well … last year, Therese, I didn’t do too well with remembering to prepare for your special day … actually, if you remember, I didn’t do much of anything at all.  I have felt bad ever since, so to make up for it, the kids and I decided that we would choose another day to surprise and honor you!”

Vincent was the enthusiastic spokesperson for the kids.  “So today, Mom, is your ’sort-of-birthday’ and you don’t have to do anything!  It’s just your day to relax!  After we come home from Mass, all of us kids are going to make you a great dinner!  And this is the best part.  Since it’s your ‘sort-of-birthday,’ you won’t have to do the dishes until tomorrow!”

Mrs. Pauline smiled wryly, overcome with all her blessings and the surprise.

“Well, I have a present for you, too!” Mrs. Pauline said.  “I thought of a new way to do our Scripture reading for Mass today.  I think it will be really fun!”

“Okay, Mom, anything you say,” Vincent said in an unusually obedient voice.  “Let’s get started!”

Everyone took a place in the living room.  Mrs. Pauline handed them each a card and gave them these instructions: “We have a shorter reading for today.  I want you to each take a line, and say what Jesus is telling us.  Okay?”

Lucy looked skeptical.  “Well, I guess because today is your special day … ” she said feeling a bit intimidated.

“So, let’s begin!”  Mom said with determination as she handed out the ordered cards.  “First Dad will read the entire passage to us, and we will then all take our turns.”

Dad opened his Bible and read the six lines of today’s reading.  Four-year-old Hillary held the first card.  “If you love me, you will keep my com … com … ”  (John 14:15)

“Commandments,”  Mom whispered.

“Commandments!” Hillary exclaimed.  Jesus is telling us to do nice things and keep the Ten Commandments!”

“Very good, Hillary,” Mom said. “Okay, next!”

Lucy began with her card.  ” ‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.’ (John 14:16)  Jesus is saying that God is going to send down the Holy Spirit to be with us forever and ever!”

“Exactly!” Mom nodded, and then she turned to Vincent who held the next line.

Vincent began.  “ ’The Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.  But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.’  (John 14:17)   What Jesus was telling the disciples is that the Holy Spirit is going to come, and that it’s going to make a difference!  Even though other people may not feel or recognize the power of the Holy Spirit, these guys will!  They will be all charged up!”

“Good way of putting it, Vincent!”  Mom chuckled.  “You’re right!  The Holy Spirit of Truth does make a difference to those who love the Lord!”

“I’m next!”  Mary Clare volunteered.  ” ’I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live.’  (John  14:18-19)  Jesus is telling them good-bye, but not in a final way.  God is sending the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is telling them that the disciples, too, will see Him again.  That’s when they get to heaven!”

Dad agreed, and then added, “And here Jesus is even foreshadowing His Resurrection appearances to them during the 40 days before His Ascension … He said that He would not abandon them.”

Mom held the last card.  “The final lines read, ‘On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.  Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.  And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.’ ” (John 14:20-21)

“That’s a really neat line, Mom!”  Vincent said, as he figured it all out.  Flipping his hand back and forth he said, “Jesus is saying we should obey … because we love … and that we should love to obey … because we love … the One  … we are to be obedient to!”

“Vincent,”  Mom sighed with an expression mixed with surprise and delight, “the way you just explained that Gospel line to us is one of the nicest birthday presents I have ever gotten!”

One of Vincent’s eyebrows stood up as he playfully reasoned, “So I won’t have to cook now?” he laughed.

“Nice try!” is all Mom could say, as she gave her “wise” son a hug!

Jesus said, “If you love me,
you will keep my commandments.”
(John 14:15)

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

Cycle A, 6 Easter, SSSDownload

Our mission is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living our beautiful Catholic Faith!

Are you looking for more ways to help your family reclaim Sundays and grow closer to Jesus together?