SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER, MAY 9, 2026

MASS READINGS"

Gospel -- John 15:18-21

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples: 

"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.

If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;

but because you do not belong to the world,

and I have chosen you out of the world,

the world hates you.

Remember the word I spoke to you,

'No slave is greater than his master.'

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,

because they do not know the one who sent me."

The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION

"I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you"

Scripture tells us that Jesus “chooses” us out of the world. The potential weapon given to us is the grace of the Holy Spirit and with God’s mercy and our trust we can unlock miracles without any lecturing or nagging people. Simply in praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, we can, through sacrifice and perseverance, bring a loved one back to God, to God’s embrace.

We can become a powerful instrument of grace, not through countless arguments or endless pleas but through an invisible spiritual force. Told to us by St Faustina, she was able to show how a soul deep rooted in God could become a channel of grace for others. Hidden sacrifice, fervent intercession and an absolute unwavering reliance on the divine will can open closed doors of hardened hearts.

Jesus revealed to His chosen secretary of mercy, St Faustina, that He Himself steps forward as their most tender savior, interceding on their behalf before the Father. This is an extraordinary infusion of grace.

The chaplet carries such immense spiritual weight that divine grace opens channels where human words could not. When we pray, remember daily prayer keeps the lines open between God and us. Be diligent and persevere in what God chose us to do.

God bless you.

(1) Heavenly Kingdom Mysteries podcast.