Daily Readings for May 22, 2016

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

1ST READING

We underestimate the power of the wisdom of God. If we are foolish enough to think we can do without the wisdom of God in the Scriptures and through the teachings of the Church, then we are headed for a fall. God provides us with the wisdom of His Word so that we can share in the life of the Holy Trinity. Let us be guided by His wisdom and love.

Proverbs 8:22-31

22 Thus says the wisdom of God: “The Lord possessed me, the beginning of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago; 23 from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water; 25 before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 while as yet the earth and the fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world. 27 When the Lord established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth; 29 when he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command; 30 then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, 31 playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race.”

P S A L M

Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

3 [4] When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place — 4 [5] what is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? (R) 5 [6] You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 [7] You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet. (R) 7 [8] All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, 8 [9] the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas. (R)

2ND READING

Faith in Christ transforms our perspective in life. Suffering can become the source of a deeper and more fulfilling faith. It can teach us to see the work that God is doing in our lives. This in turn creates greater endurance. Our role is to remain open to His grace and mercy so that the Spirit can do His work and bring us to a deeper faith conversion.

Romans 5:1-5

1 Brothers and sisters: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

GOSPEL

The Father is the mastermind behind all creation. Early after my conversion experience as an 18-year-old, I read a book entitled, My Father Is the Gardener by Colin Urquhart. The image of the Father weeding and pruning, tending to the plants in His garden, is one that is rarely far from my reflections. There are many ways to garden depending on the result you want. This means God will have a specific plan for each of us so that we will bloom and contribute to the garden He envisions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.

John 16:12-15

12 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. 13 But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”