Commentary Intro to Mass Readings Sunday Readings
CommentaryIntro to Mass Readings Sunday Readings
May 3, 2026
5th Sunday of Easter (A)
⬅️ 
➡️
PDF AIDS
Scripture Study for Catholics *
Hearers of the Word *
Hector Molina
Matt Zemanek
PARISH BIBLE STUDY (St. Timothy Catholic Church, Laguna Niguel, CA)
Acts 6:1-7
5th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
The Birth of the Diaconate
The early Church faced a crisis of growth that threatened to overshadow its mission of prayer and preaching. From this tension, the diaconate was born—a ministry rooted in the humble “service of the table.” Larry Broding’s commentary on Acts 6:1-7 provides preachers with a rich historical and spiritual roadmap to explore the essential nature of service within the Body of Christ. By examining the transition from material distribution to liturgical ministry, Broding offers a compelling vision of how “waiting tables” became a sacred act of faith.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- Clarifies the Roots of the Diaconate: Unpack the Greek origins of diakonia and diakoneo to help your congregation understand that the office of deacon began as a practical solution to ensure no one was left behind.
- Balances Word and Service: Broding highlights the necessary distinction between the Apostles’ ministry of prayer and the deacons’ ministry of charity, providing a framework for discussing diverse charisms within the parish.
- Examines the Character of Leadership: Focus on the essential attributes of “good reputation, Spirit, and wisdom,” allowing you to preach on what it means to be a person of public integrity and spiritual depth.
- Connects the Poor to the Altar: Gain insights into how the historical distribution to widows evolved into a liturgical role, emphasizing the deacon’s place as a bridge between the community’s needs and the Lord’s Table.
- Inspires Lay Service: Use this commentary to challenge all baptized Christians to reflect on their own call to service, using the deacon as the visible sign of the “spirit of giving” that should animate every believer.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation appreciate the vital role of service and the diverse gifts that build up the Church.
AI THOUGHT STARTERS
To strengthen key sections of your homily, here are questions you might ask the AI assistant (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
Cultural Conflict and Social Responsibility
- How can I use the fact that Acts 6:1 refers to a dispute between Greek and Hebrew followers to address modern cultural or linguistic cliques within our own parish?
- Acts 6:1 suggests that shared faith did not prevent cultural division; what strategies can I offer to help our community overcome parochial attitudes toward those with different backgrounds?
- Since Acts 6:1 refers to the neglect of widows whose families had depleted their savings on pilgrimages, how might we identify the modern equivalents of these destitute and homeless individuals in our city today?
The Ministry of Service and the Table
- Acts 6:1-2 suggests a linguistic connection between distribution and service at the table; how can I deepen the congregation’s understanding of the link between the Eucharistic meal and our obligation to feed the poor?
- Because Acts 6:2 refers to the Apostles refusing to abandon the word of God to serve tables, how can I explain the healthy balance between spiritual leadership and the necessary work of social charity?
- Acts 6:1-7 suggests that serving tables originated from gathering offerings before the Eucharist; how can I encourage the laity to see their weekly donations as a direct continuation of this early Christian tradition?
The Diaconate and Spiritual Gifts
- Acts 6:3 refers to the requirement for a good reputation and being full of the Spirit; how can I use these criteria to help the parish recognize and affirm the specific charisms of our own deacons?
- Since Acts 6:3 suggests that Nicolaus was a convert from Antioch, what does the inclusion of a former pagan-culture outsider tell us about the early Church’s commitment to diversity in leadership?
- Acts 6:1-7 refers to the distinct gifts of the servants compared to the Apostles; how can I encourage parishioners to value their own unique service even if they are not called to the ministry of prayer and preaching?
- How does the fact that Acts 6:1-7 suggests the deacon represents the community’s spirit of giving help me explain why the deacon has a specific liturgical role at the Lord’s Table?
1 Peter 2:4-9
5th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
Living Stones
In a world that prizes “likability” and social cohesion above almost all else, the call to be a Christian can feel like a profound paradox. We all want to fit in, yet the Gospel often calls us to stand out—sometimes to the point of scandal. Larry Broding’s commentary dives into the heart of 1 Peter to explore what it truly means to be “living stones” in God’s spiritual architecture. For the preacher, this commentary provides a bridge between the modern desire for community and the ancient, radical call to be a people set apart for God’s own purpose.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- Addresses the “Likability” Trap: Broding contrasts the modern business world’s obsession with social skills against the biblical mandate to be a “scandal” to the world, helping you address the tension your congregation feels every day.
- Masterful Metaphorical Analysis: Gain deep insights into the imagery of the “Cornerstone” and the “Spiritual Edifice,” allowing you to paint a vivid picture of how individual believers function as essential parts of a greater whole.
- Clarifies the Purpose of Community: Move beyond the idea of the Church as a mere social club; this commentary refocuses the homily on the “Royal Priesthood” and our collective mission to praise and evangelize.
- Navigates Social Rejection: Find the words to encourage those who feel marginalized for their faith, framing “not fitting in” as a sign of being built into God’s own Temple.
- Action-Oriented Evangelism: This resource helps you pivot from theological theory to practical application, showing how “fitting in” where we can is actually a strategic means to invite others into the Kingdom.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation understand their unique place as living stones in the house of the Lord.
AI THOUGHT STARTERS
To strengthen key sections of your homily, here are questions you might ask the AI assistant (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
Scriptural Foundation and Ancient Nuance
- How does the literal translation of 1 Peter 2:6, which refers to being surrounded in Scripture, help me explain the early Church’s view of the Word of God as a protective or encompassing boundary?
- Since 1 Peter 2:6 suggests an emphatic double negative regarding being certainly not shamed, what are some powerful ways to communicate the absolute security of faith to those feeling marginalized by society?
- 1 Peter 2:6 refers to a stone that has been tested in its quote of Isaiah 28:16; how can I apply the concept of a tested foundation to the modern struggles of my parishioners?
- How can I use the fact that 1 Peter 2:7a refers to Psalm 118:22 to encourage those who feel like a rejected stone to find their identity as part of God’s cornerstone?
- 1 Peter 2:9 suggests a direct echo of Exodus 19:3-6; how can I help the congregation understand their identity as a royal priesthood in the context of their baptismal call?
Community and the Scandal of Faith
- 1 Peter 2:4-9 refers to the Church as a spiritual edifice built on Christ; how can I contrast this biblical investment in community with the modern altar of rugged individualism?
- How can I explain that 1 Peter 2:7b suggests Christ is a stumbling stone to help parishioners navigate the misunderstanding or disdain they may face from outsiders?
- 1 Peter 2:4-9 refers to believers as living stones; what practical advice can I give to help people find their specific place in the building of the local parish community?
Mission and the Purpose of Likability
- While 1 Peter 2:4-9 suggests that fitting in and being liked is a pleasant thought, how can I challenge the congregation to see social success primarily as a means to evangelize?
- Since 1 Peter 2:9 refers to us being a people of God’s own possession so we can praise him, how can I encourage the laity to use their influence in family and society to invite others into that same praise?
John 14:1-12
5th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
Do We Really Know Jesus?
Unlock the profound depths of the Gospel of John and transform your preaching from the routine to the transcendent with the insights of Larry Broding. We often suffer from a “familiarity that breeds dullness,” where the most revolutionary claims of Christ become mere background noise in our spiritual lives. Broding’s commentary cuts through the fog of the everyday, reintroducing us to a Jesus who doesn’t just give directions, but who is the destination.
By exploring the radical implications of the Last Discourse, this commentary provides the theological muscle and pastoral heart needed to craft a homily that resonates with a modern, anxious world.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- Confronts Spiritual Apathy: Broding addresses the “blindness of familiarity,” helping you challenge your congregation to see Jesus not as a historical figure, but as the living “I AM” who shakes our comfortable foundations.
- Decodes Complex Metaphors: Gain a clearer understanding of the “many rooms” in the Father’s house, moving beyond literal architecture to the beautiful reality of an extended family relationship with God.
- Theological Precision on the “Way”: Navigate the famous but often misunderstood “Way, Truth, and Life” declaration with a focus on Jesus as the faithful bridge to the Father.
- Connects Suffering to Glory: Find the language to explain how the “way” of the cross is the only path to true life, offering a grounded hope to those in your pews facing their own trials.
- Exposes the “Only” Reality: Use Broding’s insight into the divinity of Christ to remind your listeners that any existence away from God is a false reality, centering their identity firmly in Christ’s presence.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation rediscover the startling reality of God acting and dwelling among us.
AI THOUGHT STARTERS
To strengthen key sections of your homily, here are questions you might ask the AI assistant (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
Faith as the Remedy for Anxiety
- John 14:1 refers to the direct connection between trust and the reduction of worry; how can I explain to the congregation that the end game of this trust is the preparation of the Kingdom for them?
- Since John 14:1 suggests the verbs for believe can be translated as either a statement of fact or a command, how can I illustrate the shift from a familiar faith in God to a radical new commitment to believe in Jesus?
- John 14:1 refers to this discourse occurring immediately after the prophecy of Peter’s apostasy; what does this timing suggest about the depth of Christ’s mercy for those who feel their hearts are currently troubled?
The Father’s House and Divine Relationship
- John 14:2 suggests that the many rooms refer to an extended family relationship rather than physical space; how can I best describe the Father’s house as an invitation for all people to become God’s children?
- Because John 14:3 refers to Jesus going to prepare a place through the cross, how can I frame the road of suffering as the necessary path to the gift of new, eternal life?
- John 14:4a-c suggests that Jesus returns to us as a companion through his Spirit; what are some practical examples of how his risen life becomes our risen life in the midst of daily trials?
Jesus as the Way, Truth, and Life
- John 14:6 refers to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life; how can I explain the role of truth as a bridge that makes the way faithful and the life truly meaningful?
- Since John 14:6 suggests that I AM echoes the divine name in Exodus, how can I emphasize that Jesus is the only true reality that matters in a world full of false choices?
- John 14:6 refers to Jesus as the only means to the Father; how can I preach this in a way that highlights his divinity as the very presence of God on earth?
- How does the fact that John 14:1-12 suggests wherever God acts, God is help me encourage the laity to recognize Jesus acting in their own lives right now?
