Fifth Week of Easter
08th May 2023 (Monday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 14:5-18
5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R/. You are my son. It is I who have begotten you this day Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 14:21-26
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: If you love, then follow!
Indicative: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are totally one and united. Those who love them, will be one with them and live by them{alertSuccess}
1. Love is at the base of everything. We are called to love God. How to show that we love? What are the effects of this love? If we love God, we will keep His word and observe His commandments.
2. Now what will happen when we love God? We will be loved by the Father. We will be loved by the Son. We will receive revelation of Jesus. The Father and the Son will come to us and make their dwelling with us.
3. Further, the Holy Spirit will be sent by the Father in Jesus’ name. They will be taught by the Holy Spirit who is the Advocate. They will be reminded of everything that the Lord Jesus told us.
4. The signs and effects of love for God are concretely seen in the mission of the apostles in the early church. The first reading evidences this in the case of Paul and Barnabas.
5. Paul and Barnabas were charged with indomitable and courageous passion for the mission of the Lord. That is why no opposition or rejection could stop their mission. They never ceased to preach the Lord. When one place troubles them, they do not go into hiding or put away their mission for a while for an opportune time. Instead they go on, in search of new openings.
6. Paul and Barnabas flee from Iconium and this need not be taken as an act of cowardice. Rather it is an act of prudence and also a passionate search for spreading the good news and faith everywhere. That is why they continue to preach where they fled to.
7. Another compelling effect of the power of the risen Lord is the power of healing. Paul heals a crippled man. Finally another sign of the fidelity to the Lord is utter humility. They rose to fame, being identified with the Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes.
8. But Paul and Barnabas do not cling to cheap popularity. Rather they remain humble. They tear their clothes in protest. They attribute everything to God alone. They attest that they are just weak humans.
Imperative: Those who are filled by the Spirit of the risen Lord will heal others. This is not necessarily the physical. They will never cease to bear witness{alertSuccess}