Sixth Week of Easter
16th May 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R/. With your right hand you save me, O Lord Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 16:5-11
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Faith has no barriers!
Indicative: All what appears to be the accomplishment by the humans, is actually nothing but the work of the Lord{alertSuccess}
1. In human life, there is always the tendency for self-projection and self-glory. People do many things. But mostly they take all the credit for themselves. They deposit all the success in their “personal accounts”.
2. But with regard to the spiritual matters concerning faith and morals, and for that matter, any human accomplishment is nothing but a matter of God’s grace and support.
3. Therefore primarily all glory must belong to God. There is no individual merit. This is what we see in the life and mission of the apostles. They never claimed or ascribed all the credit and success to themselves. In fact, the whole Acts of the Apostles is the Acts of the Spirit.
4. The Holy Spirit would stand by them and lead them. He will testify against the world in regard to its sin-free life, unrighteousness and blameworthiness and condemnation.
5. The Holy Spirit will do a twofold contrasting function. On one hand, He will convict the world of sin. On the other hand, He will confirm his disciples in faith with clarity and courage. It is the Spirit’s confirming power that solidifies the apostles and releases them from jail.
6. No amount of adversities and affliction – stripping, beating with rods, inflicting many blows, throwing into prison, securing fast to a stake and guarding securely – would vanquish their spirits, or restrict their mission.
7. Nothing and no one can resist the power of the Spirit. Earth may quake, foundations may shake, doors flow open, chains would fall loose. They would set out, in order to continue the same mission.
8. And apart from all these miraculous happenings, the greatest effect of the power of the Spirit is conversion. The jailor and his entire household receive baptism. They believe in the Lord and serve the Lord in undaunted passion and zeal.