Sixth Week of Easter
19th May 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 18:9-18
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. 18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R/. God is king of all the earth. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 16:20-23a
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Our struggle does not last long!
1. Fear and sadness will certainly come on the way of doing God’s mission. But one should not lose heart and give up because the Lord will never abandon us.
2. In both the readings, there is a strong current of assurance and encouragement. In the first reading, the Lord rejuvenates the spirit of Paul in a vision. The Lord assures, “Do not be afraid… continue to proclaim”.
3. The reason against fear is God Himself will be with him. There are also many believers and supporters who would shield against any attack or harm. As assured, God stood by Paul. So no false witness would be convincing and no tribunal would take up case against him. Instead, Paul would remain in Corinth for quite some time, fully engaged in his mission.
4. Similarly, though the going away of Jesus from them would grieve their hearts, they need not feel shattered. For his separation is only temporary and beneficial.
5. The experience of separation is like the travail of a pregnant woman. The process of delivery will be painful. But after the delivery, it is all joy. A woman no longer remembers the pain before the joy at the new birth. She bears all the pain drawing her strength from the fact of the new birth that is in wait.
6. Further this going away does not have any harmful effect. It is because, as soon as he goes away, the Holy Spirit will descend into action. Therefore in the wake of the Lord’s absence for a while, they should restrain their anguish with the impending joy at the coming of the Spirit
Imperative: In times of desolation, let us remember the comforting words of Jesus: “No one will take away your joy from you…Whatever you ask the Father in my name, the Father will give you”{alertSuccess}