Sixth Week of Easter
20th May 2023 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 18:23-28
23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10
R/. God is king of all the earth. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 16:23b-28
Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Zeal that brings strength!
Indicative: Mission is not one’s invention or private affair. It is primarily God’s work. So for sure He will sustains all the efforts of his followers{alertSuccess}
1. What a deep concern Jesus has for his disciples! He thoroughly prepares his disciples with mental clarity and strength. In different ways, Jesus instils new courage in them. Certainly the Holy Spirit is the priced promise.
2. However besides the Holy Spirit, there is also the Father Himself who is profoundly concerned for the disciples. Jesus no more needs to make any recommendation on their behalf. They can directly ask the Father in Jesus’ name.
3. The Father Himself directly and personally loves the disciples because He knew that they loved His Son and believed in him. Therefore the Father will surely give them what they ask him. All this grant them complete joy.
4. It is enough that we love the Lord and set ourselves on mission. Apollos is such a remarkable example in the first reading. So much focus is directed to him. So many details about him are given.
5. All these special features and capabilities are not be taken only as individual merits. Rather they should be seen as, “All for God. Every competence must necessarily assist our mission”.
6. Apollos was a man of great calibre, faith and fervour. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He was an eloquent speaker. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. He had an ardent spirit. He spoke and taught accurately and boldly about Jesus.
7. He also had the humility to be taught more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila. He was also a zealous missionary and so travelled from Ephesus to Achaia. There too he gave great assistance to all the believers. He vigorously refuted the Jews giving Scriptural testimony.
Imperative: In the light of the attributes and mission of Apollos, let us see the need of all these for our life and mission as well. We must be authentic disciples and effective apostles{alertSuccess}