Seventh Week of Easter
22nd May 2023 (Monday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 19:1-8
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab
R/. Your Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 16:29-33
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Did you receive the Holy Spirit?
Indicative: We all have received baptism and thus faith. But it is still inadequate and imperfect. We need to grow!{alertSuccess}
1. Many times we think that our faith is strong and perfect. When everything goes well, we may go okay. But our faith will be really tested when we come across some difficulties. This is what happened in the case of the apostles.
2. This is what Jesus implies when he tells them, “Do you believe now? Behold the hour is coming when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone”. The apostles presumed that they had strong faith.
3. But its shallowness was exposed when Jesus was under trial and then the destiny of the cross. Fear gripped them. Consequently, their loyalty was not steady and firm. What to do in such times of test and trial?
4. How to sustain and deepen our faith in the Lord even amidst trying times? Look to Jesus. Look at his own example. Even when he was deserted by all and persecuted by the world, he endured. His perseverance was because of his unswerving faith in the Father, surrender to Him and inseparable union with Him. That is why Jesus says, “I am not alone because the Father is with me”.
5. We too will face adversities as Jesus warns, “In the world, you will have trouble”. But he also gives us the remedy: just as he confided in the Father, we too must confide in the Lord. “Take courage, for I have conquered the world”.
6. For this wholehearted trust and courage, we need the Holy Spirit. The risen Lord filled the apostles with the light and power of the Holy Spirit. That is why after the resurrection experience, the apostles were no more the same as before. They were illuminated and emboldened. They were fearless witnesses.
Imperative: In this world and especially in our present times, our faith is put to the test. We need the light and power of the Holy Spirit to remain loyal and firm. We need to grow from our mere baptism by water to baptism by Spirit{alertSuccess}