Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
THE CROSS AND THE DISCIPLE
As Christians baptized in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help, we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is part anyway of all human life. But to Christians, it makes even more sense: it was Christ’s way and the disciple can accept in peace and use it for the sake of bringing peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world.
Reading 1: Acts 19:1-8
Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?”
“We’ve never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?”
3 “How were you baptized, then?” asked Paul.
“In John’s baptism.”
4 “That explains it,” said Paul. “John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you’ve been baptized in John’s baptism, you’re ready now for the real thing, for Jesus.”
5-7 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God’s actions. Altogether there were about twelve people there that day.
8-10 Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them. But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumors through the congregation about the Christian way of life. So Paul left, taking the disciples with him, and set up shop in the school of Tyrannus, holding class there daily. He did this for two years, giving everyone in the province of Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, ample opportunity to hear the Message of the Master.
Gospel: Jn 16:29-33
His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”
31-33 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Prayer
Lord, our God,
when your Son Jesus had to pass through trials,
he knew that you were with him
and he committed himself into your hands.
In this way, he brought peace to people.
As people baptized into his name,
let your Spirit help us to be brave
when suffering and difficulties come our way,
that, like your Son and with him,
we may overcome evil in ourselves
and in the world.
May our pains give birth
to love and peace and hope for others.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
Reflection:
7th Week of Easter, Monday
22 May 2023
Jn 16:29-33
Do not be afraid because the Lord is in control
With the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, we enter the seventh week of Easter time. The liturgy of the Word will prepare us for Pentecost. It is a time to open our hearts and allow the Spirit of Jesus to act in us. We can’t just remain staring at the sky with our arms folded. It is urgent that we rekindle in us the fire of the Spirit that impels us to make the presence of Jesus alive and to continue the mission of bringing the joy of the Gospel everywhere and alleviating the sufferings of our world. The Holy Spirit enables, encourages, and strengthens us for this mission.
In today’s Gospel, we are presented with the conclusion of Jesus’ “Farewell Address”. The final verse of the speech gives the core of the disciples’ mission that awaits them: “I have told you about this, so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have struggles; but have courage: I have conquered the world”. The Risen Lord always brings us peace that comes from his intimate communion with the Father.
In saying goodbye to his disciples, Jesus invites them to trust. Despite the trials and difficulties, you should not be discouraged. Christ has conquered the world! We should also be encouraged by this conviction today. We continue to face trials, opposition and even persecution. Tragedies and calamities around the world, wars, violence, suppression and corruption create a sense of hopelessness. In these testing times, the words of Jesus bring us comfort and consolation. They strengthen us to keep walking. This is the function of the Holy Spirit, which continues to act beyond our imaginations.
An incomplete understanding of the truth of our faith is a serious concern today. Faith formation is limited and often directed solely to the sacramental reception. Education and the formation of the faithful are essential to the transmission of the faith. They must be a high priority for every Christian because the Church’s mission is to know and love the Lord and share the love of God with every creature.
Using the farewell discourse, John seeks to reassure his community members who bear the daily burden of opposition and rejection. Jesus’ proclamation, “Have courage, I have overcome the world,” was an assurance, especially for the disciples of the time of the evangelist; and indeed, it is an assurance for all of us who place our trust in him.