Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest
Lectionary: 291
Lectionary: 291
We set sail from
Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel JN 15:26-16:4A
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
Meditation: "When
the Counselor comes, the Spirit of truth"
Where
do you find help and support when you most need it? True friendship is
strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest of
friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also
translated Paraclete or Helper). How does the Holy
Spirit help us as the counselor? Counselor is a legal term for
the person who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person
during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who
guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through the challenges and
adversities we must face in this life.
As
Jesus approaches the hour he was to be glorified - through his death on the
cross and his resurrection - he revealed more fully to his disciples the person
and role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit?
First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is
the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who makes faith
come alive in hearts and minds of people who are receptive to God's word.
The
Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally. He gives us
experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit
that the Father has indeed sent his only begotten Son into the world to redeem
it and has raised his Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead and has seated him at
his right hand in glory and power.
The
Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages
and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what the
Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit
we become witnesses to the great work of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus
warned his disciples that they could expect persecution just as Jesus was
opposed and treated with hostility. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help
us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and
perseverance when we meet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy
Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage and perseverance
when you meet adversities and challenges?
"O
merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit;
with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility
and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who
despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who
makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and
on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us
humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures
of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our
Lord." (Prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)
 The Spirit’s Witness |
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John 15:26-16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples: "When the
Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that
proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning. I have told you this so
that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact,
the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering
worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the
Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may
remember that I told you."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, as I begin this prayer I offer
you my whole self: my thoughts, desires, decisions, actions, hopes, fears,
weaknesses, failures and petty successes. I open my entire being to you,
aware that you know everything already. I’m certain of your mercy and of the
purifying power of your penetrating, loving gaze.
Petition: Lord God, help me to live as a true witness
to Christ.
1. Witness of Christ: Some people try to invoke the Holy Spirit as
justification for ideas contrary to Christ’s teaching. A careful look at
today’s Gospel illustrates how this can never be according to God’s plan. The
Holy Spirit is not at odds with Christ’s message, nor is he working out a
plan of salvation distinct from Christ’s Church. The Holy Spirit is the
spirit of Christ and of the Father; his very purpose in coming is to testify
to Christ. Every true inspiration of the Holy Spirit moves us to a greater
fidelity to the truth. Am I attentive to the Spirit’s urging me to a greater
fidelity to my Christian commitments?
2. Witnesses in the Spirit: Our faith is by no means a static reality.
Just as the first disciples experienced Christ’s preaching, miracles and
personal love, all Christians serious about their faith discover Christ’s
presence throughout their daily experience. This is especially true in the
sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. Jesus is always with us, and his
forgiveness and closeness are the source of our joy. The Holy Spirit empowers
us through the grace of our baptism to give witness to what we have freely
received. Do I take seriously my Christian vocation to give testimony to
Christ’s love? Do I realize that my first act of testimony needs to be the
witness of a truly Christian life? Do I remember that in this seemingly
daunting task I should rely heavily on the Holy Spirit as my business
partner?
3. Fidelity Amidst Opposition: Christ shares with the apostles
gathered in the Upper Room that being witnesses to him will not always be met
with acceptance. Opposition seems to be an integral part of being a
Christian. Deep-seated and unflinching adherence to Christ and the voice of
conscience has never been compatible with the popular mindset. In fact, many
times Christians are not called to “fit in” but to “stand out”, and this has
inevitable consequences as it did in the life of Our Lord. The wonderful part
is that we have been promised the final victory. Christ goes before us and
the Holy Spirit is at our side.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, it has always been demanding to
be an authentic witness to you. Teach me not to rely on my own capabilities,
but to grow in strength and coherence through fidelity to the inspirations of
your Holy Spirit.
Resolution: I will make some public sign of witness to
my faith today.
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EASTER WEEKDAY, MONDAY, MAY 26, JOHN
15:26--16:4a
(Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149)
(Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149)
KEY VERSE: "The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God" (16:2).
READING: Jesus warned his followers that persecution and suffering awaited those who proclaimed the gospel. He told them that the "Advocate," the "Spirit of truth" (15:26), would bear witness to his words and strengthen them in the coming trials. An age of oppression and at times violent persecution of the Church existed from the time of Christ's death until the Edict of Tolerance was issued by the Roman Emperor Constantine (312 CE). The original Greek word martus meant giving one's testimony in court. As so many valiant Christians chose to die rather than renounce their commitment to Christ, the focus changed to mean the "martyrs" who died giving testimony to their faith.
REFLECTING: Do I testify to the truth at home and at work?
PRAYING: Risen Lord, give the Church the courage to be true to your words despite obstacles and suffering.
Memorial of Philip Neri, priest
Philip Neri founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. He began to preach and had many converts. In 1550 he considered retiring to the life of a solitary hermit, but he received visions that told him his mission was in Rome. Later he considered missionary work in India, but once again, visions convinced him to stay in Rome. He entered the priesthood in 1551. He heard confessions by the hour and could tell penitents their sins before they confessed. Pope Gregory XIV tried to make him a cardinal, but Philip declined. His popularity was such that he was accused of forming his own sect, but was cleared of this baseless charge. He founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a group of priests dedicated to preaching and teaching, but suffered from accusations of heresy because of the involvement of laymen as preachers. In later years he was beset by several illnesses, each of which was cured through prayer. In 1594, when he was in an agony of pain, the Blessed Virginappeared to him, and cured him. Philip died in 1595 and was canonized by Gregory XV in 1622.
Memorial Day (USA)
"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing." Proverbs 10: 7
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War. The first official observance included a program at the National Cemetery at Arlington and memorial services in various communities. General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic designated May 30, 1868, "as a day for strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, or hamlet churchyard in the land." Memorial Day is celebrated in most states on the last Monday in May. It is a time to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
Think First
At the time of temptation think of the love that awaits you in
heaven: foster the virtue of hope. —St. Josemaría Escrivá
The Lord takes delight in his
people
‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord, come and stay
with us.’How the disciples must have come to understand what hospitality was all about! How hospitable are we? What of hospitality, that open attitude of welcome to others: first to fellow Christians and then to those who are different? Unless I know the unbidden distancings in my heart, I do not make the resurrection live for others, nor myself. Hospitality is like a door. You open a door and you let the other in. But, equally, you can open a door and let yourself out. Lord, give us the attitude Lydia brought to her dealings with others.
May
26
St. Philip Neri
(1515-1595)
St. Philip Neri
(1515-1595)
Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with
piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the
whole post-Renaissance malaise.
At an
early age, he abandoned the chance to become a businessman, moved to Rome from
Florence and devoted his life and individuality to God. After three years of
philosophy and theology studies, he gave up any thought of ordination. The next
13 years were spent in a vocation unusual at the time—that of a layperson
actively engaged in prayer and the apostolate.
As the
Council of Trent (1545-63) was reforming the Church on a doctrinal level,
Philip’s appealing personality was winning him friends from all levels of
society, from beggars to cardinals. He rapidly gathered around himself a group
of laypersons won over by his audacious spirituality. Initially they met as an
informal prayer and discussion group, and also served poor people in Rome.
At the
urging of his confessor, he was ordained a priest and soon became an
outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretenses and
illusions of others, though always in a charitable manner and often with a
joke. He arranged talks, discussions and prayers for his penitents in a room
above the church. He sometimes led “excursions” to other churches, often with
music and a picnic on the way.
Some of
his followers became priests and lived together in community. This was the
beginning of the Oratory, the religious institute he founded. A feature of
their life was a daily afternoon service of four informal talks, with
vernacular hymns and prayers. Giovanni Palestrina was one of Philip’s
followers, and composed music for the services.
The
Oratory was finally approved after suffering through a period of accusations of
being an assembly of heretics, where laypersons preached and sang vernacular
hymns! (Cardinal Newman founded the first English-speaking house of the Oratory
three centuries later.)
Philip’s
advice was sought by many of the prominent figures of his day. He is one of the
influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to
personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church itself. His
characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety.
Comment:
Many people wrongly feel that such an attractive and jocular personality as Philip’s cannot be combined with an intense spirituality. Philip’s life melts our rigid, narrow views of piety. His approach to sanctity was truly catholic, all-embracing and accompanied by a good laugh. Philip always wanted his followers to become not less but more human through their striving for holiness.
Many people wrongly feel that such an attractive and jocular personality as Philip’s cannot be combined with an intense spirituality. Philip’s life melts our rigid, narrow views of piety. His approach to sanctity was truly catholic, all-embracing and accompanied by a good laugh. Philip always wanted his followers to become not less but more human through their striving for holiness.
Quote:
Philip Neri prayed, "Let me get through today, and I shall not fear tomorrow."
Philip Neri prayed, "Let me get through today, and I shall not fear tomorrow."
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 15,26 - 16,4A
Lectio:
Monday, May 26, 2014
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God,
if we really believe in you and in your Son,
we cannot be but witnesses.
Send us your Spirit of strength,
that we may give no flimsy excuses
for not standing up for you
and for the love and rights of our neighbour.
Make us only afraid
of betraying you and people
and of being afraid to bear witness.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
if we really believe in you and in your Son,
we cannot be but witnesses.
Send us your Spirit of strength,
that we may give no flimsy excuses
for not standing up for you
and for the love and rights of our neighbour.
Make us only afraid
of betraying you and people
and of being afraid to bear witness.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
2)
GOSPEL READING - JOHN 15,26-16,4A
Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Paraclete comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from
the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses, because you
have been with me from the beginning.
I have told you all this so that you may not fall away. They
will expel you from the synagogues, and indeed the time is coming when anyone
who kills you will think he is doing a holy service to God. They will do these
things because they have never known either the Father or me. But I have told
you all this, so that when the time for it comes you may remember that I told
you. I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you;
3)
REFLECTION
• In chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of John, the horizon
extends beyond the historical moment of the Supper. Jesus prays to the Father
“I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will
come to believe in me” (Jn 17, 20). In these chapters, there is constant
reference to the action of the Spirit in the life of the communities, after
Easter.
• John 16, 26-27: The action of the Holy Spirit in the life of
the community. The first thing that the Spirit does is to give witness of
Jesus: “He will be my witness”. The Spirit is not a spiritual being without a
definition. No! He is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, will be
sent by Jesus himself and introduces us into the complete truth (Jn 16, 13).
The complete truth is Jesus himself: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life!”
(Jn 14, 6). At the end of the first century, there were some Christians who
were so fascinated by the action of the Spirit that they no longer looked at
Jesus. They affirmed that now, after the Resurrection, it was no longer
necessary to look at Jesus of Nazareth, the one “who comes in the flesh”. They
withdrew from Jesus and remained only with the Spirit. They said: “Jesus is
anathema!” (1 Co 12, 3). The Gospel of John takes a stand and does not permit
that the action of the Spirit be separated from the memory of Jesus of
Nazareth. The Holy Spirit cannot be isolated with an independent greatness,
separated from the mystery of the Incarnation. The Holy Spirit is inseparably
united to the Father and to Jesus. He is the Spirit of Jesus that the Father
sends to us that same Spirit that Jesus has gained with his death and
Resurrection. And we, receiving this Spirit in Baptism, should be the
prolongation of Jesus: “And you too will be witnesses!” We can never forget
that precisely on the eve of his death Jesus promises the Spirit; in the moment
when he gave himself for his brothers. Today, the Charismatic Movement insists
on the action of the Spirit and does much good. It should always insist more,
but it should also insist in affirming that it is a question of the Spirit of
Jesus of Nazareth who, out of love for the poor and the marginalized, was
persecuted, arrested and condemned to death and that, precisely because of
this, he has promised us his Spirit in such a way that we, after his death,
continue his action and be for humanity the revelation itself of the
preferential love of the Father for the poor and the oppressed.
• John 16, 1-2: Do not be afraid. The Gospel tells us that to be
faithful to Jesus will lead us to have difficulties. The disciples will be
excluded from the Synagogue. They will be condemned to death. The same thing
that happened to Jesus will happen to them. This is why at the end of the first
century, there were persons who, in order to avoid persecution, diluted or
watered down the message of Jesus transforming it into a Gnostic message,
vague, without any definition, which was not in contrast with the ideology of
the Empire. To them is applied what Paul said: “They are afraid of the cross of
Christ” (Ga 6, 12). And John himself, in his letter, will say concerning them:
“There are many deceivers at large in the world, refusing to acknowledge Jesus
Christ as coming in human nature (he became man). They are the Deceiver; they
are the Antichrist!” (2 Jn 1, 7). The same concern appears also in Thomas’
demand: “Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can
put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his
side, I refuse to believe”. (Jn 20, 25). The Risen Christ who promises to give
us the gift of the Spirit is Jesus of Nazareth who continues to have, even now,
the signs of torture and of the cross in his risen Body.
• John 16, 3-4: They do not know what they do. They do all these
things “because they have never known either the Father or me”. These persons
do not have a correct image of God. They have a vague image of God, in the
heart and in the head. Their God is not the Father of Jesus Christ who gathers
us all together in unity and fraternity. In last instance, it is the same
reason which impelled Jesus to say: “Father, forgive them, because they know
not what they do (Lk 23, 34). Jesus was condemned by the religious authority
because, according to their idea, he had a false image of God. In the words of
Jesus there is no hatred or vengeance, but only compassion: they are ignorant
brothers who know nothing of our Father.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• The mystery of the Trinity is present in the affirmation of
Jesus, not as a theoretical truth, but as an expression of the Christian with
the mission of Christ. How do I live this central mystery of our faith in my
life?
• How do I live the action of the Spirit in my life?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Sing a new song to Yahweh:
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Israel shall rejoice in its Maker,
the children of Zion delight in their king. (Ps 149,1-2)
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