Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 290
Lectionary: 290
Paul reached also
Derbe and Lystra
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
where there was a disciple named Timothy,
the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,
but his father was a Greek.
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,
and Paul wanted him to come along with him.
On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,
for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory
because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit
from preaching the message in the province of Asia.
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,
but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,
so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
During the night Paul had a vision.
A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
When he had seen the vision,
we sought passage to Macedonia at once,
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
Responsorial PsalmPS 100:1B-2, 3, 5
R. (2a) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaCOL 3:1
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 15:18-21
Jesus said to his
disciples:
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you.
Remember the word I spoke to you,
‘No slave is greater than his master.’
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me.”
Meditation:
"You are not of the world"
What does Jesus mean when he says "you are not of this
world"? The world in Scripture refers to that society of
people who are hostile towards God and opposed to his will. The world rejected
the Lord Jesus and treated him with contempt, and his disciples can expect the
same treatment. The Lord Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We
are either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light and truth or for
the kingdom of darkness and deception. The prophet Isaiah warned that people
who separate themselves from God because of their rebellion and spiritual
blindness would end upcalling evil good and good evil (Isaiah
5:20).
If we want to live in the light of God's truth, how can we
rightly distinguish good from evil and truth from deception? True love of God
and his ways draw us to all that is lovely, truthful and good. If we truly love
God then we will submit to his truth and obey his word. A friend of God cannot
expect to be a friend of the world because the world is opposed to God's truth
and way of righteousness.
Jesus' demand is unequivocal and without compromise. Do
not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love
for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We must make a choice
either for or against God. Do you seek to please God in all your intentions,
actions, and relationships? Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart and mind with
the love and truth of God (Romans 5:5).
"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love fill my heart with
an eagerness to please you in all things. May there be no rivals to my love and
devotion to you who are my all."
SATURDAY, MAY 9, JOHN 15:18-21
Easter Weekday
(Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100)
KEY VERSE: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first" (v 18).
TO READ: Just as Jesus and his Father are one, Jesus and the believer are also united. Because of this close union, Jesus' disciples must be willing to share his fate. If Jesus suffered persecution and hatred, so would they. If the world refused to listen to his words or believe in his works, the world would not believe his disciples' proclamation and deeds. If the disciples had belonged to the world, perhaps the world would love them. Because these unbelievers did not know God, they despised Jesus and they would also despise his followers. Jesus said that "no slave was greater than his master" (v 20). Although the disciples were Jesus' friends (v 15), they were also obedient servants of God's will.
TO REFLECT: In what ways am I both friend and servant to others?
TO RESPOND: Risen Lord, help the Church to have the grace to speak your gospel to those who do not know you.
Saturday 9 May 2015
Acts 16:1-10. Let all
the earth cry out to God with joy—Ps 99(100):1-3, 5. John 15:18-21.
Readings
‘Because you do not
belong to the world, the world hates you.’
It’s not always
comfortable being a Christian—or at least it shouldn’t be. Paul and Timothy
spread the Word of God and the teachings of the apostles further than ever
before. There was seemingly no hesitation. Jesus’ words remind us that what
they did was not an easy task, and that same task remains ours today. We are
called to share the Gospel message, no matter what the cost.
Do we allow the
possibility of discomfort? Is our faith important enough to share with those
around us? Do we speak the words as well as walk the talk? Pope Francis is
calling is to revisit these questions and to share the joy of the gospels with
those around us. How can we do this today?
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Take Up Your Cross
|
In this life you now perceive great value and beauty in things
that formerly you turned away from: poverty, suffering, even illness. You now
understand that in the poor and lonely you behold the face of Christ. And in
difficulties such as illness you see the means for you to do as Christ bade
you: to take up your cross and follow him all the way to heaven.
May
9
St. John of Avila
(1500-1569)
St. John of Avila
(1500-1569)
Born in the Castile region of Spain, John was sent at the age of
14 to the University of Salamanca to study law. He later moved to Alcala, where
he studied philosophy and theology before his ordination as a diocesan priest.
After John’s parents died and left him as their sole heir to a considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he traveled to Seville, hoping to become a missionary in Mexico. The archbishop of that city persuaded him to stay and spread the faith in Andalusia (southwestern Spain). During nine years of work there, he developed a reputation as an engaging preacher, a perceptive spiritual director and a wise confessor.
Because John was not afraid to denounce vice in high places, he was investigated by the Inquisition but was cleared in 1533. He later worked in Cordoba and then in Granada, where he organized the University of Baeza, the first of several colleges run by diocesan priests who dedicated themselves to teaching and giving spiritual direction to young people.
He was friends with Sts. Francis Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, John of God, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, and Teresa of Avila. John of Avila worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John’s mystical writings have been translated into several languages.
He was beatified in 1894, canonized in 1970, and declared a doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012.
After John’s parents died and left him as their sole heir to a considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he traveled to Seville, hoping to become a missionary in Mexico. The archbishop of that city persuaded him to stay and spread the faith in Andalusia (southwestern Spain). During nine years of work there, he developed a reputation as an engaging preacher, a perceptive spiritual director and a wise confessor.
Because John was not afraid to denounce vice in high places, he was investigated by the Inquisition but was cleared in 1533. He later worked in Cordoba and then in Granada, where he organized the University of Baeza, the first of several colleges run by diocesan priests who dedicated themselves to teaching and giving spiritual direction to young people.
He was friends with Sts. Francis Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, John of God, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, and Teresa of Avila. John of Avila worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John’s mystical writings have been translated into several languages.
He was beatified in 1894, canonized in 1970, and declared a doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012.
Comment:
St. John of Avila knew that the lives of Christians can contradict the Good News of Jesus Christ, implicitly encouraging Christians to live their faith halfheartedly and causing obstacles to non-Christians who might accept Baptism. In 16th-century Spain, those who advocated reforming the Church were often suspected of heresy. St. John of Avila held his ground and was eventually recognized as a very reliable teacher about the Christian faith.
St. John of Avila knew that the lives of Christians can contradict the Good News of Jesus Christ, implicitly encouraging Christians to live their faith halfheartedly and causing obstacles to non-Christians who might accept Baptism. In 16th-century Spain, those who advocated reforming the Church were often suspected of heresy. St. John of Avila held his ground and was eventually recognized as a very reliable teacher about the Christian faith.
Quote:
At the Mass after John of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen were declared Doctors of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI described him as “a profound expert on the sacred Scripture . . . gifted with an ardent missionary spirit.” The pope continued: “He knew how to penetrate in a uniquely profound way the mysteries of the redemption worked by Christ for humanity. A man of God, he united constant prayer to apostolic action. He dedicated himself to preaching and to the more frequent practice of the sacraments, concentrating his commitment on improving the formation of candidates for the priesthood, of religious and of lay people, with a view to a fruitful reform of the Church.”
At the Mass after John of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen were declared Doctors of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI described him as “a profound expert on the sacred Scripture . . . gifted with an ardent missionary spirit.” The pope continued: “He knew how to penetrate in a uniquely profound way the mysteries of the redemption worked by Christ for humanity. A man of God, he united constant prayer to apostolic action. He dedicated himself to preaching and to the more frequent practice of the sacraments, concentrating his commitment on improving the formation of candidates for the priesthood, of religious and of lay people, with a view to a fruitful reform of the Church.”
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 15,18-21
Lectio:
Saturday, May 9, 2015
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord our God;
it is good to live in the friendship
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us realize that also in this love
we are committed to him and share with him
for better and for worse,
in misunderstanding and contradiction
as well as in joy and intimacy.
Help us to rejoice even when treated
with indifference or ridicule on account of him,
for it means that he is still with us
who is our Lord for ever.
it is good to live in the friendship
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us realize that also in this love
we are committed to him and share with him
for better and for worse,
in misunderstanding and contradiction
as well as in joy and intimacy.
Help us to rejoice even when treated
with indifference or ridicule on account of him,
for it means that he is still with us
who is our Lord for ever.
2)
GOSPEL READING - JOHN 15,18-21
Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, you
must realise that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the
world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to
the world, because my choice of you has drawn you out of the world, that is why
the world hates you.
Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than
his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my
word, they will keep yours as well. But it will be on my account that they will
do all this to you, because they do not know the one who sent me.
3)
REFLECTION
• John 15, 18-19: The hatred of the world. “If the world hates
you, you must realize that it hated me before it hated you”. The Christian who
follows Jesus is called to live in a way contrary to society. In a world
organized according to the egoistic interests of persons and groups which seek
to live and radiate the love which will be crucified. This was the destiny of
Jesus. This is why when a Christian is very much praised by the power of this
world and is exalted as a model for all by mass media; it is good not to trust
too much. “If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own;
but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice of you has drawn
you out of the world, that is why the world hates you”. It was Jesus’ choice
which separated us. And if we base ourselves on this gratuitous choice or
vocation of Jesus we will have the force to suffer persecution and calumny and
have joy, in spite of the difficulties.
• John 15, 20: The servant is not greater than his master. “A
servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will
persecute you too; if they kept my word they will keep yours as well”. Jesus
had already insisted on this same point in the washing of the feet (Jn 13, 16)
and in the discourse on the Mission (Mt 10, 24-25). And it is this
identification with Jesus that, throughout the centuries, has given so much
force to persons to continue the journey and has been a source of mystical experience
for many saints and martyrs.
• John 15, 21: Persecution on account of Jesus. “But it will be
on my account that they will do all this to you, because they do not know the
one who sent me.” The repeated insistence of the Gospel in recalling those
words of Jesus which can help the communities to understand the reason for the
crisis and persecutions is an evident sign that our brothers and sisters of the
first communities did not have an easy life. From the persecution of Nero after
Christ up to the end of the first century, they lived knowing that they could
be persecuted, accused, imprisoned and killed any moment. The force which
sustained them was a certainty that Jesus communicated that God was with them.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Jesus addresses himself to me and tells me: If you belonged to
the world, the world would love what is yours. How do I apply this in my life?
• In me there are two tendencies: the world and the Gospel.
Which of these two has the priority?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
For Yahweh is good,
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
his faithful love is everlasting,
his constancy from age to age. (Ps 100,5)
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