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 rebellious pride and spiritual blindness would end
up calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
"Those who kept my word" (John 15:20)
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.
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.
"I chose you out of the world" (John
15:18)
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).
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."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Those who suffer with Christ reign with
Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444
A.D.
"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of
the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth,
did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let
each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted.
Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of
preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did,
you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion
of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those
whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me
shall also reign with me.'" (excerpt
from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 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 KNOW: Just as Jesus and his Father are one, Jesus and the believer are one. 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' words 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 LOVE: In what ways am I both friend and servant to others?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, give the Church the grace to speak your gospel to those who do not know you.
CINCO DE MAYO
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, the 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some recognition in other parts of Mexico. It is not, as some think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular along the U.S.-Mexico border and in parts of the U.S. that have a high population of people with a Mexican heritage. In these areas the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture, of food, music, beverage and customs unique to Mexico.
Saturday 5 May
2018
St Agatha.
Acts 16:1-10. Psalm 99(100):1-3, 5. John 15:18-21.
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy—Psalm 99(100):1-3, 5.
Love one another as I have loved you.
This was the greatest commandment Jesus left his followers as it
includes all the others. Love is costly— it cost Jesus his life. We may not be
called to give up our lives, but love is more than just a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Love asks patience and kindness of us, to put others before ourselves, give
time to others when we are busy. This is the way we produce fruit that will
last. Jesus says we are ‘co-missioned’—we are not alone. Jesus is always with
us.
Saint Hilary of Arles
Saint of the Day for May 5
(c. 401 – May 5, 449)
Saint Hilary of Arles’ Story
It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young. In some ways,
that was true for today’s saint.
Born in France in the early fifth century, Hilary came from an
aristocratic family. In the course of his education he encountered his
relative, Honoratus, who encouraged the young man to join him in the monastic
life. Hilary did so. He continued to follow in the footsteps of Honoratus as
bishop. Hilary was only 29 when he was chosen bishop of Arles.
The new, youthful bishop undertook the role with confidence. He
did manual labor to earn money for the poor. He sold sacred vessels to ransom
captives. He became a magnificent orator. He traveled everywhere on foot,
always wearing simple clothing.
That was the bright side. Hilary encountered difficulty in his
relationships with other bishops over whom he had some jurisdiction. He
unilaterally deposed one bishop. He selected another bishop to replace one who
was very ill–but, to complicate matters, did not die! Pope Saint Leo the
Great kept Hilary a bishop but stripped him of some of his powers.
Hilary died at 49. He was a man of talent and piety who, in due
time, had learned how to be a bishop.
Reflection
Saint Hilary teaches us to respect authority even if found
in a young person. Age is not the issue: prudence and wisdom are.
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 15:18-21
Lectio Divina:
Saturday, May 5, 2018
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 or 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 forever.
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 or 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 forever.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN
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."
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 that is
contrary to society. In a world organized according to the egoistic interests
of people and groups, Christians seek to live and radiate the love which will
be crucified. This was the destiny of Jesus. This is why, when a Christian is
praised by the power of this world and is exalted as a model for all by mass
media, it is good to not trust that 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. If we base ourselves
on this vocation of Jesus, we will have the strength to suffer persecution and
to 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; 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). It is this
identification with Jesus throughout the centuries that has given so much
strength to people 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 understand the
reason for persecutions is evidence 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 at any moment. The force which sustained them
was a certainty that God was with them.
4) PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Does the world love me? Do others love
me as one who goes along with the values, expectations, and priorities of the
world, or as one who sets a higher example according to Jesus?
• How do I respond to persecution from
others? Is it a way to offer leadership in love to others, or do I shrink from
it and conform to expectations?
• At times when others persecute me, is
it because I am truly showing love and the will of the Father to others, or am
I behaving even worse than society expects?
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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