Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 295
Lectionary: 295
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (8a) God is
king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaSEE LK 24:46, 26
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."
Meditation: "Your sorrow will
turn into joy"
Why did the Lord Jesus tell his disciples that they
would weep and be sorrowful? Jesus was neither a pessimist nor a
masochist, and he was certainly more than a realist! The way to happiness and
joy in the kingdom of God is through the cross. Sin must be brought to the
cross of Jesus Christ and evil can only be completely mastered by the power of
God's redeeming love. Jesus told his disciples that it was more blessed to
mourn for sin because it would yield the fruit of peace, joy, and
righteousness. Jesus knew that the cross would be a stumbling block for those
who refused to believe in him.
We, too, have a share in the victory and joy of
Christ's resurrection
The cross for Jesus was not defeat but victory - victory over sin, over the forces of evil in the world, and over the devil - the arch-enemy of God and the human race. Through his atoning sacrifice on the cross Jesus won for us new abundant life and freedom over the power of sin, despair, and death. He was raised in power from the tomb on the third day and his glorified body will never taste death again. The Easter victory of the Lord Jesus gives us courage, strength, and confident hope in the face of suffering and death. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ our fears are laid to rest. His resurrection is total and final triumph over death, and for us peace and joy in the confident hope that we, too, will be raised to everlasting life with Christ.
The cross for Jesus was not defeat but victory - victory over sin, over the forces of evil in the world, and over the devil - the arch-enemy of God and the human race. Through his atoning sacrifice on the cross Jesus won for us new abundant life and freedom over the power of sin, despair, and death. He was raised in power from the tomb on the third day and his glorified body will never taste death again. The Easter victory of the Lord Jesus gives us courage, strength, and confident hope in the face of suffering and death. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ our fears are laid to rest. His resurrection is total and final triumph over death, and for us peace and joy in the confident hope that we, too, will be raised to everlasting life with Christ.
We will have trials in this present age - .but,
through the eyes of faith, we know the final outcome - complete victory over
sin, suffering, and death in Jesus Christ. That is why we can pray confidently
now, knowing that the Father in heaven will give us everything we need to live
as his children and as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know the
Easter joy of Christ's victory over sin and death?
"Lord Jesus, we are an Easter people, and
alleluia is our song. Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may we radiate the
joy of your Resurrection and live in the reality of your great victory over sin
and death."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Alleluia will be our whole joy, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"I trust I will not weary you if I mention what
you know already: that we say ALLELUIA daily and that we take
delight in it daily. For you know that ALLELUIA means
"Praise God" and by this expression we, agreeing in speech and
thought, exhort one another to praise God. Only the one who displeases
God in no respect praises God in security. Furthermore, in this time of
journeying we say ALLELUIA for solace on our way. ALLELUIA
is the song of the traveler for us; but we are advancing through a laborious
path to a peaceful country where all our activities will be laid aside and
nothing will remain for us except the ALLELUIA. Let us sing
now, not for the delights of peace, but for comfort in our labor. Sing as
travelers are accustomed to sing; comfort your labor by singing; do not love
inactivity; keep singing and keep progressing. ...If you are advancing;
progress in well-doing, progress in good faith, progress in good deeds. Keep
singing and keep advancing. While we are here let us sing ALLELUIA though
we are still beset with cares, so that in the future we may sing it there (in
heaven) in tranquility. After the labors of this world there will be unceasing
repetition of ALLELUIA. ..There ALLELUIA will be
our food; ALLELUIA will be our drink; ALLELUIA will
be our peaceful action; ALLELUIA will be our whole joy."
[excerpts from Sermon 255 (1); Sermon 256 (1
and 3); Sermon 252 (9)]
FRIDAY, MAY
11, JOHN 16:20-23
Easter Weekday
(Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47)
Easter Weekday
(Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47)
KEY VERSE: "But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice" (v.22).
TO KNOW: Before his passion and death, Jesus consoled his disciples who were distressed at the thought that he was about to be taken from them. Jesus compared their grief to that of a woman who travailed in labor. When the child was born, the woman was no longer in anguish, but rejoiced that a new life has been brought forth. The prophet Isaiah used this image of child-birth when speaking of the suffering of Israel before her restoration (Is 26:17-19). Paul said that "all creation was groaning and in labor pains" awaiting the fullness of redemption (Ro 8:22). Jesus' disciples were in tribulation because they were on the threshold of a new age. When they saw the Risen Lord, they would rejoice, and on that happy day, their joy would be complete (Jn 20:20). In this life there will always be unanswered questions and unresolved problems. In the age to come there will be fullness of knowledge in Christ.
TO LOVE: Who needs my words of comfort today?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help the Church to focus upon your glory in times of travail.
Friday 11 May
2018
11th Day of Penance.
Acts 18: 9-18. Psalm 46(47):2-7. John 16:20-23.
God is king of all the earth—Psalm 46(47):2-7.
Your sadness will turn to joy.
Jesus is about to face Calvary. He is preparing his followers
for what lies ahead. The great creative work of our salvation will require him
to suffer. The little time of separation between Jesus and his friends will be
filled with tears and pain.
Every mother knows there is a moment before her child is born
when it seems that there is only pain, effort and helplessness, of being swept
along in the natural course of events. All this fades with the birth of her
baby and is replaced by the overwhelming joy of new life.
The joy of Christ’s resurrection is for his disciples and for us
the powerful proof of God’s love for us. It is the assurance of new life,
eternal and already begun, born out of pain and tears but resulting in a joy
that can never be taken away.
Saint Ignatius of Laconi
Saint of the Day for May 11
(December 17, 1701 – May 11, 1781)
 |
| Statue of Saint Ignatius of Laconi | Unknown |
Saint Ignatius of Laconi’s Story
Ignatius is another sainted begging brother.
He was the second of seven children of peasant parents in
Sardinia. His path to the Franciscans was unusual. During a serious illness,
Ignatius vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but
ignored the promise. When he was 20, a riding accident prompted Ignatius to
renew the pledge, which he acted on the second time. Ignatius’s reputation for
self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the official beggar for the
friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for 40 years, despite being blind
for the last two years.
While on his rounds, Ignatius would instruct the children, visit
the sick, and urge sinners to repent. The people of Cagliari were inspired by
his kindness and his faithfulness to his work. Ignatius was canonized in 1951.
Reflection
Why did the people of Cagliari support the friars? These
followers of Francis worked hard but rarely at jobs that paid enough to live
on. Under these conditions Saint Francis allowed them to beg. The life of
Ignatius reminds us that everything God considers worthwhile does not have a
high-paying salary attached to it.
LECTIO DIVINA: JOHN 16:20-23A
Lectio Divina:
Friday, May 11, 2018
1) OPENING PRAYER
Lord God, merciful Father,
it is hard for us to accept pain,
for we know that You have made us
for happiness and joy.
When suffering challenges us
with a provocative "why me?"
help us to discover the depth
of our inner freedom and love
and of all the faith and loyalty
of which we are capable,
together with, and by the power of,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
it is hard for us to accept pain,
for we know that You have made us
for happiness and joy.
When suffering challenges us
with a provocative "why me?"
help us to discover the depth
of our inner freedom and love
and of all the faith and loyalty
of which we are capable,
together with, and by the power of,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) GOSPEL READING - JOHN
16:20-23A
Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen,
amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will
grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in
anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born
into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and
your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that
day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever
you ask the Father in my name he will give you."
3) REFLECTION
• During these days between the
Ascension and Pentecost, the Gospels of the day are taken from chapters 16 to
21 of the Gospel of Saint John, and form part of the Gospel called: “The Book
of Consolation or of the Revelation acting in the Community” (Jn 13:1 to
21:31). This Book is divided as follows: the farewell to the friends (Jn 13:1a
to 14:31); witness of Jesus and prayer to the Father (Jn 15:1 to 17:28); and
the accomplished work (Jn 18:1 to 20:31). The environment of sadness and
expectation: sadness, because Jesus leaves and nostalgia invades the heart;
expectation, because the hour is coming for receiving the promised gift, that
of the Consoler who will make all sadness disappear and will once again bring
the joy of the presence of Jesus in the midst of the community.
• John 16:20: The sadness will be
transformed into joy. Jesus says, “In all truth I tell you: you will be weeping
and wailing while the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your
sorrow will turn to joy.” The frequent references to sadness and suffering
express the environment of the communities at the end of the first century in
Asia Minor (present day Turkey), for whom John wrote his Gospel. They lived in
a difficult situation of persecution and oppression, which caused sadness. The
Apostles had taught that Jesus would return soon, but the “parousia,” the
glorious return of Jesus, had not happened and persecution increased. Many were
impatient: “Until when?” (cf. 2 Thess 2:1-5; 2 Pet 3:8-9). A person bears
suffering and persecution when he/she knows that suffering is the way and the
condition to attain perfect joy. Thus, even having death before his/her eyes,
the person bears and faces suffering and pain. This is why the Gospel makes
this beautiful comparison with the pangs of childbirth.
• John 16:21: The comparison with pangs
of childbirth. All understand this comparison, especially mothers: “The woman
in childbirth suffers because her time has come; but when she has given birth
to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a human being has been
born into the world.” The suffering and sadness caused by persecution, even
without offering any chance of improvement on the horizon, are not the death
rattle, but rather the pangs of childbirth. Mothers know all this by
experience. The pain is terrible, but they bear it, because they know that the
pain, the suffering, is a source of new life. So is the suffering of the
persecution of Christians, and thus, any suffering should be lived in the light
of the experience of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• John 16:22-23a: Eternal joy. Jesus
explains the comparison: “So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see
you again, and your hearts will be full of joy and that joy no one shall take
from you”.” When that day comes, you will not ask Me any questions. This is the
certainty that gives courage to the tired and persecuted communities of Asia
Minor and which makes one exult with joy in the midst of suffering and pain. As
the poet says, “It hurts, but I sing!” Or as the mystic Saint John of the Cross
says, “In a dark night, with an inflamed yearning for love, oh happy venture, I
went out without being noticed, in my house all slept!” The expression on that
day indicates the definitive coming of the Kingdom which brings with it its
clarity. In the light of God, there will no longer be need to ask anything. The
light of God is the full and total response to all the questions which could
arise within the human heart.
4) FOR PERSONAL CONSIDERATION
• “On that day you will not question Me
about anything.” The joy and love of the reality is greater than all of the
questions of “how can this be”, rendering them mute. Do I question “how can
this be?”, or am I satisfied with the presence of Jesus in my life?
• Pangs of childbirth. This experience
is found in the origin of life of each one of us. My mother suffered the pain
with hope, and this is why I am alive. Stop and think about this mystery of
life and how it recurs in faith, as in the dark night of Saint John of the
Cross.
• Am I weeping and mourning right now,
or am I rejoicing, or am I in between, lukewarm, being not one way or the
other? What does this say about my relationship with Jesus? How would people
around me answer this about me?
5) CONCLUDING PRAYER
Clap your hands, all peoples,
acclaim God with shouts of joy.
For Yahweh, the Most High, is glorious,
the great king over all the earth. (Ps 47:1-2)
acclaim God with shouts of joy.
For Yahweh, the Most High, is glorious,
the great king over all the earth. (Ps 47:1-2)
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