Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
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
Psalm149:1B-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.
AlleluiaJN 15:26B, 27A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 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.
“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.”
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.
Person
and role of the Holy Spirit
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.
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.
Spirit
strengthens us in faith and courage
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?
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)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Comforter is with us in our
troubles, by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.
"He
is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our
infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the
Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered
(Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has
been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at
hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the
pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm
27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be
great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall
be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of
heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt
from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20)
MONDAY,
MAY 18, JOHN 15:26--16:4a
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149)
EASTER WEEKDAY
(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).
TO KNOW: 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.
TO LOVE: Do I testify to the truth at home and at work?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, give the Church the courage to be true to your words despite obstacles and suffering.
VICTORIA
DAY CANADA (Monday, Prior to May 25)
In Canada, the celebration of Victoria Day is the official celebration in Canada of the birthdays of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. Victoria Day was established as a holiday in Canada West (Now Ontario) in 1845, and became a national holiday in 1901. Before Victoria Day became a national Holiday, people had celebrated Empire Day, beginning in the 1890s as Victoria approached her Diamond jubilee in 1897. Victoria, queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India was born on 24 May 1819. She ascended the throne after the death of her uncle George IV in 1837 when she was only 18. She ruled until her death in 1901 when her son Edward the VII became king of England.
Optional
Memorial of Saint John I, pope and martyr
In 523, John was elected Pope while he was still an archdeacon. At that time, the ruler of Italy was Theodoric the Goth who subscribed to the Arian heretical brand of Christianity. For a while, Theodoric let Catholics live in peace, but in later life he became suspicious of everyone, imagining conspiracies to seize his throne. He even tried to involve Pope John in his political machinations. John, the first pope to travel to Constantinople, led a delegation to negotiate with Emperor Justin I who was the first Catholic on the Byzantine throne in fifty years. John's mission was successful, but Theodoric thought John and the Emperor had plotted against him. While returning to Rome, John was kidnapped by Theodoric's soldiers. Pope John died of thirst and starvation in prison in Ravenna, Italy.
NOTE: The Heresy of Arianism taught that Christ was a creation of the Father, a creature, and not a part of God. Athanasius formulated the doctrine of homoousianism which said that Christ was "consubstantial with the Father,” as we pray in the Nicene Creed.
Monday 18 May 2020
St
John I
The
Spirit of truth will be my witness
Acts
16:11-15. The Lord takes delight in his people – Psalm
149:1-6, 9. John 15:26-16:4.
We
know God because his Spirit lives within us. In knowing Jesus we are able to
understand how we can build a new and better world by loving like him. It’s the
Advocate who guides us in this relationship. The choices we make each day are
informed by our ability to connect with and discern the better choice. In our
lives we will be persecuted and rejected. People we seek to harm us and push us
down. Our reaction to these situations is based on choice. In a moment of
persecution or rejection we can choose to reflect and discern the better choice
as guided by the Spirit. In doing so we are able to navigate the challenge in a
manner that honours our Lord and become more whole. Choosing to react without
discernment will only allow us to respond according to our human nature. We are
created for greater things.
Saint
John I
Saint
of the Day for May 18
(c.
470 – May 18, 526)
 |
| U.S. Archives, Book Reader Images | Unknown |
Saint
John I’s Story
Pope
John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy
had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he
treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the
time the young John was elected pope.
When
the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area,
the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the
measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the
negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West.
On
his way home, John was imprisoned at Ravenna because the emperor had begun to
suspect that John’s friendship with his eastern rival might lead to a
conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died,
apparently from the treatment he received in prison.
John’s
body was transported to Rome and he was buried in the Basilica of St. Peter.
Reflection
We
cannot choose the issues for which we have to suffer and perhaps die. John I
suffered because of a power-conscious emperor. Jesus suffered because of the
suspicions of those who were threatened by his freedom, openness, and
powerlessness. “If you find that the world hates you, know it has hated me
before you” (John 15:18).
Lectio
Divina: John 15:26 - 16:4a
Lectio
Divina
Monday,
May 18, 2020
1)
Opening prayer
Lord
our God,
if we really believe in You and in Your Son,
we cannot but be 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 neighbor.
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 but be 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 neighbor.
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 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."
3)
Reflection
•
In chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of John, the horizon extends beyond the
historical moment of the Last 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 to 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 to 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 Cor 12:3).
The Gospel of John takes a stand and does not permit the action of the Spirit
to 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, but it should always insist on more. It should also insist on
affirming that it is the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, who out of love for the
poor and the marginalized was persecuted, arrested and condemned to death.
Precisely because of this, He has promised us His Spirit in such a way that we,
after His death, continue His action and are for humanity the revelation 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 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 people
who, in order to avoid persecution, diluted or watered down the message of
Jesus transforming it into a Gnostic message: vague, without any definition,
and which did not contradict the ideology of the Empire. To them is applied
what Paul said: “They are afraid of the cross of Christ” (Gal 6:12). 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). 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) is another variant. 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
on 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 people 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. For this reason Jesus was impelled 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. This is another “Way” He teaches, as we talked about before, which
guides us especially in dealing with those of other religions or those
Christian denominations that have watered down His word in order to not be
inconvenienced in our society.
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 describe my relationship to each of the three persons of the
Trinity?
• How do I live the action of the Spirit in my life in a visible way?
• “They have not known either the Father or Me” applies to one who believes wrongly, believes a false god, or one who is ignorant of God entirely or refuses to believe at all. This passage still applies to Christians in the Middle East just as it did then. It also applies to our experiences within secular society. What are all the ways we experience this lack of knowledge of the Father and the Son in our life today and how can we respond?
• How do I live the action of the Spirit in my life in a visible way?
• “They have not known either the Father or Me” applies to one who believes wrongly, believes a false god, or one who is ignorant of God entirely or refuses to believe at all. This passage still applies to Christians in the Middle East just as it did then. It also applies to our experiences within secular society. What are all the ways we experience this lack of knowledge of the Father and the Son in our life today and how can we respond?
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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