top of page

The Word today, PentecostB

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • May 17, 2024
  • 2 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2024


ree

May 20 - May 25, 2024


Mary, mother of the Church


Acts 1:12-14 This is our last glimpse of Jesus’ mother in Luke-Acts. The picture of Mary at prayer is consistent with the portrait in Luke 1-2.


John 19:25-34 The reception of this scene has prompted much reflection on Mary as mother of the church. In its historical and theological context, the mother here stands for the mother religion, Judaism, just as the beloved disciples stands for nascent Christianity. The Gospel of John makes a powerful invitation to reconciliation and mutual recognition. The message is still relevant today.


St Christopher Magallanes and companions, martyrs.


James 4:1-10 Nearly any one sentence of this passage would give us lots to think about. James never minces his words and get to the heart of the matter: our interior impulses, hidden sometimes from ourselves.


Mark 9:30-37 Mark always links the “passion predictions” to a teaching on discipleship. This is true here as well. In the culture, a child symbolizes not innocence (as today) but powerlessness, lack of status.


St Rita of Cascia, religious


James 4:13-17 We know this is true, even though we might not like to think about it much! Time really does fly by. What we can do is to change how approach to this fact!


Mark 9:38-40 It is alarming how early the disciples somehow imagined they were to be the exclusive “owners” of the Gospel project. Jesus’ response is robust and can speak to us today. How is the Holy Spirit speaking to us from what we regards as outside?



James 5:1-6 There more than a touch of the Old Testament prophet here: justice is what counts before God who cares for the poor.


Mark 9:41-50 Today we two teachings. The first is brief and perhaps surprising. By allowing themselves to helped by outsides, disciples somehow make salvation available to non-believers.


The second teaching is more straightforward and to our untuned ears a little crass. It may to imagine Jesus smiling as he gives this particular advice.



James 5:9-12 Complaining is “enjoyable,” as we all know but, according to James, it is harmful, as we all also know. He goes on to insist on Jesus’ own teaching about telling the truth simply and clearly.


Mark 10:1-12 In this reading, Jesus recalls the original purpose of God: marriage should be life-long, according to the plan of the creator. It may help, when reflecting on this, that Jesus was not laying down a law but lifting up an ideal. Jesus never legislates.


St Gregory VII, bishop of Rome or St Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi, virgin or St Bede the Venerable, priest, doctor


James 5:13-20 Different situations and needs are evoked here. Perhaps I can see myself in one or other of them?


Mark 10:13-16 Again, it is both alarming and reassuring how early the disciples managed to get in the way. It may also help to remember that a child in this culture is not symbol of innocence but rather of powerlessness.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ar, May 19). Pentecost Sunday - Mass during the Day. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/pentecost-sunday-mass-during-day

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 

The Word today, Easter7B

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • May 7, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2024


ree

May 13 - May 18, 2024



Acts 19:1-8 Pentecost has a long reverberation through the Acts and there are several “mini” Pentecost. Paul triggers one when he baptizes some followers of John the Baptist.


John 16:29-33 Towards the end of the Farewell Discourse, the disciples are shown coming to insight at last about the identity of Jesus. It has been a long journey — longer than you might imagine, because we are “overhearing” the fruits of many decades of prayer, reflection and teaching. Our own journey of faith cannot be different.


St Matthias, apostle


Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 The writer of the Acts has great esteem for the Twelve and, as part of the continuity between the two Testaments, the “college” of the apostles is restored after the betrayal and death of Judas. The prayer of discernment shows great confidence in God’s presence and inspiration.


John 15:9-17 Following Jesus’ own example, our Gospel places at the heart of the Christian project the command to love. We may put “command” in inverted commas: really we are dealing with loving and being loved. In the gentle expression of this Gospel: I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.


St Carthage, bishop


Acts 20:28-38 Paul’s last speech to the elders in Ephesus is full of still valid and good advice and the very last moment is very moving.


John 17:11-19 “Glorify” may sound strange to us, as if Jesus were looking for some kind of vain recognition. In this Gospel, however, to glorify point to the cross; specifically, it means that the heart of God, God’s inner identity, is disclosed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.


St Brendan, abbot


Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 “Divide and conquer” is an old rule and Paul uses it cannily in today’s vignette. Paradoxically, Paul is “rescued” by the very officials who hold him prisoner.


John 17:20-26 This heartfelt prayer will touch us all. Although conflict is normal, at every level, it cannot be normative. Therefore, we strive for forgiveness, reconciliation and true fallowing or oneness. May this great prayer be ours today!



Acts 25:13-21 A key event in the life of Paul is recounted. He was under arrest in Caesarea. As a Roman citizen, he makes appeal to the emperor.


John 21:15-19 Because our reading of John is coming to a close as the Easter Season ends, the lectionary takes us forward to chapter 21. In the background, there is an oblique reminder of his betrayal (charcoal1). But in the foreground stands the high call to love and the fundamental call to follow.


St John I, bishop of Rome, martyr


Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 The closing of the Acts is a marvellous scene. Paul is in Rome and still preaching. It is notable that the very last sentence of the Acts reads as follows (in Greek): proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and unhindered. A great ending — and a great beginning, because it is up to us the readers to continue the task.


John 21:20-25 Our Gospel is also a closing scene. It was important for the community, dealing with the death of their beloved leader. At the same time, it provide the writer with a second chance to close the whole book, with mixed feelings of exasperation and wonder!


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ap, May 12). Seventh Sunday of Easter - Ascension. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051224.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 

The Word today, Easter6B

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • May 3, 2024
  • 3 min read

ree

May 06 - May 11, 2024



Acts 16:11-15 Today we hear of the founding of Paul’s first community in Europe. Philippians shows just how warm relationship became after these simple beginnings.


John 15:26-16:4 The word “paraclete,” strange to us, means literally the one who pleads alongside (someone). This is very like the Pauline vision of the Spirit helping us in our weakness. John’s Gospel, however, adds two extra dimensions, noticed in today’s Gospel: witnessing and remembering.



Acts 16:22-34 In biblical language, an earthquake symbolizes the presence and action of God. In this extraordinary story, a truly astonishing reversal takes place.


John 16:5-11 Our Gospel reflects on the meaning of Jesus’ departure (death): it signals and enables the gift of the Spirit in a completely new way.



Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 One expression from this reading is often quoted: it is in him that we live, and move, and have our being. The context for this marvelous affirmation is set-piece confrontation between Paul and the philosophers of Athens.


John 16:12-15 We are more aware, perhaps, than other generations of the importance of memory for our well-being and stability as individuals. It is important for us as believers as well and, fortunately, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit guides us not simply to retain the past but to live the future of our faith.



Acts 18:1-8 We may be tempted to think of Paul as operating on his own, but today we meet some of his wider team. Priscilla and Aquila were great supporters in friendship, hospitality and finance.


John 16:16-20 Our reading today touches a central part of the Farewell Discourse. This kind of writing acknowledges the transition of Jesus, so that he will no longer be with his disciples has he had been. At the same time, it opens to up different relationship after the resurrection. The words of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalen come to mind: Jesus said to her, “Do not keep holding on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17; NRSV adjusted)


St Comgall, abbot; St John of Ávila, priest


Acts 18:9-18 Enemies try to get the governor of Corinth to act against Paul, but Gallio sees through the ploy and dismisses the case. Gallio was governor from winter AD 51 to spring 52, so this scene helps us to put a date on Paul’s first visit to Corinth. Gallio’s brother was the better known philosopher Seneca.


John 16:20-23 In the Gospel of John there is very little “tension” towards the future, unlike other New Testament documents. Today’s reading, however, is an exception. We even find a standing metaphor from apocalyptic: labour pains. The insistent use of “joy” tells us what the Gospel writing has in mind..



Acts 18:23-28 An important person is introduced in today’s reading: Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria. As a baptized Christian, he was a most eloquent proponent of the Gospel. Some Corinthians much preferred him to Paul, less able as an orator, it would seem.


John 16:23-28 In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus makes provision for his future role as intercessor and mediator. We may note, however, that unlike much traditional intercession, the Father already loves us and there is no need to persuade him to give what he already desires to give us.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024an, May 5). Sixth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050524.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/


 
 
 
bottom of page