The Word today, Easter7B

May 13 - May 18, 2024

Monday 13 May

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.

Tuesday 14 May

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.

Wednesday 15 May

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.

Thursday 16 May

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!

Friday 17 May

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.

Saturday 18 May

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/

SOCL, AscensionB

Sunday May 12, 2024

Proclaim the good news to the whole creation.

See

When is an ending not an ending? Mark takes the huge risk of an apparently negative ending to the story which began resoundingly in 1:1. The ending does not satisfy and never did…and that is Mark’s very point. To have a neat narrative ending would close the story in the past, whereas Mark forces us to realize that the story goes on the lives of all disciples, then and now. We are the bearers of the Good News, we are the continuation of the story, a story which in truth will never really end, thanks be to God.

Listen

Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 (46); Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20

Reflect

(Mark 16:15-20)

-In the preceding verse Jesus had rebuked the apostles for their lack of faith. Despite this he commissioned them to bring the Good News to the whole world. Witnesses to the Good News do not have to be perfect. There is encouragement for us in this. To whom have you brought good news? Who has been a messenger of good news to you?

-Jesus then tells them that their witness will have quite dramatic effects, helping people to overcome demons, bring them peace and healing. Things happen when we have belief in God and in ourselves. Strong faith can enable us to meet and overcome difficulties, in ways that waverers cannot do. Perhaps you have had experience of this?

-The ascension marked the end of the visible presence of Jesus with the disciples, but he was with them in other ways. ‘The Lord worked with them’. Sometimes we can experience that death is not the end of the presence of someone significant to us. We can experience the unseen presence and influence of a parent, a friend, or an inspiring leader, after they have died. Has this happened for you? Have you also experienced the hidden presence of the Lord working with you?

Pray

God of power and might, in the mystery of the ascension you have raised up and glorified your Son, and exalted our humanity at his right hand. Confirm the good news your Church proclaims, so that when Christ returns in glory all nations may be gathered into the kingdom where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit God for ever and ever. Amen.

Act

-Embrace Imperfect Endings: Understand that not all endings in life will be neat or satisfying. Sometimes, an apparent negative ending may be a stepping stone to something greater. Embrace these imperfect endings as part of a larger narrative that continues to unfold.

-See Yourself as a Storyteller: Recognize that you are a bearer of Good News in your own life story. Just as the disciples carried forward the message of Jesus, you too can contribute to the ongoing narrative of faith and purpose. Share your experiences, wisdom, and values with others as part of this continuous story.

-Live with Hope and Continuity: Maintain a perspective of hope and continuity in your journey. Understand that the story of faith and life is ongoing, spanning generations and impacting lives in meaningful ways. Approach each day with the awareness that your actions and choices contribute to this larger, never-ending narrative.

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

May 06 - May 11, 2024

Monday 06 May

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.

Tuesday 07 May

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.

Wednesday 08 May

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.

Thursday 09 May

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)

Friday 10 May

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..

Saturday 11 May

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/