The Word today, Easter6B
- Admin
- May 3, 2024
- 3 min read
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/
Comments