6TH WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
St. Bede the Venerable, priest & doctor / St. Gregory VII, pope / Mary Magdalene of Pazzi, virgin
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
1st Reading: Acts 18:1-8
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There, he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, following a decree of the Emperor Claudius, which ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, and then stayed and worked with them, because they shared the same trade of tent making. Every Sabbath, he held discussions in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was able to give himself wholly to preaching, and proving to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. One day, when they opposed him and insulted him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest, saying, ”Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. I am not to blame if, from now on, I go to the non-Jews.”
So Paul left there and went to the house of a God-fearing man named Titus Justus, who lived next door to the synagogue. A leading man of the synagogue, Crispus, along with his whole household, believed in the Lord. On hearing Paul, many more Corinthians believed and were baptized.
Gospel: Jn 16:16-20
Jesus said to his disciples: ”A little while, and you will see me no more; and then a little while, and you will see me.”
Some of the disciples wondered, ”What does he mean by, ‘A little while, and you will not see me; and then a little while, and you will see me‘? And why did he say, ‘I go to the Father‘?” And they said to one another, ”What does he mean by ‘a little while‘? We don‘t understand.”
Jesus knew that they wanted to question him; so he said to them, ”You are puzzled because I told you that in a little while you will see me no more, and then a little while later you will see me.
”Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.”
REFLECTION:
Little children sometimes display anxiety when they could not see the familiar face of their parents or love ones. They become insecure and afraid. This childish behavior is translated into adult behaviors as well. The fear of separation is as much apart of adult life too. That is why Jesus is preparing His disciples for the momentary separation that will take place ahead. They will not have Him physically present always. Time will come when they have to hold on to His memories in their heart to continue the task at hand. This process will be slow and painful. It is better to start early. And so when the disciples will enter the dark and painful nights of the passion and death of the Lord, they will remember His words and hopefully it will comfort them and sustain them.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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