6TH WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
1st Reading: Acts 16:22-34
So they set the crowd against them; and the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be flogged. And after inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely. Upon receiving these instructions, he threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, a severe earthquake shook the place, rocking the prison to its foundations. Immediately, all the doors flew open and the chains of all the prisoners fell off. The jailer woke up to see the prison gates wide open. Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself, but Paul shouted to him, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here.”
The jailer asked for a light, then rushed in, and fell at the feet of Paul and Silas. After he had secured the other prisoners, he led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household will be saved.” Then they spoke the word of God to him and to all his household.
Even at that hour of the night, the jailer took care of them and washed their wounds; and he, and his whole household, were baptized at once. He led them to his house, spread a meal before them and joyfully celebrated with his whole household his new found faith in God.
Gospel: Jn 16:5-11
But now I am going to the One who sent me, and none of you asks me where I am going; instead you are overcome with grief, because of what I have said.
Believe me, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go away, I will send him to you, and when he comes, he will vindicate the truth before a sinful world; and he will vindicate the paths of righteousness and justice.
What is the world’s sin, in regard to me? Disbelief. What is the path of righteousness? It is the path I walk, by which I go to the Father; and you shall see me no more. What is the path of justice? It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned.
Reflections
Believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ
The Lord intervened and released Paul and Silas from captivity. And because of their graciousness toward their jailer, they won him and his entire household over to the faith. The tormentor was converted not by exhortation or argumentation, but by charity and genuine concern for his well-being.
How often we try to convert our offenders by our just anger and self-righteousness, by castigating and demanding apology. Jesus won converts by showing mercy toward them. We pray for the grace to be charitable toward our offenders, thus bearing witness and drawing them to our merciful God.
Daily Reflection 2018
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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
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