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First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
Responsorial: Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18
Gospel: John 14:15-21
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051720.cfm
deacon rudy’s notes
Brothers and sisters, have you ever randomly opened up the Bible and found the perfect verse? Today’s readings are like that for us. You see, these readings weren’t picked. They are part of the regular sequence for Year A for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. You will find these same readings used in the year 2017. While all the readings are a treasure, this year these readings have special resonance for us.
Today’s Gospel message is part of the farewell discourse given during the Last Supper. The Church gives us this piece of Gospel now so that we can unpack its meaning in these weeks leading up to Pentecost. But in the light of the pandemic, these readings give us insight into the meaning of a life of discipleship.
Jesus says to us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot accept,” (John 14:15-17). Jesus will not leave us as orphans, powerful message, (John 14:18).
The world seems to begin emerging from this pandemic. We cannot all be leaders, scientists, and medical professionals, so we have to trust others. Unfortunately, the mixed messages and even contradictory statements fuel the darkness of uncertainty and confusion.
It is encouraging to see people turning to prayer, but there is still this underlying – well fear I guess would be the right word that seems to shroud some people I know in a sort of darkness. How should we disciples respond? Well, our first reading from Acts helps us, I think. You see, earlier in this same chapter we read from today, the church at Jerusalem is subjected to persecution at the hand of Saul (who will become Paul). The disciples are scattered. I would call that a period of uncertainty and fear, wouldn’t you? How did the disciples respond?
Acts tells us that those who were scattered went about preaching the Good News, (Acts 8:4). The deacon Philip (see Acts 6:5), makes his way to Samaria and begins to preach and perform all sorts of miracles. Remember, the Samaritans were regarded as mixed blood heretics who did not worship at Temple in Jerusalem, (Kurz, loc. 2829). Philip went there nonetheless, and many were converted. This was no fluke! Peter and John themselves go to Samaria to lay hands on the converts and pray that the Spirit be upon them. This image not only underscores apostolic authority in full support of legitimate evangelization efforts, but this also introduces the sacrament of confirmation. These things happen during a time of crisis and uncertainty and fear in the early church.
The message for all of us, I believe, is that we should be more willing than ever to share the light of our faith – to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our family and friends who have fallen away from the faith or those who have never known Jesus. Peter reminds us that one of the ways we can do that is by being ready to offer an explanation of our faith to anyone who asks about the Good News. What’s the Good News? That God sent Jesus to walk among us. That Jesus suffered and died for you and for me so that death would no longer have a hold over us.
The gates of heaven are open to all believers. We no longer have to fear, no matter what life throws at us. That is good news and it melts the darkness away! It’s a powerful message that so many people need to hear. Will this news be well received? No, I don’t think so. Peter warns us that we will be ridiculed for our beliefs. But even that’s okay. Peter says, “For it is better to suffer, for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.”
Yes, this can be a daunting task, but my brothers and sisters, we are not alone! God has sent the advocate to be with us always. The Spirit within us can be a source of incredible courage to have the tough conversations or even like Philip to go to places where others wouldn’t even consider. Who in your life is someone who is unusually afraid of this virus or a resurgence? Perhaps that is the person you should approach to share the peace and joy of Jesus you have on your heart. Sharing the light of Christ in your heart might disperse the darkness of their world.
Homework! Having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and in the Eucharist for those fortunate enough to go to mass or an Act of Spiritual Communion for those who still can’t get into mass, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.
- First, If you love me, you will keep my commandments. What commandments do I struggle to keep? How can I avoid temptations?
- Second, I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. When have I felt abandoned or lost? What has strengthened and comforted me?
- Third, In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. Where do I see God present and active in the world? How can I help others see God?
I think doing our homework will help us face the challenges of discipleship. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
Art for this post: CC BY-SA 4.0. A person walking through Satchari National Park, located in far eastern Bangladesh. Satchari means “seven streams.” From the jury: “the light is magic.” Photo by Abdul Momin.
References:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
2. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
3. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Titles of the Holy Spirit, 243, 388, 692, 729, 1433, 1848
2. Suffering for the sake of Christ, 520, 556, 1435, 1967
3. Promise of the Spirit, 729
4. Church as communion with Jesus, 788-89
5. Missionary call of the Church, 849-56
6. Invoking the Holy Spirit, 1083, 2670-72
7. Baptism and the Holy Spirit, 1226
8. Confirmation, 1285-1305
9. Exorcism, 1673
10. Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper, 2746-51
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051720.cfm
Lectionary: 55
Reading 1
ACTS 8:5-8, 14-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria
and proclaimed the Christ to them.
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip
when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people,
and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured.
There was great joy in that city.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,
they sent them Peter and John,
who went down and prayed for them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
for it had not yet fallen upon any of them;
they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid hands on them
and they received the Holy Spirit.
Responsorial
Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
1 Peter 3:15-18
Beloved:
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear,
so that, when you are maligned,
those who defame your good conduct in Christ
may themselves be put to shame.
For it is better to suffer for doing good,
if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
Alleluia
John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 14:15-21
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always,
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept,
because it neither sees nor knows him.
But you know him, because he remains with you,
and will be in you.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me, because I live and you will live.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father
and you are in me and I in you.
Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”