Readings for Friday of the Second Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 5:34-42
Today we conclude the Apostles’ second confrontation of the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel (probably St. Paul’s mentor Acts 22:3), dissuades them from killing the Apostles to let them off with scourging (probably also at the hands of the same men who scourged the Lord).
Gamaliel was indeed wise, recognizing that, even before it formally existed, the blood of martyrs is seed for new members of the Church. Indeed, even persecution has a positive effect on the faith and fervor of the Apostles (“So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”)
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
The selection from Psalm 27 presents as an individual lament. David here longs for the Lord’s protection and the gift of life which flows from his salvation.
Gospel John 6:1-15
The Gospel from St. John today is the fourth sign from his Gospel, the multiplication of the loaves. It is the only miracle story carried in all four Gospels and closely follows the synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) in most details.
Placed in Eastertide the Eucharistic symbolism is most striking. More subtle is the reference to feeding the poor. Barley loaves were traditionally the fare of the poor. It is also interesting to note that in the Jerusalem translation the Lord “escaped” into the hills at the end of the story, implying the people were immediately aware of the great sign he had facilitated.
Reflection:
As we listen to the exploits of the Apostles in this second week of Easter, we have been given highlights of the Lord’s ministry from John’s Gospel, almost like flashbacks in the great sagas. From Monday through Thursday we were reminded of Jesus great discourse with Nicodemus. The Lord told him that only through spiritual rebirth in Baptism could one hope to achieve eternal life and it was only through Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, that this could occur. Those words unfolded as the Apostles battled with the same Sanhedrin that would, later in his ministry, put the Lord to death.
Today, as if to punctuate the saving works Jesus did in his time on earth, just as the disciples are freed to pursue their great mission of spreading the Good News, John paints for us the fourth great sign as Jesus feeds the multitude. The duel symbolism of these two events is not lost on us. The mission, our mission has been raised up along with Jesus.
The Apostles have only one ingredient left to be added so while we wait for Pentecost we are told it’s time to start stretching our wings a little. Let’s, together, figure out something we can do in the time between now and Pentecost that will satisfy our call to bring others to the Bread of Life.
We can start by figuring out, in the light of our own call, what opportunities there are for us. If we are new to the faith, how about a pledge to find a way to participate more actively in the life of our faith community, perhaps by volunteering as part of one of the outreach ministries or even as a lector or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. (Oh, and even if we are not a neophyte, these same activities are options.)
If we have a charism that allows us to evangelize, pick a target and see if by Pentecost progress can be made. Perhaps it is a group at work (if there is no group, make one) or and individual who has fallen away. The Lord has gone through death to life for our sake, what can we do to follow his example?
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 5:34-42
Today we conclude the Apostles’ second confrontation of the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel (probably St. Paul’s mentor Acts 22:3), dissuades them from killing the Apostles to let them off with scourging (probably also at the hands of the same men who scourged the Lord).
Gamaliel was indeed wise, recognizing that, even before it formally existed, the blood of martyrs is seed for new members of the Church. Indeed, even persecution has a positive effect on the faith and fervor of the Apostles (“So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”)
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
The selection from Psalm 27 presents as an individual lament. David here longs for the Lord’s protection and the gift of life which flows from his salvation.
Gospel John 6:1-15
The Gospel from St. John today is the fourth sign from his Gospel, the multiplication of the loaves. It is the only miracle story carried in all four Gospels and closely follows the synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) in most details.
Placed in Eastertide the Eucharistic symbolism is most striking. More subtle is the reference to feeding the poor. Barley loaves were traditionally the fare of the poor. It is also interesting to note that in the Jerusalem translation the Lord “escaped” into the hills at the end of the story, implying the people were immediately aware of the great sign he had facilitated.
Reflection:
As we listen to the exploits of the Apostles in this second week of Easter, we have been given highlights of the Lord’s ministry from John’s Gospel, almost like flashbacks in the great sagas. From Monday through Thursday we were reminded of Jesus great discourse with Nicodemus. The Lord told him that only through spiritual rebirth in Baptism could one hope to achieve eternal life and it was only through Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, that this could occur. Those words unfolded as the Apostles battled with the same Sanhedrin that would, later in his ministry, put the Lord to death.
Today, as if to punctuate the saving works Jesus did in his time on earth, just as the disciples are freed to pursue their great mission of spreading the Good News, John paints for us the fourth great sign as Jesus feeds the multitude. The duel symbolism of these two events is not lost on us. The mission, our mission has been raised up along with Jesus.
The Apostles have only one ingredient left to be added so while we wait for Pentecost we are told it’s time to start stretching our wings a little. Let’s, together, figure out something we can do in the time between now and Pentecost that will satisfy our call to bring others to the Bread of Life.
We can start by figuring out, in the light of our own call, what opportunities there are for us. If we are new to the faith, how about a pledge to find a way to participate more actively in the life of our faith community, perhaps by volunteering as part of one of the outreach ministries or even as a lector or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. (Oh, and even if we are not a neophyte, these same activities are options.)
If we have a charism that allows us to evangelize, pick a target and see if by Pentecost progress can be made. Perhaps it is a group at work (if there is no group, make one) or and individual who has fallen away. The Lord has gone through death to life for our sake, what can we do to follow his example?
Pax
Please Pray for Esther (and the family Ybarra)
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes” by Lambert Lombard, 1566
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes” by Lambert Lombard, 1566
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