Readings for Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
We jump ahead in the story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem. In this passage, Paul has been recognized as the one who is converting many outside Jerusalem to the “Way” and the Jews are furious. A riot has broken out in the Temple precincts (Paul takes a beating) and he is taken into custody by the Romans (probably saving his life).
The Centurion, learning that Paul is a citizen of Rome, allows him to speak to the Sanhedrin which is what we hear today. He has just recounted his conversion story to them and fueled an argument between the Sadducees and Pharisees over the concept to the resurrection which the Pharisees believe in and the Sadducees deny. A second time Paul is rescued from Jewish violence by the Romans and then hears from Jesus that he will be sent to Rome to bear witness there.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is an individual hymn of praise. This selection seems to resonate with the emotions St. Paul must feel as he undergoes physical and mental abuse in the story above. He remains faithful in the face of persecution and accepting as he is sent on yet another journey.
Gospel Jn 17:20-26
Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are linked with the disciples as Jesus says; “…but also for those who will believe in me through their word”. Again the theme of unity between the Father, and the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with “…that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
Reflection:
The scripture message is making a very pointed statement as we near the great celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost. In the first reading from Acts we hear how Paul, having returned to Jerusalem after his missionary work among the gentiles, is being attached by the Jews of the Sanhedrin (the same body that had Christ crucified and the same body he was serving when he encountered the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus).
We are told, after he is rescued (for a second time) by the Romans from violence at the hands of the Jews, the Lord once more speaks to him and tells him he must now take the Word into the center of the political world of the time – to Rome itself.
We couple this sending with the conclusion of the “High Priestly Prayer” in which the Lord links us to the disciples who themselves are about to take what the Lord is giving them and go into the world proclaiming the good news.
The message is consistent. We are not given some secret to be kept silently in our hearts. We are given the joyous news of salvation that we are to spread to every possible ear that can hear it. We know also that, while our news if joyous and for everyone, not everyone will be open to hearing it. St. Paul was certainly not given a warm reception (or perhaps I should say cordial – his reception by the Jews was, in the vernacular, quite warm). Today we are asked to envision ourselves sitting with St. Paul and hearing his instructions from the Risen Lord – go out and take my message to the world. By our words and actions, He calls us to do that today.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
We jump ahead in the story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem. In this passage, Paul has been recognized as the one who is converting many outside Jerusalem to the “Way” and the Jews are furious. A riot has broken out in the Temple precincts (Paul takes a beating) and he is taken into custody by the Romans (probably saving his life).
The Centurion, learning that Paul is a citizen of Rome, allows him to speak to the Sanhedrin which is what we hear today. He has just recounted his conversion story to them and fueled an argument between the Sadducees and Pharisees over the concept to the resurrection which the Pharisees believe in and the Sadducees deny. A second time Paul is rescued from Jewish violence by the Romans and then hears from Jesus that he will be sent to Rome to bear witness there.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Psalm 16 is an individual hymn of praise. This selection seems to resonate with the emotions St. Paul must feel as he undergoes physical and mental abuse in the story above. He remains faithful in the face of persecution and accepting as he is sent on yet another journey.
Gospel Jn 17:20-26
Here is the final part of the “High Priestly Prayer” from the Lord’s final discourse. In this selection we are linked with the disciples as Jesus says; “…but also for those who will believe in me through their word”. Again the theme of unity between the Father, and the Son, and his followers is emphasized and brought to a conclusion with “…that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”
Reflection:
The scripture message is making a very pointed statement as we near the great celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost. In the first reading from Acts we hear how Paul, having returned to Jerusalem after his missionary work among the gentiles, is being attached by the Jews of the Sanhedrin (the same body that had Christ crucified and the same body he was serving when he encountered the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus).
We are told, after he is rescued (for a second time) by the Romans from violence at the hands of the Jews, the Lord once more speaks to him and tells him he must now take the Word into the center of the political world of the time – to Rome itself.
We couple this sending with the conclusion of the “High Priestly Prayer” in which the Lord links us to the disciples who themselves are about to take what the Lord is giving them and go into the world proclaiming the good news.
The message is consistent. We are not given some secret to be kept silently in our hearts. We are given the joyous news of salvation that we are to spread to every possible ear that can hear it. We know also that, while our news if joyous and for everyone, not everyone will be open to hearing it. St. Paul was certainly not given a warm reception (or perhaps I should say cordial – his reception by the Jews was, in the vernacular, quite warm). Today we are asked to envision ourselves sitting with St. Paul and hearing his instructions from the Risen Lord – go out and take my message to the world. By our words and actions, He calls us to do that today.
Pax
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