Readings for Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 18:1-8
This passage contains the threads from several different stories converging in Corinth. First, Aquila and Priscilla were probably already Christians since their home, according to 1 Cor 16:19 became a meeting place for the local community. They were probably expelled from Rome because of in-fighting among the Jews about the identity of the Messiah.
It is clear from this account that the Church in Corinth was not established without significant resistance from the local Jewish community. Paul clearly went after that group, and was successful, to form his nucleus of membership among the Corinthians.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
We use Psalm 98 once more. As we said about this selection on Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter: “Psalm 98 (much like Ps. 96) is a song of thanksgiving for God’s salvation. Once again, as the Hebrews saw this as salvation for the people of Israel from its enemies, we see the deeper expression of God’s love as he sent his Son for salvation and justice for the whole world.”
Gospel Jn 16:16-20
In spite of Jesus’ repeated attempts, the disciples are still uncertain about his departure and how long he will be gone. Since they have already heard what the prophets had predicted about the length of time he would be in the tomb and had heard the Lord himself give the number of three days, they are concerned here about when he will return to them after the resurrection. The Lord, in characteristic form does not give them a specific time frame but instead paints a picture of the events surrounding his return.
Homily:
We reflected yesterday about the difficulty we have in announcing the truth to an unbelieving and resistant world. Today we are given further proof that, from the very earliest of times, understanding how the Son of God should die (be allowed to die!) causes problems in understanding.
After telling the disciples that he will be leaving and coming back they are confused (in St. John’s Gospel no less, where the disciples are generally depicted as quick to understand and much more devout than in the other Gospels). Like little children whose parents are going away, they ask “but how long will you be gone?”
While the disciples had Jesus with them, they were fine. When he told them he was going away they became fearful, afraid of their own loss. We, who have not had the “Man” Jesus walk among us but believe he has returned and will come again do not feel the physical loss the way the disciples did. We have a great advantage. It’s sort of like direct deposit or an automatic payroll withdrawal. Since we did not see his physical presence in the first place we do not really miss it. We know we can always reach out and touch him, in the Eucharist we are given his body and blood and in the other sacraments we receive his grace. What a great reassurance that is for us, to be able to tap into that source of life whenever we want to!
The Church in some parts of the world celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension today. The day the Lord returned to the Father to take his place at his right hand. We know that he did not leave us alone we know that he left his spirit here with us to guide us and to bring us his peace. Today we take a large breath and sigh in relief, the Lord did not leave us alone and we will see him again, on the last day.
Pax
[1] After Links Expire
[2] The image presented today is “Resurrection of Christ” by Giovanni Bellini, 1475-79
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