Memorial of Saint Athanasius,
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter)
Memorial of Saint Athanasius[1]
Readings for Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 18:9-18
We see in this story from St. Paul’s stay in Corinth the strong link that existed between the Jewish faith and Christianity in this early period of the development of the Church. The proconsul, Gallio, rejected the charges of the Jewish leadership against Paul saying that it was an internal affair of the Jewish religion. Christianity continues to flourish in spite of resistance, receiving help in this instance from Rome herself.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. God is king of all the earth.
Psalm 47 is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. This selection focuses on the omnipotence of God over all the earth.
Gospel John 16:20-23
Starting with the last verse from yesterday’s Gospel selection, in this passage we see the analogy used by Jesus comparing his death and resurrection to the initiation of new life through the human birth process. He uses this comparison to contrast the pain of child birth with the anguish of grief the disciples will suffer when he leaves them to return to the Father. He concludes by comforting them saying “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel we once again continue Jesus’ farewell address. The Lord is responding still to the disciples question about how long he will be away from them. Basically they are still frightened to a point were they are about to take flight and Jesus intensifies his assurance by describing what is about to happen as pain that will result in a rebirth, the covenant is about to be made new and like all change, it will be painful.
We can see this analogy as fitting into our own conversion experience. We develop norms of behavior in dealing with the world around us. As we grow in faith and understanding, we recognize that some of these behaviors are not appropriate and we know we should change what we do. The act of changing is difficult. It is so easy to allow the evil one to invite us to behave as the world behaves, not as our Savior has asked.
Examples of this kind of change at a pragmatic level might be quitting smoking or starting an exercise regimen. The first few days are the most difficult physically and psychologically. Our conversion experience is much the same, old ways die hard, old habits are hard to break. The Lord sees clearly what that his death is necessary and his resurrection will cause great pain as brother argues with brother and the faith of many is challenged.
The question we ask ourselves today is what are we willing to change, no matter how painful, that will allow us to follow the Lord more faithfully? What do we need to do to accomplish what he asks of us?
Pax
[1] The icon is “St. Athanasius” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter)
Memorial of Saint Athanasius[1]
Readings for Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 18:9-18
We see in this story from St. Paul’s stay in Corinth the strong link that existed between the Jewish faith and Christianity in this early period of the development of the Church. The proconsul, Gallio, rejected the charges of the Jewish leadership against Paul saying that it was an internal affair of the Jewish religion. Christianity continues to flourish in spite of resistance, receiving help in this instance from Rome herself.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. God is king of all the earth.
Psalm 47 is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. This selection focuses on the omnipotence of God over all the earth.
Gospel John 16:20-23
Starting with the last verse from yesterday’s Gospel selection, in this passage we see the analogy used by Jesus comparing his death and resurrection to the initiation of new life through the human birth process. He uses this comparison to contrast the pain of child birth with the anguish of grief the disciples will suffer when he leaves them to return to the Father. He concludes by comforting them saying “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel we once again continue Jesus’ farewell address. The Lord is responding still to the disciples question about how long he will be away from them. Basically they are still frightened to a point were they are about to take flight and Jesus intensifies his assurance by describing what is about to happen as pain that will result in a rebirth, the covenant is about to be made new and like all change, it will be painful.
We can see this analogy as fitting into our own conversion experience. We develop norms of behavior in dealing with the world around us. As we grow in faith and understanding, we recognize that some of these behaviors are not appropriate and we know we should change what we do. The act of changing is difficult. It is so easy to allow the evil one to invite us to behave as the world behaves, not as our Savior has asked.
Examples of this kind of change at a pragmatic level might be quitting smoking or starting an exercise regimen. The first few days are the most difficult physically and psychologically. Our conversion experience is much the same, old ways die hard, old habits are hard to break. The Lord sees clearly what that his death is necessary and his resurrection will cause great pain as brother argues with brother and the faith of many is challenged.
The question we ask ourselves today is what are we willing to change, no matter how painful, that will allow us to follow the Lord more faithfully? What do we need to do to accomplish what he asks of us?
Pax
[1] The icon is “St. Athanasius” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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