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| “St. Athanasius” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN. |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Acts 16:11-15
Commentary on Acts 16:11-15
This passage recounts how St. Paul and his companions leave for Philippi in Macedonia. We hear of the conversion of Lydia and her family. It is not clear if Lydia is part of the Jewish Community of that region or, like the eunuch converted by Philip (Acts 8:26-40), a “God-fearer” who embraced the concept of monotheism. It appears that she gives St. Paul a base from which the rest of the community can be evangelized.
CCC: Acts 16:15 1226, 1252
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Psalm 149 is a communal song of praise, rejoicing in God’s kingship and inviting the faithful to celebrate his saving works. We rejoice because God brings victory to the lowly and hope to the oppressed. The psalmist calls to the faithful to give praise in the assembly of the people – to give witness to their faith publicly – communally, as God’s chosen ones.
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Gospel: John 15:26—16:4a
Commentary on Jn 15:26—16:4a
Jesus continues the theme of the strength to be given in the “Advocate,” the “Spirit of truth,” the Holy Spirit (see commentary on John 14:15-21). In this instance, he predicts to his friends that, once they begin to spread the Good News he gives them, they will face serious condemnation from their own faith community.
Jesus tells them they will be martyred by people who believe they are doing God’s will. Their attackers do this because they do not know Jesus, or understand that the Father is in him and he is in the Father, and he is in his disciples, so his disciples are also in the Father. This foreknowledge is intended to strengthen them when their hour comes. (“I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”)
CCC: Jn 15:26 244, 248, 263, 692, 719, 729, 1433, 2671
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Reflection:
With only two more weeks to go before Pentecost, we are already looking forward to our celebration of the great gift of the New Advocate. Holy Scripture reminds us of that impending event, and gives us more information about what it can do for us, if we are open to its guidance. We also get a pretty clear idea that, to our logical minds, following the guidance of that Holy Spirit might not be the safest thing to do.
Jesus tells his disciples that when they start spreading the Lord’s story of God’s salvation to the Jewish people, the Jews will not accept that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Law and Prophets. They will reject the disciples, expel them from the Synagogues, and kill them. St. John tells this story as the only Apostle not martyred, but sent into exile. All of this probably would not have come to pass if the Lord had not left them the Holy Spirit to strengthen them. (Remember how they cowered in the locked room following Jesus’ passion and execution?)
In the reading from the Acts of Apostles, we see the Holy Spirit acting again as Lydia hears St. Paul’s words. We note that their fame (infamy) must have preceded them, since they are not speaking in synagogues. Lydia hears the Word and confesses her faith, being baptized with her whole household, and invites St. Paul and his companions to use her house while they are in Philippi . We know the result of that visit, as we later see St. Paul craft a letter to the church he establishes there.
We are reminded by these events that, as we leave our doors today, we enter Mission Territory, and are called to be a voice for the Lord in that sometimes hostile land. We pray once more for the strength we were given in the Holy Spirit, who will be our advocate and guide today.
Pax
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