(Optional Memorial for Saint Pius V, Pope and Religious)
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| “Disputation over the Trinity” by Andrea del Sarto, 1517 |
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Reading 1: Acts 14:5-18
Commentary on Acts 14:5-18
“In an effort to convince his hearers that the divine power works through his word, Paul cures the cripple. However, the pagan tradition of the occasional appearance of gods among human beings leads the people astray in interpreting the miracle. The incident reveals the cultural difficulties with which the church had to cope. Note the similarity of the miracle worked here by Paul to the one performed by Peter in Acts 3:2-10.”[4]
The response by Paul and Barnabas at being hailed as gods demonstrates their Christian character as well as providing an example of Christ-like humility. When the amazed pagan crowds think they are gods, they first “tore their garments.” This act, in biblical times, was significant. It meant that the Apostles felt grief coupled with indignation at the action (see also Genesis 37:29; 1 Samuel 4:11-12; 2 Chronicles 34:26-27; Matthew 26:62-65). They immediately launch into a corrective dialogue that, while forestalling the worst affront to God, at least prevents the pagans from outright worship.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
R. (1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
In this hymn of praise, we are again reminded of the difference between God and idols as the song contrasts idolatry (“Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men”) with the Lord (“Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does”).
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Gospel: John 14:21-26
Commentary on Jn 14:21-26
This dialogue between the Lord and his disciples takes place immediately following the first time he promised to send the Holy Spirit (the new advocate – the Paraclete). He now reinforces that promise with a summation of his great commandment, and then completes our understanding of the Holy Trinity with: “The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” The Father and the Son are one, and in the name of the Son, the Holy Spirit now remains with us.
CCC: Jn 14:22 647; Jn 14:23-26 2615; Jn 14:23 260; Jn 14:26 243, 244, 263, 692, 729, 1099, 2466, 2623
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Reflection:
Pentecost is still three weeks away and we are introduced to the new advocate. Our focus in this Easter season is still on Christ Risen, but since the Holy Trinity cannot be divided we are reminded of the Holy Spirit's presence today. The Holy Spirit was the gift he left us. The Holy Spirit is the one we depend upon day by day to help us move toward the great ideal he provided.
Reflection:
Pentecost is still three weeks away and we are introduced to the new advocate. Our focus in this Easter season is still on Christ Risen, but since the Holy Trinity cannot be divided we are reminded of the Holy Spirit's presence today. The Holy Spirit was the gift he left us. The Holy Spirit is the one we depend upon day by day to help us move toward the great ideal he provided.
We are told in scripture of Paul and Barnabas using the Holy Spirit (the very Spirit Jesus refers to in John’s Gospel) to heal. The pagans think they are emissaries of Zeus or Hermes who, according to their tradition, had once visited the area and performed wonders for those who gave them hospitality. [5] The Apostles immediately react to being thought of as “gods” by rending their garments – an act of grief or great distress.
Notice that the lame man they cured was studied by Paul, and seen as having faith to be cured. There is clear linkage in this understanding that, in order for the Holy Spirit to have its efficacious presence felt, there needs to be an openness to God’s will. We see this same effect when Jesus visits Nazareth in Mark 6:4-6: “…So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.”
There are times when we wonder why God does not simply cure people who are afflicted by illness and disease. We see in these passages that, while the Holy Spirit is willing and active, a free gift given in Baptism and sealed in Confirmation, there needs to be a deep and abiding faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to allow for its full force to be witnessed. In those with even greater faith, visible marks of that faith may occur (e.g. the stigmata of Padre Pio).
As we hear once more the promise of the gift from Christ and see it active in the Acts of the Apostles, we pray that the strength of faith evidenced by the lame man at Lystra might be ours as well.
Pax
[1] The picture is “Disputation over the Trinity” by Andrea del Sarto, 1517
[4] See NAB footnote on Acts 14:5-18
[5] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 808
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