(Optional Memorial for Saint Damien de Veuster, Priest) [USA]
Alternate readings for the Memorial of St. Damien of Molaka’i may be taken from the Common of Pastors or the Common of Holy Men and Women.
Biographical information about St. Damien of Molaka’i
Or:
(Optional Memorial for Saint John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church)
Proper for the Memorial of St. John of Avila [1]
Biographical information about St. John of Avila
Biographical information about St. John of Avila
“Pentecost” by Jean II Restout, 1732 |
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
"If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home," and she prevailed on us.
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Commentary on Acts 16:11-15
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Gospel: John 15:26—16:4a
"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you."
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Commentary on Jn 15:26—16:4a
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Reflection:
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.
[1] Placed on the Roman Calendar on 25 January 2021
[2] The picture used is “Pentecost” by Jean II Restout, 1732.
[3] S.S. Commemoratio
[4] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
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