Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter

“The Deliverance of St. Paul and St. Barnabas”
by Claude-Guy Halle (1652-1736)

Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary:[3]
 
Reading 1: Acts 13:44-52
 
On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
"It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth."
 
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
 
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
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Commentary on Acts 13:44-52
 
This excerpt is part of Paul’s first missionary trip. His encounter with the Jewish community in Antioch continues.  He had finished his exhortation about Jesus the Messiah to the members of that community. We see the angry rejection by many of the Jews.  Once the Jews refuse to acknowledge Christ as Messiah, we are given Paul’s logical defense.  He then turns to the Gentiles of the region who embrace the faith with great fervor, upsetting the Pharisaic community who then force Paul to leave.
 
CCC: Acts 13:48 2640
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
 
R. (3cd) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
 
Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised for the strength he lends his people, and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. The psalm rejoices in God’s salvation. The Lord has revealed his compassion toward the people, and they sing his praises in response. The Hebrews saw this as salvation for the people of Israel from its enemies. Christians see the deeper expression of God’s love, as he sent his Son for salvation and justice for the whole world.
 
This is an excellent example of how Christians, heirs to the Judeo-Christian truth, can see clearly in these ancient texts the references to the Christ: “The Lord has made his salvation known.” It is this event about which we “sing joyfully to the Lord.”
 
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Gospel: John 14:7-14
 
Jesus said to his disciples:
"If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to Jesus,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
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Commentary on Jn 14:7-14
 
In this passage from St. John’s Gospel, part of the “Many Dwellings” discourse, we find Jesus still responding to St. Philip’s request that Jesus show them the Father. This request is a platform for Jesus to once again remind them that he (Jesus) and the Father are one, that they have seen him, and they have seen the Father. He concludes this passage with a clear statement about the power of faith in the Son of God, saying that whatever is asked for in his name will be granted. Note especially that Jesus says these prayers (requests) will be granted for the glory of the Father.
 
CCC: Jn 14:9-10 470; Jn 14:9 516; Jn 14:13-14 2614; Jn 14:13 2614, 2633, 2815
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Reflection:
 
Some days it is harder than others to hear God’s voice and respond. Some days we know that our message to others will not be heard or we, the messengers, will be ineffective in proclaiming it. There is probably a great prayer written somewhere for those of us who try to take God’s Good News out with us when we leave each day to go our various ways. Perhaps one of the best reminders around is one that used to hang inside a small church in rural Michigan over the main doors that read (as you exited): “Beware – you are now entering mission territory.”
 
Sts. Paul and Barnabas, in our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, clearly knew they were in that situation. They are back in Antioch, and St. Paul had just finished his first kerygmatic proclamation. While his speech was eloquent, the Jews, who were his first and principal audience, rejected what he said. So, he “took it to the streets,” as they say. He proclaimed the message to the Gentiles in this cosmopolitan trading city. To the Jews, this was a slap in the face, one of their own inviting non-believers to hear the word of God, which had been given to them, the chosen people. And worse still, from the perspective of the Jewish leadership, the Gentiles hear the truth and love it.
 
We see the result of St. Paul’s initiative. The Jewish community, very influential in Antioch, has Paul and Barnabas driven from the area. But too late; the seed has been planted and it will grow, “whatever you ask in my name, I will do.” We see those words at work with the spreading of the Good News.
 
When we get tired of the rejection of our Gospel, lived in our daily lives, when we grow weary thinking, we have failed, let us remember those words of the Lord and take heart: “whatever you ask in my name, I will do.” But a word of caution – the Lord’s time is not our time.
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture is “The Deliverance of St. Paul and St. Barnabas” by Claude-Guy Halle (1652-1736).
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] 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.