Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

“Resurrection”
by Luca Giordano after 1665

 
Begin the Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit
 
Readings for Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Acts 18:9-18
 
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
"Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
 
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
 
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
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Commentary on Acts 18:9-18
 
The setting of this selection is part of St. Paul’s stay in Corinth.  There is a strong link that existed between the Jewish faith and Christianity in this early period of the development of the Church. The proconsul, Gallio, a Roman, 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. This example demonstrates the role the Roman Empire, with its transportation system and laws designed to facilitate the incorporation of conquered territories into itself, played in the rapid spread of Christianity.
 
CCC: Acts 18:18 2102
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
 
R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
 
Psalm 47 is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. It acclaims God king in all the earth. This selection focuses on the omnipotence of God over all peoples and nations.
 
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Gospel: John 16:20-23
 
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."
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Commentary on Jn 16:20-23
 
In this passage there is an analogy used by Jesus. It compares the Lord's death and resurrection to the initiation of new life through the human birth process. Jesus uses this comparison to contrast the pain of childbirth 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.”
 
CCC: Jn 16:23-27 2615
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Reflection:
 
For those of us who have doubts about our faith at times, the passage proclaimed from St. John’s Gospel is a real comfort.  Jesus is continuing his farewell speech to the disciples. He undoubtedly sees how distressed they are becoming over his explanation that he will be leaving them.  In spite of the picture generally painted in St. John’s Gospel of the disciples understanding and accepting Jesus’ nature and role, in this instance, as he tells them he is leaving, they are clearly having some problems understanding just how he is going to be present to them in the resurrection.
 
He first explains that initially there will be the grief of parting as he leaves this world and goes back to the heavenly kingdom.  But this grief will be forgotten when he is reunited with them, first in his resurrection, and then in the Holy Spirit he will leave them as a guide.  He uses the analogy of giving birth to a child, and how the joy experienced in the life that results from the birthing process overshadows the pain the mother suffers.  He tells them that, at this time (this speech is part of his discourse at the Last Supper), they are afraid of what is to come, and, having understood that he will soon be leaving, they are in pain.  But there is rejoicing to come, and the pain they are feeling will be forgotten. (A father speaking to his child might say – “Don’t cry, I will be right back.”)
 
The passage concludes with a promise that “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."  The clear implication to the disciples is that even in the parting that will come; the Lord will still be present and active.  If this were not so, how could he make that promise?
 
The problem we face sometimes is that our attitudes are like the family pet that is left at home.  Once the door closes and their master is no longer visible, they start whimpering because they want to go too, or are concerned that their master will not return.  Jesus promises that we will be reunited with those who have gone before us in faith.  He pledges the Father’s love and the joy of the Heavenly Kingdom.  On that day, even our most persistent doubts will be put to rest as the Lord tells us: “On that day you will not question me about anything.”
 
In the intervening time, our instructions are ironically similar to those left with a child by their parents when they leave for a short time (and although it can be construed as a bit demeaning, to a pet as the master leaves) “Be good, I’ll be right back.”
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture used today is “Resurrection” by Luca Giordano after 1665.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible except for 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.