GOSPEL

May 29, 2017 (Monday) 7th Week of Easter Psalter: Week 3/(White) Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

1st Reading: Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus. There, he found some disciples, whom he asked, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered, “We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit.” Paul then asked, “What kind of baptism have you received?” And they answered, “The baptism of John.”

Paul then explained, “John’s baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one whowas to come, and that one is Jesus.” Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. There were about 12 of them in all.

Paul went into the synagogue; and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the kingdom of God.

Gospel: Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language! Now we see that you know all things, even before we question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus answered them, “You say that you believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

“I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world.”

Reflection:

Teachings are vague when you do not have the key to properly understand them. This is what the disciples before felt when it comes to Jesus’ teaching. Probably it is so because they still are at a loss in front of a teaching that is based in love. They have not yet honed their hearts to receive this new orientation. It was easy before to have a legalistic approach to faith. To know what is right and wrong and to act accordingly does seemed to be a neat way of evaluating one’s life before God. Not so with the new commandment to love. They have to make an effort to imbibe it.

And so this makes them outcast from a world that thinks differently. They will have trouble in the world. But Jesus assures them to take up courage. He unleashed a force that will never be silenced in this world. This force will always act independently for or against what the world espouses. This is the power of love. That is why Jesus overcome the world.