June 2, 2003 - Monday, 7th Week of Easter

The Cross and the Disciple

Readings:
Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33

Introduction

As Christians baptized in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is part anyway of all human life. But to Christians it makes even more sense: it was Christ's way and the disciple can accept in peace and use it for the sake of bringing peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
when your Son Jesus had to pass through trials,
he knew that you were with him
and he committed himself into your hands.
In this way he brought peace to people.
As people baptized into his name,
let your Spirit help us to be brave
when suffering and difficulties come our way,
that, like your Son and with him,
we may overcome evil in ourselves
and in the world.
May our pains give birth
to love and peace and hope for others.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Scripture Readings

First 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 who was 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 twelve 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.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel Reading: Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus, "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."

Commentary

The disciples declared in one voice their awareness of Jesus' omniscience and from that confessed that he came from God. We can almost hear the pride in their choral announcement, "Now we realize and so we believe!" After all, they had gone through so much instruction from Jesus to come to this point in their journey of faith. But we hear a challenge in Jesus' response, "Do you believe now?" He rocked their self-assurance to lead them to fuller belief. Like a tidal wave, the hour of final testing was rushing upon them. The death of Jesus would imperil their own lives. They would scamper every which way to save themselves, leaving Jesus alone. Would they be able to realize that the hour of total abandonment is also the hour of glory?

General Intercessions

- That the Holy Spirit may breathe on us the fervor to live consistently our baptismal faith, we pray:

- That the Holy Spirit may give us the strength to carry with Jesus the crosses that come to us in life, we pray:

- That the Holy Spirit may warm up in us our cold hearts that at times don't know how to forgive and love, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
in this sacrifice we celebrate
how we have to pass through suffering
because it was the way of Jesus.
Make us aware
that this is also the way of the disciple,
as the test of our faith,
the probation of our hope
and the measure of our love.
Give us the Spirit of strength to bear difficulties
with peace and consolation in our hearts
on account of the joy you have promised
and the fruits they may bear for others,
as an offering to you through Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
you promise us what no eye has seen
and no ear has heard.
Give us the strength of the Spirit
to bear suffering in hope
and as a way to grow in the life of Christ.
May it bring others the courage
to hope in your promise
of a new heaven and a new earth
and to live in your friendship.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Blessing

When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, the world was changed, death and sin were defeated. But we have still to make this true today. Justice and love must still triumph in us today. Let the Spirit commit us to do this today, and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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