Fifth Week of Easter
30th April 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28
In those days: Jews came [to Lystra] from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 (R. see 12a)
R/. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glory of your reign.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and enter into his glory.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 14:27-31a
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Fifth Week of Easter
Guidelines: Truth Faith is not merely an intellectual subscription or a passing emotion. it is a profound relationship and an unflinching mission. To live it and share it is never a smooth sail. But, those who are full of faith never fail to be faithful
1. Once again, in the Acts of the Apostles, we see the multi-faceted mission of Paul and Co. He was stoned and thrown off, supposed to be dead. But he rose and continued his mission as if nothing happened. He would preach, strengthen the souls of the disciples, encourage them to continue in the faith and motivate them to suffer as a condition to enter the Kingdom. He would animate the communities through elders, and with prayer and fasting, would commend all the work to the grace of God.
2. Troubles always surrounded the apostles but they were never troubled. Fears and tensions always attacked them but they were never afraid or worried. They were thrown into violent and peaceless situations but they never lost their peace. They were abandoned and rejected but they never felt depressed about being abandoned.
3. The sole reason for their perseverance was their total trust in their master. He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. They confided in his words. He assured them, “I give to you my peace and not the peace of the world”. He distinguishes his peace from that of the world.
4. His peace is not the absence of troubles and fears. Rather, it is the strength, confidence, and courage even amidst adversities. His peace is not avoidance or evasion of afflictions and challenges. Rather it is confronting them valiantly and ardently in a spirit of surrender and loyalty.
Practice: The source of their strength and guidance is the Lord. They derive their power from the Lord’s love, from the Father’s sustenance, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. How and whence is our strength and guidance?
