Sixth Week of Easter
11th May 2024 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 18:23-28
After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 (R.8a)
R/. God is king of all the earth.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/.I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 16:23b-28
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – Sixth Week of Easter
Guidelines: Loving God is not only a matter of emotion but a strong relation that leads to the mission of dedication
1. Every follower of Christ is bound to follow the Lord and lead others also. All together, we must animate and rejuvenate the community of faith. For this, the right persons should be selected, the right criteria must be evolved and followed, and the right preparation and orientation must be given.
2. This is what Jesus did and all his followers as well. They were holy, wise, and benevolent leaders. But they also selected and formed men and women of great quality to play different roles in the church.
3. Whether it was in the choosing of the twelve apostles or Matthias or the seven deacons or Paul or later on believers like Aquila and Priscila, it was always a God-directed discernment.
4. In today’s Acts episode, we have the mention of another great believer by the name of Apollos. What is very striking is the number of details given about him. All these details show how divine and high were their choices and appointments, and how qualitative were those selected. These also can be the conditions and criteria for any choices and appointments in the church.
5. Apollos was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He was instructed in the ways of the Lord. He was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus. He testified boldly in the synagogue. He powerfully refuted the Jews in public. He also greatly helped those who believed. Further, he was also open to correction by Aquila and Priscila to speak more accurately.
6. Another noteworthy point is the tremendous fraternal spirit that animated the individuals and communities. Paul and the other apostles were strengthening all the disciples. Aquila and Priscila take Apollos aside and explain to him more accurately.
7. And the brothers in the community encouraged Apollos and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. There were no power struggles or ego wars. There were no forces of domination or manipulation.
8. All these kinds of spirit were possible because they loved God. In fact, it was all a beautiful Trinitarian life and mission. The Father loves the Son; the Son loves the Father; the Son sends the Holy Spirit.
9. The Holy Spirit comes the Father, accomplishes the Father’s will, and bears witness to the Son. All the Three love the disciples and abide with them. The disciples too love the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and bear witness to them.
Practice: All the qualities mentioned about Apollos can be the testing grounds for the leaders and followers of Christ today. Certainly many will fail in these criteria. It is because there is no sufficient communion and commitment toward the Trinitarian God
