Daily Readings Reflection for 5/12/09

Reflection on the Daily Readings for 5/12/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Scripture: Tues of 5th week of Easter. Acts 14:19-28. Psalm
145:10-11.12-13.21. John 14:27-31. Lectionary # 286:
Paul is being dragged out of town for preaching about Jesus in the
synagogues in Iconium. He is stoned and left for dead; fortunately, his
friends surround him and he eventually gets up and leaves with them. His
words help them and us when we meet difficult times or when people are
opposed to us. It may not be as dramatic as what Paul has gone through,
but we feel pain and rejection. Paul tells us, "We must undergo many
trials if we are to enter the reign of God." (Acts 14: 23). Paul goes on
to preach the Gospel and return to Antioch with Barnabas. Their first
missionary journey comes to an end with their return to the city where the
followers of Jesus were first called "Christians." (Acts 11:26).

Jesus continues his discourse with his disciples reminding them that they
will have to endure many things for his sake but he promises to send them
the Holy Spirit. In this farewell address he tells them, "Peace is my
farewell to you; my peace is my gift to you; I do not give it to you as the
world gives peace." We know that true peace can only come from God and
Jesus. Wars have continued century after century and our planet is not a
peace in many parts of this globe. Our solutions to peace have produced
little results on a global perspective. We need to allow God to bring us
the peace that all of the world needs.

In our intercessory prayers we often hear prayers for peace and that is the
beginning of asking God to bring us peace. We know that on our part as
Christians we are called to observe Jesus' commandments of love and peace.
He has told us in another Gospel that "blessed are the peacemakers, they
shall be called children of God." Our requests are heard when our own
conduct is consonant with the commandments of Jesus and Moses and with the
beatitudes. Jesus has shown us that total self-giving assuring us by his
sufferings, death, and resurrection that we are assured and saved by his
love. We, in turn, need to respond in love by doing the righteous acts we
hear of in the Scriptures.

Our Psalm for this liturgy (Ps.145:21) is our prayer for this day: "May my
mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name
forever and ever. Amen."