Daily Readings Reflection for 5/16/09

Reflection on the Daily Readings for 5/16/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Scripture: 5th week of Easter, Sat. Acts of Apostles 16:1-10. Psalm
100:1-2.3.5. John 15:18-21. Lectionary # 290.
Paul is now in the most active phase of his missionary and
evangelical ministry. He is not alone as other disciples begin to be
followers with him. Together they move quickly on their missionary journey
through new territories while always following the promptings of the Holy
Spirit. They sense when they are not to enter enter specific areas and
will leave that venture to others. Timothy now joins Paul and contrary to
what was said about newcomers into the faith, Paul has Timothy circumcised.
Probably, due to the fact that Timothy's mother was Jewish and pastorally
it was prudent to avoid too much conflict with the Jewish Christians at
this stage of the ministry. All of a sudden, the reader of Acts notices
that Luke inserts a beginning of "we" passages which may indicate that Luke
now is following Paul on the journey and then recording this later. There
is not much information about Luke but it is worhwhile reading Colossians
4:10-14. This whole band of apostles continue to be sensitive to the Holy
Spirit and the results are that the churches continue to increase in
number.

The Johannine reading is part of Jesus' farewell address to the
intimate circle of his friends, the apostles. Jesus is teaching them and us
"to be and to live in the world but not to be of the world." The "world"
here means the hostile opposition given to Jesus and the lack of belief in
him despite the works that he did. The apostles will suffer the same
opposition after he dies. We as Christians will be called to follow this
command of the Lord by reading the signs of the times, giving conistent
resistance to those who oppose the principles of the Gospel, and learning
when to be counter-cultural to the trends and greedy actions of the
"world." This demands watchfulness on our part, constant prayers,
discernment, and listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. These
acts are part of the preparation we have for the coming of the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost. Amen.