2022년 5월 23일 부활 제6주간 월요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
<주님께서는 바오로가 하는 말에 귀 기울이도록 그의 마음을 열어 주셨다.>
사도행전. 16,11-15
11 우리는 배를 타고 트로아스를 떠나 사모트라케로 직행하여
이튿날 네아폴리스로 갔다.
12 거기에서 또 필리피로 갔는데,
그곳은 마케도니아 지역에서 첫째가는 도시로 로마 식민시였다.
우리는 그 도시에서 며칠을 보냈는데,
13 안식일에는 유다인들의 기도처가 있다고 생각되는 성문 밖 강가로 나갔다.
그리고 거기에 앉아 그곳에 모여 있는 여자들에게 말씀을 전하였다.
14 티아티라 시 출신의 자색 옷감 장수로
이미 하느님을 섬기는 이였던 리디아라는 여자도 듣고 있었는데,
바오로가 하는 말에 귀 기울이도록 하느님께서 그의 마음을 열어 주셨다.
15 리디아는 온 집안과 함께 세례를 받고 나서,
“저를 주님의 신자로 여기시면
저의 집에 오셔서 지내십시오.” 하고 청하며 우리에게 강권하였다.
복음
<진리의 영이 나를 증언하실 것이다.>
요한. 15,26ㅡ16,4ㄱ
그때에 예수님께서 제자들에게 말씀하셨다.
26 “내가 아버지에게서 너희에게로 보낼 보호자,
곧 아버지에게서 나오시는 진리의 영이 오시면,
그분께서 나를 증언하실 것이다.
27 그리고 너희도 처음부터 나와 함께 있었으므로 나를 증언할 것이다.
16,1 내가 너희에게 이 말을 한 이유는 너희가 떨어져 나가지 않게 하려는 것이다.
2 사람들이 너희를 회당에서 내쫓을 것이다.
게다가 너희를 죽이는 자마다 하느님께 봉사한다고 생각할 때가 온다.
3 그들은 아버지도 나도 알지 못하기 때문에 그러한 짓을 할 것이다.
4 내가 너희에게 이 말을 한 이유는,
그들의 때가 오면 내가 너희에게 한 말을 기억하게 하려는 것이다.”
May 23, 2022
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
Reading 1
Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
Once again, the “random” assignment of a reflection has one of my favorite readings and just perfect for this time. The month of May for me focuses so much on women – devotion to Mary, Mothers’ Day, Nurses’ Day/Week, the anniversary of my mother’s death. All of these aspects always make me think more about the journey as a woman – the ups and downs, the challenges and the rewards, the disappointments and the triumphs.
I love reading about the women in the Bible and their unique roles in so many stories that would be the domain of men. Lydia’s story is a special one to me. Perhaps it is that she is dealer in purple cloth. My most favorite color is purple in any variation -- So her purple cloth and her uniqueness as a strong, independent woman always intrigued me. The first time I heard this reading I wondered what is the significance of being a dealer in purple cloth – why would that be mentioned? I did do a little research on this to try and understand the back story. Unfortunately, this is the only chapter where Lydia is mentioned in the Bible and the details about Lydia are few. We know that she is a worshipper of God yet as a citizen in a Roman colony that seems unusual – of course being a “businesswoman” with a sizable household is not usual either. Purple cloth was reserved for the most elite, so being a dyer and seller of purple cloth makes her quite special. Perhaps what captivated me the most about Lydia is the circumstance in which Paul found her and how her heart was open. In some of the passages preceding this reading, Paul is directed in several different ways and guided to this particular town. Clearly, destiny (AKA God’s plan) is to connect Lydia and Paul. He finds her with a group of women worshipping – God’s plan unfolds as He opens her heart to Paul’s teachings. No coincidence that all came to together or that she immediately seeks Baptism for herself and entire household. Her status and wealth put her in a unique position to support the Church in Philippe – she embraces that opportunity with her whole heart and soul.
When I was working with Ignatian Spirituality Project and retreats for homeless women in recovery, I loved referring to the lessons from the women in the bible including Lydia. The author (whose name is escaping me right now) spoke of how women supported each other at the foot of the cross and now support each other in the various crossroads of life. We walk the rutted roads together – cry together, laugh together, pray together. She said we bind ourselves together not as prisoners but rather as kindred climbers there to pull each other up, support, and encourage the ascent to better things.
Lydia provides a role model for us all (men and women) to keep our hearts open. So often that is my prayer – not for this or that material thing or even conclusions – rather prayers to keep my heart open. Open to hear the message – will it be in a reading? An interaction with a colleague or even a stranger? A sunrise or a rainbow? Or in responses from readers who send back such wonderful messages to my angst in reflections that my heart is renewed? God speaks in so many ways – I have yet to hear a burning bush, yet the whispers of hope and guidance are all around me – I just need to open my eyes and heart.
This is one of my most favorite uplifting songs – I can’t sit still or be quiet when I hear it. A friend of mine not knowing how much I loved it sent it to me last week to lift my spirits and, indeed, it did! While the words of the song are probably enough to make you smile, this video may provide even more joy!
Grace Got You (MercyMe)
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
LYDIA, THE GIFTED LADY
Lydia “reverenced God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.” —Acts 16:14
Lydia is a significant person in the New Testament. She was “a dealer in purple goods” (Acts 16:14), considered a luxury in the ancient world. Thus, she was both a woman of financial means and able to deal successfully with the influential. She also had a great gift of persuasion. She might be the only person in the New Testament who got the upper hand in dealing with St. Paul, when she prevailed on St. Paul to come to her home (Acts 16:15).
Lydia worshipped God and her heart was open to the preaching of the apostles (Acts 16:14). Additionally, she had the spiritual gift of being an “assistant” to Paul (1 Cor 12:28). Lydia also had the spiritual gift of leadership (Rm 12:8), as the “home church” in Philippi presumably met in her house (see Acts 16:40). Paul and Silas were thrown out of town after a very short stay in Philippi, perhaps no more than a few weeks or months. Yet the foundation started by the apostles flourished in the church which met at Lydia’s home. The foundation offered by Lydia’s firm faith and stable home led to the perseverance of the Philippian community. The letter to the Philippians is a testament to the importance of the church which met in Lydia’s home.
One person with a heart open to the Holy Spirit can make a lasting impact for the kingdom of God. Be a Lydia. Use everything in your life for the service of the Lord.
Prayer: Father, use me for Your Kingdom and use me up.
Promise: The Holy Spirit “will bear witness on My behalf. You must bear witness as well.” —Jn 15:26-27
Praise: Warren learned how to create Internet websites so he could reach people with the Gospel. His labor of love now reaches many thousands monthly with the Word of God.
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
Where do you find help and support when you most need it? True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). How does the Holy Spirit help us as the counselor? Counselor is a legal term for the person who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life.
Person and role of the Holy Spirit
As Jesus approaches the hour he was to be glorified - through his death on the cross and his resurrection - he revealed more fully to his disciples the person and role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who makes faith come alive in hearts and minds of people who are receptive to God's word.
The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally. He gives us experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit that the Father has indeed sent his only begotten Son into the world to redeem it and has raised his Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead and has seated him at his right hand in glory and power.
The Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit we become witnesses to the great work of God in Christ Jesus.
Spirit strengthens us in faith and courage
Jesus warned his disciples that they could expect persecution just as Jesus was opposed and treated with hostility. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when we meet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage and perseverance when you meet adversities and challenges?
O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 149:1-6a,9b
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
6a Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
9b This is glory for all his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The Comforter is with us in our troubles, by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.
"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20)
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