May 15, 2021 Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
2021년 5월 15일 부활 제6주간 토요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
<아폴로는 성경을 바탕으로 예수님께서 메시아이심을 논증하였다.>
사도행전. 18,23-28
바오로는 안티오키아에서 23 얼마 동안 지낸 뒤 다시 길을 떠나,
갈라티아 지방과 프리기아를 차례로 거쳐 가면서
모든 제자들의 힘을 북돋아 주었다.
24 한편 아폴로라는 어떤 유다인이 에페소에 도착하였는데,
그는 알렉산드리아 출신으로 달변가이며 성경에 정통한 사람이었다.
25 이미 주님의 길을 배워 알고 있던 그는 예수님에 관한 일들을
열정을 가지고 이야기하며 정확히 가르쳤다.
그러나 요한의 세례만 알고 있었다.
26 그가 회당에서 담대히 설교하기 시작하였는데,
프리스킬라와 아퀼라가 그의 말을 듣고 데리고 가서
그에게 하느님의 길을 더 정확히 설명해 주었다.
27 그 뒤에 아폴로가 아카이아로 건너가고 싶어 하자,
형제들이 그를 격려하며,
그곳의 제자들에게 그를 영접해 달라는 편지를 써 보냈다.
아폴로는 그곳에 이르러,
하느님의 은총으로 이미 신자가 된 이들에게 큰 도움을 주었다.
28 그가 성경을 바탕으로 예수님께서 메시아이심을 논증하면서,
공공연히 그리고 확고히 유다인들을 논박하였기 때문이다.
복음
<아버지께서는 너희를 사랑하신다. 너희가 나를 사랑하고 또 믿었기 때문이다.>
요한. 16,23ㄴ-28
그때에 예수님께서 제자들에게 말씀하셨다.
23 “내가 진실로 진실로 너희에게 말한다.
너희가 내 이름으로 아버지께 청하는 것은
무엇이든지 그분께서 너희에게 주실 것이다.
24 지금까지 너희는 내 이름으로 아무것도 청하지 않았다.
청하여라. 받을 것이다.
그리하여 너희 기쁨이 충만해질 것이다.
25 나는 지금까지 너희에게 이런 것들을 비유로 이야기하였다.
그러나 더 이상 너희에게 비유로 이야기하지 않고
아버지에 관하여 드러내 놓고 너희에게 알려 줄 때가 온다.
26 그날에 너희는 내 이름으로 청할 것이다.
내가 너희를 위하여 아버지께 청하겠다는 말이 아니다.
27 바로 아버지께서 너희를 사랑하신다.
너희가 나를 사랑하고 또 내가 하느님에게서 나왔다는 것을 믿었기 때문이다.
28 나는 아버지에게서 나와 세상에 왔다가,
다시 세상을 떠나 아버지께 간다.”
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
Reading 1
Acts 18:23-28
After staying in Antioch some time,
Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence
through the Galatian country and Phrygia,
bringing strength to all the disciples.
A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.
He was an authority on the Scriptures.
He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although 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 wanted to cross to Achaia,
the brothers encouraged him
and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.
After his arrival he gave great assistance
to those who had come to believe through grace.
He vigorously refuted the Jews in public,
establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For God’s are the guardians of the earth;
he is supreme.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
“I have told you this in figures of speech.
The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures
but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
The readings during Easter season always challenge me to consider what it would be like to have lived at the time of the Apostles. As I read of the various activities of the early believers, I often wonder how I would be at that time. I’m sure I would doubt Saul (Paul) at first knowing of his persecution of early Christians. Sometimes I think that the early Christians had it easier to believe since they witnessed all these miracles and, for some, actually saw Jesus and walked with Him. Certainly, there could be no doubt that this “man” was the Son of God. Then, I do a reality check . . . imagine how this must have seemed – could this be what the prophets were predicting? Could this BE?
Oh, then there is the persecution, so probably not at all “easy” to be an early Christian. Imagine standing so firm in your convictions that you are willing to sacrifice everything for that. Imagine standing with your children and facing the perils of such persecution. While I am not well-read about the persecution that the Jews faced for thousands of years, my understanding as I read the bible is that this willingness to stand up for what you believe is not new for “the chosen people.”
For me, as I reflect upon all of this, the question that still arises is how would I have handled all of it – would I believe? Would I die for my belief? Would I share that belief with others even if it meant I would be in peril? All of this brings up yet another question: how do I handle it today? Am I willing to show my faith? Do I live my faith? There is no doubt that I believe I am a beloved child of God . . . do others have any inkling of that belief? Do I walk the talk?
It appears that every time I have a reflection to write (for which I am always grateful), I have more questions than answers. I am challenged to really exam who I am and how that is lived and conveyed to others. While I can not control what others think of me, I am in full control of the message(s) that I give. I usually have a cross displayed around my neck – even when not wearing a cross necklace, my wedding band has a cross on it. I am never without my symbol of my connection with Jesus. Yet, are my actions always congruent with my jewelry? If one followed me around for a day or two, would it be clear that I’m a Christian regardless of my jewelry?
I am of the vintage that I remember well the change in Church music following Vatican II. The music of the “folk masses” filled my heart. One of the earliest songs that I remember from this is They’ll know We are Christians by our Love and the lyric that we are one in the Spirit. So many of the songs in that era (many from the beloved St Louis Jesuits) proclaimed our beliefs in a way that demanded/encouraged actions consistent with our professions of faith. So, the question remains for me, will they know I am Christian???
So . . . two songs today (songs are my way to share my faith with you).
Vintage (yet pertinent today as ever – evidence the masks!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EBShVUTH0U
And new:
Whenever I hear the song below I think of St John the Baptist and all the early disciples and how they reached out to the world and continued the story that Jesus begun . . . .
Nobody by Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
Do you pray with confidence to your heavenly Father? Jesus often taught his disciples by way of illustration or parable. Here he speaks not in "figures" (the same word used for parables), but in plain speech. Jesus revealed to them the hidden treasure of the heavenly kingdom and he taught them how to pray to the Father in his name. Now Jesus opens his heart and speaks in the plainest of language: "The Father himself loves you!" How can the disciples be certain of this?
The Lord Jesus unites us with the Father through the love and power of the Holy Spirit
Paul the Apostle states that "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes it possible for his disciples to have a new relationship as sons and daughters of God the Father (Romans 8:14-17). No data-one would have dared to call God his or her Father before this! Because of what Jesus has done for us in offering his life for our redemption we now can boldly and confidently pray to God as our Father in heaven.
The presence and action of the Holy Spirit within us is living proof of this new relationship with the Father. Paul the Apostles says that "when we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).
We can boldly approach God as our Father and ask him for the things we need. In love he bids us to draw near to his throne of grace and mercy. Do you approach the Father with confidence in his love and with expectant faith in his promise to hear your prayers?
Heavenly Father, your love knows no bounds and your mercies are new every day. Fill me with gratitude for your countless blessings and draw me near to your throne of grace and mercy. Give me confidence and boldness to pray that your will be done data-on earth as it is in heaven.
Psalm 47:2-3,7-9
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
7 For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits data-on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Offer prayers in Christ's name, by Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444 A.D.
"He urges the disciples to seek for spiritual gifts and at the same time gives them confidence that, if they ask for them, they will not fail to obtain them. He adds the word Amen, that he might confirm their belief that if they ask the Father for anything they would receive it from him. He would act as their mediator and make known their request and, being data-one with the Father, grant it. For this is what he means by 'in my name'. For we cannot draw near to God the Father in any other way than through the Son. For it is by him that we have access in the data-one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:8). It was because of this that he said, 'I am the door. I am the way. No data-one comes to the Father but by me' (John 10:7; 14:6). For as the Son is God, he being data-one with the Father provides good things for his sanctified people and is found to be generous of his wealth to us... Let us then offer our prayers in Christ's name. For in this way, the Father will most readily consent to them and grant his graces to those who seek them, that receiving them we may rejoice." (excerpt from COMMENTARY data-on THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.2)
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
Do you pray with confidence to your heavenly Father? Jesus often taught his disciples by way of illustration or parable. Here he speaks not in "figures" (the same word used for parables), but in plain speech. Jesus revealed to them the hidden treasure of the heavenly kingdom and he taught them how to pray to the Father in his name. Now Jesus opens his heart and speaks in the plainest of language: "The Father himself loves you!" How can the disciples be certain of this?
The Lord Jesus unites us with the Father through the love and power of the Holy Spirit
Paul the Apostle states that "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes it possible for his disciples to have a new relationship as sons and daughters of God the Father (Romans 8:14-17). No data-one would have dared to call God his or her Father before this! Because of what Jesus has done for us in offering his life for our redemption we now can boldly and confidently pray to God as our Father in heaven.
The presence and action of the Holy Spirit within us is living proof of this new relationship with the Father. Paul the Apostles says that "when we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).
We can boldly approach God as our Father and ask him for the things we need. In love he bids us to draw near to his throne of grace and mercy. Do you approach the Father with confidence in his love and with expectant faith in his promise to hear your prayers?
Heavenly Father, your love knows no bounds and your mercies are new every day. Fill me with gratitude for your countless blessings and draw me near to your throne of grace and mercy. Give me confidence and boldness to pray that your will be done data-on earth as it is in heaven.
Psalm 47:2-3,7-9
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
7 For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits data-on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Offer prayers in Christ's name, by Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444 A.D.
"He urges the disciples to seek for spiritual gifts and at the same time gives them confidence that, if they ask for them, they will not fail to obtain them. He adds the word Amen, that he might confirm their belief that if they ask the Father for anything they would receive it from him. He would act as their mediator and make known their request and, being data-one with the Father, grant it. For this is what he means by 'in my name'. For we cannot draw near to God the Father in any other way than through the Son. For it is by him that we have access in the data-one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:8). It was because of this that he said, 'I am the door. I am the way. No data-one comes to the Father but by me' (John 10:7; 14:6). For as the Son is God, he being data-one with the Father provides good things for his sanctified people and is found to be generous of his wealth to us... Let us then offer our prayers in Christ's name. For in this way, the Father will most readily consent to them and grant his graces to those who seek them, that receiving them we may rejoice." (excerpt from COMMENTARY data-on THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.2)
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