Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 16:11-15;
John 15:26-16:4a)
In today’s
first reading Paul testifies to the risen Lord before the women at the river
outside Philippi. He probably relates his story of encountering Jesus while
persecuting his followers. Whatever he
says, he moves the businesswomen Lydia to accept faith in Christ. In this way
Paul has become the instrument of the Holy Spirit promised in the gospel.
There Jesus
indicates that testifying to him will incur hardship. He makes the ironic point that people will
think they are doing good when they are really oppressing the truth. Although he does not excuse the oppressors,
he does indicate that they act out of ignorance. More precisely, he says, “’…they have not
known either the Father or me.’”
People come
to know the Father and Jesus through us.
Like Paul we are to be instruments of the Spirit. We are to bring to
others the truth of Christ. For most of
us this does not mean preparing lessons from the Catechism. Rather it entails acts of charity like
visiting the sick and consoling the distressed.
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