Friday, May 19, 2023

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:8-18; John 16:20-23)

The gospel today touches a sensitive nerve.  It promises that God will accede to every request made in Jesus’ name.  Yet from experience it seems that at least some of prayers go unanswered. How should this seeming contradiction be deciphered?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides some answers.  First, it says that we must pray to God as “our Father” who knows best what is good for us.  Then it offers the critique of the Letter of James that we often ask God for things with a divided heart.  That is, we ask for things which will be used for evil purposes.  Finally, the Catechism cites St. Augustine saying that the granting of our request may be delayed so that we may grow in trust as we continue to pray.

The answers that the Church provides are based on faith in a Creator who loves us.  His existence is not self-evident, at least to most people.  Yet we know, also from experience, that what St. Paul writes is true: “…all things work for good for those who love God….”

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20)

Although Christians comprise a small fraction of the Pakistani population, in numbers they are more than two million people.  Missionaries there in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries did not convert many Muslims or Hindus but found the animist peoples open to the word of God.  Evidently, all-encompassing religions like Islam have arguments to counter Christianity’s claims.  On the other hand, religions like animism without established theological traditions offer less resistance to Christian preaching.  This is likely the reason for Paul’s frustration when preaching Christ to Jews.

In Corinth, as in other population centers of the Mediterranean in Paul’s day, there is a synagogue.  Paul finds it the natural place to speak about Christ.  As a matter of fact, members of the synagogue in the town of Berea give Paul an ear, but those of the synagogue in Corinth as in Thessalonica are much less amenable.  Still Paul makes progress in Corinth perhaps because Aquila and Priscilla have already did some spade work for planting the seed of Christ.

Even though we are not willing to give up our Christian legacy for anything, we still might dialogue with people of other faiths.  Learning their traditions not only broadens our knowledge but will likely deepen our appreciation of Christianity. We believe that Christ died to save all people.  Deliberately refusing to share our knowledge of him by neglecting opportunities to dialogue would mean a loss on all sides.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 17:15.22-18:1; John 16:12-15)

Many Catholics are clamoring for changes in Church teaching regarding morals.  They believe that its doctrine on homosexuality especially needs to be updated.  It seems that they do now realize if the Church changes its teachings, it would not be Christ’s Church.  The permanency of Church teaching is indicated in today’s gospel reading.

Jesus is telling his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to “bear all truth.” He takes care in saying that the Spirit will not speak for itself but will declare only what the Father and the Son say.  He may develop what Jesus has already taught but will not add anything new.

In speaking of homosexuality we must be careful not to condemn those who have the condition.  In fact, we should feel compassion for their indisposition to have their own child naturally.  But this is no reason to undermine the truth that sexual intimacy is designed for procreation and support of a family.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

 Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 16:22-34; John 16:5-11)

In today’s gospel Jesus assures his disciples that the Holy Spirit will take his place.  This, he says, will be to their advantage.  Because physical presence limits him to one place at one time, he cannot be with everyone.  But the Spirit, who is everywhere at once, can be with the Church wherever it goes.  Reminding the disciples of Jesus, the Spirit will help them fulfill their responsibilities.

The Spirit acts as a lawyer who defends the Church by pointing out the shortcomings of its critics.  Today the Spirit convicts the world of individualism run awry.  People want privacy guarantees so that they can do whatever they wish without suffering loss of respect.  The Spirit further convicts the world of righteousness for ignoring the teachings of Jesus.  His emphasis on selfless love has been distorted into fulfilment of sexual desire at any cost.  Finally, the Spirit condemns the world for removing the strictures of sexual intercourse outside of marriage.  Casual sex ruins family bonds that are necessary for moral development and social cohesion.

“Has the Spirit itself likewise gone?” we may want to ask ourselves in this post-Christian age.  No, but it may be dormant if we do not pray for it and move with its promptings.  Within two weeks we will be celebrating the Holy Spirit.  Now is the time to offer ourselves to its control.

Monday, May 15, 2023

Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

(Acts 16:11-15; John 15:26-16:4a)

 The first reading begins with one of the famous “we” references in the Acts of the Apostles.  Biblical scholars cannot agree to whom the “we” refers.  Is it Paul and the writer of Acts, known as “Luke”?  Or perhaps “we” was found on a page in some apostle’s diary and included in the work by the author?  Or maybe it is a literary device meant to lend authenticity to the work?  Not as interesting, perhaps, but more important is the reference to Lydia.

Lydia is a Greek believer in Judaism.  She accepted Jewish thought but not Jewish eating habits.  She too is waiting for the Messiah when Paul tells her about Jesus.  She is convinced that Jesus is the one and invites Paul and whoever his companion is into her home, probably to learn about him.

We too have much to learn about Jesus.  We have the Scriptures and the testimonies of thousands of learned and faithful disciples.  Perhaps also we can learn from personal experiences with faithful and generous people such as Lydia.