6th Week of Easter
1st Reading: 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.
Gospel: Jn 16:23b-28
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.”
THE HOUR IS COMING: At the wedding at Cana, Jesus told his mother, “My hour has not come yet” (Jn 2:4). However, in his conversation with the Samaritan woman, he said, “But the hour is coming – indeed is already here” (Jn 4:23). Again, in Jn 5:25, Jesus says, “In all truth I tell you, the hour is coming — indeed it is already here — when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God.” Later, when they wanted to arrest Jesus, John tells us that because his hour had not yet come no one laid a hand on him (Jn 7:30; Jn 8:20). Finally, the last supper scene opens with these words, “Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father” (Jn 13:1). Today’s gospel is still part of the final discourse of Jesus during the last supper. The hour is during His death and resurrection – the paschal mystery.
Prayer: Lord, may I appreciate that hour in which is my salvation.
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LOVE IS OUTGOING: Offering a helping hand, a word of advice, encouragement or correction is something natural to all human communities but it is in a special is in tune with spirit of Jesus. It simply means a spirit of concern and love for others and a source of grace to both the donor and recipient. This is a secret behind building genuine evangelical attitudes like St. Justin, the Martyr. Look at what Paul does to fellow believers; see what Priscilla and Aquila, and the brothers do to Apollos! The encouraging words strengthen Apollos who in turn offers great assistance to new believers. Our Lord Jesus assures His disciples of the unfailing love of His Father. He encourages them to ask anything in His name (provided they do it in faith) and no doubt it will be granted them. Jesus’ happiness and desire is to see His disciples fully alive in bringing salvation for themselves and for others.
DAILY GOSPEL 