Posted: 5/19/2011 5:41:42 AM EDT
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May 22, 2011
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Psalm: Psalms 33:1-2,4-5,18-19 R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R. Alleluia. Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R. Alleluia. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R. Alleluia. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R. Alleluia. Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9 4 Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; 5 and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame." 7 To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner," 8 and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Gospel: John 14:1-12 1 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Overview of the Gospel: * This Sunday’s reading takes place at the Last Supper (see John, chapters 13—17). Judas has just left the room; Jesus has predicted his upcoming death, and has revealed that Peter, the leader of their group, will deny him in his hour of need (John 13ff). The hearts of the apostles must have indeed been troubled. * Even though he himself is troubled (John 13:21) he speaks words of comfort to his friends. He tells them that, even though he will be leaving, it will be for their greater good (verses 1-4, 7, 12). The disciples, in their grief not being able to grasp his words, question him on how this can be. Jesus reveals that he himself is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” * Jesus is the Way (John 6:68, 10:9; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:17-22; Hebrews 10:19-22; CCC 459-460), the Truth (John 1:14, 17; CCC 2466), and the Life (John 1:1-5, 5:26, 29, 6:51, 68). * In the Book of Acts, which relates the early growth of the Church, the Christian life is also often called “the Way” (Acts 9:3, 19:9, 23, 22:4, 24:14, 22). Questions: * In the 1st Reading, we see that the Church had to adapt to changing circumstances without compromising the essence of the Faith. What does it tell us about Jesus’ promise to be with the Church always? * In the 2nd Reading, what distinction does St. Peter draw between those who have faith, and those who do not (verse 7)? * In the Gospel Reading, what comfort does Jesus offer his disciples? * Look at John 13:36; 14:6, 8, 22. What problems are the disciples struggling with? * How does John 1:18 relate to what Jesus says in 14:9? With what tone of voice do you imagine Jesus speaking in verses 9-14? What evidence does Jesus give for his claims? * Do you think the promises Jesus makes in verses 12-14 are “blank check” promises about prayer? In verse 12, does he mean the Church will do works greater in power? In scope? How could this be? * If Jesus is the Way, do you feel you’re on a bumpy dead-end street, or a four-lane highway? Why? * In light of verse 6, how would you respond to someone who says “there are many ways to God”? |
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* In the 1st Reading, we see that the Church had to adapt to changing circumstances
without compromising the essence of the Faith. What does it tell us about Jesus’ promise to be with the Church always? We see a conflict arising between two groups here. Yet, both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. The conflict between them leads to a restructuring of the community that will better serve the community's needs. The job of the twelve Apostles is the teaching of the word, its proclimation, "kerygma." They realize they need help, so we see the establishment of the second group of disciples, "the seven." St. Luke refers to them as "diakoni," but they are not deacons as we would know them today. It is clear that the seven have been given a public role in the community, a role which extends greatly beyond distribution of relief since Philip and Stephen preach and baptize as well. The inference here is that things were really taking off. Believers were coming to Christ in large numbers; the Twelve couldn't keep up. Overload status! They laid hands on the seven: the customary Jewish way of designating persons for a task and invoking upon them the divine blessing and power to perform it. It also is a very public act which shows subordination to the Twelve. From the very beginning, the role of the new seven was associated with service to the members of the church. They performed duties in collaboration with the Twelve Apostles. More specifically, the newly ordained seven in the early church concerned themselves with such tasks as: also preaching, baptising, giving instructions in the faith, and directed all the charitable work. Jesus promises us He will be there wherever two or more gather in His name. With the original Twelve Apostles, and now the seven being consecrated, we see the growth of the Church as well as a organization forming up. 
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Thank you, as always, BeNotAfraid for your thoughtful contribution his week!
* Do you think the promises Jesus makes in verses 12-14 are “blank check” promises about prayer? In verse 12, does he mean the Church will do works greater in power? In scope? How could this be? Sorry, folks, but God is not a cosmic vending machine, churning out our every desire. We have to remember that He knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves us more than anyone could ever love us and He knows what is best for us. So sometimes the answer is going to be "No." Keep praying, however, because in doing so, along with regular participation in the sacraments and reading of scripture, you will come to know what to pray for and the answer more and more will be "Yes". Jesus says "he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do". How can we mere creatures do the works that Jesus did? Simply by being baptized into and dwelling in Him. Once again, we must surround ourselves with Him, so that we can continue His work on Earth. He was only here for 33 short years, and only 3 in public ministry. But think about what we can do if we harness His grace and function together as One Body with billions of parts! If the Church does works greater in power it only because of His power in us - the sum being greater than the parts. We are His hands, we are His voice, we do HIS WORK! He has given us the precious gift of life, now all we have to do it give it back. |