Friday 12 May
Friday of the 5th week of Eastertide Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs Saint Pancras, Martyr First reading - Acts 15:22-31 The leaders of the community are trying to build bridges by sending the delegates. Delegates who are highly respected and who have dedicated their lives to the name of Lord Jesus Christ. This act of choosing respectful persons to build the bridge with the communities who are struggling with a difficult question is a great sign of communion. And these delegates were unanimously elected. Whenever we have troubles in our communities, we must try to build bridges with carefully chosen words and actions. Actions which come from a united heart. Not from a heart divided with different intentions, an integral heart, a heart devoid of selfish interests. Before a person in conflict, or in a disagreement situation, we must choose respectful words and actions which come from a united mind to build bridges with that person. Same is with the situation within communities or families or friends. Let’s reflect: Am I careful enough to choose respectful words and deeds from an integral heart to build bridges with others?
Thursday 11 May
Thursday of the 5th week of Eastertide First reading - Acts 15:7-21 “Remember, we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus”. Each one of us is saved by the grace of Lord Jesus. This is what unites us all. There is no distinction with the other because he and me are saved by the Grace of God. The attitude that we are special always creates a distinction of us from the others. This is not good. Because all are saved by the Grace of God. From the attitude of being special, come the attitude to impose on others the way you are. St. Peter says, “It would only provoke God’s anger” to impose burden on others so that others become like you. This is also something we do often. We want that others become like us or do things as we want. The Apostles are recognizing this as a burden to those who want to turn to God. We should help in all way possible those who want to come to God. Let’s reflect: Am I creating burden to those who want to turn to God?
Wednesday 10 May
Wednesday of the 5th week of Eastertide Saint John of Ávila, Priest, Doctor First reading - Acts 15:1-6 The disagreement came in the Early Church. But they are trying to resolve it by talking. And they are talking for a long time. But they couldn’t arrive at a conclusion. They are referring to the Mother Church of Jerusalem where the Apostles especially Peter is. They went to discuss the problem with the apostles and elders. First of all they recognised the problem, they tried to solve by themselves and then when they found out that they cannot resolve it by themselves they are turning towards the Apostles and elders. Here we see the qualities of assuming responsibilities and having humility to resort to Church in Jerusalem. We must learn from Paul and Barnabas to follow their example of recognizing problems, of assuming the responsibility to solve it and of the humility to ask for help to solve it when necessary. Let’s reflect: Do I have the courage to recognize the problem and do I have the humility to ask for help to resolve it?
Tuesday 9 May
Tuesday of the 5th week of Eastertide First reading - Acts 14:19-28 “They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town…. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith.” This is a beautiful passage which is very symbolic. Paul was stoned and was dragged outside the town, thinking he was dead. He got stoned because he was preaching the Gospel. Then we see this beautiful gesture. The disciples came crowding around Paul. This is an ecclesial gesture. Gathering around the stoned Paul worked a miracle. The stoned Paul got up and went back to the town. We see the challenges in preaching the Gospel. We see the strength of the gathering of the disciples around Paul. He goes back to the town where he was stoned. This is the life of a missionary. Even when one has difficulties he or she moves forward. Then he or she is down with problems or challenges, the whole community must gather around him or her to make him or her get up. And back again to the town to preach. Each one of us has a missionary role in this process. Let’s reflect: Am I doing my missionary part in the process of preaching the Gospel?