Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter (and confusion on Saints[1])
Readings for Monday of the 5th Week of Easter
First Published: Monday, May 15, 2006
Saints alive
Reflection:
(Note: I spent so much time today trying to figure out which Saints Day it was that I ran out of time to reflect deeply. I leave that to you with a lot of extra reading (if you care to look up all three Saints competing for your attention today.))
Pentecost is still some time off and we continue to anticipate the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas continue to get into trouble. It must seem to them that they are snake bitten.
In Iconium the word they spread is understood and the religious leaders are plotting to have them stoned. So, the take off for Lystra and Derbe, this is clearly a hot bed of pagan worship. Here Paul, in an attempt to demonstrate the power of Jesus name, confuses the crowd with a miracle and they think he and Barnabas are gods (Zeus and Hermes). They just cant quite find the right mix of power and humility it would seem. We have to believe they were frustrated (to the point of tearing their cloths as the High Priest did when he realized he had crucified the Messiah).
In our Gospel, we see a much easier example to follow. Jesus is giving us a taste of faith without his physical presence. He tells us that the Holy Spirit that His Father will send when he returns to him will be our guide and remind us of all he told us.
There is the crystal clear message for today. We need to tap into that Holy Spirit. Pray for its guidance. Let us not be confusing to those we meet today, they should know, as is said in the Book of Joshua As for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord..
Pax
[1] The Ordo says St. Isidore but there are two Saints Isidore in the Index of Saints for today and no Isidore in the Divine Office volumes for May 15th. Here are the links for St. Isidore the Farmer and St. Isidore of Chios. Adding to the confusion, the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) site lists the Saint of the day to be Saint Caleb or Elesbaan of Ethiopia and that saint is not even listed for today in the Index. Click on either of the Saints names for links to their information.
Readings for Monday of the 5th Week of Easter
First Published: Monday, May 15, 2006
Saints alive
Reflection:
(Note: I spent so much time today trying to figure out which Saints Day it was that I ran out of time to reflect deeply. I leave that to you with a lot of extra reading (if you care to look up all three Saints competing for your attention today.))
Pentecost is still some time off and we continue to anticipate the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas continue to get into trouble. It must seem to them that they are snake bitten.
In Iconium the word they spread is understood and the religious leaders are plotting to have them stoned. So, the take off for Lystra and Derbe, this is clearly a hot bed of pagan worship. Here Paul, in an attempt to demonstrate the power of Jesus name, confuses the crowd with a miracle and they think he and Barnabas are gods (Zeus and Hermes). They just cant quite find the right mix of power and humility it would seem. We have to believe they were frustrated (to the point of tearing their cloths as the High Priest did when he realized he had crucified the Messiah).
In our Gospel, we see a much easier example to follow. Jesus is giving us a taste of faith without his physical presence. He tells us that the Holy Spirit that His Father will send when he returns to him will be our guide and remind us of all he told us.
There is the crystal clear message for today. We need to tap into that Holy Spirit. Pray for its guidance. Let us not be confusing to those we meet today, they should know, as is said in the Book of Joshua As for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord..
Pax
[1] The Ordo says St. Isidore but there are two Saints Isidore in the Index of Saints for today and no Isidore in the Divine Office volumes for May 15th. Here are the links for St. Isidore the Farmer and St. Isidore of Chios. Adding to the confusion, the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) site lists the Saint of the day to be Saint Caleb or Elesbaan of Ethiopia and that saint is not even listed for today in the Index. Click on either of the Saints names for links to their information.
posted by Deacon Jim | 3:01 AM
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