READINGS for 2006-05-22
OUR GIFT ??Come, stay at my home.? ? Acts 16:15 One of the Lord?s grandest gifts to us is our new house, which we recently purchased at an unbelievable price, at amazing terms. For almost three years previously, we had been renting an apartment. We loved it, but of course, we have been dreaming of a house we could call our own. We had been saving, painstakingly for the down payment. It would take years, we thought. REFLECTION: We stand amazed at your goodness, Lord. Teach us to be as giving and loving. Amen. |
1st READING Acts 16:11-15 When trying to evangelize someone, it is stating the obvious that we need to find people willing to listen to us share the Gospel with them. The choice of the hearer to listen is a sign to us that the Holy Spirit is already at work in the person?s life disposing them towards the Gospel. It is important that when this is the case that we take the opportunity and run with it! If someone is not willing to listen then maybe it is not their time yet. However, if someone is listening perhaps this is the day that will change their life forever. 11 We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. 13 On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. 14 One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, ?If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,? and she prevailed on us. P S A L M Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 9 R: The Lord takes delight in his people. 1 Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R) G O S P E L John 15:26-16:4 Here is one of the classical biblical descriptions of the role of the Holy Spirit. We should not underestimate the role that the Spirit can play in our lives. Jesus tells us that He will reveal the truth to us. However, we must be willing to submit ourselves to this truth if we want it to have the full effect in our lives that it should. This does not mean that we suspend our freewill or our minds ? only that we use them for the purpose that they were originally given, that is to rejoice in the truth and to choose it over evil. 26 ?When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. 27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.? 16: 1 ?I have told you this so that you may not fall away. 2 They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. 3 They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. 4 I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you. ?I did not tell you this from the beginning, because I was with you.? my reflections _________________________________________________________ God?s special verse/thought for me today________________ _________________________________________________________ Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________ _______________________________________________________ READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 9-16 |
BEYOND STUMBLING Jesus promises the Spirit will descend upon the disciples and be with them in times of trouble. It is interesting when we take note of the reason why he gave this promise. He said: ?I tell you these things so as to keep you from stumbling.? He also told them that the Spirit is not just an Advocate. He is also the Spirit of truth. REFLECTION QUESTION: What area of your life do you feel a pressure to give in to weakness or sin? Invite the Spirit to move in that place. Lord , there are moments of weakness and moments when it is very hard to live as a Christian; sometimes my response to these moments can be embarrassing if not downright sinful. So I ask you to send Your Spirit so that in my weakness and in my stumbling, I could call on Him who is the strength that lifts me up. Amen. St. Rita of Cascia, widow, pray for us. |
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