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2010년 5월 17일 부활 제7주간 월요일
제1독서 사도행전의 말씀입니다.19,1-8
복음 요한이 전한 거룩한 복음입니다. 16,29-33
http://www.usccb.org/nab/
May 17, 2010 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire. R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD. R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. or: R. Alleluia. The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
staying brave
http://www.franciscanretreats.net/
In today’s Gospel the disciples tell Jesus they finally understand what he is all about and believe that he came from God. This Gospel takes place before the Passion and Death of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus asks them if they are sure they believe, for soon the time will come when they will scatter in fear when the authorities take Jesus to crucify him. And we know from the Gospels that this is exactly what happened. Then Jesus tells them that the Holy Spirit will come to them and reunite them and, amidst all their troubles, they will find peace. It is amazing the change that came upon the disciples. They went from wimps to giants in no time at the time of Pentecost. Sometimes we, too, become afraid of this or that. I guess this is rather normal for all of us as human beings. But we need not let any of these fears weigh us down or get the better of us. All we need do is bring them to Jesus. While we are weak, he is strong and able to carry our burdens or give us the strength to do so. When we make the decision to turn our will and lives over to Jesus that includes our fears, doubts and confusion too. Jesus is only too willing to take them from us.
http://www.evangeli.net/gospel/gospel.html Courage! I have overcome the world
Today, we may have the feeling that the world of faith in Christ is weakening. Many are symptoms against the fortitude and courage we would like to receive from a life integrally based on the Gospel. Consumerism, capitalism, sensualism and materialism values are very much in fashion and against any representation that may be in tune with the evangelical demands. Nevertheless, this combination of values and life ways do not provide either our own personal plenitude or our peace; in fact, it rather brings an intimate feeling of discomfort and uneasiness. Could not it be because of this circumstance that, today, we see lots of people in public sulking, lost in though and worrying about a rather obscure future, most probably because they have pledged it against the cost of a car, a flat or some holidays they simply cannot afford?
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html As I read the readings for today, the overarching sense to me was one of comfort. From St. Paul’s baptisms in the name of the Lord Jesus to Jesus himself assuring the disciplines to be courageous, we find solace and a caring presence. The first reading finds Paul in his travels discussing if they (the Ephesians) received the Holy Spirit. Imagine his surprise when they replied they had never even heard of it. Paul helped them to see the difference between a baptism of repentance and one of embracing Jesus Christ. While our reciting the Nicene Creed certainly affirms our beliefs, I am always pleased when we specifically renew our baptism vows. As a cradle Catholic, my parents and godparents affirmed that for me many years ago. Therefore, I love the opportunity to say these words myself and actively profess my faith. In my prayer group, one aspect we address is the identification of our moments closest to God. These moments take many forms from feeling the presence of God in interactions with others (especially grandchildren!) to the wonder of every new flower in my garden (I sing them Christian music as I water them). Of course, as I have said so many times before, I feel the very real presence of the Holy Spirit so often through music. Perhaps it is the melodies or the rhythms that bring the scriptural words to life to touch my very soul. I wonder how the early disciples experienced it. Did they feel that glorious tingle throughout every cell of their being? Did their eyes brim with tears, as they were overwhelmed with feelings? Were they filled with joy and gratitude? We are told that they were able to speak in tongues and prophesize. Although I have never experienced such a consequence, I know I feel fortified and long to share the Good News. When I was a small child, it was the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost as we called it then) that I least understood. My childish views of God and his son, Jesus were at least something around which I could get my arms. The “Holy Ghost” was just too foreign a concept for me to comprehend then. Now, I pray “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful” and it is, indeed, very real to me. When I first reviewed these readings a few weeks ago, I mused at the responsorial psalm. Certainly we know that the psalms are songs, but I chuckled that my assignment would include, “Sing to God” – one of my favorite ways to receive and express my faith. A coincidence? No way! Just another God-incidence to inspire and sustain me. The gospel ends with a wonderful message to keep in our hearts. Lately, it seems that many friends and family are struggling with a variety of challenges (life!). I hold them in my prayers, encourage them to pray, and if local, urge them to visit a healing garden in our area that has the most inviting statue of Jesus. There can be much comfort in all of these but mostly in the words of John’s gospel: “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” How can I keep from singing?
http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/ "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" How did Jesus convince his disciples that he was the Son of God? Jesus could read their hearts like an open book. He answered their questions before they could even speak them out. And he showed them the glory of God. For a Christian, believing in God cannot be separated from believing in the One he sent, his "beloved Son", in whom the Father is "well pleased". We can believe in Jesus and in the words he speaks because he is himself God, the Word made flesh. Since he "has seen the Father," and is "one with the Father," Jesus is the only one who knows the Father as he truly is and can reveal him to us. Our faith is "certain" because it is founded on the very word of God who cannot lie. Faith is already the beginning of eternal life. Basil the Great says: "When we contemplte the blessings of faith even now, as if gazing at a reflection in a mirror, it is as if we already possessed the wonderful things which our faith assures us we shall enjoy one day." Do you nourish and strengthen your faith with the word of God?
In spite of their belief, Jesus warned his disciples that their faith would be put to the test and that they would fail. Jesus spoke plainly about the tragedy of betrayal and the triumph of the cross. Jesus knew the hearts of his disciples better than they knew. He knew they would desert him in his hour of trial. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness and rejection. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with supreme love and trust in his disciples. He loved his disciples to the very end even when they left him alone to die on the cross. He knew that the cross would not bring defeat but victory over sin and death. Jesus speaks the same word to us today. "My love for you is unconditional and I will never abandon you." While we cannot avoid all pain and suffering in this life, Jesus, nonetheless assures us that he will guide us safely through any difficulty or trial we may have to undergo for his sake. Jesus calls each of us to take courage, because he has overcome the world. The Holy Spirit gives us a living hope in the power of the resurrection and a confident trust in God's abiding presence. Nothing can overcome this faith and hope in Christ's victory – no trial, suffering, temptation, or testing. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength and courage we need to overcome adversity and to persevere in faith. Do you believe that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:38-39)?
"Lord Jesus, help me to trust in your saving power, especially when I meet adversities and trials. Give me your peace when I am troubled and let me know the joy of your victory over sin and death."
Psalm 68:2-7
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before fire, let the wicked perish before God!
http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html Remember the Parable of the Sower and the Seed? (see Luke 8:4-15)
http://www.contemplative.com/weekday_readings.htm Sometimes in prayer we feel deeply that we are all alone. This thought is really a temptation. Some can suffer from mental, chemical imbalances that cause depression. They are to be treated in a medical manner. But in the midst of these despondent feelings, somewhere in the realm of our consciousness, there is a space of light that the Holy Spirit illumines with the Presence of Jesus, Risen and Ascended. It is that light we must cling to. Really, I am never alone because in Christ the Father is with me in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Never does the Father ever abandon us as long as we cling to the light and resist falling into deliberate sin. Even then we can come back again into the Presence in grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These are living words that in Christ we may have peace. In the world which is without Christ we are going to have problems, be sure. But be of good cheer even in your affliction because Jesus has overcome the world. The One who is within is greater than the world which is outside. Prayer is abiding in that One who is in glorious light and has overcome the world even as we suffer tribulations in the world.
http://goodnews.ie/calendar.php
It was not the first time that disciples claimed to have perfect understanding. Earlier in the gospel Peter had said, “We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (6:69). The same Peter also claimed to be ready to lay down his life for Jesus (13:37). Both claims proved to be more than a little premature. Ignorance is bliss, we say. It is effortless and unlimited, a calm unruffled universe. But knowledge has narrow boundaries that are the cause of endless argument and conflict. Knowledge always drives you out of some kind of paradise and sets you against your brother. Then begins the long futile struggle to regain that infinite calm… by knowing everything. It is ultimately futile because everyone, even the most learned, remains ignorant – only about different things. And so the wisest words of all are “I don’t know.” Socrates wanted to know who was the wisest person in Athens. The Delphic Oracle said, “You are!” “That is impossible,” replied Socrates, “because I am aware that I know nothing.” “That,” said the Oracle, “is why you are the wisest person in Athens.” Those disciples of Jesus thought they had finally understood everything about him. They were full of confidence – because they had not yet seen the cross. “The cross of Christ,” as Paul would see so clearly later on, “is foolishness,” but this foolishness is God’s wisdom. “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world…? Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (I Cor 1:18-24). Before the crucifixion the disciples thought they finally had it all together, that they had Jesus in a kind of frame; but he promised them that they would be scattered. They will all be scattered until they are gathered again beyond the cross by the Risen Christ. In the New Community, the Church, it is a new kind of knowledge that will hold them together: a knowledge that doesn’t look like knowledge at all. The mystics through the ages have spoken of it from experience. “The mind is amazed at the extent of all it can understand,” wrote St Teresa of Avila, “for God wills it to realise that it understands nothing of what he represents to it.”
http://www.presentationministries.com/ GOD'S LONELINESS "An hour is coming � has indeed already come � when you will be scattered and each will go his way, leaving Me quite alone." 뾌ohn 16:32 Jesus promised He would not leave us orphans (Jn 14:18). As with all His other promises, He has kept His word. He has been and will be with us always (Mt 28:20). Although Jesus has never deserted us, through our sins we have repeatedly left Him "quite alone" (Jn 16:32). Furthermore, although God the Father is always with Jesus (Jn 16:32), our sins so obscured the Father's presence that Jesus screamed from the cross: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mk 15:34) We left Jesus "quite alone." Jesus kept His promise to always be there for us by sending us the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-18). By the power of that same Holy Spirit, we will always be there for Him and not leave Him "quite alone." Instead of doing our own thing and scattering from the Good Shepherd and His flock (see Jn 16:32), the Holy Spirit will strongly oppose our selfish desires of the flesh (see Gal 5:17) and unite us to the Lord and His Church (see 1 Cor 12:3, 13). Without the Holy Spirit, we will leave Jesus alone, reject Him, crucify Him, and hold Him up to contempt (Heb 6:6). If you love Jesus and don't want to reject Him, cry out for the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, on this fourth day of the Pentecost novena, give me the desire to make reparation for rejecting and ignoring You, Jesus, and the Spirit. Promise: "As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies. There were in the company about twelve men in all." 뾃cts 19:6-7 Praise: Sarah often takes time to visit and adore the eucharistic Jesus in the tabernacle.
1 아폴로가 코린토에 있는 동안, 바오로는 여러 내륙 지방을 거쳐 에페소로 내려갔다. 그곳에서 제자 몇 사람을 만나, 2 “여러분이 믿게 되었을 때에 성령을 받았습니까?” 하고 묻자, 그들이 “받지 않았습니다. 성령이 있다는 말조차 듣지 못하였습니다.” 하고 대답하였다. 3 바오로가 다시 “그러면 어떤 세례를 받았습니까?” 하니, 그들이 대답하였다. “요한의 세례입니다.”
4 바오로가 말하였다. “요한은 회개의 세례를 주면서, 자기 뒤에 오시는 분, 곧 예수님을 믿으라고 백성에게 일렀습니다.”
5 그들은 이 말을 듣고 주 예수님의 이름으로 세례를 받았다. 6 그리고 바오로가 그들에게 안수하자 성령께서 그들에게 내리시어, 그들이 신령한 언어로 말하고 예언을 하였다. 7 그들은 모두 열두 사람쯤 되었다.
8 바오로는 석 달 동안 회당에 드나들며 하느님 나라에 관하여 토론하고 설득하면서 담대히 설교하였다.
그때에 29 제자들이 예수님께 말하였다. “이제는 드러내 놓고 이야기하시고 비유는 말씀하지 않으시는군요. 30 저희는 스승님께서 모든 것을 아시고, 또 누가 스승님께 물을 필요도 없다는 것을 이제 알았습니다. 이로써 저희는 스승님께서 하느님에게서 나오셨다는 것을 믿습니다.”
31 예수님께서 그들에게 대답하셨다. “이제는 너희가 믿느냐? 32 그러나 너희가 나를 혼자 버려두고 저마다 제 갈 곳으로 흩어질 때가 온다. 아니, 이미 왔다. 그러나 나는 혼자가 아니다. 아버지께서 나와 함께 계시다.
33 내가 너희에게 이 말을 한 이유는, 너희가 내 안에서 평화를 얻게 하려는 것이다. 너희는 세상에서 고난을 겪을 것이다. 그러나 용기를 내어라. 내가 세상을 이겼다.”
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Reading 1
"The world will make you suffer.
But be brave! I have defeated the
world!" John 16:33
The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941
led the U.S. to imprison 100,000
citizens of Japanese descent.
Two of these were Carole and Jim.
They had a girl whose feet twisted
inward. Hard work corrected the
defect so that by age six she was
walking properly. To strengthen the
girl's legs, Carole enrolled her in an
ice skating class. Both would rise
at 4 a.m. daily to get to the rink and
do the lessons and the workouts
before school. The girl developed
into a fine figure skater. In 1992
Carole and Jim Yamaguchi
watched their daughter, Kristi, win
the gold medal in figure skating at
the Winter Olympics in Canada.
What lessons might I draw from
this story?
Do not let evil defeat you, instead,
conquer evil with good. Romans 12:21
Jesus' words inspire confidence: «Courage! I have overcome the world» (Jn 16:33), that is, through his Passion, Death and Resurrection, He has attained the eternal life, life with nothing to stop it, a limitless life because it has overcome all limits and all difficulties.
We, soldiers of Christ, can overcome these difficulties too, as He did, in spite of the fact we may have to go throughout our life through many deaths and resurrections, never wanted but certainly assumed by the very Paschal Mystery of Christ. For “deaths” indeed are, losing a friend, parting with a beloved person, the failure of a project or the limitations our own human weakness impose upon us…
But «in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us» (Rm 8:37). Let us be witnesses to God's love, because He has, with us, «done great things» (Lk 1:49) and has given us his help to overcome all difficulties, even death, because Christ is sending us the Holy Spirit.
3 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to dwell in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness, [Selah]
There is seed scattered on shallow ground. It takes root and with a little moisture it springs up. However, it wilts in the heat. This is a colorful reminder of people who enthusiastically accept a message about Jesus but whose commitment wanes because of difficulties or disappointments.
It appears this parable could be used to describe some of the disciples who assert their belief in Jesus now that he talks plainly. Yet, as Jesus points out, they will scatter at the hour that is coming, the Passion.
Isn't it humbling to be reminded of one’s occasions of weak faith and instances of shallow religious thinking or cowardliness?
Isn't it comforting to know that Jesus is well aware of this?
Jesus has taught them that He is the true vine and the Father is the vine grower. The Father and Jesus are one. We can live in Him and bear fruit. No shallow roots on this vine.
Jesus has made plain, the way of life to follow for grace, peace and joy. In this instance He says: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." (John 15:7-8). This obedience is a source of joy. (see John 15:11)
Jesus knows the disciples are frightened and He invites them to find peace in Him, by observing what Jesus has already done: "I have conquered the world."
Jesus' victory is the source of courage for the Christian.
~ Rev. Stephen H. Gratto
http://www.judeop.org/daily_bread.htm
Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. We long for the day when we finally figure out faith and have no more questions. Unfortunately, even when the disciples profess that they get it, they’ve barely scratched the surface of understanding what lies ahead for Jesus and — ultimately — all who profess belief. Jesus anticipates their questions and offers reassurance while at the same time challenging them not to be complacent. We’ll never be altogether comfortable with the fact that we that we can’t fully comprehend God’s ways, but we can trust that there’s nothing wrong with not knowing everything. That’s not our role. Everything is already covered. Lord, calm our fears and give us peace so we can accept that we need not question you, we pray. PR
http://www.judeop.org/dailyhomilette.htm What can it mean, “’We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit?’” Some may think of the Charismatic movement with its “Baptism in the Spirit” and opine that the majority of Christians do not really know the Holy Spirit because they do not speak in tongues or sway their arms in prayer. But more radically, never hearing of the Holy Spirit may refer to an insufficient appreciation of sanctifying grace, the work of the Spirit. It is a shortcoming just as prevalent today as it was in the beginning and perhaps throughout Church history.
http://www.judeop.org/dailyreflections.htm One of the primary characteristics of the portrait of Jesus that is given to us in the Gospel of John is his confidence! Jesus is always in charge, even when arguing with Pilate. What gives him such confidence? How can he say he has conquered "the world?" How can we gain such confidence and have the kind of peace in him that he is promising? He is about to go to his passion! He is also about to return to his Father - and it is that relationship which is at the root of his confidence and peace. A human parallel may help us to gain some understanding of this. Those of us who have the experience of a close relationship with friend or sibling or parent know how the love and support of that relationship can give us confidence and courage to deal with many difficulties. Thus, in the midst of challenge or suffering, we experience peace and confidence because we know that we are loved. It is this kind of love that comes closest to what Jesus is saying. If we believe in him, we are united with him. If we are united with him, then we are also united with his Father! As he said earlier (after washing the disciples' feet): "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." This is why we are told, In the word you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world. For many Catholics, this kind of personal relationship with Christ has a strange flavor to it. We often prefer to keep that kind of spiritual relationship on the level of the Mother of Jesus or the saints. Our Protestant brothers and sisters seem to have been more into this than we could ever be. Indeed, we do have to be aware of how our cultural individualism can color a relationship which is more than "me and Jesus." We are part of the Body of Christ, so that we do not "receive" Jesus by ourselves nor can we separate ourselves out from all the rest. Our confidence and peace comes not only from our relationship with Christ but also with neighbor. If Jesus calls us "friends," he also challenges us to call one another "friends." [cf. John 15:11-15]. AMEN
In the days of St. Augustine a priest from Britain named Pelagius evidently taught that grace is not really necessary for eternal life. We say “evidently” because little of his writings remain. We can only surmise what Pelagius taught from what his critics, like Augustine and St. Jerome, wrote about him. However, these two scholars were so upset with Pelagius that his teachings must have been defective. According to our understanding today, Pelagius held that free will guided by Christ’s example is sufficient to overcome the pitfalls the world poses.
Such a concept conflicts with St. Paul’s teaching of Christ’s saving grace. Without such grace the strongest will falter and the weakest are lost from the start. With such grace everyone has hope. The grace, which we acclaim as “amazing,” should never be taken for granted.
http://biblereflection.blogspot.com/
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