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Reflections
for Sunday, May 9, 2010
We begin to hear in the readings more and more about the Holy Spirit that
Jesus has sent to us. This Holy Spirit is an Advocate - a person who is
willing to take our case and to help us. The Holy Spirit is always with
us, seeking to show us how to live in a way that reflects the love of our
Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit is always with us, trying to show us how to
live without sin.
The first reading today, from the Acts of the Apostles, shows us clearly
that there were differences among people in the early Church, that not
everyone agreed on what was needed to be a follower of Jesus Christ. This
conflict or difference of opinion was resolved by the Christians coming
together and discussing the matter and then those in leadership were able
to make some decisions. It all sounds ideal, but we know from other
passages that it was not always very ideal. There were enormous
differences in ways of thinking of Jesus and His Gospel.
The second reading, from the Book of Revelation, is clearly teaching us
how to find our unity together in the one Church of Jesus Christ: by
following the teachings of the first leaders of the Church, that group that
was known as the twelve, we can know the authentic Word of the Lord. Lots
of people argue that such a teaching authority was never given to the
followers of Jesus Christ. That is today. In the early Church, both in
east and in west, believers believed that those in authority had a special
role in the Church established by Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is preparing us for the Ascension of our Lord because Jesus
will go away, but he promises to return to us. Even his early Apostles and
other followers were not well convinced by His words! Think of the words
to Philip the Apostle in another part of this Gospel: Have I been with you
so long, Philip, and still you do not know me?
These early Apostles and other followers of Jesus seem pretty dense at
times and unable to accept what He has told them. Would we be any
different? Probably not.
Today we can ask our Lord Jesus to strengthen our faith, our hope and our
love. We all are blessed by the Lord, even when we do not feel blessed.
Let us recognize the good in our sisters and brothers and give thanks to
the Lord.
Readings of the day:
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
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Reflections are available for the following Sundays:
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