Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 24, 2017
First Reading: Acts 17.15, 22 18.1
15Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out22But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious
1After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth
Psalm 148
1Alleluia. Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise him on the heights2Praise him, all his Angels. Praise him, all his hosts3Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all stars and light4Praise him, heavens of the heavens. And let all the waters that are above the heaven5praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they became. He commanded, and they were created6He has stationed them in eternity, and for age after age. He has established a precept, and it will not pass away7Praise the Lord from the earth: you dragons and all deep places8fire, hail, snow, ice, windstorms, which do his word9mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars10wild beasts and all cattle, serpents and feathered flying things11kings of the earth and all peoples, leaders and all judges of the earth12young men and virgins. Let the older men with the younger men, praise the name of the Lord13For his name alone is exalted14Confession of him is beyond heaven and earth, and he has exalted the horn of his people. A hymn to all his holy ones, to the sons of Israel, to a people close to him. Alleluia
Gospel: John 16.12-15
12I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now13But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come14He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you15All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey with Paul as he travels from Athens to Corinth, and we hear Jesus’ promise about the Holy Spirit. Paul, in Acts, observes the superstition of the Athenians, setting the stage for his ministry there. He then moves to Corinth, continuing his missionary work. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, who will guide the disciples into all truth and glorify Jesus by revealing His teachings to them.
The context of these readings is pivotal. Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in Acts, highlight his strategic approach to spreading the Gospel, adapting to each community’s needs. The Athenians, steeped in philosophy and religion, required a tailored message. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, assuring them of the Holy Spirit’s role in continuing His work, ensuring they are not left as orphans but empowered to fulfill their mission.
These readings connect through the theme of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Just as the Spirit guided Paul in his missionary efforts, so too does the Spirit guide us today. The Spirit’s role in teaching and guiding us is essential, enabling us to share the Gospel effectively in our own contexts. This connection invites us to be attentive to the Spirit’s promptings, trusting in His wisdom and courage.
In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like Paul, we should be attentive to our surroundings, using the Spirit’s wisdom to share the Gospel in ways that resonate with those around us. Whether in our communities or workplaces, the Spirit equips us to be ambassadors of Christ, facing challenges with faith and perseverance.
The moral reflection here is one of trust and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Just as the disciples trusted in the Spirit’s guidance after Jesus’ departure, we too must trust in the Spirit’s presence in our lives. This trust allows us to navigate life’s uncertainties with courage and hope, knowing we are never alone in our mission to live and share the Gospel.