Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 24, 2017
First Reading: Acts 17.15, 22 18.1
1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
Psalm 148
1Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.2Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.3Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.6He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.7Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:9Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:10Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:11Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:12Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:13Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.14He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: John 16.12-15
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto 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.