Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 24, 2017
First Reading: Acts 17.15, 22 18.1
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
Psalm 148
1Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.2Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.3Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.4Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.5Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.6He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.7Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,9you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,10wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,11kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,12young men and maidens, old men and children.13Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.14He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: John 16.12-15
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known 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.