ACTS 19: 1 – 8

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptised?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 68: 2 – 5ac, 6 – 7ab (R.) 33a

R/. You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or:
Alleluia.

Let God arise; let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee from his face.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God. R/.

But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God;
they shall exult with glad rejoicing.
O sing to God; make music to his name.
The Lord is his name. R/.

Father of orphans, defender of widows:
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
he leads the prisoners forth into prosperity. R/.

ALLELUIA
Colossians 3: 1

Alleluia.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Be of good cheer I have overcome the world. ”
JOHN 16: 29 – 33

At that time: The disciples said to Jesus, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
REFLECTION: Being Resolved
May 30, 2022
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

“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.” (John 16:30–32)

Have you come to believe in Jesus? How deep is that faith? And why do you believe? Are you ready and willing to hold on to that faith no matter what comes your way? Are you ready to follow Him even if it’s difficult and unpopular? Are you ready to suffer as a result of your faith? These are important questions. They are questions that we must answer both when it’s easy to be a Christian as well as when it’s hard.

It’s easy to be a Christian and to follow Jesus when everyone else is doing it. For example, at a baptism or wedding it’s normal to want to belong and to let others know of our support and belief in what they are doing. But what about those moments when your faith is ridiculed or put down? Or when you have to make the difficult choice to turn from cultural pressures and stand out for your faith? These are more challenging times to be a follower of Christ.

In today’s Gospel, there were many who had been analyzing Jesus’ teaching, listening to Him and talking about Him. It seems clear that the consensus was that Jesus was a man of holiness and a great prophet. Many were even coming to believe He was the Messiah. So there was a sort of positive momentum present that made it easier for many people to say that they believed in Him and they believed that He came from God.

Jesus quickly points out to them that, though they believe now, there will be a time that comes soon when most everyone will abandon Him, when they are scattered, and they will leave Him alone. This is obviously a prophecy of His coming persecution and Crucifixion.

One of the greatest tests of our faith is to look at how faithful we are when following Christ is not all that popular. It is in these moments, more than the easy moments, that we have an opportunity to manifest our faith and deepen our resolve to be a Christian.

Reflect, today, on how deep your commitment to Christ goes. Are you ready to follow Him to the Cross? Are you willing to give up everything to Follow Him? Hopefully the answer is a definitive yes. It must be a “Yes” that directs our lives no matter the situation of life we find ourselves in.

PRAYER:
Lord, I do believe. Help me to let that faith in You stay strong at all times. Help me to say yes to You and to live that yes always. Jesus, I trust in You.