The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
St. John I, pope, martyr

Scripture from Tuesday's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 22-34
Psalm 138:1-2ab,2cde,3,7c-8
John 16:5-11

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

There are many times in our lives when we stop and wonder why we’re in the situation or place that we find ourselves. Some of these times we wish we could be elsewhere and our situation other than what it is. Both the first reading and gospel of today remind us of that reality.

In the first reading, Paul and Silas are in prison being harmed and an earthquake occurs; however, they don’t go free despite great damage to the prison. As we learn the entire experience leads to the conversion of one of the jailers.

In the gospel, John describes Christ’s awareness of the apostles’ grief over the realization that He wouldn’t be remaining with them much longer. Christ shared that He needed to leave, to ascend to the Father, so that the Advocate could come to all of us.

In both readings, those involved must have had some mixed feelings; yet, in doing what they thought best, they were able to help others. The readings serve as a reminder that where we are in life on a day-to-day basis, has a purpose. By our being aware of that reality we can try to avoid missed spiritual opportunities for ourselves and others.

- Joan of Jesus, ocds
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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posted by joachim at 4:31 AM