Monday
7th
Week of Easter
The
Cross and the Disciple
Acts
19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33
Daily
Gospel
Introduction
As Christians baptized in the name of Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit of fortitude. With his help we should be able to give a place to pain and suffering in our lives. It is part anyway of all human life. But to Christians it makes even more sense: it was Christ's way and the disciple can accept in peace and use it for the sake of bringing peace to others. Christ will help us bear it, for he has conquered the world.
Opening
Prayer
Lord our God,
when your Son Jesus had to pass through trials,
he knew that you were with him
and he committed himself into your hands.
In this way he brought peace to people.
As people baptized into his name,
let your Spirit help us to be brave
when suffering and difficulties come our way,
that, like your Son and with him,
we may overcome evil in ourselves
and in the world.
May our pains give birth
to love and peace and hope for others.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples whom he asked, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They answered, "We have not even heard that anyone may receive the Holy Spirit." Paul then asked, "What kind of baptism have you received?" And they answered, "The baptism of John."
Paul then explained, "John's baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is Jesus." Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came down upon them; and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of them in all.
Paul went into the synagogue and for three months he preached and discussed there boldly, trying to convince them about the Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab
R (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
The disciples said to Jesus, "Now you are speaking plainly and not in veiled language! Now we see that you know all things, even before we question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God."
Jesus answered them, "You say that you believe! The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
"I have told you all this, so that in me you may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome the world."
Jesus knew the difficulties that His followers would face in living out the faith. Disciples of Jesus are not exempt from suffering. In fact, they are targets of persecution.
Yet suffering for the sake of the Gospel is a privilege, and when we unite our sufferings with His we participate in His work of redemption. We pray not that our sufferings will diminish, but that we will have the strength we need to carry the cross.
Without the cross there can be no resurrection, without suffering there can be no glory.
General
Intercessions
- That the Holy Spirit may breathe on us the fervor to live consistently our baptismal faith, we pray:
- That the Holy Spirit may give us the strength to carry with Jesus the crosses that come to us in life, we pray:
- That the Holy Spirit may warm up in us our cold hearts that at times don't know how to forgive and love, we pray:
Prayer
over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in this sacrifice we celebrate
how we have to pass through suffering
because it was the way of Jesus.
Make us aware
that this is also the way of the disciple,
as the test of our faith,
the probation of our hope
and the measure of our love.
Give us the Spirit of strength to bear difficulties
with peace and consolation in our hearts
on account of the joy you have promised
and the fruits they may bear for others,
as an offering to you through Christ our Lord.
Prayer
after Communion
Lord our God,
you promise us what no eye has seen
and no ear has heard.
Give us the strength of the Spirit
to bear suffering in hope
and as a way to grow in the life of Christ.
May it bring others the courage
to hope in your promise
of a new heaven and a new earth
and to live in your friendship.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, the world was changed, death and sin were defeated. But we have still to make this true today. Justice and love must still triumph in us today. Let the Spirit commit us to do this today, and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Claretian Publications MACAU