DATE: 20TH MAY 2017 SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 16:1-10 PSALM: Psalm 100:1-3, 5 GOSPEL: Jn. 15:18-21 THEME: LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

There are many Christians who have the Holy Spirit and yet live fruitless lives. That should tell us, it is one thing to have the Holy Spirit and another thing for the Holy Spirit to have you. For fruitfulness, one would need to allow the Holy Spirit to have him/her.

In the first reading of today, we have an account of the second missionary journey of Paul. He embarks on this journey with Silas and later finds another travelling companion in the person of Timothy. The striking aspect in the account of the missionary journey of Paul is the role of the Holy Spirit. For example, we read that at a particular moment they were told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the Word in Asia. Additionally, they tried to go into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas. Moreover, the mission to Macedonia, we are told, was inspired by a vision. In sum, Paul and his companions were embarking on a mission in the Spirit.

There have been lots of efforts in the area of evangelization by Christians. Some of the efforts have yielded good fruits but unfortunately some have yielded brambles. The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization (EN 75). Those who yield to his guidance bear fruits and those who think they can do it all by themselves end up failing miserably.

Life in the Spirit is not meant for few selected Christians. It is meant for everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ. It should be a normal experience for us to share with one another what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives. For this to happen, we must yield to the Holy Spirit with a childlike simplicity and a docile heart.

As we yield to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, our thoughts would be transformed and our actions would be inspired. Life in the Spirit is possible. Just ask the Holy Spirit for that grace today and He will respond to you.

PRAYER: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh upon me?I surrender to you this day. Have me and do with me as you please. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

DATE: 19TH MAY 2017 FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 15:22-31 PSALM: Psalm 57:8-10, 12 GOSPEL: John 15:12-17 THEME: LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Pope Paul VI writes, Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses (Evangelii Nuntiandi 41).

The very life of a witness proclaims the Gospel and attracts people into the Kingdom of God. Fire burns in the heart of a witness  it is the fire of love. This fire manifests in words and actions, and its warmth can be felt by all. Love is the engine of evangelization. Any kind of preaching devoid of love is another form of noise-making.

Our Gospel text for today forms part of a series of speeches Jesus gave during his last supper with his disciples. At that meal, he desired to summarise all that he had been teaching his disciples during his public ministry. By his action (washing of the disciples feet) and words, he laid emphasis on the most important virtue of discipleship  LOVE.

Jesus tells his disciples, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:12-13). The love that Jesus proposes to his followers has a sacrificial character. It is about laying down one's life for another. In this regard, Jesus offers himself as a model.

A community can be likened to a fish pond. When the water is healthy, the fishes multiply but when the water is polluted, one by one they die. Similarly, in Christian communities where there is love, the waters are  fresh, the members are healthy and their number increases. Such communities grow rapidly. On the other hand, where there is strife, bitterness and hateful feelings, a community becomes stagnant and the members gradually die.

The commandment to love is a call to witness. It is a mission to infuse love into a world that has been torn apart by hatred. May we step forth today to light every candle in the dark with the fire of love that burns in our hearts.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you first loved me. Filled with your love, I choose to respond to your call to love my brothers and sisters. Amen

DATE: 17TH MAY 2017 WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 15:1-6 PSALM: Psalm 122:1-5 GOSPEL: John 15:1-8 THEME: NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Advancement in information and communication technology has opened the flood gate for an information explosion in our world. On radios, televisions, computers, phones, etc, we receive information on various topics, including the Christian faith. Some of these pieces of information are helpful. Others are, without mincing words, false and dangerous teachings. In the process the faith of some people have been wrecked.

From the time of the first generation of Christians till now, the Church has been plagued with series of heresies. The end product of such false teachings is disagreement and subsequent wreckage of the Christian faith.

In our First Reading, we are told that some heretics infiltrated into the vibrant Christian community at Antioch and sought to cause havoc with a dangerous teaching. Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas argued strenuously to quash this teaching. Finally, they headed towards the mother Church in Jerusalem to solicit an official stance from the leadership of the Church (apostles and elders) on this issue.

Like Paul and Barnabas, we ought to be wary of teachings that do not conform to the Christian faith. We should not easily import pseudo-Christian practices into the Church. The task of maintaining an undiluted Christian faith is for all. Our readings for today offer us two important steps for combating heresies.

The first step is to remain connected to Jesus, the Vine. He says in our Gospel text, Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me (Jn 15:4). This calls for a conscious and consistent intimate union with Jesus, nourished by prayer.

The second step, which Paul and Barnabas took, is to constantly seek clarification from the apostles and elders (i.e. the leadership of the Church) on matters of morals and faith. No matter how sublime a personal opinion or revelation may be on matters of morals and faith, it is always safe to submit it to the discernment of the leadership of the Church (the Magisterium).

Finally, let us open our eyes widely and be alert, for there are many wolves in sheep clothing out there seeking to devour God's people. We must yield to nothing but the truth.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the Truth. As I strive to follow you, deliver my heart from error and keep me safe on the path of righteousness for the sake of your name. Amen.

DATE: 16TH MAY 2016 TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 14:19-28 PSALM: Psalm 145:10-13,21 GOSPEL: John 14:27-31 THEME: THE TRIALS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Has your faith in the Lord suffered a setback because of a trial that came your way? Do you feel like quitting? Before you throw in the towel and walk away, reflect on the experience of Paul:

In our First Reading, we have an account of the stoning of Paul. He is beaten to the point of death and dragged outside the city by some Jews who had come from Antioch and Iconium. By their action we can infer that they considered Paul a blasphemer. When he gets up after that savage attack, he does not run away. Instead he goes back to the very city where they had sought to lynch him. He encouraged the disciples saying, ?It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

Later on in life, in one of his letters, Paul would recall some of the unpleasant experiences he had made in his journey of faith. Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure (2 Cor. 11:24-27).

A friend once asked me, How many stones have been thrown at you so far in your walk with the Lord? That question set me thinking. Suddenly it dawned upon me that following Jesus is not a funfair even if there are moments of fun. The path of discipleship can be rough and rugged. Many have given up on the road and returned to their old way of life. Others create their own paths and pretend to be following Jesus.

In the face of his own impending sorrowful passion that would eventually engulf his disciples, Jesus in our Gospel text turns to them and says,  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (Jn. 14:27).

Do not be afraid. In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in persecution and in honour, for better, for worse, let us stand up for Christ and be on fire for him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I have decided to follow you  No turning back. Even if the cross should weigh me down and I fall on the ground, may I still find some strength to crawl into your Kingdom. Amen

DATE:15TH MAY 2017 MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 14:5-18 PSALM: Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16 GOSPEL: John 14:21-26 THEME: THE POWER OF GOD

Where the proclamation of the Word is accompanied by the manifestation of power, the Christian faith spreads faster. The signs that accompanied the missionary activities of the apostles and early Christians authenticated their ministry and gave credence to the fact that they had been sent by God.

In our First Reading, we have an account of a miracle that took place at Lystra. A critical look at the healing of the cripple affords us some insights into the dynamics of a miracle. There are three quick moments: WORD, FAITH and ACTION

WORD: Paul preached the Word.
 
FAITH: The cripple had faith in what was preached.
 
ACTION: The cripple put his faith into action and started walking.
 
The Word of God carries within itself an immense power  an ability to accomplish mighty things. When a person puts his/her faith in the Word of God, divine power is activated and unleashed in a significant way. Faith, however, can be likened to a spark of light in a coal pot. When nothing is done after the fire has been lit, it dies quickly but when it is fanned into flames the coals become alive and the pot becomes useful. This would explain why Paul had to speak in a loud voice to spur the cripple to move from faith to action, "Stand upright on your feet" (Acts 14:10).

Perhaps, you too may be standing in need of a miracle this day. Have no fear; rather have faith in the Word of God. Jesus says, "Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him (Jn. 14:23). To have faith is to keep the Word one has heard and treasure it . It means to hold on to the Word even if everything around you is falling apart. Then step out in faith. Do not be scared of falling or making a mistake. God is faithful. He would see you through the storm.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, speak your Word of power into my life and I shall arise and stand on my feet. Amen