Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 285

Reading 1

Acts 14:5-18

There was an attempt in Iconium
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.”
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
“The gods have come down to us in human form.”
They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,”
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
“Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

R.    (1ab)  Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
“Where is their God?”
R.    Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R.    Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R.    Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia

John 14:26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

John 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
“Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.”

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

The church leaders who put together the lectionary were amazing men. I wish I could meet them and talk to them about why they chose the scriptures that they did, the order that they selected, and how they placed it all together. It was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit, and I would love to have known such amazing Fathers, Bishops, and scholars.

When I read today’s scriptures, several things came to mind. First, it is almost Pentecost. I love Jesus and I have gratitude and thanksgiving for all He did on the cross. After He made a way for us with His resurrection, He promised to send us the Holy Spirit. Without Him, the Holy Spirit would not have come to us, but would have remained apart. It was with the death of Jesus that the separation between us and God ended. His death tore open the veil between us, shredded the curtain before the Holiest of Holies in the temple of the Jews, and opened a way that before was closed to us.

As I grow in faith, I have learned to deeply love the Holy Spirit. While Jesus is present with us in His Word and His Holy Eucharist, the Holy Spirit is our constant companion, always present with us. We carry Him within our very being, always available to love and guide us.

A Witness to the Unbelieving

In the first reading, we see Paul and Barnabas teaching the gentiles. At the sight of their miracles, they were mistaken for gods in human form and the people prepared to worship them. Rending their clothing, Paul and Barnabas stopped them and gave all glory to go Christ.

In witness to the unbelievers before them, and as evidence of the God who has always been with them, they cited the glory of God all around them.

for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.

Acts 14:17b

Even before God opened the way to the gentiles, His Spirit and His power went before Him, sending witness of His goodness. He always leads us and completes us with His goodness.

An Advocate, Teacher, and Guide

In the gospel reading, Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit as a teacher and a guide. He promises that the Holy Spirit will be our advocate, speaking for us and defending us. He will teach and instruct us on all that Jesus has said, opening up the scriptures and making them clearer to us in His own time by God’s will. He will be our guide, giving us the words and actions we need when we need them. We are not in this alone. He will guide us.

I am so looking forward to Pentecost. I know we have the Holy Spirit with us always. But just as the Holy Eucharist is a time to welcome the presence of Jesus into our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, Pentecost is that time for welcoming the Holy Spirit. In this season of Easter as we look forward to Pentecost, lets begin to prepare our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies to welcome the Holy Spirit in. Come Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.