Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 17:15, 22—18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14; Jn 16:12-15
Summary
In our first reading today we have the movement from ignorance to enlightenment. Paul carefully gave the Athenians an eye opening understanding of the divine in the language they are accustomed to listening in, pantheism. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’ as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’ Here Paul is quoting Epimenides of Knossos (6th century B.C.) and Aratus of Soli, a third-century B.C. poet from Cilicia.
These references are usable by Paul here for the purpose of explaining the already present proto theology in the Greek world but that has not yet been given a name.
Jesus does likewise in our gospel reading where Jesus informs the disciples they have move from ignorance to enlightenment. Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.
Reflection
In our modern age we have the same tensions. We are ignorant of so many things. We are informed of so many things. Yet, we fail to knit them together into an intelligible form.
Personal Reflection
The persons of Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God are revealed and even described as having particular roles. These are the eternal dynamics of love within the Godhead and accessible through the Son. We need to be open to these gifts of personhood and enlightenment.
The greeks responded one of three ways:
- When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff. DISREGARD.
- Others said, “We should like to hear you on this some other time.” DELAY.
- But some did join him, and became believers. ACCEPT.
The same is true today. Whether we hear with ears of pantheism or the ears of the relational, we hear. We too must decide.
First Reading
God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he demands that all people everywhere repent because he has established a day on which he will ‘judge the world with justice’ through a man he has appointed, and he has provided confirmation for all by raising him from the dead.
Responsorial
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Gospel Acclamation
I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Good read.
Thank you!