Daily Reflection for Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Peace and Blessings Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051121.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34
Responsorial: Psalm 138:1-3, 7c-8
Gospel: John 16:5-11
Our reflection on Tuesday’s readings:
Facts, analysis and reason often have limited impact on us. God knows this. God realizes it takes more than a burning bush, a stone tablet, or strange food in the desert for us to know Him. God knew that His flesh and blood incarnation couldn’t motivate even the apostles to live according to God’s teachings. They needed the Holy Spirit.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells them of his impending death and the coming of the Holy Spirit: “. . . if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). Jesus had done all he could do. Now, he had to leave so the Holy Spirit could help them. And they needed help.
Peter was a fisherman – but Jesus had to tell him where to put the nets. He heard God’s Word from Jesus – but didn’t understand. He professed discipleship – but denied it three times. Peter . . . lousy fisherman, slow learner, scared apostle . . . needed help from the Holy Spirit.
Like Peter, I am called to be part of the Body of Christ. I listen to God’s Word. But I don’t respond well to “shoulds” and “oughts.” And, like Peter, I’m scared – of failure, of being different from much of my culture. My faith needs to be animated – brought to life. It needs passion, enthusiasm, and love. Like Peter, I need help from the Holy Spirit. And so did Jesus. It wasn’t until he received the Holy Spirit at his baptism by John that he was “animated” into beginning his ministry.
Discipleship is hard when it’s something I ought to do. But I am brought to life . . . animated . . . by my relationships with other members of the Body of Christ. Being in community with them – just as Jesus was in community with John – brings me the passion, enthusiasm and love that I need. Enthusiasm is contagious . . . and discipleship is easier when I want to do it.
How can we be more receptive to being “animated” by our community? How can we share that with others?
Peace, my friends,
Bill Bradbury