THE SPIRIT WITNESSES AGAINST THE WORLD

May 11, Tuesday

 

SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER

 

The life of Christ which the community of Christ leads and the mentality of Christ alive is in the Church, will bear witness against the world as far as it is still unredeemed and full of evil. The world accuses Christ to be a sinner, finds him guilty in its trial as an unjust man and condemns him. But who is the sinner? Who is found guilty? Who is condemned? Not Christ but the world. Who will prove this? The Spirit of Christ alive in the Church. If the Church lives the life of the just Christ, the works of the world will stand out as unjust, and the life of Christ led by Christians will be a condemnation of the world and its powers of evil.

 

First Reading: Acts 16:22-34

The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!”

The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!”

They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn’t wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.

 

Gospel: John 16:5-11

Now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.

“When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.

 

Prayer

Lord, our God,
you demand much of us, your Church,
by calling us to be witnesses
of your Son and of his message,
although we are men and women
who share in the sin of the world.
Send us your Holy Spirit
to open us all the time,
to renewal and conversion,
that your Church may show to the world
the true face of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord forever. Amen.

 

Reflection:

God wants us to be adults

Jesus leaves and the hearts of the disciples are filled with sadness. This is normal. In him they had found not only orientation and guidance to follow the way. They had also found understanding and mercy in the face of their weaknesses. With Jesus they had experienced the greatness of the heart-love of God who loves us beyond all limits, beyond all our miseries. With Jesus they had felt strong and capable of transforming the world. But now he is leaving. They are left alone. Discouragement spreads among their ranks. What are they going to do? The leader disappears and it seems that nothing makes sense anymore, that the path they had begun with Jesus leads nowhere and that it is better to return home. A feeling of failure overwhelms them. But Jesus promises that he will send them his Spirit. The Spirit will give them strength. The Spirit will help them find their way. We can imagine the Spirit as an apparition who will continually tell them what to do. But that would be childish. And the last thing God wants is for us to become eternal children who always need a hand to lead and guide us. God wants us to be adults, free and responsible for our own decisions, capable of taking risks and, of course, of making mistakes and starting over. The Spirit is not there to tell us what to do the next minute, but to help us grow and make our own decisions. The Spirit illuminates for us the horizon to which we must direct ourselves: The Kingdom, fraternity and justice of the sons and daughters of God, where no one is excluded. And it encourages us to make our own way, to make the decisions that will make this world the home of all the sons and daughters of God. The Spirit is not a small voice but a flame that sets our hearts on fire and encourages us to grow and live in freedom at the service of the Kingdom. And like Paul and Silas (first reading) we will face the difficulties and not be discouraged. Because the Kingdom is worth it.

 

Video available on Youtube: God wants us to be adults