Sunday, 18 May

Liturgy of the Word Acts 14:21-27; Ps. 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13; Rev. 21:1-5; Jn. 13:31-33, 34-35.

1. 1st Reading, Acts 14:21-27, The End of the 1st Missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas. At Lystra, Paul and Barnabas were stoned and dragged out of the city by crowds, with the instigation of some Jews from Antioch and Iconium (vv.19-20) They then went to Derbe where they converted many. They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (v. 21).

2. At Antioch they exhorted the disciples to persevere in the faith. "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (v. 22). They appointed "presbyters" in each church (i.e., community leaders, similar to synagogue leaders, in the model of the Jerusalem community, see Acts 11:30; 15:2, 5, 22; 21:8). They commended them to the Lord with prayer and fasting (v. 23). They then travelled through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They proclaimed the word in Perga and then went to Attalia and then sailed to Antioch (vv. 24-26), where they called the church together. They reported to the disciples how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (v. 27).

As Jerusalem was once the center of missionary activity, so now Antioch has become the center under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

3. Resp. Ps. 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 -- "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy" (v. 8). He is good to all, his works give him thanks, and the faithful bless him (vv. 9-10). "They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your mighty works, making known to everyone of your mighty acts, the majestic glory of your rule" (vv. 11-12). "Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations" (v. 13). The mighty acts of God show forth divine kingship, a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.

4. 2nd Reading, Rev. 21:1-5 -- John sees a vision of the New Heaven and the New Earth. The former Heaven and Earth have passed away, the sea where the evil dragon existed was gone. John sees " the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for husband" (v. 2).

5. The new Jerusalem is a symbol of the Church, the Bride of Christ (see Gal.4:26). God's voice comes from the throne. "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race ... and they will be his people" (see Ez. 37:27). "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away" (Language taken from Is:25:8; 35:10; see Rev. 19:7, the Lamb and his bride).

6. "And God himself will always be with them. Sitting on the throne, God said, "Behold, I make all things new." Write these words down. They are trustworthy, true, and are accomplished. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water" (vv. 5-6). "The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son" (v. 7). The victorious Christian will enjoy divine affiliation by adoption (Gal. 4:4-7; Rom. 8:14-17).

7. Gospel, Jn. 13: 31-33, 34-35. After the washing of the feet at the Last Supper, Jesus gives a new commandment. He says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him" (vv. 31-32). "My children, I will be with you only a little while longer... so now I say to you. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (vv. 33-35).

8. Today's Liturgy of the Word is rich, complex, and evocative. Acts narrates the missionary experience of Paul and Barnabas with the Gentiles of Asia Minor especially from Antioch as center. It was at Antioch where the community of believers was first called "Church." The vision of John sees the Church coming down from heaven as the new Jerusalem, adorned as Christ's bride. The union of Christ and his Church is a union of love. Such love flows inwards and outwards -- love one another as I have loved you. Such love is the sign of true discipleship.

9. Prayer -- Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal, through Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen (Collect for today's Holy Mass).

Halleluiah! Halleluiah!

Prayerful Easter Greetings and best wishes, God bless!