Readings for Monday, June 2 2014. Today is Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Lectionary: 297

Reading 1
Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 
He said to them,
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
They answered him,
“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
He said, “How were you baptized?”
They replied, “With the baptism of John.”
Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus.”
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
John 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.” 

REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: UNQUESTIONABLE FAITH

"Do you really believe?" –John 16:31

Twelve men of Ephesus claimed to be believers (see Acts 19:2). Paul questioned this because they didn't seem to have received the Holy Spirit. As it turned out, they weren't believers in Jesus but in John the Baptizer. Thereupon, Paul explained to them about Jesus, baptized them, and laid hands on them (Acts 19:5-6). "The Holy Spirit came down on them and they began to speak in tongues and to utter prophecies" (Acts 19:6). Then there was no question that they were believers in Jesus.

Jesus' disciples said they believed that Jesus came from God (Jn 16:30). Jesus questioned this because He knew they would soon be scattered, leaving Him quite alone (Jn 16:31-32). We too are scattered and shattered into thousands of denominations and divisions. Instead of praying, receiving Communion, reading the Bible, or being with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we leave Jesus alone. This makes our faith questionable.

Through this Pentecost novena, let us receive the Holy Spirit of unity (see Eph 4:3) and of power. Then Jesus will not have to question our faith. Then He can say to us: "You have great faith!" (Mt 15:28)

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, produce in me the fruit of faith (Gal 5:22). May my faith – not my lack of faith – evoke questions from those who know me.

PROMISE: "I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world." –Jn 16:33

PRAISE: St. Marcellinus is said to have converted not only his jailer and the jailer's family, but also his executioner.

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