30 May 2011, Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 16:11-15

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.


149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 4a)

The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”

Meditation: John 15:26–16:4

When the Advocate comes … he will testify to me. And you also testify. (John 15:27)



When you meet someone wonderful, you can’t wait to introduce him to all your friends. Think of those who have just fallen in love and are eager for their friends and family to get to know their beloved.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is like that. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. He wants the whole world to know him!

Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, he wants to make us just as eager for everyone to meet Jesus in a life-giving way. And the closer we get to the Spirit, the more willing we are to join him in his mission. We begin to see every fresh discovery as good news that we can use. Maybe we are struck by Jesus’ keen sense of humor and can find a way to be just as lighthearted. Perhaps we realize that God loves us no matter what we do, and we begin looking for ways to treat other people with the same love. Maybe a Scripture passage strikes us anew, and we simply have to share it with a close friend. Whatever insights you receive from the Spirit, talk it up! Find a way to pass on the wealth you have been given!

In today’s first reading, we meet Lydia, someone else who discovered Jesus and couldn’t keep it to herself. Once Paul introduced her to him, she wanted to learn more and more. It wasn’t enough to attend a worship service by the river once a week. She wanted Paul to stay in her home so that she could sit at his feet and hear more about Jesus. She probably invited many friends as well so that they too could meet Paul and hear what he had to say about Jesus.

None of us has a “corner” on knowing Jesus. In fact, each of us has a unique relationship with him. That means that we have much to learn from each other—not only those who have walked with the Lord for a long time, but also those for whom the good news is brand new. So let’s be open to each other!

“Jesus, thank you for making yourself known to me. I want to know you even better. Help me to learn and grow as I share with your other friends.”