Paul carries on preaching despite opposition in Philippi, while the disciples are sad at Jesus' departure. The first is an example of staying the course, which was good, and the second was an example of not wanting to change, which was bad. In the spiritual life, change is good when it supports growth and a greater ownership of the ministry of preaching the Good News.
For 7 May 2024, Tuesday of teh sixth week of Easter, based on Acts 17:15,?22-18:1
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, lifting up Jesus' comment: "This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you." Trusting the love of God shown in Jesus and reflecting that love to others should be the center of our faith.<br>
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Readings: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48, 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17
For 2 May 2024, Thursday of the fifth week of Easter, based on Acts 15:7-21
For 23 April 2024, Tuesday of the fourth week of Easter, based on Acts 11:19-26
Though his role was to feed the widows and orphans, Philip left Jerusalem to avoid persecution and preached Christ to great effect in a town in Samaria. We all have official roles in our communities, but we have to discern to find what our real role is in helping to unfold the Kingdom of God.
St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, looked up to heaven as he was being stoned to death and asked Jesus not to hold this sin against his executioners. If we hate our enemies or want them to be punished, then Stephen has a lesson for us, that we should instead look forward to reuniting with them in heaven some day.
Why did Thomas Doubt? Perhaps because his brothers did not speak conviction, with lives that were changed because of the Resurrection. We are called to preach of the Resurrection with the conviction of changed lives that manifest its importance.
For 7 April 2024, Diven Mercy Sunday, based on John 20:19-31
After the Resurrection, Sts. Peter and John were hauled before the Sanhedrin because they were speaking boldly about Jesus. Would that we have the same courage to speak about what we have seen, or to ask those who seem to have experienced what we wish to experience.