Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 7 May 2024
Sixth Week of Easter – Tuesday
Acts 16:22-34. John 16:5-11
New world
When Jesus told his disciples that he would part with them, they grew sad (gospel reading). To the saddened hearts, Jesus opens up the vistas of the other world, from where comes the Holy Spirit. He would fill the vacuum that is created when Jesus leaves the world. The disciples need not be worried or anxious.
The Holy Spirit comes to teach and correct our understanding of sin, righteousness, and judgement.
(a) Sin. In the gospel of John, sin means not accepting Jesus as the Son of God. Earlier, sin was understood as trespassing on the Law or the decalogue.
(b) Righteousness. Being righteous means living a good life. But in the eyes of the world, righteousness means living according to the world, being selfish, and compromising with one’s values. Jesus returns to the Father, and his return was a sign of his righteousness.
(c) Judgement: Earlier in the Gospel, Satan was called the prince of the world. The institutions, structures, and ideologies are his. When it condemned Jesus, it thought that it had punished Jesus for good, but when Jesus was risen, the world became condemned.
Two lessons to be learned:
(a) To have a faith vision that goes beyond this world.
(b) To review our understanding of sin, righteousness, and mercy.
In the first reading, we read about the miraculous release of Paul and Silas from prison. However, Paul and Silas did not take advantage of the situation and fled. They were integral and magnanimous. This gesture converts the gaoler. He and his household are being baptised.
Paul and Silas were able to cope with suffering on account of their faith vision. Since they had something higher to cling to, they rejoiced amidst suffering.
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Faith is to see in the world here and beyond; to wait for that world is hope. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 91)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
# Be M.er.cy.Fool
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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