Monday, May 22, 2006
Tuesday 6th Week of Easter
May 23, 2006
Tuesday 6th Week of Easter - Yr II
ACTS 16:22-34
The crowd in Philippi joined in the attack on Paul and Silas, and the
magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and
instructed the jailer to guard them securely. When he received these
instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet
to a stake. About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, there was suddenly such
a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the
doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose. When the
jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword
and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, "Do no harm to yourself; we are
all here." He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear,
he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said,
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord
Jesus and you and your household will be saved." So they spoke the word
of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. He took them in at
that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his
family were baptized at once. He brought them up into his house and
provided a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith
in God.
JOHN 16:5-11
Jesus said to his disciples: "Now I am going to the one who sent me,
and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I told
you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is
better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not
come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he
will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and
condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness,
because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me;
condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."
REFLECTION
The sudden change in the attitude of the jailer in the first reading
invites study and reflection. In one instant he's a terrified, fearful
man, bent on suicide. In the next he's leading his prisoners out of the
jail, bathing their wounds, and spreading a feast before them. He was
fearful because he thought his prisoners had escaped from detention.
Now, by his own volition and decision he gives freedom to these same
men who have been entrusted to his charge by his superiors.
Paul, of course, along with Silas, reacted much differently when
confronted with crisis. Without any semblance of a trial, Paul had been
scourged publicly. He was a Roman citizen, and to scourge a Roman
citizen was a crime punishable by death. Furthermore a Roman citizen
could not be punished at all without a trial. Yet, in spite of this
public, very painful, humiliating, and unjust experience, we find Paul,
and Silas with him, marvelously calm, though chained in prison. When
the earthquake struck, their calm continued. Paul calmly called out to
the jailer to dissuade him from killing himself.
Paul and Silas, and the jailer as well, found their faith an enormous
source of strength. Depending on the depth of our faith and the
intensity of our love for the Lord Jesus, we share this same source of
strength with them. In time of crisis, for instance when we must accept
rejection by those we love and admire for the sake of Christ's values
or when because of these same values we must say no to wealth immorally
acquired, we can dip into this strength-source. The Lord Jesus himself
will share his strength with us. Then we will profess Jesus joyfully,
even though the environment be hostile.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the personal intentions of Jeffrey and Ginbee.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Laureana Cabansag Rebosa.
Eternal rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her.
May she and all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the personal intentions of Julezja.
- for the speedy recovery of Cadio.
- for the speedy recovery of Aida.
- Birthday: Chito Dychioco
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Dada Del Carmen
- Birthday: Felisa L. Uy
- In Memoriam (+): Go Kun Ong
- Wedding Anniversary: Cecille & Nam Le
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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