Tuesday, May 8, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION-TUESDAY, 6TH WEEK OF EASTER,
St. Magdalene of Canossa, virgin
Acts 16:22-34/ Psalm 137:1-3,7-8/John 16:5-11
TIME WILL TELL
Beloved, in our today's first reading, Paul and Silas are at Philippi. They healed a slave-girl, who was a soothsayer, and made a lot of money for her masters by foretelling the future (Acts16:16ff). Healing the slave-girl meant no more making of money from her through her fortune telling. The masters instigated the Philippians to attack Paul and Silas and eventually threw them into jail. The slave-girl was cured and liberated, while Paul and Silas were physically imprisoned. In the middle of the night, instead of lamenting and "counting the ceilings", they were praying and singing praises (Acts 16:25). If I have a problem in the night and I cannot sleep, what should I do? - Pray.
Their prayers led to the opening of the prison doors and their eventual physical release. For fear of losing his job or to suffer the penalty of the prisoners if they escape, the gaoler wanted to kill himself. The faith of Paul and Silas brought joy and liberation to the gaoler and his household. With time, the slave- girl, Paul and Silas, the gaoler and his household were saved from one bondage or the other. What is my bondage? Any hope of freedom for me?- Pray. Time will tell.
Friends, Jesus' betrayal, mockery, crucifixion and death brought sorrow to his followers. Satan thought he had triumphed. Jesus' resurrection overturned everything. In our today's Gospel reading, he told his disciples that, he is going to the one who sent him. His physical absence will make the disciples sad, but Jesus said he will go and together with his Father, send the Holy Spirit, to give them joy and comfort. Who is going where and we are sad or happy ? Let us know that Jesus will not leave us imprisoned or sorrowful or helpless. May God intervene and liberate us from any bondage we find ourselves in. May the Holy Spirit continue to teach, counsel, help and comfort us. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa ( 0206854323/0240308878)