Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 6-02-03, Optional, Sts. Marcellinus & Peter

Reading I
Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"
They answered him,
"We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
He said, "How were you baptized?"
They replied, "With the baptism of John."
Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world."

Disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus

[1] While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper
country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. [2] And he
said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And
they said, "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
[3] And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into
John's baptism." [4] And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come
after him, that is, Jesus." [5] On hearing this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon
them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues
and prophesied. [7] There were about twelve of them in all.

Paul's Preaching and Miracles at Ephesus

[8] And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly,
arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.

Commentary:

1-7. This presence in Ephesus of a group of disciples who had received
only John's baptism is open to various interpretations. The text seems
to imply that they were not, properly speaking, Christians but people
who followed the Baptist's teaching and whom Paul regarded as incipient
Christians, to the point of calling them disciples. We say this because
in the New Testament being a Christian is always connected with
receiving Baptism and having the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 3:5; Rom 8:9; 1
Cor 12:3; Gal 3:2; Acts 11:17; etc.).

2. Leaving aside questions as to the origin and composition of this
group of disciples, their simple statement about knowing nothing about
the Holy Spirit and his part in fulfilling the messianic promises
points to the need to preach Christian doctrine in a systematic,
gradual and complete way.

Christian catechesis, John Paul II reminds us, "must be systematic, not
improvised but programmed to reach a precise goal; it must deal with
essentials, without any claim to tackle all disputed questions or to
transform itself into theological research or scientific exegesis; it
must nevertheless be sufficiently complete, not stopping short at the
initial proclamation of the Christian mystery such as we have in the
kerygma; it must be an integral Christian initiation, open to all the
other factors of Christian life" ("Catechesi Tradendae", 21).

3-4. "The whole teaching and work of John," St Thomas Aquinas writes,
"was in preparation for Christ, as the helper and under-craftsman are
responsible for preparing the materials for the form which the
head-craftsman produces. Grace was to be conferred on men through
Christ: 'Grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ' (Jn 1 :17).
And therefore, the baptism of John did not confer grace, but only
prepared the way for grace in a threefold way--in one way, by John's
teaching, which led men to faith in Christ; in another way, by
accustoming men to the rite of Christ's Baptism; and in a third way,
through penance, which prepared men to receive the effect of Christ's
Baptism" ("Summa Theologiae", III, q. 38, a. 3).

5. "They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus": the view of
most commentators is that this does not mean that the Trinitarian
formula which appears in Mt 28:19 (cf. note on Acts 2:38) ("in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit") was not used. The
reference here may simply be a way of distinguishing Christian Baptism
from other baptismal rites which were features of Judaism in apostolic
times--particularly John the Baptist's rite. Besides, Christian Baptism
was administered on Jesus Christ's instructions (cf. Mt 28:19), in
union with him and using his power: Jesus' redemptive action is
initiated by the Father and expresses itself in the full outpouring of
the Holy Spirit.

6. This passage speaks of the laying on of hands, something distinct
from Baptism, as seen already in Acts 8:14-17, whereby the Holy Spirit
is received. This is the sacrament which will come to be called
Confirmation and which has been conferred, from the beginnings of the
Church, as one of the sacraments of Christian initiation.

Referring to Confirmation, John Paul II has said: "Christ's gift of the
Holy Spirit is going to be poured out upon you in a particular way. You
will hear the words of the Church spoken over you, calling upon the
Holy Spirit to confirm your faith, to seal you in his love, to
strengthen you for his service. You will then take your place among
fellow-Christians throughout the world, full citizens now of the People
of God. You will witness to the truth of the Gospel in the name of
Jesus Christ. You will live your lives in such a way as to make holy
all human life. Together with all the confirmed, you will become living
stones in the cathedral of peace. Indeed you are called by God to be
instruments of his peace [...].

"You, too, are strengthened inwardly today by the gift of the Holy
Spirit, so that each of you in your own way can carry the Good News to
your companions and friends. [...]. The same Holy Spirit comes to you
today in the sacrament of Confirmation, to involve you more
completely in the Church's fight against sin and in her mission of
fostering holiness. He comes to dwell more fully in your hearts and to
strengthen you for the struggle with evil [...]. The world of today
needs you, for it needs men and women who are filled with the Holy
Spirit. It needs your courage and hopefulness, your faith and your
perseverance. The world of tomorrow will be built by you. Today you
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit so that you may work with deep
faith and with abiding charity, so that you may help to bring to the
world the fruits of reconciliation and peace. Strengthened by the Holy
Spirit and his manifold gifts [...], strive to be unselfish; try not
to be obsessed with material things" ("Homily at Coventry Airport", 30
May 1982).

As is the case with Baptism and Holy Orders, Confirmation imprints an
indelible mark or character on the soul.

8-10. This summarized account of Paul's activity in Ephesus is filled
out by the account we are given of the Apostle's farewell to the elders
of that city (cf. 20: 18-35) and by information contained in his
letters to the Corinthians. Paul made Ephesus the base for his
missionary work in the surrounding region, for which he counted on help
from Timothy, Erastus, Gaius, Titus and Epaphras of Colossae.

During his stay in Ephesus he wrote 1 Corinthians and the Letter to the
Galatians.

8. Paul returns to the synagogue where he taught previously (cf.
18:19-21); the Jews' resistance and lack of understanding do not lessen
his zeal.

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

From: John 16:29-33

Fullness of Joy (Continuation)

[29] His (Jesus') disciples said, "Ah, now You are speaking plainly,
not in any figure! [30] Now we know that You know all things, and
need none to question You; by this we believe that You came from God."
[31] Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? [32] The hour is
coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to
his home, and will leave Me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father
is with Me. [33] I have said this to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world."

Commentary:

25-30. As can be seen also from other passages in the Gospels, Jesus
spent time explaining His doctrine in more detail to His Apostles than
to the crowd (cf. Mark 4:10-12 and paragraph)--to train them for their
mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world (cf. Matthew
28:18-20). However, our Lord also used metaphors or parables when
imparting instruction to the Apostles, and He does so in this discourse
of the Last Supper--the vine, the woman giving birth, etc.: He
stimulates their curiosity and they, because they do not understand,
ask Him questions (cf. verses 17-18). Jesus now tells them that the
time is coming when He will speak to them in a completely clear way so
that they will know exactly what He means. This He will do after the
Resurrection (cf. Acts 1:3). But even now, since He knows their
thoughts, He is making it ever plainer to them that He is God, for only
God can know what is happening inside someone (cf. 2:25). Verse 28, "I
came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving
the world and going to the Father" summarizes the mystery of Christ's
Person (cf. John 1:14; 20:31).

31-32. Jesus moderates the Apostles' enthusiasm, which expresses itself
in a spontaneous confession of faith; He does this by asking them a
question which has two dimensions. On the one hand, it is a kind of
reproach for their having taken too long to believe in Him: it is true
that there were other occasions when they expressed faith in the Master
(cf. John 6:68-69; etc.), but until now they have not fully realized
that He is the One sent by the Father. The question also refers to the
fragility of their faith: they believe, and yet very soon they will
abandon Him into the hands of His enemies. Jesus requires us to have a
firm faith: it is not enough to show it in moments of enthusiasm, it
has to stand the test of difficulties and opposition.

33. The Second Vatican Council teaches in connection with this passage:
"The Lord Jesus who said `Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world'
(John 16:33), did not by these words promise complete victory to His
Church in this world. This sacred Council rejoices that the earth
which has been sown with the seed of the Gospel is now bringing forth
fruit in many places under the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord, who
is filling the world" ("Presbyterorum Ordinis", 22).

FEAST OF THE DAY

Pope St. Damasus is the source for much of the information
concerning these two men. His account says that the story of the
martyrdom of these two men was given to him by their executioner
who later became a Christian.

Marcellinus, a priest, and Peter, an exorcist, died in the year 304.
According to a legendary account of their martyrdom, the two
Romans saw their imprisonment as just one more opportunity to
evangelize and managed to convert their jailer and his family. The
legend also says that they were beheaded in the forest so that other
Christians wouldn't have a chance to bury and venerate their bodies.
Their bodies were found and taken away by two women and buried
on the Via Labicana.

Though we know very little about these two men who were martyred
during the rule of Diocletian, there is no question that the early
church venerated them. One piece of evidence showing the respect
in which they were held is the basilica Constantine built over their
tombs and the presence of their names in the first Eucharistic prayer.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

It is only by sacrifice and suffering, offered as penance, that you will
be able, by the grace of God, to convert sinners. -St. John Vianney

TODAY IN HISTORY

575 Pope Benedict I begins his reign
657 Pope St. Eugene I dies
1996 Pope John Paul II canonizes St. John Gabriel Perboyre

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural habits deposing a
person to respond promptly to the inspiration of grace that was
promised by Christ and communicated through the Holy Spirit. The
Gifts are wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety
and the fear of the Lord

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all people who have recently consecrated themselves to the religious life.

The Word Among Us

Monday, June 02, 2003

Meditation
John 16:29-33

Take courage; I have conquered the world. (John 16:33)

Jesus knew his disciples like an open book. They were full of faith and ambition when things seemed to be going well. But when Jesus en-countered opposition from enemies—and when he predicted his suffering and death—the disciples became confused and lost hope.

At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke plainly about the tribulations his followers could expect after he was gone. They too would encounter opposition and adversity. Like him, they would be rejected and would feel lonely and abandoned. But, Jesus assured them, they would never be alone or without help. He would be with them, just as the Father was going to be with him in his suffering and crucifixion. But still, these words of assurance were not enough. When Jesus was arrested, most of them deserted him, fearing for their own lives.

It is one of the greatest ironies of God’s plan of salvation that the event that most filled the disciples with fear and distress—Jesus’ death on the cross—became the very thing to usher them into a new life of peace and courage. It wasn’t until Pentecost—after Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven—that the disciples really could “take courage” and place their faith in Jesus’ victory over sin, Satan, and the world (John 16:33). Now filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples were transformed from weak, timid followers into courageous witnesses and apostles. Not even the threat of death could hold them back from joyfully proclaiming the good news of Jesus.

When troubles come your way, do you bear them alone, or do you take them to Jesus? Peace is God’s gift to all his beloved children. His perfect love—the love we experience by the power of the Spirit—casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Jesus wants us to know that we can share in his victory. Through his Spirit, every trial and temptation is an opportunity to experience God’s grace and to take part anew in the triumph of his cross. This week, let him overcome not only the darkness in the world but your own doubts, fears, and failures. Let his peace become the source of your joy and confidence.

“Jesus, you are the conqueror of sin and the giver of true joy. Fill me with your peace!”

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, June 2, 2003 >>

Pentecost Novena - Day 4
Sts. Marcellinus & Peter

Acts 19:1-8

Psalm 68:2-7

John 16:29-33

View Readings

DOCILITY OR INFIDELITY?

“As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them.” —Acts 19:6

Jesus’ disciples announced: “We do indeed believe You came from God” (Jn 16:30). Jesus responded that they were self-deceived about their faith in Him, for they would soon abandon Him (Jn 16:31-32). Jesus’ disciples did not take Him seriously and abandoned Him that same night.

Paul told some of John’s disciples that they were disciples of the wrong person. They needed to be disciples of Jesus, Whose forerunner John had been. John’s disciples could have reacted defensively to this criticism, but instead were docile. “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. As Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak in tongues and utter prophecies” (Acts 19:5-6).

When we are docile enough to admit our self-deceptions, inadequacies, and mistakes, we can receive the Holy Spirit in power. When we are docile enough to accept correction for our sins, we can be forgiven and then receive the Holy Spirit in fullness. The Lord resists the proud, and He favors the humble and the docile with the graces of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Pt 5:5).

On this fourth day of the Pentecost novena, accept God’s grace to become more and more docile to the Lord. Otherwise, expect to be more and more unfaithful to Him.

Prayer: Father, make me willing to hear anything from You.

Promise: “I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world.” —Jn 16:33

Praise: Sts. Marcellinus and Peter were docile to the Spirit and were open enough to preach the Good News to their jailer.

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