May 11, 2015

May 11

May 11, 2015:  Monday, Sixth Week of Easter


  • 'Sailboats' tie:  We set sail...  (1st reading)

  • Purple in shirt, tie, suspenders:  Lydia, dealer in purple cloth (1st reading)

  • 'Girl with heart' pin:  The Lord opened Lydia's heart...  (1st reading)

  • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  The Spirit will testify to me. (gospel)
  • White in suspenders and socks:  Easter season
Listen
Pope Francis homily
Jesus told his disciples, “The Advocate I'll send, the Spirit of truth, will testify to me, and so will you.”  He spoke of the Cross that awaits us and the Holy Spirit who helps us give witness; he also spoke of “the scandal of persecutions.”  The life of the Church is a Spirit-guided journey; the Spirit is our companion and defends us from “the scandal of the Cross.”  The Cross is a scandal for Jews who “ask for signs” and foolishness for pagans who “ask for knowledge,” but we Christians preach the crucified Christ.  Today people kill Christians in God's name because they think they're not believers.  Jesus said it happened to him and will happen to us, but that the Spirit will guide and help us. 
Martyrdom is the supreme testimony, but there's also the testimony we give every day, the testimony of rendering present the life-giving Easter message.  A Christian who doesn't take martyrdom seriously doesn't understand the road Jesus indicated, a road inviting us to witness every day, defend others' rights, defend our children, witness in illness....  We all can bring this life-giving message forward.  Ask the Lord for the Spirit who will guide us and prepare us to bear witness with daily martyrdoms, or with a great martyrdom, according to God’s will.
Roamin' Catholic Report for Sunday morning Mass with children's choir
Music ministry:  choir of 50(?) robed K-8 students from parish elementary school, in loft (upstairs, behind assembly; too bad they weren't in front), accompanied by organ or piano depending on song
Cantors:  Three soft-voiced middle-school women, coming down from the loft to the podium at key times.  (I found the front-back trips distracting; I'd have preferred they stayed up front.  I was also surprised none of them sang the alleluia verse; the music director sang it from the loft.  Finally, I'd have preferred one or two song leaders to three.)
Music selections:
    • Mass parts (Gloria, Alleluia, Holy, Mystery of Faith, Amen, Lamb of God) from Alonso's Mass of Joy and Peace.  The strongest assembly singing was during the short Mass parts; I'm sure the musical setting's accessibility (and consistency of use at that parish?) helped.
    • Instrumental music:  piano/violin interlude during sign of peace, piano at start of Communion (so members could receive?) and during 2nd collection
    • Beautiful Savior/ tr. Seiss:  lyrics+  (I'm surprised at the selection of the opening and closing hymns, beautiful though both are; I thought at least one would be more contemporary and/or kid-friendly.)
Other:  The homily was very good; it wove together the 2nd reading, gospel, and Mother's Day.  Be apostles of love!
(I try to file a "Roamin' Catholic" report whenever I don't play at my home parish.  More reports)
Read
    (animate)
  • Acts 16:11-15  We sailed from Troas to Samothrace, Neapolis, and Philippi.  We spoke with women gathered outside the city gate, and the Lord opened Lydia's heart to pay attention to Paul.  After we baptized her and her household, she invited us to stay, and we did.
  • Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b  "The Lord takes delight in his people."  Praise the Lord with song and dance, for the Lord loves and gives victory his people, Alleluia.
  • Jn 15:26-16:4a  “The Advocate, the Spirit of truth I'll send from the Father, will testify to me.  So will you, because you've been with me from the start.  I've told you this so you won't fall away when, because people don't know the Father or me, they expel you and think killing you is worshipping God.  Remember that when their time comes.
Reflect

  • Creighton:  Lydia was in the right place at the right time with the right attitude and heart.  Is it evident to others that I'm a grateful child of God?  God delights in us; may I behave in ways that God can delight in.  Jesus tells of the Advocate's coming; the disciples won't be alone but have his strength, truth, and grace....
  • One Bread One Body:  "Called to the witness stand":  The Spirit witnesses for Jesus and calls us to do the same.  The Greek for 'witness' is 'martyr,' one who lays down his life.  We want life in the Spirit, but maybe not enough to suffer.  Lord, give me a desire for the Spirit greater than the desire to avoid pain. Only love is stronger than our desire to avoid pain (Sg 8:6; Ps 63:4).
  • Passionist:  The faith of the community of the evangelist John was severely tested.  John wrote his gospel after AD 85, likely to a community undergoing rejection, separation, and exclusion from synagogue life and Jewish society.  Jesus warned they'd suffer trials but that he'd send the Spirit to bear witness and strengthen them.  His departure will signal that they were to continue his ministry.  Our own trials may not be extreme, but Jesus exhorts and inspires us to keep and witness to our faith.  When Jesus died, his work was only beginning.
  • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest friend:  the Holy Spirit, Counselor, Advocate, Paraclete, Helper.  Counselor is a legal term for one who defends and guides someone during a trial.  The Spirit guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through challenges.  The Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, gives life, makes faith come alive in our hearts and minds, makes it possible for us to know God personally, and witnesses that the Father has sent his Son to redeem the world and has raised him up and seated him at his right hand.  The Spirit reveals the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God and enables us to see with eyes of faith.  Through the Spirit we become witnesses to the work of God in Christ.  Jesus warned his disciples they'd be persecuted as he was.  The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when we meet adversity. 
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