Gospel: May 29, 2026
May 29, 2025 (Thursday)
6th Week of Easter
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
St. Paul VI, pope
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
1st Reading: Acts 18:1-8
Gospel: John 16:16-20
A little while, and you will see me no more; and then a little while, and you will see me.” Some of the disciples wondered, “What does he mean by, ‘A little while, and you will not see me; and then a little while, and you will see me?’ And why did he say, ‘I go to the Father?’” And they said to one another, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” Jesus knew that they wanted to question him; so he said to them, “You are puzzled because I told you that in a little while you will see me no more, and then a little while later you will see me. Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.
Reflection:
“Christianity as an enemy of joy.”
Suetonius writes that around 49 AD [the Emperor Claudius] “expelled Jews from Rome because they were generating incessant unrest through the instigation of Chrestus.” Suetonius probably misunderstood who the Jewish Christians were preaching about; not Chrestus, but Christus, the Messiah. Two such Jewish Christians are Priscilla and Aquila, who in their exile become great collaborators of Paul. The message of Christ was causing unrest in Rome because it challenged the faith and morals of the Romans. The message was first preached to the Jewish communities in different cities, and only later to the pagans. But even before the pagans are addressed directly, the message is reaching them, and consciences are being disturbed. Henryk Sienkiewicz writes about this in Quo Vadis, where Vinicius falls in love with Lygia, a Christian, and feels compelled to change his way of life upon hearing the Good News from Saints Peter and Paul. The Romans thought the Christians to be enemies of joy and of life. Vinicius realizes that this is not true, and in coming to faith, he finds deep joy. Modern secular culture also sees Christianity as an enemy of joy. May we show by our love that this is not the case.
