Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

St. Paul moves on from Athens to Corinth. There he meets people who practice his trade, tent-making. He does not feel uncomfortable bringing his faith to his work. Do not be afraid to bring your Christian faith to your workplace or job. This doesn’t mean you have to proselytize or be pushy about Jesus. It goes back to the lessons earlier in the week that God can speak and often does speak through our subtle actions. Quietly say grace before you eat lunch at work. Have a picture of Jesus and Mary on your desk. Things like this can mean the world to one’s soul and can mean the world to someone else as well. 

We are meant to give witness to Christ in all things. Faith is never meant to be “a private affair.” St. Paul has difficulty preaching to the Jews and moves on to the Gentiles today in Acts. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of “a little while,” and then He will not be seen. What a curious expression! All of life is but a little while. We live only for a time, and then it is done. As Jesus tells us we will grieve, yet our grief will turn to joy. Look back at St. Paul. He used his life well. He used his “little while” to convert many. Just think of Corinth. This place went on to be one of the first successful Christian communities. 

We are tasked to use our short time on Earth well. Yes, we will have grief from time to time. We will always find joy at the center of Christian life despite the grief. G.K. Chesterton wrote in his classic work Orthodoxy that pagan religions and worldly attitudes focus on pleasure and enjoyment on the outside but have pain and grief at their core. Christianity, he surmised, held to discipline and rules on the outside. Christian sacrifice leads to joy at its center. Such is our life as Christians! We struggle now for a short time, giving up some of the things that the world values. Yet our joy is found again in Christ. And our joy will be made complete! 

Reflection question: be honest with yourself for a moment. Ask what Catholic discipline or belief is hard for you? What worldly belief or value do you cling to that the Church teaches is wrong? How do you bring this struggle to your faith?

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB