Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

If you are in a Diocese that celebrates Ascension today or in a local Church where it will be celebrated next Sunday, you will hear the theme of separation in the Gospel. Jesus is preparing to make His exit. He will leave His Disciples. The Holy Spirit will come.
Separation is a trial. Parents feel separation anxiety when a child comes of age and leaves the nest. Friends and lovers feel pain when there is a separation that happens with life circumstances. This separation, hard as it may be, is necessary for a person to grow into adulthood. A good psychologist will say that it is harmful for an adult to “fail to launch” and stay in an infantile state. This is helpful when friends move on as well. It is a natural part of life.

St. Paul really had wanted to evangelize in Athens, and now he comes to Corinth and engages with people who know his own trade. He speaks with the Jews who were there, and when they oppose him, he then moves on to evangelize to the Gentiles. This is a major turn in St. Paul’s ministry. He separated from the old part of his life to then evangelize in a new and fruitful way. He brought his message forward as Christ commanded the Apostles to do.

Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid of moving forward, for Jesus promises us His unending support. The Disciples experienced physical separation from Jesus, yet they knew He was always with them, for He promised, “You will weep and mourn, while the World rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy” (John 16:20). Amen.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB