Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

We can think about that daunting learning curve those early apostles and disciples must have had to face. It happened when Jesus “turned over” the Mission of the Kingdom of God to their care and expansion. They were called to make a career change, and there were no “Operating Procedures” to help them at the time.

In fact, our readings today point out that Jesus did expect his apostles to dedicate themselves to changing the way people lived in community and prepare them for eternal life with God. How’s that for measurable goals? Imagine someone like Peter, the bombastic fisherman, who until then only needed to look at his fishing nets to measure success! The idea of catching people must have sailed right over his head.

Those early disciples grappled with the hazy notion of building the Kingdom of God, but didn’t realize that they were missing a key component. Did they hear Jesus telling them that the Holy Spirit would teach them their role in God’s unfolding plan? And not only that, but also provide the courage to persevere when it meant suffering and death?

The fact that the apostles adjusted and grew into their vocations is just as much a mystery then as it is for us today. Who can explain or predict how the Holy Spirit will permeate and touch our own life at any critical point when our word or action is needed for building up the Kingdom of God? No one is qualified, and yet each of us is called! Truly amazing, whenever we see it happening!

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB