Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” (Jn 16:12, NAB)

The truth can be too much to handle sometimes. I think of the line from Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men: “You can’t handle the truth!” The truth can be a hard pill to swallow. But it’s a pill; it’s medicinal, it’s meant to heal.

Paul tried to preach the truth in the Areopagus, the center of Greek pursuit of truth. He gives a discourse, an oration, which was customary and expected, but something went wrong. It was largely misunderstood and dismissed. It seemed like foolishness. Someone rising from the dead? Nonsense. “We should like to hear you on this some other time.” (Acts 17:32b, NAB)

But it was not a total failure. It was not fruitless. Some did join Paul: Dionysius, a member of the Court, and Damaris, a woman, and a few others unnamed. A few. This is enough.

When we send out an invite, say for a Bible study, we often hope and imagine everyone coming. But how do we react when only a few come? Aren’t they worth our time and effort?

For Today:
The next time you send out an invite, for whatever reason, reflect on how it is received and what response you get. Identify with Jesus and Paul and many others who share the ultimate Invitation.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB