For the readings of today’s mass, go to
http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052520.cfm
Life is one continuous learning process. This is a truth that all should be able to accept and acknowledge – except, perhaps, for the “know it alls”.
When you think that you know and have seen it all, something else comes up. Even the oldest amongst us readily admit that they have never seen anything like this pandemic. And how we have been forced to learn to cope and adapt to it – and in so doing, we have had many learning moments in these 2 plus months of shutdown.
Todays 1st reading from Acts (19: 1-8) and our gospel (John 16: 29-33) are reminders of the constant need to be open to the process of learning, especially when it is the Holy Spirit that is doing the prompting.
In the 1st reading Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus. They are believers in Jesus, but they were only baptized with John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. Paul fully baptizes them, and now they receive the Holy Spirit. And with all that they have now learned and received, they are able to speak in tongues and prophesy.
In our gospel, the apostles have an ah-ha moment in which they think that they now fully understand Jesus, including the fact that He has come from God. But Jesus retorts, “Do you now believe?...” and goes on to remind them that there is much to yet for them to learn and cope with, including how to deal with the persecutions to come.
An important task in our lives is to remember that we are called to constantly learn – about ourselves, our world, our faith – and how they are all intertwined. We also need to remember that the Spirit is there always – leading us, guiding us, prompting us, sustaining us.
Pentecost is 6 days away. Veni, sancte Spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit.
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America magazine recently had a short article in which its readers share what they miss during the time of closure of our churches. Take a look and see if any of the sharings correspond with how you feel.