+(Intro) In our readings this week before Pentecost we will hear often of the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the early Christians. Let us take a moment to reflect on any way we may hinder the presence and working of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.
(After the Gospel) As our gospel tells us, those with Jesus at the last supper were convinced of Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah. But hardly hard had the proclaimed their belief and Jesus tells them they will abandon him for fear of what was about to happen to him.
One wonders at times where our own faith is taking us in the world and society today. Wealth and power are at variance with our Christian faith so that to maintain our faith there is a cost to be paid. It is a time to be especially mindful of Jesus telling us: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33