Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

• First Reading - Acts 17:15, 22-18:1: The apostle Paul arrives in Athens and seizes the opportunity to address the Athenians' intellectual curiosity. He fearlessly proclaims the truth of the Gospel, pointing them to the "unknown God" they unknowingly worship, urging them to embrace the resurrection and the call to repentance.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 148: Let us lift our voices in praise and exaltation, for the glory of the Lord fills both heaven and earth. From the highest heavens to the depths of the earth, let every angel, every host, and all people join together to honor and magnify the name of the Lord, for His majesty is beyond compare. May this be our ceaseless praise, echoing from the hearts of His faithful ones, uniting us as His chosen people.
• Gospel - John 16:12-15: Jesus assures His disciples that the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth, revealing what is to come and testifying to the glory of God. He emphasizes the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, unveiling the profound mystery of divine communion and affirming the Spirit's role in imparting wisdom and understanding to believers.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

• Proclaiming the Gospel: Both readings emphasize the mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul seizes the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in Athens, engaging with the people and pointing them toward the true God. The disciples are reminded that they are called to continue Jesus' mission and that the Holy Spirit will guide them in their proclamation.
• God's revelation and the Holy Spirit: The readings highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the truth to believers. Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth, speaking what he hears from the Father and the Son. This emphasizes the ongoing revelation of God's plan and the importance of the Holy Spirit's presence in the lives of believers.
• The nature of God: Paul's speech in Athens confronts the polytheistic beliefs of the Athenians, presenting them with the concept of the one true God who created everything. This emphasizes monotheism and the unique nature of God as the supreme being. The Gospel passage also highlights the relationship between the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit, shedding light on the triune nature of God.
• Faith and understanding: The readings touch on the idea that faith in God and Jesus is not always fully comprehensible by human understanding alone. Jesus tells his disciples that there are truths they are not yet ready to understand fully but assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide them into that understanding. This highlights the importance of trust and faith in God's plan, even when it surpasses our understanding.

Thoughts for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

The readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter invite us to deepen our faith and embrace the mysteries of God's revelation and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

In the first reading, we witness Paul's journey to Athens, a city known for its intellectual pursuits. He seizes the opportunity to proclaim the Good News to the Athenians, acknowledging their devotion to an "unknown god." Paul fearlessly speaks of the Creator and urges them to embrace the truth of Christ's resurrection. His encounter challenges us to share the Gospel with love and compassion, meeting people where they are and revealing the unknown God to them.

In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and promises the coming of the Holy Spirit. He assures them that the Spirit will guide them into truth and testify to the glory of God. Jesus emphasizes the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, revealing the mystery of divine communion. These words offer us solace and hope, reminding us that the Holy Spirit accompanies us in our journey, guiding us into a deeper understanding of God's truth.

The readings prompt us to reflect on our role as disciples of Christ. Like Paul, we are called to proclaim the Gospel with courage and compassion, engaging the world around us. We are invited to trust in the Holy Spirit's guidance, surrendering our limited perspectives to embrace the mystery of the Trinity. In doing so, we become vessels of God's love and truth, inviting others to encounter Christ through our words and actions.

On this Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter, let us embrace the invitation to deepen our faith and share the Good News with the world. The Holy Spirit is our guide, leading us into truth and testifying to God's glory. As we surrender to the Spirit's wisdom, we become instruments of transformation, revealing the unseen truth of Christ's resurrection to those who have yet to encounter Him. May our lives be a testament to the power of God's Word and the love that flows from the heart of the Trinity.

Prayer for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter

Loving God, may your Holy Spirit guide us to boldly proclaim your truth with compassion, meeting others where they are on their own spiritual journey. Grant us the wisdom to embrace the mystery of your nature and the courage to be vessels of your love and transformative power in the world. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Praise God!

A video reflection from USCCB for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter. Today, the psalmist sings the praises of God. Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes that God alone is God.