＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 16:22-34

 So they set the crowd against them

And the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be flogged. And after inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them safely. Upon re­ceiving these instructions, he threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

  About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly a severe earthquake shook the place, rocking the prison to its foundations. Immediately all the doors flew open and the chains of all the pri­soners fell off. 

The jailer woke up to see the prison gates wide open. Thinking that the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself, but Paul shouted to him, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here.”

 The jailer asked for a light, then rushed in, and fell at the feet of Paul and Silas. After he had secured the other prisoners, he led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household will be saved.” Then they spoke the word of God to him and to all his household.

 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer took care of them and washed their wounds; and he and his whole household were baptized at once. He led them to his house, spread a meal before them and joyfully celebrated with his whole household his newfound faith in God.

 

Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

Your right hand saves me, O Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

 John 16:5-11

But now I am going to the One who sent me and none of you asks me where I am going; instead you are overcome with grief because of what I have said.

 Believe me, it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go away,I will send him to you,and when he comes,he will vindicate the patahs of righteousness and justice.

What is the world’s sin, in regard to me? Disbelief. What is the path of righteousness? It is the path I walk, by which I go to the Father; and you shall see me no more. What is the path of justice? It is the path on which the prince of this world will always stand condemned.

 

 

Gospel Reflection：

In the face of Jesus' impending departure, the disciples are sad. They are in grief because a part of them will stay with Jesus always. Jesus too feels the pain of going away. That is the bittersweet reality of parting. One must go to seek a greater destiny.

But in doing so, you leave pieces of yourself behind. And you bring pieces of those you will leave behind. Thus the one departing and those left behind are incomplete. They will be made whole again in the reunion in heaven.