Readings for Next Week:
Acts 2:1–11
1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13 or Galatians 5:16 – 25
John 20:19–23 or 15:26 – 27; 16:12 –15

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
We don’t talk much about Judas. Maybe it’s because we don’t know
much about him, or maybe it’s because we’re reluctant to draw
conclusions about his fate. Do we assume he ended in perdition, as seems appropriate for one who betrayed the Son of God, or do we hope he repented in the end, or that circumstances or motivation mitigated his guilt? We’ll never know. But Jesus makes two sobering comments about him that should give us pause and make us wonder if we take our destiny too much for granted. In Matthew’s account of the Gospel (26:24), Jesus says, “ . . . woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus refers to him as “the son of destruction” (17:12), contrasting him to the others entrusted to him who were not “lost.” So, while only God knows the final disposition of Judas’ soul, there is good reason for concern about his destiny. Existence is good in and of itself. For Jesus to say it would be
better if someone had never existed suggests there is something worse than non-being: damnation — the chosen state of eternal separation from the love of God. That such might be the fate of one who had been “allotted a share in this ministry” (Acts 1:17) seems inconceivable. But that is the tragedy of Judas. He knew the Son of Love. He dined with him and shared an intimacy denied the crowds and even many disciples. It’s when we’ve seen the light but shun it that we risk plunging ourselves into the darkest night. “. . . that they may also be consecrated in truth” (John 17:19).

SHARING FAITH
Have you experienced the world’s hatred because you clung to
the truth of Christ? Have you ever resented someone else because
they clung to a truth you didn’t hold?

LIVING THE LITURGY
Do a search to determine the approximate number of Christian
denominations there are today. For nearly a thousand years, there
was only one. What insight does the information you find give
you regarding Jesus’ prayer for unity among his followers?

The Word to Go © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.

Readings for Next Week:
Acts 1:15 –17, 20a, 20c – 26
1 John 4:11–16
John 17:11b –19

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
“God is love” (1 John 4:8) is the greatest jewel in all of scripture, and perhaps its most misunderstood truth. That truth distinguished the God of Jesus from the capricious gods of ancient cultures. Our God is so unlike other gods that we don’t even have the words or the imagination to express it. But that’s where we trip up. Because God does so much, we think God will do it all. But God made us free, and with freedom comes responsibility. Slaves have no responsibilities, for they can only do what they’re told. But free people can choose, and we’re free to obey or disobey. It’s how we use that freedom that makes the difference in our lives. In Cornelius’ home, Peter learned a lesson: God doesn’t play favorites based on DNA or even circumcision. All who fear God and act uprightly are acceptable, but such generosity puts demands on us.
That’s why in this Easter Season we keep hearing Jesus tell us that
if we love him, we must keep his commandments. Love is a seed or
like the yeast in dough. It does what it does because it’s in its nature to sprout or to leaven. But we can short-circuit the process if we don’t tend the seed or don’t let the dough sit and rise. God will never stop loving us, but that doesn’t make our effort unnecessary. Our task is to remain open to that love by keeping the commandments.“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you” (John 15:12).

SHARING FAITH
We are commanded to keep the commandments, yet Jesus says we
are “friends” not “slaves” (John 15:14 –15). What is the difference
between how and why a slave and a friend keep commandments?

LIVING THE LITURGY
We are told that Cornelius’ household started “speaking in
tongues” (Acts 10:46). Try to find someone who has experienced
or observed this manifestation of the Spirit and dialogue with
them about it.

The Word to Go © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications

Readings for Next Week:
Acts 10:25 – 26, 34 – 35, 44 – 48
1 John 4:7–10
John 15:9 –17

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
“You are nothing without me!” We expect such words from an angry spouse or business partner, perhaps. But here, it’s Jesus who says it
(John 15:5). Such words often provoke an “I’ll show you!” response. But Jesus isn’t flinging angry insults, he’s just telling the truth. Today’s readings are filled with hard truths. Paul was rejected by disciples who feared he was a fraud. John’s letter says there is no other route to discipleship than to follow the commandments in deeds, not just words. And the Gospel puts it very bluntly, telling us that he is proactive, pruning healthy vines and cutting away dead branches. The sum of today’s readings smacks us upside the head, telling us to do what we’re supposed to, stay close so we don’t wander into danger, and remain connected so we get the nourishment we need. Otherwise, we’ll be tossed aside like withered limbs and end up in the fire. We receive no apologies for that tough love. We all need it now and again. Without it, it’s too easy to become complacent, to act the part without living the role. The formula for success is simple: Belief in Christ comes first. We are not just a “do the right thing” religion, we’re a “we belong to Christ” religion. We embrace the consequences of our commitment. That’s where step two comes in. If you belong to Christ, then do what he commanded: Love one another. “And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another . . .” (1 John 3:23).

SHARING FAITH
We hear in Acts that the “church . . . was at peace” (9:31). How
many times in our history do you think that statement was true?
Why is even the Church so often afflicted by inner turmoil?

LIVING THE LITURGY
Talk to someone who gardens or has knowledge of agricultural
practices. Ask them about the importance of pruning. Why is it
helpful and necessary? What happens to a plant that is not pruned?

The Word to Go © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications

Readings for Next Week:
Acts 9:26 – 31
1 John 3:18 – 24
John 15:1– 8

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
In our diverse culture, the words of Acts may sound narrow and partisan: There is no salvation through anyone but Jesus. “Elitist” might be the kindest comment some would toss at those assertions. And perhaps they would sound arrogant if Jesus didn’t also say, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the “sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus is the only shepherd, because it is only his voice that the sheep hear and recognize. Jesus knows his sheep, and in the Bible that means understanding and intimacy. Remember, Jesus is a king who reigned from a cross. He never lorded it over others, but sacrificed himself for them. The first letter of John says Jesus’ own rejected him and refused to “know” him (3:1). Here, too, knowing refers to the deep understanding that results from intimate relationship. That intimacy was what many of Jesus’ contemporaries rejected. Having rejected him, they also reject his followers. As Christ’s followers, we recognize his voice. In ancient times, sheep grazed freely and flocks became intermixed. But shepherds had only to call and their sheep would hear and follow, responding to their shepherd’s voice and no other. Jesus says, “the Father loves me” (John 10:17) because he willingly and obediently
laid down his life. His sacrifice brought us into the sheepfold, or better, into the family of God, making us God’s children. That’s what we are now, but in the future, we know only this: we will resemble Jesus and be forever like him.
“. . . we shall be like him . . .” 1 John 3:2.

SHARING FAITH
John’s letter has a “too good to be true” quality when it asserts
we are, indeed, children of God. What else is “too good” and true
about your faith?

LIVING THE LITURGY
Look up the word cornerstone in the dictionary or encyclopedia
and reflect on its meaning. Then consider what cornerstone
convictions you hold.

The Word to Go © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications

Readings for Next Week:
Acts 4:8 –12
1 John 3:1– 2
John 10:11–18

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The suffering and death of Christ remain a stumbling block for many. Why did God’s Son have to suffer? The Acts of the Apostles makes it clear that God had announced beforehand that “his Christ would suffer” (3:18). So, suffering was part of the divine plan. Some reject that notion outright because, they say, it makes God a sadist who takes some kind of twisted pleasure in the suffering of his Son. But suffering is not God’s invention, nor his remedy for human sin. It’s the natural consequence of sin. When a child neglects a parent’s warning not to poke fingers in a socket, the subsequent pain is not the parent’s punishment for disobedience, it’s the natural result of the child’s action. In his mercy, God allowed Christ to suffer for us, to take upon himself the natural consequences of our sins. We put our fingers in the outlet, but Christ absorbed the shock. It’s that simple. Luke repeats what’s said in Acts: “it is written that the Christ would suffer” (24:46). Humans sinned, and sin has consequences. Even God couldn’t undo that. So, the consequences had to fall on us or on someone else. By taking on those consequences, Jesus made it possible for us to “repent . . . and be converted” (Acts 3:19). If we paid the price of our own salvation, we wouldn’t need repentance. We could just suffer. But repentance brings usunder the umbrella of grace Christ won through his suffering. He paid the price, and we get the benefits! “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19).

SHARING FAITH
Peter emerges in the early Church as a powerful leader. Do you
know anyone who, like Peter, overcame faults and insecurity to
make a positive contribution?

LIVING THE LITURGY
Find three texts from the prophets that speak of the necessity of
suffering for the Messiah. Reflect prayerfully on how the texts
were fulfilled in the life of Jesus.

The Word to Go © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.