Monday of the 7th Week of Eastertide
First Reading — Acts 19:1–8
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ they answered, ‘No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then how were you baptised?’ he asked. ‘With John’s baptism’ they replied. ‘John’s baptism’ said Paul ‘was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him – in other words, Jesus.’
When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men.
He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 67(68):2–7
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Let God arise, let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God,
they shall exult and dance for joy.
O sing to the Lord, make music to his name;
rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the lonely a home to live in;
he leads the prisoners forth into freedom.
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation — Colossians 3:1
Alleluia, alleluia!
If, then, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Alleluia!
Gospel — John 16:29–33
His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’
Jesus answered them:
‘Do you believe at last?
Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –
when you will be scattered,
each going his own way and leaving me alone.
And yet I am not alone,
because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this
so that you may find peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but be brave: I have conquered the world.’
Reflection
The Church now moves closer to Pentecost, and today’s readings place the Holy Spirit at the centre of Christian life. In Acts, Paul encounters disciples who had received only John’s baptism. They had repentance, sincerity, and religious intention, yet they had not received the fullness of life in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Paul immediately recognises something incomplete in their faith. Christianity is not merely moral improvement or religious observance. It is participation in the life of the risen Christ through the Holy Spirit. Once these disciples are baptised in the name of Jesus and Paul lays hands upon them, the Spirit descends upon them powerfully.
This moment reminds the Church that faith cannot remain superficial or intellectual alone. Many people know facts about Jesus while never fully surrendering their lives to him. The Holy Spirit transforms believers from passive followers into courageous witnesses. CCC 683 teaches that “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” True Christian life is impossible without the Spirit actively working within us.
The number twelve mentioned in Acts also echoes the twelve apostles and symbolises the restoration and expansion of God’s people. The Gospel is now moving outward beyond Jerusalem into the wider world. The Church is becoming missionary in identity and purpose.
The Gospel from John shifts our attention toward the suffering that lies ahead for the disciples. Jesus speaks with striking honesty. He tells them they will be scattered. Fear, confusion, and weakness will soon overcome them during his Passion. Even after following Jesus closely, the disciples are still fragile.
Yet Christ does not condemn them. Instead, he prepares them.
“In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.”
These words remain among the most powerful promises in Scripture. Jesus never teaches a false prosperity gospel or an easy Christianity. He openly says there will be trouble. Believers will experience persecution, grief, temptation, uncertainty, and suffering. But suffering does not have the final word because Christ has already conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness through his Cross and Resurrection.
The peace Jesus offers is not the absence of hardship. It is confidence in his victory even during hardship. CCC 1808 explains that courage, strengthened by grace, allows believers to persevere through difficulties and remain faithful to the good.
The disciples would soon fail, scatter, and hide in fear. Yet after Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit, these same men would preach boldly before rulers, endure imprisonment, and eventually give their lives for Christ. The Spirit changes fearful people into faithful witnesses.
The same transformation is still needed today. Modern believers face discouragement, cultural hostility, distractions, anxiety, and spiritual weariness. Jesus’ words remain deeply relevant: “Be brave.” Courage in the Christian life does not come from self-confidence but from trust in the risen Lord who has already conquered the world.
As Eastertide draws toward Pentecost, the Church is invited to pray again for renewal through the Holy Spirit. God does not leave his people weak and abandoned. He fills them with grace, truth, courage, and peace.
One line to carry today:
Christ has conquered the world, so do not let fear conquer you.
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