Readings Here Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter Acts 15:22-31; John 15:12–17 There is something astonishing in today’s Gospel. Jesus says: “I no longer call you slaves, but friends.” A slave hears the order, but not the heart. A slave receives commands, but is not told the mystery. A slave stands outside the door. ...

From Fear to Faith: Paul in Corinth Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter Acts 18:1–8; John 16:16–20 After Athens, Paul goes to Corinth. He does not arrive as a hero. He arrives tired. Uneasy. Afraid. Later he himself admits it: he came in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. That matters. Because we often imagine that the great apostles were always strong, always clear, always fearless. But Paul was not like that. ...