Acts 16:1-10, Psalm 100:1b-3 & 5, John 15:18-21

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS
 Acts 16:1-10, Psalm 100:1b-3 & 5, John 15:18-21

 http://www.bibleclaret.org/bibles/english.htm

 Acts 16:1-10

The Church grows strong in faith and in numbers when her children are obedient to her teachings just as the early Church did when St. Paul and his companions delivered the decision of the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem.    Wherever the Church flourishes it is there that her members have displayed fidelity to the teachings of Christ , the successor of St. Peter and to his Apostles.

St. Paul was sensitive to the sensibilities of the Jewish members of the Christian Community, and since Timothy's mother was a Jew, in accordance with Jewish tradition he had to follow her religious tradition since everyone knew that his father was Greek. In this instance it was right that Timothy was circumcised so that no false assumptions were made about him.  They wanted to deceive no one which is very commendable.

Keep us always sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and keep our senses attentive and attuned to Him so that He can guide us and lead us without any hindrance in the way that God wants us to go.  

Give me a docile and humble heart and a spirit of obedience.  Thank You.

Psalm 100:1b-3 & 5

Those who belong to You a acclaim You with joy and serve You in gladness.  Nothing You ask is too much because they love You.  They have tasted Your goodness and experienced Your boundless love.  They know they belong to You and that they have been redeemed at a cost that is incomprehensible to our finite intellect.  Thank You Beloved for Your everlasting love and faithfulness which is passed on from one generation to the next. 

 John 15:18-21

Hate is a terribly strong word Lord and it is true that there is a visceral and vicious hatred of Your teachings and for those who desire to follow them faithfully as well as to teach and encourage others to do the same.

Hatred of Truth, Wisdom, Beauty and Goodness nailed Divinity to the Cross ad we who follow in Your footsteps and proclaim this to be the only means of salvation can expect no less.  In fact it is a source of great joy to suffer for You and for the Gospel as the faithful have done in every age when they have given witness to this Truth.

The world idolizes those of the world but we who are chosen by You will follow You.  Whatever You suffered we too must be prepared to suffer for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel.  Keep us faithfulto Your Word O Eternal Word of the Father, keep us humble and obedient and if we are called to embrace the Cross let us do so in loving submission in imitation of You.