SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2022

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ,
you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is,
sitting at God’s right hand. COL 3:1

ACTS 16:1-10 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

Paul was so deeply committed to total submission to the Holy Spirit, so committed to being an apostle to the Gentiles, and so in tune with You that his dedication in carrying out the mission entrusted personally by You to him was single-minded and unswerving. He permitted nothing to distract him from the call of preaching and teaching the Good News no matter the cost. according to the plans he made he would change if he found that it was not in keeping with the will of the Spirit. 

He knew when to hold fast and when to let go. He was never afraid to take a stand for what was right even if it meant boldly confronting Peter with fraternal correction. If it was right, if it was Your will, if it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that was all he needed to know and he would do it no matter the cost.

He recognized that there would always be a short supply of fervent, ardent, believers and when he did find one he did not hesitate to encourage them and include them in the mission. He was careful not to allow any needless controversy to hinder his work and this is why Timothy was circumcised lest it became the cause of strife with the local Jews as his mother was a Jewess and his father a Greek. Every Christian should likewise know when it is ok to give in and when to stand firm as Paul did on many occasions.

What we ought never to forget is that we are servants of the mission entrusted to us and we must always be docile to the Master who commissioned us

JOHN 15:18-21 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

If we understood as the disciples did when You made known to them the cost of true discipleship we would not whine and complain. They rejoiced and counted it all joy when they faced persecution, hatred, exclusion, injustice, even imprisonment, torture, and death. The servant is not greater than the Master and the lives of the apostles testify that they considered it an honor and a privilege to endure suffering for Your sake and the sake of the Gospel.

We live in an age where we are too easily cowed down, too easily bullied into submission. Too often we watch in silence when others are being bullied and when the day comes when we are bullied they in turn will remain silent. 

Beloved, You told us clearly we can expect to be hated by the world if we follow You, model our lives on Your teaching, and love as You loved. The world is full of adulation for those who mirror its culture but those whose lives are a contradiction in the world, who refuse to belong to it, who hold themselves to a divine standard will be hated with a hatred that is pure, satanic hatred.    

You speak to every authentic disciple when You say in today's Gospel:

‘Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too;
if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.
But it will be on my account that they will do all this,
because they do not know the one who sent me.’