Christ has risen, he who created all things,
and has granted his mercy to men.
ACTS 18:9-18
My Soul's Beloved,
There will always be opposition to those who live their faith in You boldly, who evangelise without fear, are not intimidated by threats, and are prepared to endure all things except be silent. For the Good News of salvation burns within them and does not allow them to rest until the message is proclaimed and many come to believe and are saved.
Nothing in this life is more important than to live the Gospel, to carry out our duties as members of the Church according to our vocation, and to grow in holiness and perfection. The Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts in the Sacraments, and all those who desire to become saints and are prepared to undergo any hardships that it will bring, will always be consoled, strengthened, and given all the graces necessary to persevere. It is only lukewarm Christians who are anathema to You. These You will spew out of your mouth. But to those like me, the weak, the fearful, the sinner, who desires, however, to love You as You ought to be loved, You will take by the hand and lead gently, providing all that is needful to help us. You desire that all be saved, too great a price was paid for our redemption for even one soul to be lost.
At Corinth one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’ So Paul stayed there preaching the word of God among them for eighteen months.
But, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. ‘We accuse this man’ they said ‘of persuading people to worship God in a way that breaks the Law.’ Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘Listen, you Jews. If this were a misdemeanour or a crime, I would not hesitate to attend to you; but if it is only quibbles about words and names, and about your own Law, then you must deal with it yourselves – I have no intention of making legal decisions about things like that.’
PSALM 46(47):2-7
God is king of all the earth.
All peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
At Corinth one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’ So Paul stayed there preaching the word of God among them for eighteen months.
But, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. ‘We accuse this man’ they said ‘of persuading people to worship God in a way that breaks the Law.’ Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘Listen, you Jews. If this were a misdemeanour or a crime, I would not hesitate to attend to you; but if it is only quibbles about words and names, and about your own Law, then you must deal with it yourselves – I have no intention of making legal decisions about things like that.’
PSALM 46(47):2-7
God is king of all the earth.
All peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.
He subdues peoples under us
and nations under our feet.
Our inheritance, our glory, is from him,
given to Jacob out of love.
God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
and nations under our feet.
Our inheritance, our glory, is from him,
given to Jacob out of love.
God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God is king of all the earth.
JOHN 16:20-23
My Soul's Beloved,
JOHN 16:20-23
My Soul's Beloved,
To be a faithful disciple in every season, and most especially when the road is narrow and difficult, is not easy. The weak will fall by the wayside, when trampled upon, their fervor and zeal melt like dew in the morning sun. You do not promise us happiness in this life. In this life, the only thing guaranteed to those who pick up their cross daily and follow You, is suffering. No one wants to suffer, Lord, and this is why the world is filled with those who choose the temporary happiness that the world, the flesh, and the devil offer over deep and abiding joy in the soul that comes from doing Your will always, no matter the cost.
You walked the Way of Suffering before us. You know the Way, and if we follow in Your footsteps, we will share in Your triumph and victory. Thank You for understanding that we are weak and shaping our personal cross so we will not be crushed under its weight. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who will provide all that is necessary to help us choose to walk in the Way of Truth, no matter the cost, and He who is our Helper, our Paraclete, and our Guide will inflame our hearts with the fire of Your life if we choose to let Him.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
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