I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord;
I go, but I will come back to you,
and your hearts will be full of joy. JN 14:18
ACTS 18:1-8
My Soul's Beloved,
I know that as an Apostle, St. Paul was given the charism to teach, to preach, and to evangelise powerfully, so hearts were converted and many were baptized. My witness is more humble but just as needful and important. I am baptized and by virtue of my baptism I have been entrusted with the mission to make You known and loved by the witness of my life in my family, among my friends, in my neighborhood, in my community, and to all I encounter. If by my life I give scandal, if I am not reflecting Your light and my life is not as salt that has the flavor of goodness, beauty, and truth, then I have failed to live the Good News and will be judged accordingly.
Paul's life was exemplary. The Holy Spirit empowered him to speak boldly, with courage, with conviction, and many came to believe, both Jews and Gentiles. Aquila and his wife Priscilla were believers and welcomed Paul to live and work with them. He did not take advantage of their kindness, generosity, and hospitality, even though they would have gladly provided for him, but he worked to provide for his needs. We can become lazy and sponge off the good nature of people, not Paul; such an accusation could never be made against him.
Believers were generous in welcoming Paul and his companions, making their lives a little easier so they could preach and teach the Gospel without worrying about where they would lodge. People opened their homes to him and provided for his needs. Are we generous in supporting those who are in full-time ministry? Our Church, priests, religious, and lay people who devote their lives to making You known and loved? Our giving is miserly if we give at all. You remind us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Enlarge our capacity for giving to those who labor in Your vineyard, and we too will be blessed.
After Silas and Timothy had arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted all his time to preaching, declaring to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When they turned against him and started to insult him, he took his cloak and shook it out in front of them, saying, ‘Your blood be on your own heads; from now on I can go to the pagans with a clear conscience.’ Then he left the synagogue and moved to the house next door that belonged to a worshipper of God called Justus. Crispus, president of the synagogue, and his whole household, all became believers in the Lord. A great many Corinthians who had heard him became believers and were baptised.
PSALM 97(98):1-4
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
PSALM 97(98):1-4
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
JOHN 16:16-20
JOHN 16:16-20
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