COLLECT: “O GOD, WHOSE SON, AT HIS ASCENSION TO THE HEAVENS, WAS PLEASED TO PROMISE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE APOSTLES, GRANT, WE PRAY, THAT, JUST AS THEY RECEIVED MANIFOLD GIFTS OF HEAVENLY TEACHING, SO ON US, TOO, YOU MAY BESTOW SPIRITUAL GIFTS. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 18:23-28; Ps 46:2-3,8-10 and Jn 16:23b-28.
Indeed, not all the work we do or the life we live here on earth is drudgery, or negative or setback or suffering. There are certainly sometimes, some positives, progress, achievements and joys in life. We are encouraged today, by the life and work of Paul, to always concentrate on the positives and not the negatives that come our way. This is very important otherwise, we will eventually get drowned in our negatives and the setbacks we encounter, rendering us ineffective and non-progressive in whatever we do. Paul had gone through a lot of setbacks, suffering and drudgery in his missionary activities. The flogging and beating, the imprisonment, the stoning, etc. are just a few examples.
Yet, Paul continued his ministry in joy and happiness. Yes, Paul also reaped some successes. The Gentiles were receptive to the Good News and Paul created a lot of impact in their lives. Probably, this, together with Paul’s commitment and dedication to his call and ministry, gave him the zeal not to recoil or abandon the work in the face of suffering, disappointments and setbacks. Indeed, Paul scored massive victories in key cities. There were also additions of exciting new leaders in the Church, Timothy, Silas, Titus, and in today’s scriptures, Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos. These were all successes Paul scored in life. Let us always rejoice in the victories Christ brings to us in life. We should not let the hazards and negatives we encounter create a negative mindset in us.
Jesus has given us an antidote to use when we encounter setbacks, sufferings and negatives as we live our lives and go about our vocations and professions. In moments like these, all we need to do is to ask the Lord for his strength and wisdom, “ask anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete…. On that day you will ask in my name” (Cf. Jn 16:24ff). Stay blessed.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, SATURDAY, ON THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE ANNUNCIATION, THE VISITATION, THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE AND THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE’. (LET US PRAY FOR HUMILITY, LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR, POVERTY IN SPIRIT, OBEDIENCE AND JOY IN FINDING JESUS) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “WE HAVE PARTAKEN OF THE GIFTS OF THIS SACRED MYSTERY, HUMBLY IMPLORING, O LORD, THAT WHAT YOUR SON COMMANDED US TO DO IN MEMORY OF HIM MAY BRING US GROWTH IN CHARITY. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!