The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050216.cfm)
reminds me that God wants me to be strong with the trials in life.
Life is not fair. Good people
suffer and get abused, while bad people prosper and have the finer things in
life. However, God wants us to be strong amidst the challenges and persecutions
that life bring us, especially with regards to us being followers of God. In
the gospel, Jesus said that we will experience persecutions. Being persecuted
is one thing, but people thinking that they are serving God as they persecute
Christ's followers is another. In fact, it may even make us doubt ourselves and
our service to God. Good thing God knows this and warns us through Jesus that
this might happen. In the gospel, he warns us ahead so we may be prepared and
not fall away when we experience these things.
Following Christ is not easy.
Jesus
experienced his share of suffering and persecution in this world, and we should
expect them too if we are real followers of Christ. But He does not want us to
succumb to these challenges. He wants us to be strong and hold on to his word
as we experience these. God will give us strength to endure it, and the wisdom
to look forward and know what is really important in life.
When we experience challenges
that come with following Christ, may we learn to be strong and focus on Him.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. thank you
for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I get weak and succumb to
these challenges and persecutions. Sorry for the times I prioritize other
things instead of my faith. I ask that you continue to be patient with me. give
me strength to face the challenges that come with following you. give me the
wisdom to know what is really important and be able to focus on you. Use me for
your glory. amen.
Blessed
week!
In
Christ,
-g-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 2, 2016
Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 291
Reading 1 Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you will also testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Jn 15:26b, 27a
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you will also testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 15:26—16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”
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