First reading Acts 16:11-15
The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to accept what Paul was saying
Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, and from there for Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that particular district of Macedonia. After a few days in this city we went along the river outside the gates as it was the sabbath and this was a customary place for prayer. We sat down and preached to the women who had come to the meeting. One of these women was called Lydia, a devout woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptised she sent us an invitation: ‘If you really think me a true believer in the Lord,’ she said ‘come and stay with us’; and she would take no refusal.
Responsorial Psalm 149:1-6,9
The Lord takes delight in his people.
or
Alleluia!
Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people.
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips:
this honour is for all his faithful.
Gospel John 15:26-16:4
The Spirit of truth will be my witness
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘When the Advocate comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father,
he will be my witness.
And you too will be witnesses,
because you have been with me from the outset.
‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.
They will expel you from the synagogues,
and indeed the hour is coming
when anyone who kills you
will think he is doing a holy duty for God.
They will do these things
because they have never known
either the Father or myself.
But I have told you all this,
so that when the time for it comes
you may remember that I told you.’
________________________________
You too will be witnesses
In today’s gospel, Jesus told the disciples that they would face persecution from the Jewish religious leaders, which would cause them to feel hopeless and have their faith shaken. However, Jesus did not tell the disciples to fight violence with violence. Instead, He said to them that the Holy Spirit would be with them and empower them to continue witnessing to Him.
Today, as we pray with the gospel passage, we can reflect on our past and present experiences of being “persecuted” for trying to testify to Jesus and living His values of truth, justice and love in the family, parish, workplace and society. May we never resist suffering for Christ but have the courage to testify Jesus’ presence in our lives through our daily words, actions and choices. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come to us and give us the strength to point others to Jesus.
Reflective question:
How open am I, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to witness to Jesus through my words, actions and choices?
How open am I, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to witness to Jesus through my words, actions and choices?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
