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.’
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You will be my witnesses
When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are sent to be a witness of the Gospel wherever we are. What does it mean to be a witness? It is the attestation of an event, a fact. In today’s gospel, Jesus says that we will be His witness because we know and love Him. Thus, to witness Jesus’ life, we need to be in a personal relationship with Him and keep growing to be very familiar with Him so that His love becomes the centre of our lives. His love needs to transform our self-centered ways to His values of generosity, forgiveness, compassion, etc, and moves us to reach out to others in love.
We testify to Jesus through our words and actions. Today, Jesus places people in our lives so that we can be bridges that link them to Him.
Reflective question:
Am I ready to be Jesus’ witness?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
