It is 23rd April 2018. We celebrate the memorials of Saint George, martyr and St.Adalbert, Bishop and martyr. The readings are from Acts 11:1-18; and the Gospel from John 10:1-10. Salvation is for all people. God opens the well springs of life to all people. God does not belong exclusively to particular group of people rather God belongs to all people. The Church opens the doors for the Holy Spirit to enter every nook and corner to prepare everyone to accept and embrace everyone with the love and mercy of God. In the first reading, we find St. Peter brings a great news of conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit that brought through the preaching and teachings of St. Peter brought the Gentiles who were only eligible for entering into the church in so far as they followed the Jewish laws. But through the vision of Peter, including everyone on board as long as they confess their faith in One God, One Saviour Jesus and in the powerful life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit. St. Peter defended the truth of accepting the Gentiles in the Church even though Jews found it hard to accept. “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” (Acts. 11:9). The life of people changes when the Holy Spirit descends on them. That is exactly what happened to the Gentiles. St. Peter with his six witnesses to explain the need for accepting the Gentiles into the Church and it was accepted as the norm later on. “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.” (Acts.11:18). At times we too find it hard to accept people and situation when we think they would not cooperate or collaborate with the plan we have for the Church. We side line people and even ignore them because we think we have a better plan for the Church. Let us learn to humble ourselves to run the show as God wants it. For that we need to be connected and filled with the Holy Spirit with the regular communication with the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity. “When God has chosen, who are we to stop and hinder?” (Acts.11:17). The responsorial Psalm praises, “My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.” (Ps.41:3). The Gospel teaches us that Jesus is the gate of life and salvation. “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10). The care and protection we are guaranteed by Jesus for every one as long as we listen to His voice and learn to trust Him completely. Jesus is our protector and the only access to God’s abode. There is no customised way to Heaven except Jesus. Jesus offers everyone life in abundance. It is the life full of peace, God’s forgiveness, knowledge of God, guidance, sacrifice and protection. As a believer, we need to share the knowledge of God and guide, defend others who wish to enter and experience the salvation and protection for the souls. May we not exclude anyone rather to include to introduce them to Jesus. Let not our lives and words drive out people from the presence of Jesus and of the Church. May you have a good day.

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