It is 29th April 2015. We celebrate the memorial of St. Catharine of Sienna, the Virgin and the Doctor of the Church. She is Patron Saint of Italy, and is invoked against fire, pestilence and headaches. Today’s readings are from Acts.12:24-13:5a and the Gospel from Jn. 12:44-50. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts.13:2). Barnabas and Paul embarked on a missionary journey. Set apart means to dedicate for a special purpose. We too need to dedicate our time, money and talents for God’s work. Ask the Holy Spirit what you need to set apart for God’s work. The responsorial Psalm prays, “Let the people praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.” (Ps.66:4). The Gospel offers a summary of the message of Jesus. Jesus invites us all to experience Him as light. “I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (Jn.12:46). Rejecting Jesus means rejecting God Himself. The mission of Jesus is not to judge us but to lead us all to salvation, from slavery to freedom, from sin to holiness, and from darkness to light. “I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” (Jn.12:47). God never gives up on us. It is we who give up on God due to our attachments with sins and darkness. Let us try to set apart a space for God where we can experience His love through Jesus.