It is 28th May 2020.
We celebrate the memorial of St. Germanus. It is the world day of prayer for the sanctification of Priest. Let us remember to pray for our priests whom we know and those who serve our vicariate and dioceses. Without sufficient spiritual support, priests cannot continue to be holy, humane and faithful to the Lord and the Church.
The readings are from Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; and the Gospel from John 17:20-26.
With the apostolic zeal we can be a witness for the Lord even the whole world is against us.
Spiritually genuine people are nuisance for us. Many do not like the ones who live a life in the spirit. Unless and until our life impacts the other, our choices need to go through deeper introspection. Zeal for the Lord is the proof of our generosity to Him and the humanity. “It is zeal for your house that has consumed me.” (Ps.69:9).
The Holy Spirit purifies all kinds of toxic elements within us and in our institutions.
In the first reading, the Lord encourages Paul to continue witnessing for Him. “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.” (Acts.23:11).
We all need to continue our witnessing even amidst this prolonged pandemic. The signs of hope and healing sprouting gradually, so may we continue our initial zeal for the Lord, and for one another. As we need one another, so the Lord needs us for the good works to continue. Lack of appreciation, approval, applause or even finding fault and looking down on our efforts are not sufficient reasons to dry up our warmth, freedom and generosity to God and humanity. Who or what is that in our life pulling our enthusiasm to serve the Lord and humanity today?
Something will not go well in what we do. Someone may not like our best of our intentions. But be assured the Lord is impressed with those little things we do for our families, communities and humanity at large. The Lord wants us to continue those little acts of love, kindness, generosity and forgiveness. The responsorial Psalm intercedes, ” Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.” (Ps.15:1). The prayer of Jesus invites us to be united as believers. Unity is our strength and only witness of the Spirit that attracts the world around. We are the gifts of the Lord and so the Lord desires oneness, unity with prudence.
“I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (Jn.17:23). The Lord wants us all to reach Heaven by our unity, witness and love. May you have a good day. God bless you.