Good morning good people,
May the Lord give you peace and blessings. It is 26th May 2025.
We reflect on Acts 16:11–15 and John 15:26–16:4.
We celebrate the memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest. He encourages us: “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore, the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.”
God alone opens the human heart to charity when it is docile, open, and ready to embrace others with warmth and grace. There is no deeper joy than that which springs from meaningful and versatile relationships. Hospitable, sociable, and friendly souls are often the most joyful—finding contentment in the beauty of new encounters and the richness of shared humanity. Their lives are marked not by ease, but by the peace that comes from openness and generosity.
In the first reading, we meet Lydia—a woman of noble heart and gracious spirit. She was hospitable, generous, God-fearing, and loved people just as they were. She sat and listened as St. Paul preached, and Scripture tells us:
“The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:14)
When was the last time we allowed God to open our hearts in the same way? To be generous, to welcome others, to let people into our lives for the sake of the Gospel? Lydia went so far as to invite the apostles to stay in her home and helped build a church for believers. She stands as a model of how hospitality and faith can become a sanctuary for others.
Today’s responsorial psalm sings:
“The Lord takes delight in his people.” (Psalm 149:4)
The Gospel, meanwhile, prepares us for the cross we carry as Christ’s witnesses. Jesus assures us of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will stand with us when trials come. He says:
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father—he will testify on my behalf.” (John 15:26)
We are called to testify, too—not with words alone, but with lives marked by truth and charity. Our suffering becomes our testimony; to witness is, indeed, to be a martyr. Living the truth is not just belief—it is life. When we know the Word, believe the Word, and live the Word, it becomes flesh in us. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts so that truth becomes not only something we profess but something we embody.
Even when we are suppressed, misunderstood, or maligned—when people throw dirt on us for our personal and social sins—God calls us still to be loving, joyful, and charitable. The Spirit whispers truth even in the storm.
May the Lord help us live with joyful hearts, open hands, and faithful lives. Have a beautiful day. God bless you.