Reading 1
Acts 14:19-28
In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
arrived and won over the crowds.
They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,
supposing that he was dead.
But when the disciples gathered around him,
he got up and entered the city.
On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.”
They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the Church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Then they spent no little time with the disciples.
145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21
Responsorial Psalm R. (see 12)
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,
and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:27-31a
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”
Meditation: Acts 14:19-28
“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” (Acts 14:19)
“Is he dead?” Paul’s companions probably asked this question as they looked upon his bloody, beaten body. He had been stoned by an angry crowd in Lystra because of his preaching about Christ. “No, he’s alive!” Paul slowly picked himself up off the ground, rested for a day, and then moved on to preach in another town.
Another town meant another opportunity to share the message of Jesus. But it also meant another risk of being stoned—maybe even killed this time. This is what Paul faced every time he entered a new city. He never knew whether he would be greeted with open hearts or zinging rocks.
Paul was certainly one determined man, but it can be easy to romanticize his courage and lose sight of what it actually cost him. It was a punishing life! And no one said he had to do it. In fact, some people probably said: “Paul, don’t you think it’s time to retire? Why not at least take a few years off and go back to Tarsus to recharge your batteries?” But he didn’t retire or even slacken; he kept on going and going.
Most of us won’t be called upon to die for the gospel. We’re not likely to be stoned and left for dead, either. But that doesn’t mean the cost of following Jesus is low. We all have to die to our old ways. We all have to work to build a godly environment at home. And we all need extra energy to fulfill our calling in life.
Let’s face it: It’s hard work! But the same Holy Spirit who galvanized Paul lives within you. God may not have called you to live an apostolic lifestyle, but he has called you to be an ambassador for Christ right where you are.
So ask the Lord for the strength to remain faithful to his calling. Ask him for a deeper dedication to prayer and service. And if you fall—as Paul undoubtedly did from time to time—get back up! Don’t let bumps and bruises hinder you. Don’t get bogged down by the details. And by all means, don’t worry about success or failure. Just keep moving forward, and let God take care of his part!
“Lord, I trust that you will fully supply whatever I need!”
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