Reading 1
Acts 18:9-18
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city.”
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
“This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.”
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
“If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.”
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm R. (8a)
God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
Meditation: John 16:20-23
“I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice.” (John 16:22)
Take a close look at this verse. Jesus promised his disciples that their hearts would rejoice when he saw them again, not when they saw him. Doesn’t that seem odd? What is it about Jesus seeing us that would fill us with joy?
Part of the answer lies in the Book of Psalms. Over and over again in the psalms, we find verses like these: “Look upon me, answer me, Lord,” or “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness” (Psalm 13:4; 31:17).
These verses and so many more tell us what a privilege it is to have Almighty God look upon us. They tell us that his gaze is one of power, love, and compassion. They tell us that every time God looks at us, good things happen.
Of course we all want to see Jesus. Who wouldn’t want to finally be face-to-face with their Savior and the lover of their souls? But we want to see him so that we can look into his eyes and see the love that he has for us. We want to see him so that we can have the assurance that comes from the way he looks at us.
So today in prayer, try to picture Jesus looking at you. Let him see into your heart. Let him see your hopes and fears, your needs and desires. It’s okay. He knows them already. But if you give him the chance to look closely, you’ll begin to see yourself as he sees you: as a valued member of his family, as a beloved child of his Father, and as a brother or sister who really is deserving of his love and affection.
Just as a small child is happy to know that Mom or Dad is nearby watching, you will find great comfort and security in knowing that Jesus’ eyes are upon you. You can turn to him in the midst of any situation and see him gazing at you, his attention fixed on you. Let his look of love move you to love him more deeply in return. You are never alone!
“Jesus, I am amazed at the way you look upon me. Open the eyes of my heart to see you so that I can receive your life today. Only you can bring me the joy and peace I need.”
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