Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
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.
He brings people under us; nations under our feet. He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
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.
“Your grief will become joy”
Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol (Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)Today we begin the Decade of the Holy Spirit. Reliving the memory of the Cenacle, we see the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Good Counsel, talking with the Apostles. What a warm and abounding conversation! Recalling all the joys they shared with their Master: The Paschal days, the Ascension and Jesus' promises. The sufferings of the Passion days have turned into joy. What a nice atmosphere at the Cenacle! And what is yet to come, as Jesus has assured them.
We now know that Mary, Queen of the Apostles, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mother of the growing Church, guides us to receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The gifts are like a boat's sails when unfurled and the wind —representing grace— blowing in favor: what a speed and easiness of the course!
The Lord has also promised to transform into joy the hardship of our journey: “No one will take your joy away from you” (Jn 16:22) and “your joy may be complete” (Jn 16:24). And in Psalm 126:6: “Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.”
All this week the Liturgy speaks of revitalizing, of exulting (jumping with joy), of an eternal and certain happiness. Everything leads us to live in prayer. As Saint Josemaria Escrivá wrote: “I want you to be happy always, for cheerfulness is an essential part of your way. Pray that the same supernatural joy may be granted to us all.”
Human beings need laughter both for their physical and spiritual wellbeing. Healthy humor teaches us how to live. Saint Paul will say: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God” (Rm 8:28). And here you have a good ejaculatory prayer!: “It's all unto good”; “Omnia in bonum!”
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
“The exulting angel's sang when the Lord was born. Over that indescribable work of the Divine love how ought the humbleness of men to rejoice, when the joy of the lofty angels is so great” (Saint Leo the Great)
“Difficulties can remove human joy from anything. But the joy that the Lord gives us, that makes us rejoice, raises us in the hope of finding it, even in the darkest moments” (Francis)
“(…) Christ, who assumed all things in order to redeem all things, is glorified by what we ask the Father in his name (cf. Jn 14:13). It is with this confidence that St. James and St. Paul exhort us to pray at all times” (Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Nº 2633)
