REFLECTIONS TODAY
As Jesus prepares his disciples for his return to the Father through his passion, death, and glorification (ascension), he speaks of the Advocate whom the Father will send in his name—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is paraklētos, someone “called to be at their side” in their defense. He is the Spirit of truth who will comfort them, remind them of Jesus’ teachings, and be their strength and inspiration. Jesus speaks of the time when the disciples will be expelled from the synagogue (they were Jews), persecuted, and even be put to death because of Jesus’ name. People will do this thinking that they are offering worship to God. Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Christians in his mistaken zeal for Judaism and the traditions of his ancestors. Today, many Christians, especially Catholics, fall victims to those who hate them “without cause.” Religious persecution continues to wag its ugly head. Pope Francis says that to discriminate against or persecute those who profess their faith is an intolerable act that threatens the fraternal bonds shared by humanity. He asks, “How can we allow that in this society— which is so civilized—there are people who are persecuted simply because they publicly profess their faith? Not only is it unacceptable; it’s inhuman, it’s insane” (Video message, Jan. 3, 2022).
First Reading • Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
Gospel • John 15:26—16:4a
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.