Happy Easter everyone! Yes for many Easter was just one day, but for us who know our faith it is fifty days in Eastertide! This Sunday marks the 7th Sunday in Easter as we count down to Pentecost. So sisters and brothers in Christ, how joyful are you? Are you walking in the light of our Lord’s resurrection? Are you bringing hope, peace and joy to those who have none?
If all of us do our part in sharing the joy of the Gospel with world, then surely God our Father in Heaven will bless all His children and dwell in their hearts then there will be no senseless violence and massacres by those without hope, peace and joy for they would have heard that God our Father loves them and would have experienced the peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Today let us not be afraid to speak out in love, nor allow ourselves to be silenced as we share the Gospel truths: Our Resurrected Lord is with us! Amen Alleluia
First reading
Acts 18:9-18 ·
‘I have many people on my side in this city’
At Corinth one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid to speak out, nor allow yourself to be silenced: I am with you. I have so many people on my side in this city that no one will even attempt to hurt you.’ So Paul stayed there preaching the word of God among them for eighteen months.
But, while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a concerted attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. ‘We accuse this man’ they said ‘of persuading people to worship God in a way that breaks the Law.’ Before Paul could open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘Listen, you Jews. If this were a misdemeanour or a crime, I would not hesitate to attend to you; but if it is only quibbles about words and names, and about your own Law, then you must deal with it yourselves – I have no intention of making legal decisions about things like that.’ Then he sent them out of the court, and at once they all turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the court house. Gallio refused to take any notice at all.
After staying on for some time, Paul took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut off, because of a vow he had made.
Gospel
John 16:20-23
Your hearts will be full of joy that no-one will take from you
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you will be weeping and wailing
while the world will rejoice;
you will be sorrowful,
but your sorrow will turn to joy.
A woman in childbirth suffers,
because her time has come;
but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering
in her joy that a man has been born into the world.
So it is with you: you are sad now,
but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy,
and that joy no one shall take from you.
When that day comes,
you will not ask me any questions.’
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