I used to think that it was madness for St Paul to have St Timothy circumcised just because everyone knew his father was a Greek. But now as I reflect more in this, would I not be glad to lose some skin if I could save many souls by doing so? For many were brought to faith and their numbers grew! Then as I reflect further down the passage, I wonder how many times I was prompted by the Spirit of Jesus to do or not do something yet thought it was all in my head. How was it I did not recognise my Lord’s voice? “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27 I reckon I had allowed the distractions of the world overwhelm me. I had not spent enough time in His presence, in prayer and listening to His Word.

I belonged to the world!

Now I renounce all affiliation and I sever all ties! I belong to Jesus alone!

I am no longer a slave to fear! I am a child of God my Heavenly Father who adores me! Amen Alleluia!

Our Lady of Fátima pray for us…

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First reading

Acts 16:1-10 ·

‘Come across to Macedonia and help us’

From Cilicia Paul went to Derbe, and then on to Lystra. Here there was a disciple called Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess who had become a believer; but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timothy, and Paul, who wanted to have him as a travelling companion, had him circumcised. This was on account of the Jews in the locality where everyone knew his father was a Greek.

    As they visited one town after another, they passed on the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, with instructions to respect them.

    So the churches grew strong in the faith, as well as growing daily in numbers.

    They travelled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia. When they reached the frontier of Mysia they thought to cross it into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, they went through Mysia and came down to Troas.

    One night Paul had a vision: a Macedonian appeared and appealed to him in these words, ‘Come across to Macedonia and help us.’ Once he had seen this vision we lost no time in arranging a passage to Macedonia, convinced that God had called us to bring them the Good News.

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Gospel

John 15:18-21

The world hated me before it hated you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If the world hates you,

remember that it hated me before you.

If you belonged to the world,

the world would love you as its own;

but because you do not belong to the world,

because my choice withdrew you from the world,

therefore the world hates you.

Remember the words I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master.

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too;

if they kept my word, they will keep yours as well.

But it will be on my account that they will do all this,

because they do not know the one who sent me.’