Do not be afraid to speak out nor allow yourself to be silenced. For the Lord is with you!
We must therefore speak out against injustices, speak up for those who cannot defend themselves, for the weak, the poor, the old. Unborn children facing abortion! Even against tyranny in the world or even in our church. For our light must shine amidst all darkness. We must be prepared to lay down lives, for our victory is in Christ our saviour.
As a man I will never be able to fathom the pain and suffering of childbirth. But I have experienced the joy of seeing my baby after all the stress, worry and anxiety of praying for the well being of both mother and child. The whole journey into fatherhood is truly a divine experience. So just as there will be times when we have to suffer for love through sacrifice and pain, we can hope to rise to greater heights of love and joy. Through Jesus Christ where love abounds. Amen Alleluia
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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.
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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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