Many remain fearful of sharing the good news of the gospel with others because they are afraid that they don’t know enough of the faith and will be put in a spot if questioned about the faith.
Today’s gospel reminds us that we do not need to fear, for the Holy Spirit will guide us on what to say and how to say it. Even then, if they reject us, they do not reject us, but they reject our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has come to save everyone from death and sin.
We should therefore grow deeper in the intimate relationship with Him. In doing so, and witnessing the power of Christ within us, we can carry His presence with us wherever we go. Then we will grow in the boldness of sharing Him with others.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr pray for us…
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First reading
Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul’s prayer for the enlightenment of the faithful
I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love that you show towards all the saints, have never failed to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.
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Gospel
Luke 12:8-12
If you declare yourselves for me, I will declare myself for you
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of the angels. But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.
‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’
