We live in a rapidly changing world, don’t we? Ever feel like things are completely topsy-turvy, upside down? More on that in a moment. In our first reading today from Acts 16, we meet a woman named Lydia, whose heart God opened.
In today’s Gospel reading from John 15-16, Jesus continues telling His disciples of things to come. Remember when He said that the world would hate them? Today He reveals the striking consequences of that. “In fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.” In other words, they will be deceived; they will believe that the wrongs they are committing are actually right and good.
I continue to be struck by how this is very much happening (in a sense) even today. If you dare speak out against the spirit of the age – saying that marriage is between a man and a woman, that a man can't be a woman and a woman can't be a man, that abortion is murder or that (gasp!) sex outside of marriage is a sin – you will be marginalized, perhaps fined or made to be “re-educated.” And those who do these things will swear that you are wrong and they are right, as though they were offering worship to (a) god. Funny thing though – Jesus never told His disciples to back down, to go along to get along. They were to keep the faith and stay the course to the very end. That mandate has not changed.
Father, help us to navigate this upside down world. Give us the strength to always stand up for what is right and true – even to death. Amen.
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Yes, many things are upside down in our world – but many also flourish!
Congratulations to Sandra and Welcome!! And, while I’m at it, an early happy Birthday as well!
Yes, His Plan is always perfect. This is a fact that I need to remember when my plan isn’t working out so well. :)
Hi Gus,
I have been listening to your radio show for several years. Gradually I began to believe that the Catholic faith was the “true” faith. I researched Faith of our Fathers and listened to Catholic radio and read. Last November I sent an email to Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in Powhatan Va. I begain RCIA and was supposed to be confirmed at Easter. Well here is how perfect the Lord’s plan is! Instead I will be confirmed (Lord willing) on May 31. May 31 is my birthday, and it is Pentecost Sunday! I am choosing the confirmation name of Mary because I think she is the perfect example of how we should live in God’s will. I want to thank YOU since you started my journey.