If you are being persecuted for your faith, If it is happened,

Persecution is always a sign that your light is bright because it’s filled with Jesus.

 

Our Lady of Fatima

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 11:19-26

Those who had been scattered

Because of the persecution over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message,

but only to the Jews. But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who, on coming into Antioch,

spoke also to the Greeks, giving them the good news of the Lord Jesus.

The hand of the Lord was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

 

News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God's favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord;

for he himself was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.

Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year,

they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

 

Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7 All your nations, praise the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

John 10:22-30

The time came for the feast of the Dedication. It was winter, and Jesus walked back and forth in the portico of Solomon.

The Jews then gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in doubt?

If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have already told you, but you do not believe.

The works I do in my Father's name proclaim who I am, but you don't believe because, as I said, you are not my sheep.

 

My sheep hear my voice and I know them; they follow me and I give them eternal life.

They shall never perish, and no one will ever steal them from me.

What my Father has given me is greater than all things else.

To snatch it out of the Father's hand, no one is able! I and the Father Are One."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

 

"God's truth will always be persecuted."

The first reading describes the effects of persecution. The Christian community is scattered and

while their proclamation of the Good News is more restrained, it continues. God's truth will always be persecuted,

as the Prince of this World wishes to undermine the growth of God's Kingdom.

We might face the extremes of a totalitarian regime wanting to suppress the practice of our faith,

but even so, secular values ridicule aspects of our faith and morals.

 

Are we silenced by that ridicule or are we still able to profess our faith lovingly, despite the derision?

The visionaries of Fatima were very young and were put under great pressure to deny what they had seen and heard,

but they did not give in. We are to remain faithful to Christ and his Blessed Mother as a leaven in the world.

 

The messages of Fatima warned of the dangers of war and violence that humanity would face if it turned from God's ways.

These were not heeded sufficiently, and many were caught up in the fervour of totalitarianism, greed and hatred.

May Our Lady of Fatima intercede for us that we might choose the path of faith and love instead.