"Christ never leaves us."

Worldly happiness dissipates or ends, while the path of Christ,

It will be a joy that no one will be able to take away from us.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Acts 18:9-18

One night, in a vision,

The Lord said to Paul, "Do not be afraid, but continue speaking and do not be silent, for many people in this city are mine.

I am with you, so no one will harm you." So Paul stayed a year and a half in that place, teaching the word of God among them.

When Gallio was governor of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the court.

And they accused him, "This man tries to persuade us to worship God in ways that are against the law."

 

Paul was about to speak in his own defense when Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of a misdeed or vicious crime,

I would have to consider your complaint. But since this is a quarrel about teachings and divine names that are proper to your own law,

see to it yourselves: I refuse to judge such matters." And he sent them out of the court.

 

Then the people seized Sosthenes, a leading man of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal;

but Gallio paid no attention to it. Paul stayed on with the disciples in Corinth for many days;

he then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria. And as he was no longer under a vow he had taken,

he shaved his head before sailing from Cenchreae.

 

 Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7  God is king of all the earth.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 16:20-23

Truly, I say to you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will be sorrowful,

but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth is in distress because her time is at hand.

But after the child is born, she no longer remembers her suffering because of her great joy:

a human being is born into the world. You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice;

and no one will take your joy from you. When that day comes you will not ask me anything.

Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

 

 Gospel Reflection ：

"Christ never leaves us."

Worldly joy ends in grief, while the path of Christ, which includes sorrow, ends in joy.

Worldly happiness dissipates or ends in sadness, as it does not last, or becomes stale or no longer satisfies.

Our joy in Christ is deeper, and, rather than dissipating, its fullness awaits us in heaven.

 

It will be a joy that no one will be able to take away from us. And so, the joy in the Lord we feel now,

though mixed with trials and sorrows, carries us forward, and gives us the hope and courage we need to face our difficulties,

just like Saint Paul. The Apostles are being prepared for a time when they will no longer see Jesus physically.

 

The thought of not having that close companionship brings sorrow, but Christ will come to them in a different way.

He will not leave them alone. He will dwell within them, and then finally return in glory to take them to the eternal joy of heaven.

"You feel sorrowful now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice; and no one will take your joy from you."

Christ never leaves us. Let us rejoice in that knowledge.