"Christian as an enemy of joy."

The mind of the Church in regard to Evangelisation at this time.

It matters very much for the success of the mission of the Church

that these roles be properly understood, lovingly accepted and dynamically carried out.”

 

St. Paul VI, pope

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1st Reading: Acts 18:1-8

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

There, he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,

following a decree of the Emperor Claudius, which ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,

and then stayed and worked with them, because they shared the same trade of tent making. Every Sabbath,

he held discussions in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

 

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was able to give himself wholly to preaching,

and proving to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. One day, when they opposed him and insulted him,

he shook the dust from his clothes in protest, saying, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.

I am not to blame if, from now on, I go to the non-Jews."

 

So Paul left there and went to the house of a God-fearing man named Titus Justus, who lived next door to the synagogue.

A leading man of the synagogue, Crispus, along with his whole household, believed in the Lord. On hearing Paul,

many more Corinthians believed and were baptized.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4  The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 16:16-20

A little while, and you will see me no more; and then a little while, and you will see me."

Some of the disciples wondered, "What does he mean by, 'A little while, and you will not see me;

and then a little while, and you will see me'? And why did he say, 'I go to the Father'?"

And they said to one another, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand."

 

Jesus knew that they wanted to question him; so he said to them,

"You are puzzled because I told you that in a little while you will see me no more,

and then a little while later you will see me. 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.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Suetonius writes that around 49 AD [the Emperor Claudius] "expelled Jews from Rome

because they were generating incessant unrest through the instigation of Chrestus."

Suetonius probably misunderstood who the Jewish Christians were preaching about;

 

not Chrestus, but Christus, the Messiah. Two such Jewish Christians are Priscilla and Aquila,

who in their exile become great collaborators of Paul. The message of Christ was causing unrest in Rome

because it challenged the faith and morals of the Romans.

 

The message was first preached to the Jewish communities in different cities,

and only later to the pagans. But even before the pagans are addressed directly, the message is reaching them,

and consciences are being disturbed. Sienkiewicz writes about this in Quo Vadis, where Vinicius falls in love with Lygia,

a Christian, and feels compelled to change his way of life upon hearing the Good News from Saints Peter and Paul.

 

The Romans thought the Christians to be enemies of joy and of life. Vinicius realizes that this is not true,

and in coming to faith, he finds deep joy. Modern secular culture also sees Christianity as an enemy of joy.

May we show by our love that this is not the case.