＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 14:5-18

A move was made by pagans and Jews,

together with their leaders, to harm the apostles and to stone them. But Paul and Barnabas learned of this and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside,   where they continued preaching the Good News.

 Paul and Barnabas spent a fairly long time at Lystra. There was a crippled man in Lystra who had never been able to stand or walk. One day, as he was listening to the preaching, Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had the faith to be saved. So he spoke to him in a loud voice, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to stand up on your feet!” And the man stood up and began to walk around.

When the people saw what Paul had done, they cried out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come to us in human likeness!” They named Barnabas Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Even the priest of the Temple of Zeus, which stood outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gate; together with the people, he wanted to offer sacrifice to them.

When Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their garments to show their indignation and rushed into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are human beings with the same weakness you have and we are now telling you to turn away from these useless things to the living God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them.

In past generations he allowed each nation to go its own way, though he never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.” Even these words could hardly keep the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.

 

Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give glory.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 14:21-26

Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him.”

Judas – not the Iscariot – asked ­Jesus, “Lord, how can it be that you will show yourself clearly to us and not to the world?”  Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make a room in his home.  But if anyone does not love me, he will not keep my words, and these words that you hear are not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

 I told you all this while I was still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Like many great prophets and true messengers, Paul and Barnabas remind those who marveled at their works that it was not through their power that these great deeds were being accomplished, but that they were simply instruments and messengers of the living God.

And in the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that just as the Father had sent him, so now the Holy Spirit would be sent in his name so that he may continue to guide and remind the disciples of what Jesus had taught them. The Holy Spirit, the “Helper”, is sent to strengthen them and be the constant reminder to them of everything that Jesus had taught in the Father’s name.

God never gives us a task for which he does not equip us with everything that we need. He never leaves us to do the work by ourselves, rather he is always there, aiding and assisting us, strengthening us and protecting us – until the work he has asked us to do is accomplished.