In the early 80s I had the good fortune to spend time in Uganda in East Africa visiting with our Holy Cross religious who were missionaries in that country.
While there, I learned Christianity was relatively new to the country, as the king in 1886 had all Christians executed. According to one executioner, the Christians kept praying until they died. We celebrate them today, as the Memorial of the Ugandan Martyrs.
I imagine the missionaries I met having a similar experience to the one St. Paul had today when he asked the people if they have received the Holy Spirit and they replied with “we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” We don’t know what challenges the road ahead of us will bring, but what we do know is that Christ is with us and works through us to bring the Kingdom of God with us wherever we go.
How have you brought the grace of the Holy Spirit into your life?
Lord, guide us in our actions, even when it is difficult to stay true to you. Let us not go astray. Amen.
