Today, as we gather as a family, let our hearts be filled with joy and overflowing gratitude for the Word of God that has been proclaimed to us. In Acts 17, we hear from the Apostle Paul that we are God’s offspring and that He is not far from us. In fact, it is in Him that we live and move and have our being. In John, we hear Jesus promise to send the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth. From these proclamations, we learn about the incredible power of God's love and the boundless blessings that await us as we walk together in faith as a family.
In the first reading, we find Paul standing in the bustling city of Athens, surrounded by idols and people of different religions. His spirit is burning with a fervent desire to share the truth with everyone he encounters. Noting an inscription to an unknown God, he starts where they are. He tells them that they can know the God they unknowingly worship. He tells them that this God made the world and gives them life and breath. He tells them that this God wants to know them. By the time he leaves, some have become believers.
As families, we, too, are called to share the truth with those who are seeking satisfaction in material possessions, instant gratification, and self-centeredness. As we associate with these people, we are called to engage in meaningful dialogue with them. We are called to find common ground with them and meet them where they are as Paul did. Then we can share the truth of Christ's love and the values of God's Kingdom.
And we must remember that we are not alone in our mission. In the Gospel reading, Jesus lovingly promises His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. This divine gift will guide us into all truth and empower us to proclaim the message of salvation boldly. Jesus, who assures the disciples that the Spirit will guide them into all truth, will guide us, too.
As we journey together as a family, let our hearts be filled with joy and overflowing gratitude for the Word of God that has been proclaimed to us. Let us find common ground to share the good news with those around us. Let us be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to support and encourage one another, be a source of comfort and hope in times of struggle, and rejoice in each other's successes and milestones. Then others will see our relationships within our family and with others as a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.
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.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")