Tuesday 27th May 2025, Acts 16:22-34; Jn 16:5-11. “The labours of salvation.”

Laudato Si’ 227. “One expression of the attitude of serene attentiveness to others and to everything is when we stop and give thanks to God before and after meals. I ask all believers to return to this beautiful and meaningful custom. That moment of blessing, however brief, reminds us of our dependence on God for life; it strengthens our feeling of gratitude for the gifts of creation; it acknowledges those who by their labours provide us with these goods and it affirms our solidarity with those in greatest need. 

Scripture: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

JUBILEE. Let us not forget that the poor are almost always the victims, not the ones to blame.   SNC15

Action:  Use meal time creatively, family fast, meatless, share a meal.      

Reflection

The World Council of Churches encourages and invites us to reflect on the love of Christ towards one another. Wars, political intolerance, and violence through an ‘eye for an eye’ and ‘cut it off’ attitude or behavior have defamed and remove love completely from many hearts. Similarly, in Acts, the people are caught up in a frenzy of political pressures and unable to control themselves. Paul and Silas were attacked and jailed. Although an earthquake destroyed the jail they did not escape and the jailer when he recognized their faith was converted. Paul told him,“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Political upheavals, and greed for power and wealth have harmed many lives and damaged the environment making everyone suffer.

In the gospel Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, who will “convince the world of sin, righteousness and judgement of sin.” Christians are called to be different, have a conversion of heart, changing our action towards humanity and all creation. We must stop, think and pray for a new order where disunity is weakened, human values and the environment are restored to their original dignity.

Prayer for Families and Ecological Life 

Gracious God, Spirit of Truth and Counsellor, you are the source of all love and goodness. Enable us to see the needs of others. Show us what we can do to bring about healing. Change us, so that we can love others as we love all of creation. Let us, as families, be seeds and signs of hope and first fruits in the world. Help us overcome the obstacles of division and injustice that we may build a just society, through Jesus who is Lord of all, yesterday, today and forever. Amen.