GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY…

Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”34 And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality,35 but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 

44 While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 

45 And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 

46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,47 “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. 

1 John 4:7-10

7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. 

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. 

John 15:9-17

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

17 This I command you, to love one another.

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: Cornelius an army officer and most probably the witness at the crucifixion (Mt 27:54) came to recognize Christ’s divinity which brought about his conversion and living a devout life. After being visited by an angel in a vision, Cornelius sought Peter who wasted no time to meet the Centurion and his household who received the gift of the Holy Spirit and was ordered to be baptized! In an act of charity Cornelius invited Peter to spend a few days with him and his family.

The Centurion displayed his love of God prior to his baptism when he witnessed the miraculous event at our Lords crucifixion. The crucifix has indeed been a symbol that has moved many a non believer,atheist and agnostic to  ponder and wonder who and why this figure on the cross is venerated! Many who sought answers to their inquiry came to embrace the Christian faith, were baptised and live the Christ-like life. 

THE EPISTLE OF St JOHN can be said to be a love letter that was written from a father to a son and daughter. John refers to the community as his “beloved” no less than ten times in his epistle.To be sure, all the Apostles follow our Lord’s example to lovingly deliver the Gospel message which is truly a message of love!

THE GOSPEL READING expounds the theme of Christ’s love for those whom He called to follow and serve Him. Jesus makes a distinction between a servant and a friend to disclose that the Apostolic calling to serve Him extends far beyond than that of a servant who has very limited responsibilities for their wage.It is very apparent is that the Apostles are not ‘servants’ who work for a temporal wage: their calling is one of sacrifice and self giving that goes beyond the normal call of duty! As a father is prepared to offer his life for a child, so the Apostles were called to offer their lives for the Church, the body of Christ!

An invisible virus has certainly tested the love of friends, family, sons,daughters, pastors and bishops who were driven by self preservation and a hyped up prudence to respond with kid gloves to the dire needs of the flock! A story is told of a passerby who was repulsed to see Mother Teresa, taking care of the emaciated street children who were afflicted with contagious leprosy with these words: “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.” Mother Teresa’s response was immediate, “Neither would I!”

Catec 2108 “The right to religious liberty is neither a moral license to adhere to error, nor a supposed right to error,37 but rather a natural right of the human person to civil liberty, i.e., immunity, within just limits, from external constraint in religious matters by political authorities. This natural right ought to be acknowledged in the juridical order of society in such a way that it constitutes a civil right.38”

To love is to be unbiased toward the aged and sick who depend on our love and care in these trying times. I marvel at the aged whose love for the Lord inspired them to abandon their hiding places to receive our Lord in the Eucharist at Holy Mass! 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 98:1-4

1 A Psalm. 

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 

2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 

4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com    Henry R SYLVESTER              

Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days