I AM ON TRAIL…

Acts 22:30;23:6-11

30 But on the morrow, desiring to know the real reason why the Jews accused him, he unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead I am on trial.”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
9 Then a great clamor arose; and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.”

John 17:20-26

20 “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word,
21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22 The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
23 I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee; and these know that thou hast sent me.26 I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

MEDITATION

THE FIRS READING records Paul requesting an audience with his accusers who denounce the revelation of the ressurection. The Pharisees appear to side with Paul which provoked pandemonium between the Pharisees and the Sadducees such that Paul was send to the barracks under Roman guard.

Paul received a visit from our Lord who encourage and strengthens him to give the same witness testimony when he is in Rome where he would be tried for stirring disenscion and riots in Jerusalem. Our Lords visitation ominously points to the reason why Paul was chosen to be an “instrument” of the gospel who would “suffer” for the faith.Acts 9:15-16

St JOHNS GOSPEL records our Lords prayer for the preservation and protection of the Church Apostlolic office that He established that was to reign untill His return. Our Lords prayer to the Father focus on the themes of: Apostolic unity; the alignment of the Apostlolic office with the teachings of Christ that is in union with the spirit; the glorification of the Petrine office bearers  that they may become perfect and be a light of supernatural revelation to all nations; that their love for Christ shall continue as a witness testimony and finally that they may be reunited in and with Christ in heaven.

Our Lords prayer illuminate His desire that the Church be undivided on matters of faith, belief and doctrine untill His return. The state of Christianity as we know it with so many divisions and sects that multiply on a yearly basis with doctrines and teachings that contridict each other is not what our Lord intended. To be sure, many a preacher and teacher will be on trail on the last day for leading sincere men and woman off the cliff with teachings that is not in line with Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the Apostlolic office established by our Lord. We pray for truth to reach those who are struggling in their faith and beliefs with the hope that they will cross the Tiber and come home!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 16:1-2,5,7-11

1. A Miktam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge.
2. I say to the LORD, “Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee.”

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.
10 For thou dost not give me up to Sheol, or let thy godly one see the Pit.
11 Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

catholicwitnessct@gmail.com
Author: 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.