HE CUT HIS HAIR…

Acts 18:9-18 
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;10 for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.”11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack upon Paul and brought him before the tribunal,13 saying, “This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, I should have reason to bear with you, O Jews;15 but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I refuse to be a judge of these things.”16 And he drove them from the tribunal.17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to this.18 After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchre-ae he cut his hair, for he had a vow.

John 16:20-23 

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.21 When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world.22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.

MEDITATION 

THE FIRST READING: Paul received a preemptive visionary message to not be afraid for he would be arrested for teaching the word of God. Upon hearing the accusation that Paul contridicted Gods teaching, Gallio the governor rejected the charge and ordered Paul’s release which allowed him to take with him Priscilla and Aquila to continue his evangelium work in Achaia. 

Luke minute Paul’s decision to take a Nazarite vow when he shaved his hair, to observe a fast over a period, to consecrate and set him apart, discerning that he was perhaps not prudent and virtuous in his dealing with his interlocutors, so he be strengthened in his resolve to sing Gods praises, and rejoice in the Lord.

THE GOSPEL READING: Our Lord descibe the joyful journey that an expectant mother traverse, using such an auspicious event as a metaphor to not only uplift, fortify and strengthen the eleven Apostles to persevere and rejoice, but to foretel that should they abide in Him in their earthly journey, they shall be victorious, birthed, see and glorify Him in the hereafter in Heaven!

We who undergo stress, pain, persecution and vilification for obeying, teaching and remaining true to the word of God must take comfort in the Word, that we shall prevail if we honorable obey and live Christ the Nazarenes vows. To qualify to meet Christ at His second coming, we need to continuously cut off hair; sinful behavior, and obediently honor our Sacramental vows and be in a state of grace, when our Spouse Christ Jesus return. Unless we fast, pray, avoid the occasion to sin, denounce Satan’s allures and be a righteous people, we shall not be rebirthed in Heaven at Christs second coming!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 47:2-7 2 For the LORD, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. [Selah]5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!7 For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

Commentary. 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.