Tuesday of the 5th week of Eastertide
First reading – Acts 14:19-28
“They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town…. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith.” This is a beautiful passage which is very symbolic. Paul was stoned and was dragged outside the town, thinking he was dead. He got stoned because he was preaching the Gospel. Then we see this beautiful gesture. The disciples came crowding around Paul. This is an ecclesial gesture. Gathering around the stoned Paul worked a miracle. The stoned Paul got up and went back to the town. We see the challenges in preaching the Gospel. We see the strength of the gathering of the disciples around Paul. He goes back to the town where he was stoned. This is the life of a missionary. Even when one has difficulties he or she moves forward. Then he or she is down with problems or challenges, the whole community must gather around him or her to make him or her get up. And back again to the town to preach. Each one of us has a missionary role in this process. Let’s reflect: Am I doing my missionary part in the process of preaching the Gospel?
Tuesday 9 May
