Stoning of Paul and Barnabas by Fabritius
Sts. Barnabas and Paul experienced many trials in their travels and spreading the Good News. In today’s account from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul is stoned. Having survived, he says: “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”
On the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over, he said to his apostles:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
In this world, in our service of Jesus and the Gospel, we will know hardships. As long as our service and witness of faith is done in close relationship with Jesus, always done out of love for the Lord, his people and his Church, even in the face of these hardships, we can and will know the peace that only the Lord gives.
Today’s Mass and homily:
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