Acts 16:1-10/ Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 5/ Jn 15:18-21

Today, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of our Lady of Fatima. The Blessed Virgin Mary had appeared to the three children of Fatima, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta (six times starting from May 13 to October 13) in 1917, and invited the whole world to conversion and prayers. In today’s first readings, Paul and Timothy, continues to pass on the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem as they visited one town after another to spread the good news. In all these, they prayed and paid close attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The world as we know it now needs more prayers and conversion. Jesus tells us in the gospel that being bearers of the good news will attract hate and persecution. The message of the gospel is not always easily accepted, but we must never give up; we must support our efforts with prayers.

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, give me the grace to pay attention to your promptings and be concerned with spreading the message of conversion and prayer. Amen.