Acts 19:1-8/ Ps 68: 2-3ab. 4-5acd. 6-7ab/ Jn 16:29-33

In today’s gospel, Jesus informs his disciples that a time will come when they will deny and desert him. However, he encouraged them not to allow such experiences to totally alienate them from him, but help them to find peace in him. He reminded them that they will encounter life challenges but they should be brave for he has overcome the world. Our mistakes, lack of knowledge or life challenges should never make us to abandon Jesus. In the first reading, St. Paul met a group of Christians who had not yet heard nor received the Holy Spirit; he laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. There are many people in the world today who do not know the Holy spirit, or who have denied and abandoned Jesus. We must intercede for them, like Paul, that the Holy Spirit will descend on them and help them to know or rediscover Jesus. We must also become agents that lead others to Jesus.

Prayer: Give us the grace, O Lord, never to deny nor abandon you. Help us to open ourselves to know and receive the Holy Spirit, as well as assist others to rediscover the Holy Spirit. Amen.