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Praise and glory to you, O God our loving Father in giving us each day as a new beginning, a fresh start in life with every grace we need in Christ; how amazing are your words today, O Lord, that both speak of the joys and perils of every beginning.
In the first reading, we are inspired by the initial works of St. Paul in that great city of Philippi where he met and baptized Lydia, a gentile convert in the Lord; it was the first European city to listen and accept the Christian message, the beginning of a glorious history that transformed the continent not only in religion but also in arts and culture. What a beautiful example of St. Paul being a "sower" of the gospel so that others may "reap" its fruits until now! Teach us, Lord Jesus, to be sowers of your word to win more Lydias and most of all, so that there would always be something to reap in the future.
On the other hand, your gospel today reassures us, dear Jesus, of your presence and defense in the Holy Spirit for the many dangers we face in every beginning.
“I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”
John 16:1-4
Our work in you, O God, is never finished. Let us continue to welcome each day as a new beginning to sow your seeds of love and kindness, mercy and salvation to make known to everyone of you as our loving Father in Christ Jesus. Amen.
