Reading from the Acts of the Apostles:
We embarked at Troas and sailed directly to the island of Samothrace. The next day we anchored at Neapolis, from where we passed to Philippi, which is one of the principal cities of Macedonia, and which has the rights of a Roman colony. We spent a few days in this city. On Saturday we went out beyond the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there was prayer. Sitting down, we started talking to the women who were gathered there. One of them was called Lídia; She was a purple merchant from the city of Thyatira. Lídia believed in God and listened carefully. The Lord opened his heart to accept Paul’s words. After being baptized, like her entire family, she invited us: “If you consider me one of the Lord’s faithful, stay in my house”. And she forced us to accept it.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Defender comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you will also bear witness, because you have been with me since the beginning of time. begin. nor to me. I tell you this, so that you will remember that I said it when the time comes.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I want to share with you a message that connects directly to our daily experiences, a message that challenges us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s Word in our lives.
Imagine yourself walking along a dusty road, under the scorching sun. Your tired feet drag, and you’re thirsty for something more meaningful in life. You may be successful in your career, have a loving family, and even enjoy material comforts, but there is a void in your heart that cannot be filled by anything in this world. You desire something deeper, a truth that transcends external circumstances and gives meaning to everything.
It is in this moment of inner search that you come across an inspiring biblical passage from the Acts of the Apostles. We read about a woman named Lydia, a purple merchant in Philippi. She was a successful woman, involved in prosperous businesses, but her heart yearned for more. Lydia symbolizes those of us who, despite all our achievements and successes, still feel an emptiness in our soul, a thirst that can only be quenched by something divine.
Upon meeting the apostle Paul and his companions, Lídia had a transformative encounter. She heard the Gospel preached, and her heart opened to the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. Lídia realized that her search for meaning and purpose could only be satisfied through a personal encounter with the Son of God.
How many of us also want this transformative experience? How much hunger is there in our hearts for something that goes beyond the superficialities of the world? Lídia’s story teaches us that true wealth and joy are in Jesus. He is the answer to the deepest longings of our soul.
But how can we find this answer? How can we open ourselves to the presence of Jesus in our daily lives? The Gospel of John gives us a powerful answer. Jesus speaks of the Spirit of Truth, who will come in His name and testify about Him. This Spirit is our constant guide, our defender and our link to the Divine.
Imagine yourself sailing on a vast ocean, with turbulent waves and threatening storms. You are alone in your boat, fighting against life’s adversities. But then, you are given a heavenly compass, a compass that points directly to Jesus. That compass is the Holy Spirit, who lives within you and testifies about Jesus. He is there to guide you through the storms of life, to strengthen you when you feel weak, and to inspire you to share the love and truth of Jesus with the world around you.
My beloved, these biblical passages call us to transformative action. They invite us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work within us and transform us from the inside out. Like Lydia, we need to be willing to open our lives to divine action.
Imagine a flower blooming in the soft sunlight. She gradually opens up, revealing her inner beauty to the world. Likewise, we need to open ourselves to the light of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform us into radiant beings, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus.
But this transformation does not happen instantly. Just as a flower needs time, water and nutrients to grow, we also need to nourish our faith. We must seek a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This involves constant prayer, reading the Word of God and participating in the sacraments of the Church.
Imagine yourself building a house. You start with a solid foundation, laying brick by brick until the structure is complete. Likewise, our faith needs to have a solid foundation. The Word of God is the foundation upon which we build our spiritual lives. Therefore, we must read the Scriptures daily, meditate on them, and allow them to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.
Furthermore, just as a house needs regular maintenance to remain strong and stable, our faith also requires ongoing care. We need to be in fellowship with other Christians, sharing our faith experiences, encouraging one another, and learning together. The Christian life is not a solitary journey, but a journey of community and mutual love.
Dear brothers and sisters, the message of these biblical passages is clear: we must seek the presence of Jesus in our lives, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and nourish our faith through prayer, reading the Word and participating in the sacraments.
Today, I want to challenge you to reflect on how these principles apply to your daily life. Where are you looking for meaning and purpose? Are you willing to open your hearts to God’s transforming action? Are you nourishing your faith daily?
Remember that the Christian life is not just about intellectual knowledge, but about real, tangible transformation. It’s about allowing God’s love to permeate all areas of our lives and empower us to live in accordance with His will.
To conclude, I want to share one last image with you. Imagine a glowing candle in a dark room. As the candle burns, its flame spreads, illuminating every corner of the room. Just like this candle, we are called to be light in the world, to spread the love and truth of Jesus in our everyday lives.
May God’s grace enable us to live as true witnesses of his love. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us on our journey of faith. And may the truths contained in these biblical passages become alive in our hearts, transforming us into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
May God’s love be with us, now and always. Amen.
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