First Reading (Acts 22,30; 23,6-11)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, wanting to know for sure why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the tribune released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council of elders to gather. Then he had Paul brought and placed him before them.
Knowing that some of those present were Sadducees and the other were Pharisees, Paul exclaimed in the council of elders: “Brethren, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of our hope in the resurrection of the dead.” As soon as he said this, a conflict broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
In fact, the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, no angel, no spirit, while the Pharisees maintain one thing and another. Then there was a huge shout. Some doctors of the Law, from the party of the Pharisees, stood up and began to protest, saying: “We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit or angel had spoken to him?” And the conflict grew more and more. Fearing that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, the commander ordered the soldiers to go down and take him away from them, taking him back to the barracks. The next night, the Lord came to Paul and said to him: “Have confidence. Just as you bore witness to me in Jerusalem, you must also bear witness to me in Rome.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 17,20-26)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying: “Holy Father, I do not pray to you only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they may all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, and that they may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one: I in them and you in me, so that they may reach perfect unity and the world may recognize that you sent me and loved them, as you loved me. Father, those you gave me, I want them to be with me wherever I am, so that they may behold my glory, the glory that you gave me because you loved me before the foundation of the universe. Righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I knew you, and they also knew that you sent me.
I have made your name known to them, and I will make it known even more, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I myself may be in them.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a simple but profound question: have you ever felt alone? Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we sometimes find ourselves surrounded by crowds, but with a deep sense of isolation. Maybe you’re struggling with loneliness right now. This is a common experience for all of us, but I want to tell you that even in the loneliest moments, there is a truth that connects and unites us, and that truth is the central message of the biblical passages presented to us.
In Scripture, we find stories of men and women who faced loneliness but also discovered the strength of communion with God and each other. And it is exactly this communion that I would like to talk about today.
In the first reading, we are introduced to the apostle Paul as he stands before the Sanhedrin, facing accusations and conflicts. In the midst of this chaotic situation, Paul realizes that there is division between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and astutely declares: “I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is concerning the hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged.” (Acts 23:6). This statement provokes a heated argument and, to avoid a riot, the Roman commander takes Paul into custody.
Here, we can draw an important lesson: hope in the resurrection of the dead unites all followers of Christ. Regardless of the differences we may have, it is our faith in Jesus and eternal life that unites us as a family. Just as Paul found strength in his identity as a Pharisee and in the teaching of the resurrection, we also find our identity as children of God and as members of the Body of Christ. It is this hope that unites us and gives us a common purpose.
In the Gospel of John, we find Jesus in prayer, moments before his crucifixion. He cries out to the Father, saying, “I pray not for them only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. Father, may they be in us, just as you are in me and I in you.” (John 17:20-21). These words of Jesus are a powerful affirmation of his intention to unite the community of believers. He wants all those who hear the Word of God to be united into one body, that we be one people in Christ.
However, this unity does not mean uniformity. God created us in a unique and special way, with different gifts and talents. Just as a human body is made up of several members, each with their specific function, we all, as members of the Body of Christ, have a fundamental role to play. Some may be called to teach, others to serve, others to heal, but all are necessary for the fullness of the community.
Imagine a beautiful mosaic, made up of different colors and shapes. If we remove a single piece, the mosaic will be incomplete. Likewise, if we withdraw from one another and isolate ourselves, the beauty and fullness of Christian community will be undermined. We need to recognize the importance of each person, value their contributions and be willing to work together, in harmony, for the glory of God.
When we live in communion with one another, we experience God’s presence in a powerful way. As a family, we are called to support each other, to share our joys and sorrows, to encourage and build each other up. By coming together, we form a living testimony of God’s love to the world.
Dear brothers and sisters, this communion is not just a theory, but a reality that needs to be lived in our daily lives. We need to look for opportunities to connect with each other, to reach out to those in need, to listen carefully to those who are struggling. As we engage in works of charity, as we gather for prayer and worship, as we share God’s Word, we are building deep bonds of love and care for one another.
But fellowship is not limited to just those who are present in our local community. We are called to be a global community of believers, united in one body. Today, we have the privilege of having technological resources that allow us to connect and interact with brothers and sisters in Christ in different parts of the world. Let’s take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen our communion and learn from each other.
Dear friends, as I conclude this homily, I want to encourage you to embrace communion as a central value in your lives. Look for ways to get actively involved in the community, build meaningful relationships, and share God’s love with the world. Remember that loneliness and isolation have no place in God’s plan for us. He has called us into fellowship, to be a bright light in a dark world.
May we live in unity, always remembering the words of Jesus: “May they all be one.” May divine love and grace enable us to live as a community of love, hope and compassion. May we be living witnesses to the transforming power of the Gospel.
May God, in his infinite goodness, guide and bless us in our efforts to live in communion with one another. May He grant us the grace to recognize the presence of Christ in each person we encounter and to reach out in love and service. May we be a truly united community of believers, reflecting God’s glory to the world.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
May God bless you all.
