Date: May 27, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading ACTS 20:28-38; Gospel JN 17:11B-19 |

Series:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

We honor St. Augustine of Canterbury today. Following the wise instructions of Pope Gregory, in the spirit of obedience, St. Augustine was able to bring pagans to the faith. He did not destroy pagan cultures and practices; but laboring patiently, he rather just purified their temples and customs, transforming them into Christian feasts. He was responsible for the conversion of England which gained him the title - the “Apostle of England”.

We hear today in the first reading how much Paul, in his apostolic ministry, loved and cared about the churches he had established. He shed tears and prayed for them. He knew of the dangers ahead. The churches will be facing a difficult situation as soon as he would leave for another place of mission. Paul told them in tears: “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them”.

However, we are grateful to the Lord for sending us saints like Augustine, the bishop of Canterbury, and St. Paul who cared for the flock so much that no one would be lost; who kept the church always in their hearts and prayed for her safety and protection.

We are not forsaken. In the gospel today, Jesus assures us that he will keep watch over us and no one would be lost except when we choose to be lost. And, Jesus wants us to do the same, just as the apostles did it for the church - let us continue this long tradition of praying for one another. Today, we are not asked to pour out our blood for the salvation for others. Yet, like St. Paul, we can pour out our tears and pray for our salvation and the salvation of many.

This is a timely message for all of us today who are bracing ourselves from the affliction of the deadly virus. We can always offer our sincere acts of care and prayers for our brothers and sisters now, who are not only tested physically but also spiritually, as they are trying to survive against the Covid-19 or other terrible illnesses.

St. Paul reminds us also: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” May we keep our charitable actions ever felt in these times of distress - whichever way we can be of comfort and consolation to those who are ill.