11 May, Monday — Let us have an open heart to accept and courage to act

Monday of the 6^th Week of Eastertide

Acts 16:11-15
Jn 15:26-16:4

“I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.”

Today’s first reading had me reflecting on my own journey. When Lydia listened to St Paul, she must have been ready and willing so that the Lord opened her heart to accept St Paul’s testimonies. But what she did right after was truly admirable. After she and her household had been baptised, she acted on her faith immediately — offering up her home and hospitality. For some of us, who do not live in a Catholic household, it might not be so easy to offer up our home. There might be parents, spouses or children who are not yet believers, and so our prayer right now is that us and our household would be baptised; but that shouldn’t stop us from acting on our faith immediately.

What does it mean to then respond and act on faith in our context? For some of us, it might mean opening our hearts and sharing, testifying to His Love, mercy and saving grace which might be very difficult when we have had years of practise building walls, hiding our brokenness in the belief that no one should see the messiness that is us. It could also be the hospitality that Lydia offers; I know of families that offer up their homes for weekly rosary prayers to the neighbourhood. I have also been the recipient of lovely dinners hosted by some of the most generous Catholic friends.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, have faith that hospitality and service takes many shapes, forms; and that our loving God will lead us to do His will which is perfect for us — as long as our hearts are open and ready like Lydia.

Whilst I know that an open heart responds to God’s love and mercy and acts upon it, I also know it definitely will not always be smooth sailing. The second reading even warns us that persecution may come — that “they will expel you from the synagogues” and they do these things because they have never known the Truth, the Way and the Light (John 14:6).

Jesus said this so that our faith would not be shaken. He also sent the Holy Spirit to give us the courage to keep going — to keep being open, active and fearless in our testimonies. Our lives — how we handle suffering, serve others, and share faith — become testimonies that the Spirit uses to change hearts.

Sometimes, I might feel alone and frustrated when I fall back into old behaviours and put my old walls up again; but time with Jesus in adoration allows the Holy Spirit to comfort me, give me some insight and, always, peace.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Julia Lim)

Prayer: Jesus, may we all be believers in the Lord and invite others into friendship and offer up service. We pray also for the courage to always be faithful witnesses in our daily lives, even when faced with persecution and hardship.

Thanksgiving: Lord, I want to thank you for all the people who have offered up their friendship, time and hospitality in my life and may I do the same for others unceasingly.