United to Jesus
Dearest Father, Thank You that in the midst of troubles in this world, we always find peace by being united to Jesus, Who has conquered the world. As written in the Gospel today.
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But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in Him, you may have life (John 20:31 GNBDK) - the rich and satisfying life in Christ. (John 10:10 NLT)
Today's Readings
First Reading: Acts 19: 1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 68: 2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab
Alleluia: Colossians 3: 1
Gospel: John 16: 29-33
Reading 1, Acts 19:1-8
Acts 19:1-8 GNBDK
[1] While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul travelled through the interior of the province and arrived in Ephesus. There he found some disciples
[2] and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit,” they answered.
[3] “Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they answered.
[4] Paul said, “The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him — that is, in Jesus.”
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
[6] Paul placed his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they spoke in strange tongues and also proclaimed God's message.
[7] They were about twelve men in all.
[8] Paul went into the synagogue and during three months spoke boldly with the people, holding discussions with them and trying to convince them about the Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 68:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
Gospel, John 16:29-33
John 16:29-33 GNBDK
[29] Then his disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly, without using figures of speech.
[30] We know now that you know everything; you do not need someone to ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
[31] Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
[32] The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone. But I am not really alone, because the Father is with me.
[33] I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
Dearest Father,
Thank You that, in the midst of troubles in this world, we always find peace by being united to Jesus, Who has conquered the world. As written in the Gospel today.
John 16:33 GNBDK
[33] I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
In the Amplified bible, I find it beautiful:
John 16:33 AMP
[33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Peace in the midst of troubles.
I remember the story of a painter who was asked to paint his idea of peace.
Many expected him to paint tranquil sceneries of beaches and mountains.
But they were surprised when, instead, he painted a raging storm so dark and angry.
But in one of the trees, amidst the raging storm, there was a nest full of baby birds sleeping soundly covered and nestled in warmth beneath their mother’s wings.
I never forgot that story.
Whenever I feel unsettled and bothered with all the challenges I face, I remember that like the baby birds peacefully and confidently sleeping under their mother's wings, I'm also leaning and covered, safe and secure in the everlasting arms of God, my Father.
Deuteronomy 33:27 AMP
[27] The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, ‘Destroy!’
When I think of my future and am filled with anxiety about what will happen to me when I grow old with no family of my own, being single, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, Who promised to never leave me nor forsake me, and so I'm never alone. And I find peace.
Hebrews 13:5 GNBDK
[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.”
When I'm filled with guilt because I failed God and disappointed myself, in one way or another, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, Who loves me unconditionally. And I find peace.
Jeremiah 31:3 GNBDK
[3] I appeared to them from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love.
When I feel pain and aches in my body, and fears of sickness and death assail me, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, Who heals me by the wounds He bore for me. And I find peace.
Isaiah 53:5 GNBDK
[5] But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.
When I feel the weight of my audacious, impossible dreams and doubts bombard me, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, with Whom nothing is impossible, and I find peace.
Matthew 19:26 GNBDK
[26] Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings, but for God everything is possible.”
When I look at my bank account and see almost zero, and worry eats at me, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, Who is the treasure chest filled with riches of glory in me. And I find peace.
Colossians 1:27 TPT
[27] Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!
I find this verse in the Responsorial Psalm today beautiful:
He leads prisoners to prosperity. (Psalm 86:7)
When I'm faced with problems, besieged with worries and doubts, I remember that I'm united to Jesus, Who truly has conquered the world, and I find peace.
John 16:33 GNBDK
[33] I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”
Peace that the world cannot give.
That's what I find being united to Jesus and living in Christ every day.
That's what I pray you'll find too as you learn to be united to Jesus and live in Christ each and every day.
If you want to find peace in the midst of this troublesome world, live in Christ. Join me in our SpeakChrist RichLife Club. We'll do it together. St. Katharine Drexel, pray for us.
Live the RichLife in Christ today 🤟
Perfect Peace
In Jesus Christ.
United to me
For all eternity.
Free 🎁 for you.
Be confident.
Undaunted and filled with joy.
Jesus has won the victory
For you and me.
Say Amen! 🙏
John 16:33 AMP
[33] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Now Your Turn
(Questions to ask yourself when scripture journaling)
What verses spoke to me strongly and powerfully from the scripture readings?
What is God saying to me in these verse or verses?
What does God want me to do today?
Journal prompts of the day
What worries and fears fill your nights and days?
Do you want peace that the world cannot give?
Are you united to Jesus and living in Christ every day?
Vivo dives vitae in Christo. Live the RichLife in Christ.
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