As we read the First reading today, we are reminded of the importance of listening and following the right people and the right message. Our Lord, Jesus Christ Himself appointed the apostles that He wanted and the Holy Spirit replaced Judas with Matthias as the 12th apostle. He showed us the way we must follow. There are plenty of people interpreting the Gospel today and a popular method is the prosperity gospel which many people get carried away with. But the Church has always taught us which way we should follow, the hierarchy and the message is clear. And it is the Holy Spirit then and now that leads us to the truth. As per the situation in the first reading today, we too may be placed in situations where we are startled and at loss for answers to certain situations. But the Word of God has answers to all of these situations and it is the Holy Spirit that can lead us to what God wants for us in these situations.

This is affirmed in the second reading where in the book of Revelation, we are taken back to when the twelve tribes of Israel was instituted and later in the New Testament, the twelve apostles were elected by Jesus through whom we have received our faith through the apostolic succession. If we are in doubt as to how we must act when facing war, illness, other trials life is throwing at us, the tools are already provided by the Church.

The Gospel too affirms the relationship we need to have with the living Christ, we must be in Him for Him to talk to us and through us. When He starts living IN us and with us, life becomes easily livable. We were never called to live it alone anyway. He yet again reminds us His promise of the Holy Spirit, who advocates and guides us to the truth. When we realise this, the peace we receive is not of this world, it comes directly from Him which cannot be destroyed by worldly agonies and tribulations. It gives us the security and the freedom we should live with. It is not the time to be troubled, but to seek Him with all our heart. We do not have to face life alone. He never left us and never will. We just have to open up ourselves so we could see Him. He is always here with us!

Pope Francis said, St. Augustine lived a life like many of the young people today. “He knew intense love, but in his heart, there remained the restlessness of the search for the profound meaning of life, his heart was not asleep, it was not anesthetized by success, by things, by power. He discovered that God was waiting for him and, in fact, never stopped looking for him first.” Christians must “look into your hearts and ask yourself if you have a heart that wants great things or a heart that is asleep. Has your heart maintained that restlessness or has it been suffocated by things?”

Prayer: Abba Father, lead us by your Spirit to live for your glory. Amen.