May 19, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Gospel: John 16:20-23
When we think of St. Paul, we tend to focus on the more action-filled episodes of his life- the missionary trips and the shipwrecks, beatings, trials, and imprisonments. But today's first reading shows that Paul also enjoyed relative calm and peace periods. So, what was his life like during that year and a half he spent in Corinth, and what can we learn from his time there?
We know that Paul worked at his tent-making trade with his fellow disciples, Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:2-3). On the Sabbath, he would go to the local synagogue to talk about Jesus (18:4). During that time, Jews and Greeks were converted, and the Corinthian community grew.
Few of us will ever travel the world as Paul did, nor are we ever likely to face an angry crowd. Much of our lives will look more like the "in-between" times of Paul's life. They might seem routine or mundane to us, but as it was for St. Paul, so it is for us: times like these are full of potential.
For example, Paul's business allowed him to support himself while he engaged in missionary activities. That included evangelizing, caring for the Corinthian community, and helping them mature. His job brought him into contact with people from many different walks of life; surely he got some of them to faith in Christ! Our day-to-day lives might seem boring or uneventful, but they are likely filled with opportunities to share our faith and build the kingdom of God.
The quieter seasons in our lives also allow us to pray more. These calmer periods likely allowed Paul to study, learn, and pray. He probably used these times to write letters that have become treasured parts of sacred Scripture.
Your life might seem quiet, busy, or downright turbulent right now. Wherever you find yourself, thank the Lord for where he has you. Then trust him to help you live out your calling right here and now.
"Jesus, help me to live as your disciple in the everyday moments of my life."
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
