7th Week of Easter : Thursday 5th June 2025

It was evidently clear that, by now, Paul’s life was totally in the Spirit of the Lord. He was attentive to his audience in the Council, comprising dissenting factions of Sadducees and Pharisees. Hence, when Paul mentioned the subject of Resurrection, it was a contentious one for them. At the end of the tumultuous encounter, St Paul had with the Sadducees and the Pharisees before the Sanhedrin, the Lord came to comfort and encourage him. The Lord encouraged St Paul to take courage and to continue testifying for God in Rome after Jerusalem. Amidst all this chaos and trouble, God delivered Paul and equipped him with the attentiveness he needed to continue his missionary journey. What was the source of this strength? It must have been connected to his testimony echoed to the Romans “whether I live or die, it is for the Lord” (Rom 14:8.) The Psalmist prays to the Lord, as one whose walk is blameless and speaks the truth will abide in the tent of the Lord, recognising God as his safety and hope.

Finally, in the assuring discourse of Jesus to His disciples, He prays for His disciples and that includes all of us. He recalls and prays that the love with which God the Father has loved Him, the Son, will abide in all of us. This prayer, founded on the deep love of God, is the source of the strength and courage to do God’s will.

Dear Lord, let me be touched by the heart of Your love in every person.