Acts 16: 11-15 - Paul meets Lydia outside of the city. Psalm 149 says The Lord delights in his people. And the gospel reading John 15:26 remind us that Jesus will send us the Spirit of truth so that we may mot fall away.. in the island of Molokai Father Damien builds up a community of lepers and filled with love he tells them about Jesus’ love in words.

Acts 10:25- Cornelius wants to pay homage to Peter. Peter stops him and reminds those listening that God shows no partiality but accepts all who act uprightly. Psalm 98 refrain is The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power. 1 John 4: 7-10 God loves. Love is in God. God is love. We only know God when we love. So Jesus reminds us in John 15: 9 to remain in His Love

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/16?1

Acts 15: 22-31 be in agreement with one another. Psalm 57 - I will give thanks amongst the peoples, O Lord John 15 I was not you who chose me. I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain

Acts 15:7-21 the Gentiles have also been anointed. psalm 96 Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. John 15:9-11 i have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy may be complete

Teenagers were confirmed in our church, they received the Holy Spirit and we rejoice with them. We proclaim with Psalm 122 “let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” We received apostolic succession from generation to generation to our Bishops today- we had Cardinal DiNardo with us officiating for the confirmation. Just like the apostles gather in the first reading today in Jerusalem to consult with each other and find the right path forward, we must strive for unity in the church and amongst the churches. Jesus says “I am the true vine, remain in me so that I may remain in you.”

Paul is persecuted and still speaks boldly in the name of Jesus. He can do that only because he is deeply rooted in the vine that is Jesus. With Psalm 22, we praise our Lord in the assembly of the people. God is greater than out hearts and knows everything.

We have an advocate in Heaven in Jesus’ earthly Father. In this year of St Joseph, we dedicate ourselves to imitating his virtues. He lived closer than anyone else besides Mary to Jesus. Jesus probably spoke like Joseph, worked like him, danced like him. Jesus was known as the son of the carpenter.

Jesus sends us. Catherine of Siena had visions of Jesus. She took seriously that she was sent. She helped the poor and the ill around her. There was a plague and corruption just like we experience today. She was light for the world. We are called to be the same.

Jesus tells us there’s the way of light and the way of darkness. When we choose darkness we condemn ourselves only when we reject Jesus, not if we falter on our way.