Sunday Reflection

Paul’s back! After last week’s “violent abuse,” opponents organized a lynch mob that beat Paul nearly to death. But call Paul the “energizing evangelist,” transforming deadly cruelty into life-giving zeal. Paul’s past courage should inspire our commitment; Revelation’s future “new heaven, new earth” should inspire our optimism. But Revelation’s present assurance, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race,” should challenge us to become “missionaries of mercy.” Because Pope Francis declared that the Church’s credibility is completely dependent on our showing unconditional mercy. Mercy, said Francis, makes the Church, the world, and everyone young again, reawakened to life’s noblest virtues. Fittingly, in today’s Gospel Jesus reinforces that theme: “This is how all will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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