General. This Sunday recalls the mystery of redemption when the Son of God belittled himself and he underwent death on the Cross, a scandal for pious Jews and a folly for intellectual Greeks. For this foolishness, the Father has raised him on high and made him a victorious king on all creation, the same way as God has made us victorious when with the help of His Son we overcome sin and He breathes into us His eternal life.

Acts of the Apostles. When Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (the town they had left last Sunday shaking the dust from their feet) God works wonders and they can now preach to those who believed that the Kingdom of God is attained with great suffering, prayer and fasting. The early Church was opening fast to the pagans, thus turning into a Universal Church, and the apostles certainly had good cause to thank God for this reversal of the situation which, after all, is part of God’s continuing plan to save humanity.

Apocalypse of St John. For those who were suffering persecution in the early days of Christianity there was hope of a new heaven. This heavenc could be accomplished on earth in Church which descends like a bride walking towards Christ her spouse. It is all a new beginning where everything is new and that which is not, shall equally be renewed in time by the Lamb who sits on the throne.

St John. The Church fosters love among its saints. God’s glory was shown in Christ and now Christ was passing on this unity and love to his followers in the Church, whom he commanded to love one other. This indeed is the hall-mark of Christianity, one’s love for the other, resplending God’s radiant love for humanity from the Cross, His true throne.

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