Friday 14th week in ordinary time
"Mt 10:16-23"
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.
Following yesterday's Gospel, Our Lord offers today another interesting lesson about how to do apostolate and evangelize: "do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say," just go and look for souls and talk to them. The Holy Spirit will give you the words you need to say. He knows what each human heart needs. Sometimes we are worried about trying to find the perfect argument that could convince our friends and we forget that they are not moved by arguments, but by the grace of God.
A good Christian boy was coming back from school with a friend. He wanted to help him to go to Confession again after a long time, but couldn't think of anything to say. Eventually, as they drew near the parish church, he told his friend that he wanted to pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and invited him to come along. His friend mocked him and said scornfully, "You go, and give my kind regards to Him." He went in and prayed, asking the Holy Spirit to suggest 'something' he could say. But after a while, nothing came to his mind and he went out.
When he was coming out, his friend asked him sarcastically, "Did He give you any message for me?" Without a second's hesitation he answered, "Sure! He said that He's still waiting for you." There was an uneasy moment of silence; his friend grew serious. They kept walking for a while until the friend broke the silence, asking, "Are you kidding me?" "No," he replied. "In that case," said his friend, a bit disconcerted, "I'd better go back inside. I think I have to speak with Him." That day his friend went back to Confession for the first time in years... Holy Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, teach me to rely on the Paraclete and remind me to go to Him when there are souls in need of help.
