The Memorial of St Josaphat

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3 Jn 5-8, Lk. 18:1-8. In today's first reading, John urges Gaius to continue to support those who go forth as missionaries. Gaius have been generous not only to his local community but also to those being sent out to spread the goodnews to others. John exhorts Gaius to continue his support of those being sent out on the journey of faith. Without these support and help, the early Christian missionaries would have indeed found it difficult for them to carry out their mission efficiently. Yet, those missionaries carried out the will of God and continued to labour hard for the sake of their fellow brothers and sisters, because they embody the love of God and mercy. Thus, just as God has loved us and showed us His love and kindness, thus, we should be loving and kind, caring and helpful to one another. Those missionaries shared the love of God with their fellow brethren, to those who have not yet known God’s love and especially those who have been lacking in love. Today's Gospel addresses this paradox of seemingly getting nowhere and yet accomplishing very much, exemplified in the widow who kept coming to the judge, demanding her rights. A courageous widow went to court before a judge who respected neither God nor man, but kept up her plea until she got justice at last. She embodies the kind of faith the Lord wants to see in us as she wore the judge out until her matter was settled in her favour. To live our faith today we need the persistence of the widow who simply would not give up. St Josaphat Kuntsevych, whose memorial we celebrate is a great example in being faithful and loving to God. Josaphat Kuntsevych was the Archbishop of Polotsk over the territories in what is now Belarus and parts of northern Ukraine, where there were divisions among the faithful people of God between those who were in Communion with the Pope in Rome and those who were in rebellion against the authority of the Vicar of Christ. May the Lord grant us the grace to live our lives to the full in this world and transfigure it with the hope of future glory! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant weekend!!!