May 10, 2021 Monday of the 6th Week of Easter-B

Acts of the Apostles 16:11-15

Psalm 149

John 15:26—16:4

For the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.  Ps. 149:4

We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.  Acts 16:13

Lord, your missionary St. Paul and his party thought they were going to a quiet, beautiful place for an afternoon of prayer. Instead they ran into a group of women. In the culture at the time men speaking to unfamiliar women was not done. But they spoke and shared the good news of the resurrection. You did the rest when you opened Lydia’s heart to receive the gospel message. What a beautiful story of conversion and going against the standards of the day. This encounter was not an accident. You arranged it all and were instrumental in making their words effective. The women had open hearts to the truth that you loved them and would crown them with the victory you won for them on the cross. This story tells me to be open to whoever you put in my path. It also tells me to be ready to put my plans behind me and to accept your ways for they are better than mine. Lord, continue to direct my life of faith. Continue to lead me to the best ways to witness to your love and to those who need to believe. I thank you for your grace and blessing.  Amen.  Alleluia