Memory of the Poor
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Acts 19,1-8
It happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul made his way overland as far as Ephesus, where he found a number of disciples. When he asked, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?' they answered, 'No, we were never even told there was such a thing as a Holy Spirit.' He asked, 'Then how were you baptised?' They replied, 'With John's baptism.' Paul said, 'John's baptism was a baptism of repentance; but he insisted that the people should believe in the one who was to come after him -- namely Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the moment Paul had laid hands on them the Holy Spirit came down on them, and they began to speak with tongues and to prophesy. There were about twelve of these men in all. He began by going to the synagogue, where he spoke out fearlessly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did this for three months,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Paul remains in Ephesus for three whole years, making it the centre of his mission. From here he wrote several letters to his communities, including the one to the Corinthians. As soon as he arrives in the city, Paul finds several disciples of the Baptist and immediately understands the opportunity he has been given to have their faith grow towards Jesus. These believers had welcomed the proclamation of John, the precursor. It is a little story that reveals the attentiveness of Paul in seizing every occasion to proclaim the Gospel, and every request of conversion, even those hidden in people's hearts. Paul becomes their companion in their spiritual journey; he communicates the Gospel to them till their Christian Baptism. From heaven comes the confirmation from the Lord and, while the apostle laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit descends on the small group of believers and transforms them into disciples of Jesus. The Spirit immediately reveals its strength through those newly baptized disciples who Luke notes: "They spoke in tongues and prophesied." Paul teaches us to be attentive to the need of help and mercy hidden in the hearts of so many men and women who are ready to welcome the Gospel but do not have anyone who proclaims it to them.