it into practice. I am not speaking of you all, because I know the ones I have chosen, and the
Scripture has to be fulfilled which says: The one who shares my table will rise up against
me. I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may know
that I am He.
Truly, I say to you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me; and whoever
welcomes me, welcomes the One who sent me.”
Reflect
I n Antioch, the synagogue officials ask Paul for a word of encouragement. We could all use
an encouraging word in these challenging days. For tunately, Jesus always offers the
encouragement and hope that we need. He reminds us that we are servants and messengers.
Our master, the one who sends us out to serve and to proclaim the good news, is greater than
we can imagine. He will always be here to support us.
We think of “Emmanuel” as a Christmas word, but in truth, it is the word of encouragement that
guides and supports us every day. Jesus is always Emmanuel – God with us. No matter where
we go or what we do, Jesus is with us, strengthening us with his grace to face any challenge.
He is with us most intensely in the sacrament of the Eucharist when he gives us his Body and
Blood as food and drink to nourish and encourage us on our way and to guide us to our
heavenly home.
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