IT IS BECAUSE OF JESUS 1. Today’s first reading is taken from Acts 28:16-20, 30-31. The setting of the text appears to be a prison in Rome. You may call it a place of confinement, a restricted space, a place with little or no freedom. If there is a prison, then there should be a prisoner. You may ask, who is this prisoner? It is Paul! Did you hear that? I repeat: It is St. Paul! 2. You may ask again, what was Paul's offence? What did Paul do? What did Paul say? Where did Paul go? Did Paul offend the state? Did he engage in any abominable act? None of the above. Paul's incarceration was on account of the Word. He went through pain because of Jesus. This is the inspiration behind today's theme: It is because of Jesus. This Pauline experience is indicative of the fact that there would certainly be moments of pain in your life. You can't be a Christian and not undergo persecution. If it happens to you, know that others have experienced the same situation. 3. In prison, Paul had every cause to be angry with God. He had every cause to be disappointed. In fact, he could have stopped witnessing to Jesus. He could have asked questions upon questions. He could have spoken against God's name. What happened? Paul managed this situation responsibly. He continued working as if nothing had taken place. For him, it was all about Jesus. Nothing could stop him except to die. What is the point? It's not what you go through, but your reaction towards your situation. 4. When Paul was confined, where was God? Why did the Lord not deliver Paul? Why did God allow Paul to go through this situation? What was the Lord waiting for? Such is life! Sometimes, the challenges of life can set you thinking. You may be asking, where is God, why am I in this situation, where did I go wrong? This is the message: Despite your pain, God is with you. The Lord has always been with you. Forever will He be with you. You are not alone in your condition. With the seeming "silence" of God, He is still working. 5. In prison, Paul evangelised. He spread the Word. He made Jesus known to others. He proclaimed the Word. This act is symbolic. It tells of Paul's commitment to evangelisation. Even if in prison he makes Jesus known, then he would have done more out of incarceration. Today (7-6-2025), be like Paul. Use your freedom to win souls for Jesus. 6. In prison, some people came to visit Paul. They came to interact with him. They encouraged him. They strengthened him. These people didn’t abandon Paul. You can tell the joy on Paul's face. What is the message? Let us lend a hand of support to those in pain. How you wish to be treated when you're in pain, do the same for others. Today, it is the other person and not you. Tomorrow, it might be you. These visitors of Paul show us the way. 7. Finally, today is the last day of this year's Pentecost novena. We have been reflecting on 9 different topics each day during this period. We have been praying the Litany to the Holy Spirit. We have been engaging in other spiritual exercises. I ask: How many days were you able to make for the novena? What has been the impact? Has there been an improvement in your spiritual life? Is the value still the same? How many times did you ponder over the Word of God in silence? What is the specific gift you have been praying for? In all, which mark in terms of percentage would you give yourself? To receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I propose the following: • Implore the Holy Spirit to sanctify you. • Go for Confession. • Forgive. • Spend some time in prayer. • keep no hurt within you. • Read a passage of Sacred Scripture. • Smile. • Seek reconciliation. Come Holy Spirit.....🌿