Today, 15th of July, we celebrate
Saint Bonaventure
First Reading: Acts 13:13-25
From this man’s descendants God,
according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."
So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
"Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'"
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27
R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. or: Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. or: Alleluia.
"I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong."
R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. or: Alleluia.
"My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'"
R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. or: Alleluia
Gospel Reading: John 13:16-20
Whoever receives the one I send receives me.
When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Dear friends,
As we read and reflect on the missionary work of St. Paul, presented today in the Acts of the Apostles, we’re reminded that nothing is impossible for God. This beautiful account shows us that as long as there is life, there is hope—hope for a change in perspective, for a total rebirth, for a life turned completely around. Paul went from being a persecutor of Christ to being persecuted for Christ, even giving his life for Him. And today, we see him preaching fearlessly in Antioch.
We often experience the sorrow of seeing that people we love don’t share the gift of faith. Parents lament that their children don’t believe, despite all their efforts. Spouses wish their partners shared this part of life, to deepen their love. Families struggle to celebrate together because not everyone values this treasure of faith. But people can change, just like Paul did. It’s never too late for hope.
No one ever said that faith in Jesus Christ is easy. Faith is a battle fought on two fronts: one internal, against our own selfish, destructive, or dark tendencies; and the other external, against circumstances, situations, and even people who sometimes make it hard to follow Jesus. To grow and move forward in faith, we must fight. Paul fought this battle within himself—but once he saw clearly and understood, he remained faithful to the end.
Today’s Gospel shows us a short but powerful message from Jesus, spoken just after He washed the disciples’ feet. Once again, He speaks of service—that this is the way to welcome Him. This call to humble service was also lived deeply by the saint we remember today: St. Isidore the Farmer, a man from Madrid. He was a humble laborer with deep faith and daily prayer, who generously shared what little he had with the poor. These are the witnesses that remind us the Lord’s promises are true.
Today, in our prayer, we ask the Lord never to let us lack the nourishment of His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, to strengthen us in our inner battles. And we pray for all those we love who do not yet know the Lord, that one day they may come to encounter the Living Bread who came down from heaven.
Your brother in faith,
Juan Lozano, CMF
