Saints Cyril and Methodius | Monday 14 February 2022

Today is Monday the 14th of February, the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, in the sixth week of Ordinary time.
The King's Singers sing Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis. 'I have never put my hope in any other but in you'. As I begin this time of prayer today, can I speak those words to God? Can I place all my hope, all my trust, all my faith in him?

Today's reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 13:46-49
Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." ' When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region.

Today we hear about the word of the Lord being spoken to both the Jews and the Gentiles.
Do you remember the word of the Lord being spoken to you for the first time? What was that like?

The reaction of the Gentiles is of gladness and praise, starkly contrasting the reaction of the Jews and synagogue leaders' reaction of rejection.
How do you imagine this scene in your mind? Place yourself there, noticing what you see, hear...what do the people around you sound like?

As you listen again, take notice of any particular word or phrase that stands out to you...
'The word of the Lord spread through the region'. Talk to God now about how you might help to continue spreading this word today.


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.