The Feast of St Anthony of Padua | Tuesday 13 June 2023

Today is Tuesday the 13th of June, the feast of St Anthony of Padua, in the 10th week of Ordinary time.

The monks of Keur Moussa sing: ‘Lord Jesus, we await your coming in faith, more sure of seeing your day than a watchman awaiting the dawn.’

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the Second Letter to the Corinthians.


2 Corinthians 1:18-22

‘As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been “Yes and No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not “Yes and No”; but in him it is always “Yes.” For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment.

At first hearing, this reading may seem a bit confusing, but it’s a promise of reassurance. Paul tells us that God’s promises, made to us by Jesus, can be trusted. What promises of God can you think of? Are you able to take Jesus at his word, or is there a level of doubt in your heart?


Paul talks of our being anointed and of the Spirit being God’s seal on us. This language of seals and instalments sounds like a legal contract. What contract or covenant do you see God as making with you? Do you want to make any undertakings in return, or is there some hesitation?

As you hear the reading again, are there any words or phrases that draw you specially? Notice what stays with you and allow it to take root in your heart and mind.

Whatever your feelings and thoughts in response to this reading, allow yourself to talk to God about them. Paul tells us that Jesus always says ‘yes’ to us. What ‘yes’ do you want to say back to him?


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.