September 06, 2014
Paul’s Farewell Speech at Miletus
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 20, 17 – 38:
From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the church at Ephesus summoned. When they came to him, he addressed them, “You know how I lived among your the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus. But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me.Yes I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.
But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God. Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit had appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
When Paul had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
I pray every day for those who do not have faith. It is by prayer that these people will receive the gift of faith and then change their lives. You know that without faith a person cannot go to heaven. It is absolutely necessary to believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ in order to enter the eternal Kingdom of God.
Below you will find the message of Our Blessed Mother given to Father Melvin. She spoke to him these words,
“I bless you My son Melvin and all My sons and daughters who believe in My Son Jesus and who love Me as your Mother. I work together with Jesus, My Son, for the salvation of all the people of the world. A great son of mine was Saint Paul who traveled through many countries to teach the people the Good News and to begin the Church of My Son Jesus in all those places he visited. In the reading today, we find Saint Paul in Miletus and there he gave a speech to the priests and the disciples that he was on his way to Jerusalem and these people whom he was talking to will never see him again. He gives them good advice how they are to live as Christians and as leaders of the flock. Saint Paul was a man of great faith who worked hard in all the countries he visited to teach the people and to establish the Church. Indeed all priests and Bishops should look to him as the example they should follow.
I am always praying for you all that you will grow in love and faith every day and you will give your life completely to My Son Jesus. He has great graces for you all and He will sent the Holy Spirit on you to strengthen you to chase the evil one away and to follow Him your Savior with all your heart. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had a beautiful summer day today with plenty of sunshine and the temperature was 26 degrees. I thank you My Lord.