September 29, 2014
Arrival in Rome
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 28, 11 – 16:
Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the “Dioscuri” as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days, and from there we sailed round the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After a day, a south wind came up and in two days we reached Putcoli. There we found some brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. The brothers from there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul gave thanks to God and took courage. When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
A young man who lives in New Brunswick came to visit me one day. He was very depressed and very lonely as he lived alone. He said that his life had no meaning for him. He did not go to church on Sunday and he drank too much. I prayed with him and told him that he will now have to go to church every Sunday and to go to confession and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I aslo asked him to pray his rosary every day. I prayed with him and asked the Lord to send the Holy Spirit upon him so that his inner life could change.When I saw him again some time later, he was completely changed and he was going to church every Sunday and receiving Holy Communion. Jesus had healed him spiritually.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I am your protector My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who believe in Me and pray to Me every day. Saint Paul was sent from Israel to Rome and it took many months with plenty of trouble before he reached that city. I was there with him every day to protect him. He had been told by Me that he would reach Rome and there he was to work for the growth of My Church. St. Paul was very happy when he arrived to be met by My followers who were very kind to him and invited him to stay at their homes for seven days. They had heard about him how he worked hard in many countries of the Middle East and even in Greece. They considered him a great saint and a great preacher.
Saint Paul is a great example for all of you. He lived his life in union with Me and he offered his life every day to Me to do the work that I gave him to do. He also wrote many letters which you find in the Bible. He had been to all these cities and he was pleased to write to them to encourage them to continue to follow Me. These letters are for you all to read and to learn how to live as a faithful follower of mine. I bless you all and I love you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had the warmest day today Sunday of the month of September. It was up to 25 degrees Celsius. Thank you Lord for this wonderful weather.