The Power of the Resurrection in our Words and Actions

In today’s first reading, Acts 8: 1b-8, Paul, following Stephen’s death, continues his persecution of Christians and his determination to destroy the Church. He enters “house after house…dragging out men and women, [and handing] them over for imprisonment” and most likely death. The Apostles and disciples of Jesus, on the other hand, continue proclaiming the good news of Jesus' resurrection by word and action. Their passion for Christ is unstoppable.   Many “possessed people and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured” in Jesus' name. Crowds of people “paid attention to what was said by Philip [and other disciples of Christ]." When people heard the message being proclaimed and saw the signs being done in Jesus' name, they believed.

If I were among the crowd and part of the history of that time, to what would I be paying attention? Paul’s war against Christians? Or Philip’s and the actions of the other disciples of Christ?  It is easy to become part of the crowd ranting and raving about the evil in the world rather than becoming a warrior for Christ transforming evil into good.  I have the choice of being a destroyer or a builder, with Christ, of God's Kingdom in the here and now.

Paul, trying to destroy the good that was happening by the disciples of Christ, made huge mistakes in his life. God's plan for you and me, for  anyone, to recover from our mistakes,  and do good in the world is not thwarted when we are caught up in a movement bent on destruction of a religion, of another person's reputation, of the Good News of Christ, of our own well-being.When we "fall off the wagon," so to speak, God, in His time, puts us back on the path that leads to the Good News being proclaimed by our actions and our words. The transforming power of the resurrection at work in the world and within ourselves will not be destroyed by the "Sauls" in our lives.

Thank you, Lord, for continuing the transformation of evil, whatever its form, in our lives and in the world of today!

In the Father's Hand

In today’s Gospel, John 10: 22-30,  Jesus says to me and to you:  “You are my lamb; I know you, and you follow me.  I give you eternal life, Dorothy Ann (insert your name), and you shall never perish. No one can take you out of my hand. My Father, who has given you to me, is greater than all, and no one can take you out of my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

“I give you eternal life, and you shall never perish!” Lord, the ultimate goal of my life is that I make it to eternity  as a faithful disciple, as a Christian,  to be with you forever. With You, Lord, and no one else. You and You alone. On Your part, Lord, You sacrificed Your life so that I might have eternal life with You. May I not disappoint You and choose otherwise.  Steer me on the path that leads to You and to You alone, as You did for each of Your apostles and 1000s of disciples since then. Following Your resurrection and in the midst of persecution, the disciples scattered to various parts of the world at that time.  They continued to make You known and 1000s of people came to know you, the one true God, the Redeemer of the world.  May, I too, no matter what the circumstances of my life, make you known, work for Your Cause, that all people may come to know you the Way, the Truth and the Life.   May I truly proclaim the Gospel with my life, as did the disciples in today’s first reading, Acts  11 19-26, because your hand is with me, as it was with them.  I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Hand of the Lord Was upon Them

In today's first reading, Acts 11: 19-26, we learn that the disciples of Christ fled the region where followers of Christ were being persecuted and moved on to places far away as Pheonicia, Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the Lord Jesus "to no one but Jews."  Non-Jews were among their listeners and these persons, in turn, made Jesus known to Greeks as well.  "The hand of the Lord was upon them and a great number who believe turned to the Lord." 

The Church in Jerusalem heard the good news and sent Barnabas to the region.  Barnabas "saw the grace of God,...rejoiced and encouraged...all to remain faithful to the Lord in the firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith."
When I walk i8nto a situation, what do I see? God's grace at work? Or do my prejudices, anxieties and preconceived ideas block my vision?