Acts 13:14, 43-52
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
- It says that Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly in the face of great danger. When was the last time that you spoke boldly about God? When was the last time that you did that at great risk to yourself? “All who were destined for eternal life came to believe.” Did you know that you are already destined and pre-ordained for Heaven? As Matthew Kelly puts it in his book, “Rediscovering Jesus”, Christians not believing that they are Holy here on Earth and called to be Saints, is one of biggest coups that the devil has ever played on modern man and woman. Funny Point: The Jews, who regularly denounced women as second class citizens, are now trying to leverage “women of prominence” against the Apostles!? They can’t seem to shake the “hypocrite” label that Jesus gave to them.
Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. R. Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. R. The LORD is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. R.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. R. Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. R. The LORD is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. R.
- Take the time to really read this. Too often, we skim over the Psalm in anticipation of hearing the Second Reading from one of Jesus’ Apostles. We need to remember that “We are His people and Sheep”….full stop. Simmer……marinate……..
Revelation 7:9, 14-17
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
- “So many people…..nobody could count……every nation, race, people, and tongue……” Do you ever think about the diversity of God? His creation? His rainbow? The rainbow was the sign from God to Noah to keep His promise to remove the flood waters allowing Noah to help God to start-over with respect to man and woman, as well as to never flood the Earth again. Do you know that we join this multitude every week at Mass? “Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.” – WHAM! You’re now in Heaven in your Church with this multitude. With God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Saints, the Departed……Everyone! Do you ever use your i imagination to see what is really happening at Mass? Do you “see” this multitude?
John 10:27-30
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
- “My sheep hear and know Me; no one can take them out of Jesus’ and God’s hands.” Point: No matter what this world tarnishes us with, we will never die in God. Remember, if we “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). What is troubling you today? Do you offer your fears and worries to God knowing that you are already safe, Holy, redeemed, and a Saint?
This Week’s Prayer: Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts,
by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts,
by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
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