St. Luke in the ACTS describes a linear spread of Christianity from Peter’s ministry in Palestine leading to Paul’s in the wider Greek-speaking world. However, a closer look at the events suggests that the actual story was much messier. Pricilla and Aquila, for example, were converts to Christianity in Rome, long before Peter and Paul… Read More »

Thoughts on the election of St. Matthias to succeed Judas: First, the Jesus Movement at the time of his death consisted of a group of about one hundred and twenty persons. We need to expand our notion of the “apostolic faith” to include more that “the twelve,” women and men, married and single. Second,  after… Read More »

As Paul continued his missionary journey he ended in the Greek city of Corinth where he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. We know this married couple both from Acts and the Pauline letters as the leaders of the Church in Corinth. We… Read More »

When St. Paul arrived in Athens he was at the heart of culture, education, sophistication in the ancient world.  Paul tried to blend in by showing off his learning and skills of oratory. “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious.” He quoted their poets, used philosophical argument, and all the… Read More »

St. Bernard has a sermon describing the devotion of people who have faith in the resurrection. They pray, they experience consolation, they find joy in life. But, the saint reminds us, we also believe in the Ascension. The apostles experienced loss, grief, doubt, confusion when Jesus ascended into heaven. The Lord had warned them:  it… Read More »

In response to a vision St. Paul brought his missionary zeal into Europe, into Greece. In this new environment he finds he will not be able to operate as he had in the past. Philippi, his first stopping point, was a Roman city, that is a place where retired Roman soldiers have settled. Apparently there… Read More »

Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother. The first said, “I built a big house for our mother.” The second said,” I sent her a Mercedes with a driver.” The third smiled and said, “I’ve got… Read More »

St. Paul was a  man on a mission — literally. He wanted to bring the gospel everywhere. However, according to ACTS he wasn’t able to go into “the province of Asia” and Bithynia. Knowing Paul, he was probably frustrated by this. However, in retrospect, St. Luke, that author of ACTS, sees the hand of God.… Read More »

The early church, in resolving the controversy over the necessity of Jewish law for believers, made this confident statement: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.” How wonderful it must be to be sure that your decision is in sync with the Holy Spirit! However, even the most cursory examination of history… Read More »

The early followers of Jesus had a crucial decision to make:  since Jesus was a Jew and the first disciples were Jews was following Jewish law required of all the disciples of Jesus? They took counsel with one another seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide the decision. But before they made the… Read More »