The early Church was seeking the will of God. They prayed, discussed, debated and eventually came to a decision. Then they promulgated what they had decided. “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.” We go through a similar process when we seek the will of God. But if you are anything… Read More »
MAY232019
Several things of note in the story about the so-called Council of Jerusalem: First, they were seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in coming to an important decision. Second, they could only arrive at the decision “after much debate had taken place.” To genuinely hear the Holy Spirit required entering into debate, dialogue, conversation,… Read More »
MAY222019
We have to understand the profound change that occurred among those first followers of Jesus when Gentiles (non-Jews) became Christians. Jesus was a Jew. Mary was a Jew. The Apostles were Jews. Paul was a Jew. The obvious presumption was that the Jesus movement was a Jewish movement. St. Paul and others had to argue… Read More »
MAY212019
Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia — these cities are in what is now Turkey. Despite their apostolic origins, despite the preaching of St. Paul they have no Christian presence to speak of today. Syrian Antioch, a city that had St. Peter as the first bishop, was under attack during the Civil War… Read More »
MAY202019
The question that the Apostle Jude asked Jesus seems a very legitimate one: “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Instead of a straight answer Jesus gives a reflection on the relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I wonder if Jude felt frustrated by… Read More »
MAY192019
Probably each of us has a memory similar to this one: little Johnny is sitting at the supper table and both of his parents are getting rather exasperated with him. It seems he won’t eat his vegetables. Now all parents know that part of their job is to do what’s right for their child even… Read More »
MAY182019
Jesus seemed surprised that after all the time the apostles spent with him they did not recognize his true identity. “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” St. Paul did not recognize the presence of Christ in the believers. The heavenly voice made that identification explicit on the road to Damascus. “I am Jesus… Read More »
MAY172017
Jesus said to [Thomas], “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Like most of us, Thomas seemed to imagine that getting to heaven required jumping through a set of hoops: keep the commandments, give to charity, say your prayers, go to Church, be… Read More »
MAY162019
In the Acts of the Apostles St. Luke included several typical sermons in the style that Paul would have used. “The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors,” said the Apostle. In order to truly appreciate who Jesus is, Paul situated his story in the larger story of God’s action in history. That strategy… Read More »
MAY152019
We read in the Book of Acts: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Don’t you wish that the Holy Spirit would tell you what to do? It would make decisions so much easier.… Read More »
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