After the martyrdom of St. Stephen, there broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem and all were scattered. The persecution produced “loud lament” among those first believers. But God uses everything, even seemingly negative things. The scattering of the early Jesus movement was the occasion for missionary activity, spreading the Word out of the Jerusalem ghetto into Samaria and the wider world. Instead of “loud lament” there was great joy in that city. St. James experienced a similar example of God’s transforming power when the destruction of our church building ten years ago led to a strengthening of our community. As you go through the negative things in your life look for the good that God will bring out of it.
MAY42022
By Church Staff
