Acts 13:13-43: Summary
Monday, January 7, 2019
Pisidian Antioch Church of Saint Peter
If we allow ourselves to pause with these verses we will easily see that what Paul delineates as the history of the Jewish people can also serve as the outline of our own life of conversion.
God chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in Egypt. We too are chosen and exalted by God. We too are the apple of God’s eye, the desire of God’s heart. Let us rejoice and be glad in this news.
With uplifted arm he led them out of [Egypt] and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. We too, have been led by God. We too have been protected; we are guided by the Spirit. Let us rejoice and be glad that God has the patience to put up with us.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. We too, once we have grown and matured in the Spirit, have come to see that our inheritance of God’s love has been within our reach since the beginning of time. Let us rejoice and be grateful in this gift.
Artifact from Pisidian Antioch
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming. We too have been given this savior. We too have heard the heralding of Jesus’ coming. Let us rejoice and be glad in the promise of the Christ Child.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets . . . They asked Pilate to put him to death . . . they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb. We too have lived through trial and travail. We too have suffered disappointment and betrayal. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that we are not alone and that our God accompanies us in our journey of sorrow.
El Greco: St. Paul
Can we act on this summary of our lives . . . and go forward to tell the Good News?
Tomorrow we will reflect on Paul’s words to the gentile people. For more on Pisidia, go to the Bible Places link: http://www.bibleplaces.com/pantioch.htm
A re-post from January 7, 2012.
Images from: http://www.bibleplaces.com/pantioch.htm and http://www.holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,3,8,21,96 and http://faculty.saintleo.edu/reynolds/HON250-F03/projects/culture/Tinturetto.htm
Glad you found this useful – and thanks for stopping by!
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