Acts 13:44-52: Address to the Gentiles
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Yesterday we reflected on Paul’s Summary story of God’s constancy in his love for his people. God keeps his promises. God has good things in mind for his creation. God loves us more than we can imagine.
We first spent time with this portion of Acts on May 29, 2008 and we revisit that reflection today as a Favorite . . .
Because many of those Paul addressed in the synagogue refused to hear the story of Jesus, Paul took his message to the gentile nations. Many have ears but do not hear, eyes but do not see. I am thinking about how we humans form community . . . and how we also create obstacles to the formation of community. We conjure up sides, form alliances, close ranks and lock steps to keep out those who do not comply. We have the choice in this life to follow Mean Girl Queens and Playground Bullies which ultimately means that we must succumb to threats and insinuations. We also have the option to stand on Gospel Values . . . which means that we must work to become constant disciples of Jesus. And it also means that we must put down our old familiar weapons of separation to take up the arms of unity and peace.
The prophecy of Daniel and the story of Esther are worth remembering because they are where we learn that . . . the faithful need not fight, they only need to refuse to comply with anything which causes them to abandon their God. This is the same message that Jesus brings to us; this is how the kingdom becomes universal. This is how the Spirit abides and how the Gospel message spreads – through conflict resolved, through obstacles overcome, through pain endured, through reparations made and forgiveness granted. Where do we go for solace and comfort when we must squeeze ourselves through these Narrow Gate Experiences? How do we mature spiritually? How do we find and maintain the serenity we say we seek? Paul tells this in Pisidia who will hear him, and he tells us today . . .
When we suffer for Christ, we know that we have been chosen . . . we also know that we are loved.
When we live in the Spirit, we know that we live in God . . . and we also know that we live in love.
When we call on God, we know that we are heard . . . and we also know that we are rescued.
I am looking at the morning prayers and petitions from MAGNIFICAT.
The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him; he is their mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun, a guard against stumbling, a help against falling. (Sirach 34:16)
You are a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in distress; shelter from the rain, shade from the heat. (Isaiah 25:4)
With confidence in the God who hears our prayers and protects us, let us pray: To our words give ear, O Lord.
You shield us from harm: teach us to protect goodness in ourselves and in others. To our words give ear, O Lord.
You guard us against stumbling and help us against falling: strengthen our reliance on you in every temptation. To our words give ear, O Lord.
You are the shelter of all those who are in need: make us a shelter to all who call upon our help. To our words give ear, O Lord.
O God of glory, you are our shelter against the burning heat of the day and the storms of life. Help us when we stumble, catch us when we fall, and guide our steps firmly in faith toward the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A re-post from January 8, 2012.
Images from: http://www.davincisartandcoffee.com/Metal/cross/Heart/default.asp and http://northwaystudents.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/wide-gate-vs-narrow-gate/
Cameron, Peter John. “Prayer for the Morning.” MAGNIFICAT. 29.5 (2008): 392-393. Print.
For a reflection on the Book of Daniel on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/daniel-god-calls-the-faithful-and-faithless/
For thoughts on Esther see: https://thenoontimes.com/the-book-of-our-life/esther-from-calamity-to-rejoicing/
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