synagogue – The Noontimes

Monday, January 7, 2019

Pisidian_Antioch_Church_of_St_Peter2_tb_n010200[1] — *Pisidian Antioch Church of Saint Peter*

What we read today is Paul’s summary of salvation history to the people who have gathered in the synagogue in Pisidia. The synagogue officials sent word to [Paul and his companions]. “My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak”. And so Paul rises to address the assembly.

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.

SergiusPaulus[1] — *Artifact from Pisidian Antioch*

After these things he provided judges . . . then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul . . . then he removed him and gave up David as their king. We too have been given leaders along the path of our spiritual journey. We too have been guided by those who seek God persistently and who tell the stories of their own conversion. Let us rejoice and be grateful for their willingness to share their life-giving experiences.

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.

But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are [now] his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our ancestors he has brought to fulfillment for us [their] children, by raising up Jesus. We too have seen the fulfillment of these oracles. We too have witnessed this death and this rising. Let us rejoice and proclaim the good news that God has fulfilled and continues to fulfill the promises he makes to us.

Today we reflect on the summary of our lives and we wonder . . . can it be true that all we have hoped for has been given? Can we suppose that what others have witnessed is the promise fulfilled that we have longed for through long and lonely nights? Can we believe that the Christ humbles himself to birth in a stable? Can we believe that although we believe him gone . . . he loves us still?

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

The Noontimes

Tag: synagogue

Acts 13:13-43: Summary

Tag: synagogue

Acts 13:13-43: Summary

Share this: