Watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them . . . such people serve their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent . . . Be wise as to what is good, and simple as to what is evil; then the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
We are not built to handle evil – we are built for receiving and giving God’s love.
We are not meant to isolate ourselves in cliques and posses – we are meant to build bridges and seek union.
We are not created to isolate ourselves behind thick defense mechanisms – we are created to be open to those who are vulnerable just as Jesus our brother is.
We are not troublemakers, nor are we expected to mend what makes others so contentious – we are to model a way of living that does not rely on division and revenge.
We are kingdom builders, peace sharers . . . we are the dwelling place of God’s Spirit.
Watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them . . . such people serve their own appetites , and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent . . . Be wise as to what is good, and simple as to what is evil; then the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Amen.
Written on November 27, 2010 and posted today as a Favorite.
El Greco: The Apostles Peter and Paul – The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, RussiaI sometimes become discouraged when the world seems narrow, cruel and bleak. I sometimes feel as if my hopes and prayers are looking in all the wrong places for all the wrong solutions. I sometimes cannot believe that I have understood what God has in mind. So much in this world does not make sense. And this is when I turn to Acts and the stories of the fledgling church for it is here that God’s will for us is so clear. It is in these chapters and verses that we witness an incredible burgeoning of Spirit and an amazingly tenacious church. A small band of ordinary people begin an extraordinary movement. I wonder if they would succeed in the world we know today.
Patience, perseverance, boldness. These are the marching orders for Christ’s fledgling Church, his new and blushing bride. Many new members are joining and the persecutor Saul has become the advocate Paul. The first major breach has occurred and now step by step (verse 4) Peter gets to the heart of his message: The resurrection is not only meant for the Christ; it is a gift given to each of us by the Creator . . . and our first step toward this gift is our baptism in the Spirit. Peter explains the message he received from God in a vision and wraps up his thinking with one on my favorite verses: Who was I to hinder God?
The Church undergoes persecution in Antioch, the place where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. Stephen has been stoned and is the Church’s first martyr. Barnabas continues as a loyal preacher of the Story, adding members to the Church. Step by step, with patience, perseverance, and boldness, these early founders move gently but firmly as they form Christ’s Bride – the Church. Prayers are answered. Miracles happen. Prayers are asked and answered, although not always understood. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. I need to remember these lessons when I feel deserted, overwhelmed or lost.
Often we should not really be able to recognize an answer to prayer if it came. Maybe the Holy Spirit was using our little prayer for some much larger purpose, of his own, and his prayer may be answered even if our little prayer seems to remain unnoticed. It is in God’s hands from start to finish, and we must accept that and not try to wrest it from him.
Father Simon Tugwell, O.P. Dominican priest, author of books on theology and spirituality, member of Dominican, Historical Institute, MAGNIFICAT Meditation, May 15, 2010
We are cogs on the wheels of Christ’s Church at work and we have the freedom to choose how we go about completing our daily rounds. We can choose to churn in place and stubbornly hold up the works, or we might move as we are asked. Who are we to hinder God?
We are part of the great fire that Christ brought to earth and we may fling ourselves at our work, burning out like a spark that leaps out into the night sky to extinguish itself quickly on the damp ground. Or we might choose to stay close to the heart of the flames when banked for the night to hunker down when fuel is low, hugging close to the origin, joining with the other faithful embers who lie together, glowing and waiting through the dark and cold . . . to spring to life again with new wood and the coming of the morning light and wind. Who are we to hinder God?
Patience, perseverance, boldness. These are the marching orders for Christ’s embattled and struggling Church, his faithful and hope-filled bride. Who are we to hinder God?
Andre de Giusto (Manzini): Stoning of Saint StephenIt is difficult to connect the idea with God as a Good Shepherd to accounts like today’s Noontime. In this famous scene of Stephen’s martyring, we have much to observe, much to absorb. On this Sunday when we celebrate good shepherding, let us pause to examine the story and ourselves; and let us reflect.
When the crowd heard Stephen name them as stiff-necked and in opposition to the holy Spirit, they were infuriated and they ground their teeth at him.
How often do we gnash our own teeth and plot our arguments when we hear others make statements we do not believe?
But Stephen, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
How often are we able to put aside our rising anger and look for God and Jesus in the ugliness we see before us?
The crowd covered their ears, cried out against Stephen and rushed toward him.
How often do we rush against witnessing when we hear words that call us to something greater than we are willing to be?
They threw him out of the city and, and began to stone him.
How often are we more intent on silencing someone than listening to their inspiring and heart-felt words?
The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the foot of a young man named Saul.
How often do we gloat in silence while others suffer?
As Stephen fell beneath the stones he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit”.
How often do we stand by and watch as injustice takes place?
Stephen said with his last breath, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.
How often are we able to forgive those who transgress against us? How often do we intercede for our enemies before our forgiving and loving God?
When we are in turmoil and pain and we look for the Good Shepherd to lead us to safety, where do we look? We find good shepherds amidst the mayhem of life, in the fury of human battles, and in the chaos of darkness that seeks to overtake the light. We find good shepherds tending to the shunned and the belittled, living with the marginalized and forgotten, healing the lonely and broken-hearted. And once we find our Good Shepherd, this best of all shepherds, we must follow where he leads. This following may take us along dangerous paths and through storm-tossed seas. We may want to cover our ears and gnash our teeth as do the witnesses we hear about today. We may, like Stephen, feel ourselves falling beneath the weight of too many stones thrown in rage against us; and we may see too late the martyrdom that overtakes us.
When we find ourselves backed up against a howling, angry pack . . . we, like Stephen, must also look to God and to Jesus. And we must give ourselves over to the Spirit. We will likely be surprised by the miracle in store for us.
This week we will read more stories about the man Saul at whose feet Stephen’s attacked tossed their cloaks. We will see the miracle of this man’s conversion as he witnessed the martyring of Stephen. And we will remember that God always pulls goodness out of evil acts; God always calls forth miracles from martyrdom. For this reason alone . . . we must not be afraid.
Wishing each of you, your family and friends a blessed Easter.
May each of us be renewed in Christ,
Blessed by the Father,
and
Graced by the Holy Spirit.
May we keep in mind that we are Easter people.
May we acknowledge and share the gifts with which we have been blessed.
And may we hold the story of Christ’s coming ever in our minds and hearts.
Amen.
The celebration of Easter last s for eight days, from Easter Sunday through the Second Sunday of Easter. The Easter season lasts for 50 days, ending with the celebration of Pentecost. For special reflections that take us on a deeper journey, click on the image or visit: http://www.dualravens.com/spirituality/stations/oftheresurrection/introduction/
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 – Deuteronomy 6 – Fidelity
Today’s readings are all about fidelity. Isaiah 54:1-10, Psalm 19, Psalm 30, Psalm 113, Hosea 2:21-22, Luke 7:24-30. In DAILY REFLECTIONS FOR ADVENT & CHRISTMAS: Waiting in Joyful Hope 2010-2011, Robert Morneau writes about these readings: We need blessed assurance, an anchor that provides stability in a turbulent and changing world. Is there anyone or anything that we can count on, especially when trials and tribulations fall upon us? Isaiah the prophet provides an answer: God’s love will never leave us nor can the great covenant of peace be shaken. The blessed assurance of love and peace flows out of God’s immense mercy . . . When this divine friendship is offered, people must make a decision to accept or reject it. And even if it is rejected, God’s love and mercy is still available and is given as soon as an individual or community turns back to the Lord.
In Deuteronomy today we hear the wonderful Shema of the Jewish people, the beautiful center of morning and evening prayer: Love the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. Drill this into your children. Keep this attitude about you at all times. Identify your home and family as ones who remain in God. This is also the lesson that Jesus comes to enact among us. How well does the world know that we are Christ followers? By the fidelity with which we live our lives.
What we want is blessed assurance, and yet we have it shown to us constantly in the thousand little ways that God intercedes for us each day.
What we want is peace and joy, and yet we have it given to us in the small gestures and large actions the Spirit brings to us each day.
What we want is justice and mercy, and yet we are given it in the thousand little and big ways that Jesus awaits us, calls us, and redeems us.
We look for something we already have. All we need do is turn back to God in the fullness of body, mind and spirit. All we need do is rest in God . . . in trust, in hope . . . in fidelity.
Written on December 16, 2010 and posted today as a Favorite.
Watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them . . . such people serve their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent . . . Be wise as to what is good, and simple as to what is evil; then the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 
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The Noontimes 