In Luke’s Gospel the crowds grow in response to the healing and teaching of Christ, who moves on to other villages so that more people might discover the Good News.
The example of Apollos shows that a disciple can be passionate about sharing the faith AND open to learning from those who have more education and experience. It’s a good reminder for us as we grow in grace and follow Jesus Christ.
Paul preaches a carefully crafted, well thought out, passionate message to the people of Athens…and they scoffed and walked away. Paul’s response to this outcome is instructive; he faithfully continues to the next city, telling people about Jesus.
Stripped and beaten, Paul and Silas are thrown into prison in Philippi. During an earthquake their proclamation of the Gospel changes hearts and lives.
The end of chapter 15 of Acts of the Apostles shows how the early Church came to a united resolution that empowered the mission of the Gospel to the gentiles.
Prayerfully reading the Bible (often called Lectio Divina – Divine Reading) is a powerful way the listen to what God has to say to our lives. Reading a small passage of Scripture we reflect and respond to the Lord by answering three simple questions: What does it say? What does it say to me? What does it make me say?
As the disciples return praising God for the power they used in the name of Jesus, the Lord reveals this power as the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation history. Our task today? To continue to let Jesus work through the daily offering of our lives.
In the Gospel today the Lord cleanses the temple and then teaches the people. Every time we enter into a church and stand before the Blessed Sacrament in the tablernacle, we encounter the same Risen Lord – body and blood, soul and divinity.
The prophet Isaiah and Jesus both speak of the servant who suffers for others. Once we recognize the value of life we begin to embrace our suffering with the grace of Christ…whose death and resurrection reveal the depth of love God has for us all.