Acts 22:3-16 or, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 117:1-2, Mark 16:15-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/012510.shtml
ROAD-KILL
"He is here now with authorization from the chief priests to arrest any
who invoke Your name." —Acts 9:14
The Damascus Christians knew that Saul was nearing town, planning to
arrest them if they spoke of Jesus (Acts 9:13-14). For days prior to
Saul's coming, some must have had nightmares about possible imprisonment,
breakup of marriages and families, suffering, and torture. Some may have
had second thoughts about following Jesus in the face of inevitable
suffering.
Imagine their joy when they heard that Jesus not only stopped Saul from
harming them, but had converted him into a powerful evangelist. Imagine
how they felt upon hearing that Jesus so identified Himself with them that
when they were persecuted, He was persecuted (Acts 9:4). Can you imagine
how they felt listening to Saul reduce the vocal "Jewish community of
Damascus to silence with his proofs that this Jesus was the Messiah"?
(Acts 9:22)
Saul's conversion surely gave these Christians great confidence that
"nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37). Through Saul's conversion,
Jesus assured them, as He later assured Saul (now Paul), to keep
witnessing without fear (Acts 18:9-10). Saul's conversion is likewise a
sign for us today to never fear persecution for our faith. Jesus can
instantly make sinners holy, convert persecutors to evangelists, and
change enemies into allies. Don't shrink before the Sauls in your life.
Tell them that Jesus is Lord. Then expect Him to do far greater than you
can imagine (Eph 3:20).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we never place limits on You. Use us to bring
about many conversions this year.
Promise: "Steadfast is His kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the
Lord endures forever." —Ps 117:2
Praise: "How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How inscrutable His judgments, how unsearchable His ways!" (Rm 11:33)
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 4, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2010 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment