Acts 5:34-42

Very soon in the early church with the disciples devoted to prayer and teaching ‘lay persons’ were appointed to ‘wait on tables’ and serve the poor.  Although he was respected as ‘a man full of faith and the Holy spirit’, Stephen was not given the role of preaching but of serving the Gospel. When I, like Stephen, willingly do the task I have been assigned while distributing (and receiving) the mercy of God, my whole community (and`family`) will benefit. I am capable of doing many tasks, some lowly and some lofty; but what is the job I have been engaged to do?  Do I envy others’ positions, or am I embracing the tasks that I have been assigned? Holy Spirit, help me willingly live into the position given me.


The word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.  (Psalm 33:3)


“Whatever good work you begin to do, beg of God with most earnest prayer to perfect it.” 
St. Benedict of Nursia
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 5:34-42

There are all kinds of “Face books”, either online or in reality, that are people and organizations vying for our attention, wanting me to become their followers. I become a follower by ‘liking’ their ‘posts’, subscribing to their ‘sites’, engaging in their ideologies, purchasing their books and materials and getting my friends to ‘like’ them as well. As a follower of Christ, with how many of these ‘sites’ – these people or organizations – am I called to invest my time, talent and treasure in? Gamaliel, a teacher respected by all in Jesus’ time cautioned people then, and cautions us now, “if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin it will fail; but if it is of God you will not be able to overthrow them…” The apostles had chosen to follow Christ Jesus, the one man (who was God) whose agenda is still unshakably followed today. With whom or to with what will I engage today? Holy Spirit, help me follow Christ Jesus above all. 


 The Lord is my light and y salvation. (Psalm 27:1)


He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure.
John the Baptist John 3:34
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 5:27-33

Hauled in by the temple police before the high priest and the Sanhedrin yet again, the apostles could present only a thumbnail sketch of their message. In the heat of the moment they focused on the most important gifts of Christ Jesus: repentance and the forgiveness of sins.  The gift of repentance leads us into ways of openness and humility. The forgiveness of sins, as the Master had shown his disciples so irrevocably in his passion and resurrection, is the source of all healing between humankind and our Creator, between us and others, and within ourselves. In the ‘heat of moment’ do I reach out for my own dignity, or do I accept the gifts of repentance and the forgiveness of sins?  Christ Jesus, help me receive the gifts of repentance and forgiveness.


 The Lord is near the broken hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)


He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure.
John the Baptist John 3:34
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

Acts 5:17-26

The high priest and Sadducees didn’t ‘get it’, but the apostles had found ‘the whole message of this life’ and told it to anyone who would listen. Out of jealousy the authorities jailed Peter and John in an attempt to silence their witness. There is something very satisfying about the way the apostles were miraculously delivered from prison during the night by an angel so that they could return to their place in the temple to tell people ‘the whole message about this life’. How did this happen? They had ‘sought the Lord, and he had answered them, and delivered them from all their fears’. Am I likewise committed to continually preach the good news proclaimed by Jesus in his ministry, death and resurrection?  Holy Spirit of God, help me find and tell the whole message of this life.

 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. (Psalm 34)  
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Preach the Gospel at all times, using words only when necessary.  
St. Francis of Assisi 
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.

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Acts 4:13-21

God’s view of my life and the world in general is much different than mine. I so easily race ahead into the events of a day depending on my own affinities and affections to guide me –and arrive at the end of the day care-worn and disillusioned. In the early days of the church, Peter and John knew how worthwhile it was to remain aligned, like Jesus had, with the Holy Spirit of God to lead them into right paths and the peace of Christ.  There was no question about whom they would obey: “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge…” Am I open to God’s perspective on the choices I have before me today?  Holy Spirit of God, help  me do what is right in God’s sight.

 I shall not die but I shall live, and proclaim what the Lord has done.(Psalm 118:17)
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“Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God.” 
St. Ignatius of Loyola
                                                                                                                
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  
Soli gloriam dei.