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Theo Tigno•
5/4/2004 6:31 am
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Tuesday, May 4th 2004 |
Acts 11:19-26
Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for the safety of those who are traveling.
"The purpose of historical inquiry is not simply to present facts but to search for an interpretation of the past. Historians attempt to find patterns and establish meaning through the rigorous study of documents and artifacts left by people of other times and other places." - Frank Luttmer (1996) in the article "Why Study History?"
What could be learned by studying the history of the early Church? In today's reading, we see how God allowed the persecution of Christians in order that the Gospel message could be spread throughout the world. We see the goodness of Our Lord from an objective viewpoint. This gives us hope in our own struggles.
It is important to understand the history of God's people because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The God that used the persecution of Christians (before they were called Christians) to spread the Good News is the same God that uses your struggles to help you grow in holiness so that you may glorify God to a world that cannot see beyond its own pride. In enduring your struggles, fellow Christian, you proclaim the hope we all must have to a world crying for a reason to live and love. You, fellow Christian, are part of Christian history. Take care and God Bless.
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