The Church Persecuted and Scattered ACTS 8:1-8, PS.66, JOHN 6:35-40 Saul persecuted the Church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. However, those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the […]
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Apr
Apr
Proclaim the Good News 1Peter 5:5-14; Psalm 88; Mark 16:15-20 “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus commanded his followers to go out and ‘proclaim the Good […]
23
Apr
Apr
Stephen Seized ACTS 6:8-15; PSALM 119; JOHN 6:22-29 In today’s first reading Stephen was arrested for preaching the Good News. While he was tried in the council, the Bible says “his face appeared to them like the face of an angel” (Acts6:15). This means that Stephen was innocent. In fact, the Bible says “they secretly […]
22
Apr
Apr
ACTS 2:14, 22-33; PSALM 15; 1PETER 1:17-21; LUKE 24:13-35 Hopelessness is a feeling of dispair. Today’s gospel recounts the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were going home disappointed, because their hope was crumbled by the sorrows of Good Friday, yet it was days later nothing had changed. There are […]
22
Apr
Apr
THE CHOOSING OF THE SEVEN Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; John 6:16-21 “They picked out seven men full of the Holy Spirit”. These men were the first deacons in Christian history. They were ordained to serve – the theological reason for deacons today. These men were to handle the daily distribution of food so as to […]
20
Apr
Apr
The Gamaliel’s principle Acts 5:34-42; Psalm 27; John 6:1-15 Gamaliel’s principle is a principle in the Book of Acts by the Rabban Gamaliel. He cautioned the Jewish Sanhedrin against killing Jesus’ disciples, saying that if their ideas were of human origin, they would “come to nought” and the Jews did not need to […]
20
Apr
Apr
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai The movement from the pulpit to the state draws the attention of the general public to the relationship between the church and the state. When discussing this relationship we are compelled to reaffirm the existence of corporation, autonomy, and independence. The church and the state have organizational structures, but their designs and […]
19
Apr
Apr
HOLY BOLDNESS Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34; John 3:31-36 The first reading presents us with the trial of St. Peter and other apostles before the Jewish authorities. The high priest said; “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name”. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make […]
18
Apr
Apr
ACTS 5:17-26; PSALM 34; JOHN 3:16-21 “The men you imprisoned are in the Temple, preaching to the people.” Peter and the other apostles were imprisoned because they were preaching about the risen Christ. Miraculously and astonishingly they were set free. No one can imprison the news about the risen Christ and no one can stop […]
ACTS 4:32-37; PSALM 92; JOHN 3:7-15 Unity amongst Believers “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul”. This statement underscores the practice of the early Christian Church. They worked together to build the body of Christ. None of their members was ever in want, as everything they owned was held in common. Today’s […]