WEEK TWENTY TWO: LIFE IN THE RESURRECTION - DAY 5
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Acts 10: 44-48: The Baptism of Cornelius: "While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." [Please read Acts 10: 1-49 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection: ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Cornelius is a Roman centurion belonging to the elite cohort called the Italica. He has become a devout and God-fearing man along with his family. He gives alms to the Jewish people and prays continuously. An angel of God appears to him at the 3:00 pm hour of prayer, and tells him to send some men to fetch Peter from Joppa to his home. Meanwhile Peter too has a vision through which it is made clear to him that "what God has made clean, you are not to call profane" (Acts 10: 15). The apostles have not yet grasped the idea that even Gentiles are called to be saved through Jesus. The full implications of his vision are revealed to Peter when he meets the messengers sent to him by Cornelius. After listening to the actions of the Holy Spirit in Cornelius' life, Peter and the apostles begin to grasp Jesus' teaching that He is the Savior of all humankind. Peter admits Cornelius and his household into the Christian community: "Then Peter responded, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 10: 47-48).
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Acts 10: 44-48: The Baptism of Cornelius: "While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." [Please read Acts 10: 1-49 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection: ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Cornelius is a Roman centurion belonging to the elite cohort called the Italica. He has become a devout and God-fearing man along with his family. He gives alms to the Jewish people and prays continuously. An angel of God appears to him at the 3:00 pm hour of prayer, and tells him to send some men to fetch Peter from Joppa to his home. Meanwhile Peter too has a vision through which it is made clear to him that "what God has made clean, you are not to call profane" (Acts 10: 15). The apostles have not yet grasped the idea that even Gentiles are called to be saved through Jesus. The full implications of his vision are revealed to Peter when he meets the messengers sent to him by Cornelius. After listening to the actions of the Holy Spirit in Cornelius' life, Peter and the apostles begin to grasp Jesus' teaching that He is the Savior of all humankind. Peter admits Cornelius and his household into the Christian community: "Then Peter responded, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?" He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 10: 47-48).
God speaks and I listen. Watching God at work building up the early Church with devout men and women of prayer. Cornelius is a man of prayer, he leads his family in prayer to God and is faithful to God. God is uniting all of man kind, not a religion but in doing so it is our faithful simple actions of witnessing to the love of Christ in our hearts. Praying at specific times, listening to God, building up the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit plays an integral role in all of this by empowering the faithful, those willing to serve God. Our actions speak of our love of God, God listens to the response, does it build up, does it speak through in the church. Are you willing to serve, to join the Great commissioning? God builds up.
What is God saying to you? I Am orchestrating all things out, listen to My direction and follow My call. It is the simple things that have the biggest impact, being obedient to My voice. Watch as I build up upon the cornerstone of salvation.
What is God saying to you? I Am orchestrating all things out, listen to My direction and follow My call. It is the simple things that have the biggest impact, being obedient to My voice. Watch as I build up upon the cornerstone of salvation.
Dear Father, I sit and witness Your love in action, I see two men faithfully following You and the call in their lives. The wisdom of the centuries has been passed down to us by Your Holy Spirit, help us sit and listen, guide our actions to build up and unite, to speak truth in the darkness of a world that denies You and Your existence. Thank You Father for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of tradition that is being passed on from generation to generation. Thank You Father for the gift of rain and the new growth it will produce. Bless this beautiful Sunday Lord with Your treasures. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Lord of his household and Prince over all his processions, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
No comments:
Post a Comment