Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Third Week of Easter | USCCB
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear of Saul continuing his attacks on the followers of Jesus Christ. Saul was a very devoted Jew and thought that he was doing the Will of God by persecuting the followers of the Lord and putting them to death. He thought that they were heretics and, in his zeal for the love of God and of God’s law, he pursued the early Christians to put a stop to their following, what he thought, was a false messiah.
Then something wonderful happens: Saul
encounters the risen Lord with a bright light and the words, "Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting me?" Jesus was intervening in Saul’s quest to stop
his followers. Further, Jesus had other plans for Saul. Jesus had chosen Saul
to be his voice to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Saul would
go from being a persecutor of those followers of Jesus Christ to being one of
the greatest preachers of this new way of life in relationship with God through
Jesus Christ.
Saul would go on to be known as Paul and
is a great example of how we are to live our own lives. Once Paul came to know
that Jesus Christ was Messiah, he proudly went throughout the world bringing
the good news of salvation to all people that he met. He traveled far and wide
to teach that Jesus Christ was Lord and Savior and that there is no salvation
outside of knowing the Lord.
In our reading for today from Acts we
hear that Saul, “began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” We, too, are called in our Christian vocation to proclaim this
Good News that Jesus Christ is the Son of God to all those in our lives. We can
do so by talking about our faith and letting people know of the love Jesus has
for each one of them. Further, we are called to show love and respect for everyone
as people made in the image of God. Jesus in the Gospels calls us to love God
with our whole mind, heart, and soul, and to love others as we love ourselves.
This is how we, like Paul, are to preach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteYES, showing love & respect for others, even--and maybe especially--toward people with whom we disagree, is difficult but so important.
In today's world there is a great lack of charity, respect, courtesy & civility, especially when it comes to politics & even when it comes to religion. We need to find ways to stand up strongly for our beliefs & not compromise truth & discern what areas that are not matters of absolute truth where compromise is necessary & flexibility is required. We need to learn how to do this & meet the challenge of walking what I call "the delicate fine line of the Christian walk", uncompromising in truth & justice on one hand & uncompromising in love, mercy & respect on the other hand.
Whenever with the help of GOD'S grace & the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we are able to meet this challenge & accomplish this, we can be more effective in winning souls for CHRIST & obeying His Commandments & make a positive impact on our corner of the world & hopefully in our country.