CONVERSION-CONVERSATIONS
“[The apostles] made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling everyone about the conversion of the Gentiles as they went.” –Acts 15:3
Instead of telling the Phoenicians and Samaritans about the Church bickering in Antioch (Acts 15:2), the apostles told them about the conversion of the Gentiles. These apostles spoke from the abundance of their hearts (Lk 6:45) and what filled their hearts was the joy of Jesus in heaven over the conversion of repentant sinners (Lk 15:7, 10). The ongoing church dissension and controversy, while important enough to cause their trip to Jerusalem, was not absorbing the hearts of the apostles. Their minds were fixed on what was above rather than what was on earth (Col 3:1ff). Since the Lord in heaven finds more joy in the conversion of one sinner, the hearts of the apostles were focused on conversion and on finding ways to please Jesus (see Ps 104:34).
How many times have you heard conversations about the conversions taking place in your parish RCIA programs or soup kitchens? Now, how many times have you heard conversations focused on internal church squabbles? Repent of desiring to talk about church dissensions, strife, discord, and controversies (see 1 Tm 6:4). Allow God to prune away any spirit of dissension and disunity. Remain in Jesus (Jn 15:4), Who came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10), and bear “much fruit” of evangelization and conversion (Jn 15:8).
| PRAYER: | Father, help me to “say only the good things” people “need to hear, things that will really help them” (Eph 4:29). |
| PROMISE: | “He who lives in Me and I in him, will produce abundantly, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” –Jn 15:5 |
| PRAISE: | When conversations drift toward criticism of fellow Church members, Wanda tactfully guides the talk to other topics. |
GOD IS PEACE (Eph 2:14)
” ‘Peace’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you.” –John 14:27
Peace is what Jesus left us in His last will and testament. Because of this, peace has a special significance for those who love Jesus. Peace is the binding force which unifies the Church, marriages, and families (Eph 4:3). Peace is the guard of our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7). Without peace, we will be subject to heart-failure and mind-games. Without peace, our God-given relationships begin to unravel and society begins to disintegrate.
Zeal to propagate the gospel of peace is our footgear and part of our spiritual armor (Eph 6:15). Without zeal to proclaim peace, the beautiful feet (Is 52:7) of Christians remain unprotected. Under these circumstances, we leave ourselves wide open for Satan to bind our feet, and in that state we will no longer be free to go to the nations with the good news of Jesus.
Peace is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Jesus, God Himself, is Peace (Eph 2:14). Therefore, pray for peace, make peace (Mt 5:9), and adore Jesus, our Peace.
| PRAYER: | “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.” |
| PROMISE: | “We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God.” –Acts 14:22 |
| PRAISE: | When feeling her peace rattled, Joan sits quietly in God’s presence until He has restored her serenity. |
God Bless You
I Tell a True Tale
Shepherd Me Oh God
Sheperd me oh God
Love one another
FATHER’S DAY
“How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ ” –John 14:9
Jesus became a human being to reveal to us that God is not just the Supreme Being and the Creator, but also wants to be our personal, loving Father. Most people in the world don’t believe this. Why would the awesome Creator of galaxies which stretch for billions of light-years decide to adopt us? As farfetched as this may sound, it is absolutely true. Almighty God wants to be our Father (see Hos 11:4).
Jesus, as “the exact Representation of the Father’s being” (Heb 1:3), came to show us the Father. When we see Jesus, we see the Father (Jn 14:9). By believing in Jesus and being baptized into Him, we become new creations and are thereby capable of being God the Father’s adopted children. Jesus is the only Way by which this can happen (see Jn 14:6).
Jesus is preoccupied with showing us the Father’s love. Therefore, when Philip showed he didn’t know the Father’s love, he greatly disappointed Jesus (see Jn 14:9). Likewise, when we show our insecurity about our Father’s love, when we live in fear or anxiety, we grieve Jesus. After all this time, after all this love, Jesus laments that we still don’t know Him and the Father (Jn 14:9). Be secure in Your Father’s love. Please Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be so secure in Your love that I will not be manipulated or pressured into sin or compromise with the world. |
| PROMISE: | “Next He was seen by James; then by all the apostles. Last of all He was seen by me.” –1 Cor 15:7-8 |
| PRAISE: | St. Philip “saw the Father” and willingly lived and died for love of Him. He even led a future apostle to Jesus (Jn 1:45ff). |
SERIOUS BUSINESS
“We must undergo many trials if we are to enter into the reign of God.” –Acts 14:22
St. Paul had recently been stoned, dragged out of town, and left for dead (Acts 14:19). After being raised up and continuing his work, he gave his “disciples reassurances, and encouraged them to persevere in the faith” (Acts 14:22). When someone who’s black and blue, with patches of hair pulled out, and an eye swollen shut talks about reassurances, perseverance, trials, and God’s kingdom, he has credibility. He has already practiced what he’s preaching.
Then Paul “installed presbyters and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in Whom they had put their faith” (Acts 14:23). Paul was not well-groomed, handsome, and dressed in fine vestments as he led this prayer service. When the person praying over you has cuts all over his hands and face and has a couple teeth missing, the prayer takes on more meaning. We’re not just being prayed for to be blessed, but to be sacrificed.
Finally, Paul returned to Antioch, the church which had sent him and Barnabas on this first missionary journey. “On their arrival, they called the congregation together and related all that God had helped them accomplish, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Obviously this was not just a committee report. The congregation couldn’t help but notice Paul’s condition and realize that making disciples of all nations and being Church was more serious than they had ever suspected.
| PRAYER: | Father, free me from any misconception about Christianity. |
| PROMISE: | “There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain.” –Rv 21:4 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, risen Jesus! Your ultimate self-sacrifice opened the way to the Father. Alleluia! |
JOSEPH VS. COMMUNISM
“Where did this Man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter’s Son?” –Matthew 13:54-55
In 1955, Pope Pius XII instituted this feast day in honor of St. Joseph the Worker. He put the feast on this day to oppose the May Day military celebration of the Communist world. It seemed so foolish of Pius XII to bring up Joseph, the poor carpenter of Nazareth, to confront Soviet military might. Joseph seemed even less likely of defeating the mammoth Communist machine than David against Goliath. In a few short decades, however, Soviet Communism was shattered.
May Day has lost its triumphal glory. The Lord has conquered. Christianity has defeated Communism. Joseph has conquered in the name of his Foster Son, Jesus (see Rm 8:37). Joseph the Worker has conquered by faith. “This is the work of God: have faith in the One Whom He sent” (Jn 6:29). “All depends on faith, everything is grace” (Rm 4:16). “The power that has conquered the world is this faith of ours. Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 Jn 5:4-5).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I choose a lifestyle that will maximize opportunities for developing my faith in You. Saint Joseph, pray for me. |
| PROMISE: | “Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through Him.” –Col 3:17 |
| PRAISE: | Ellen and Edward, an engaged couple, prayed a novena to St. Joseph for him to find work so they could marry. In mid-novena, on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, Edward was offered a good job. |
