Posted on 03/28/2005 7:13:04 AM PST by Salvation
Monday, March 28, 2005 Meditation Acts 2:14,22-33 The Book of Actswhich we will be reading throughout this Easter seasonis so much more than a history of the early church. Its a book about the power of the Holy Spirit! Throughout its pages, we read how the Spirit worked through regular people to make them into bold apostles and witnesses to Christ. Because it speaks about so many lives being powerfully transformed, Acts also gives us hope and encouragement for our lives. What happened in the apostles can happen in us as well! Todays reading describes the first of many scenes in Acts in which the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to build the church on earth. This passage also describes the first fulfillment of Jesus prophecy before he ascended into heaven: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here, in Jerusalem, Peter preached, and thousands came to believe. As Acts progresses, we will read how Peter and other disciples, like Stephen, preached the gospel in Jerusalem and the surrounding area of Judea. Then, the focus will shift to Philip, who spread the gospel even farther when he proclaimed Christ in Samaria. Finally, we will witness Paul bringing the message and the power of salvation throughout Asia Minor, then into Greece, and lastly to Rome and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And in every scene, we can see the Holy Spirit working powerfully through these anointed messengers of God. Stories like the ones recorded in Acts continue to happen today through the Spirit-anointed preaching and witness of Jesus disciples. Each of us has received the Holy Spirit to witness to Jesus and to help spread the gospel. So as the Easter season unfolds, ask Jesus to fill you with his Spirit and to make you into his witness. He desires it and will surely help you to fulfill your calling. Father in heaven, you are always looking for people to send out as witnesses to your Son. Make me into one as well! Here I am, Lord. Send me. |
**Stories like the ones recorded in Acts continue to happen today through the Spirit-anointed preaching and witness of Jesus disciples.**
I have word that there have been some miracles down in Florida. How exciting that the Holy Spirit is actively at work down there. No details yet.
Ah, Jesus in white and blue! Lovely artwork!
Prayers for Terri Schiavo as she passes 11 days without food and water. The Lord will be glorified out of this tragedy, even though we don't understand yet how that may be so.
Prayers offered up for the health and comfort of Pope John Paul II.
Jesus is the only answer to the senseless violence and corruption of this world. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow with courage!
I truly think that God will be the winner in this case too.
Something is happening down there that we really don't know now, or either we don't understand.
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Christos Voskrese!
[The proper response]----> Voistinu Voskrese!
Mt 28:8-15 | ||
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# | Douay-Rheims | Vulgate |
8 | And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. | et exierunt cito de monumento cum timore et magno gaudio currentes nuntiare discipulis eius |
9 | And behold, Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet and adored him. | et ecce Iesus occurrit illis dicens havete illae autem accesserunt et tenuerunt pedes eius et adoraverunt eum |
10 | Then Jesus said to them: Fear not. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see me. | tunc ait illis Iesus nolite timere ite nuntiate fratribus meis ut eant in Galilaeam ibi me videbunt |
11 | Who when they were departed, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all things that had been done. | quae cum abissent ecce quidam de custodibus venerunt in civitatem et nuntiaverunt principibus sacerdotum omnia quae facta fuerant |
12 | And they being assembled together with the ancients, taking counsel, gave a great sum of money to the soldiers, | et congregati cum senioribus consilio accepto pecuniam copiosam dederunt militibus |
13 | Saying: Say you, His disciples came by night and stole him away when we were asleep. | dicentes dicite quia discipuli eius nocte venerunt et furati sunt eum nobis dormientibus |
14 | And if the governor shall hear of this, we will persuade him and secure you. | et si hoc auditum fuerit a praeside nos suadebimus ei et securos vos faciemus |
15 | So they taking the money, did as they were taught: and this word was spread abroad among the Jews even unto this day. | at illi accepta pecunia fecerunt sicut erant docti et divulgatum est verbum istud apud Iudaeos usque in hodiernum diem |
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