Reflection on May 15th 2019
Martyrdom
Martyrdom
Acts 12:24 - 13:5; Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; John 12:44-50
Link to Readings
Paul and Barnabas must be feeling comfortable in serving the believers in Antioch the church they started. After they collected aid from Antioch and delivered it to Jerusalem and having come back with Mark, they must have had more plans about what to do in Antioch. It was at that time the Holy Spirit called them, most probably through a word of knowledge, and asked to leave the place and go to several other places to spread the Good News.
We cannot be comfortable when we serve the Lord. We have to give up our comfort zones and be ready to obey Him whenever He calls us. That is the cross to be carried by the servers and that is the martyrdom - letting our comfort die and obeying the will of God.
In the same manner it is not easy to introduce God to the people who has a different idea of Him. When the word they hear does not align with their idea, they try to find fault with every word you speak in the name of God. That was what happened to Jesus and also his disciples. When Jesus said “I will send you as the Father sent me” that is a call to a selfless life, a call to the cross.
Link to Readings
Paul and Barnabas must be feeling comfortable in serving the believers in Antioch the church they started. After they collected aid from Antioch and delivered it to Jerusalem and having come back with Mark, they must have had more plans about what to do in Antioch. It was at that time the Holy Spirit called them, most probably through a word of knowledge, and asked to leave the place and go to several other places to spread the Good News.
We cannot be comfortable when we serve the Lord. We have to give up our comfort zones and be ready to obey Him whenever He calls us. That is the cross to be carried by the servers and that is the martyrdom - letting our comfort die and obeying the will of God.
In the same manner it is not easy to introduce God to the people who has a different idea of Him. When the word they hear does not align with their idea, they try to find fault with every word you speak in the name of God. That was what happened to Jesus and also his disciples. When Jesus said “I will send you as the Father sent me” that is a call to a selfless life, a call to the cross.