Daily Meditation - Saturday 5April 2008 EASTER SEASON - ALWAYS EXPECT AND HOPE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

[BarbaraTherese]

Readings
usccb.org/nab/040508.shtml

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=4&day=05&year=2008&x=8&y=4

What an amazing time it must have been to be a Christian! Luke tells us here that the number of disciples was increasing “greatly” (Acts 6:7). How many converts that translates to is anyone’s guess, but knowing that Peter brought three thousand to the Lord in one day, we might suppose that he was just being modest here (2:41)! Then Luke adds what we might call a throwaway line about some of those converts***: “Even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith” (6:7).***

It might seem like a small detail, but it’s not. While Jesus was alive, the Jewish priesthood had largely rejected him. Many of the chief priests were his bitter opponents, and some had connived with the scribes and Pharisees to have Jesus crucified. Even those in the lower divisions of the priesthood, who were more likely to be sympathetic to Jesus, would have had to go through a radical turnaround in their thinking to accept him.

Like all devout Jews, they were looking for a warrior-king to be their Messiah, not a poor, crucified carpenter’s son!

This one little line from Acts assures us that

we can expect the unexpected.

If the Holy Spirit could touch a Jew so completely steeped in tradition, he can touch anyone.

Conversions do happen, even to those we might consider the “least likely” people. The friends and family members we have been praying for years about may be just a heartbeat away from accepting the Lord. They may be just waiting for an invitation or a witness from us to bring them to a decision of faith.

So never give up! And never give up on yourself, either. If you are feeling stuck in some way on your journey with the Lord, don’t think of it as permanent. You’re not in heaven yet, so your story isn’t over. Instead, keep striving for holiness.

No matter what habit or hang-up is keeping you from growing, the Holy Spirit can help you break out of it. All you have to do is

persist in faith and keep asking for his grace

. He will not let you down, so keep on ***praying, trusting, and believing! ***

“Holy Spirit, touch the hearts of those

who still don’t know Jesus as their Messiah.
Break down the strongholds in their hearts and minds,
so they too can experience the joy of salvation!”

 

[johnbilancia]

Hi Barbara , thank you for such a beautiful meditation that you posted for this morning . It TOUCHED ME TO READ IT . I know that every word is true and I believe it wholeheartedlly. Praise the Lord ! Lord bring all people to conversion , even the hardest and coldest of hearts , because with you Dear Lord all things are possible . Lord open the hearts of all the people and let them open their eyes and see you dear Lord ! Let them all come to be Catholics with a loving heart for you and all their brothers and sisters in Christ , thank you my Lord, in the name of Jesus, amen . Barbara thank you this wonderful prayerful meditation . God Bless you Barbara , John

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Hi Barbara , thank you for such a beautiful meditation that you posted for this morning . It TOUCHED ME TO READ IT . I know that every word is true and I believe it wholeheartedlly. Praise the Lord ! Lord bring all people to conversion , even the hardest and coldest of hearts , because with you Dear Lord all things are possible . Lord open the hearts of all the people and let them open their eyes and see you dear Lord ! Let them all come to be Catholics with a loving heart for you and all their brothers and sisters in Christ , thank you my Lord, in the name of Jesus, amen . Barbara thank you this wonderful prayerful meditation . God Bless you Barbara , John

…Amen!..and may God bless you also, John, and thank you for the (name removed by moderator)ut…Barb

 

[johnbilancia]

Thanks Barbara for posting these prayerful meditations . They are beautiful and insightful . God Bless you and I want you to know that you are greatly appreciated . , your brother in Christ, John