In the Washington, DC area where I live I often pass people begging on the street corners. They have signs that say "unemployed" or "veteran" and then the sign usually has "God bless you." The social service agencies in this area tell us we should not give to the people on the street. Agencies would rather get them into the social service system so that they can help them more long term. Knowing that doesn't make it any easier to pass by the "street people" especially when it is obvious that they have some physical disability. In Acts 3:1 - 4:13 we have the story of what happened when Peter and John decided not to pass by a crippled beggar. What did they do? "Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, 'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them." No doubt Peter and John had passed by this man many times on their way into the temple to pray. But this time they stopped to actually look at him and for him to actually look them in the eye. Then Peter proclaimed the word of healing to the man by saying, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Peter gave him something much more precious than the money he was hoping to receive. Peter gave him a new life. And then Peter touched him. "Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." For reflection: Who do I pass by and not notice? Can I look them in the eye? How can I share God's love with them? Can I touch them? People are waiting for us to notice them, to touch their lives with healing. Let us pray. Lord of Abundance, Lord of Healing, you have given me so much, help me to share your good news, your healing, your touch.
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We've completed looking at the Resurrection and post-Resurrection accounts, the Ascension and Pentecost. It's also a new month and I like to move on to a new topic. However, we are going to stay with the Acts of the Apostles for a bit to experience life with the early church. At the end of chapter 2 we find this one paragraph which summarizes the day-to-day life of the disciples after Pentecost. If not for this paragraph we wouldn't know what "normal" life was like, because from here on Luke tells the stories of Peter and then Paul as they preached and suffered for the Gospel. Verse 42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Teaching/learning, fellowship, communion and prayer marked their days. These are obviously the things they saw as immediately important. They continued to do what Jesus had done with them. He taught; he fellowshipped; he broke bread and he prayed. The things they had thought mundane when Jesus was alive, they now realized were essential. After Jesus had risen, they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. How many times had he done that with them before he died? After Jesus had risen, he explained to them again the Scriptures and how the promises and the covenant applied to him and to them. Flowing from the understanding of the Scriptures and what God had done came prayer. He spent time with them in their everyday lives in prayer and in showing them how to live in good times and in bad, in acceptance and rejection. And so they began to do as Jesus had done. For reflection: How much of my time do I devote to the teachings of God, to fellowshipping with other believers, to communion and to prayer? How important are those things in my life? Do I need to make adjustments? Let us pray. Jesus, you did so much for me. I do so little for you. Help me to arrange my schedule so that there is a good balance of time for your teaching, fellowshipping, communion and prayer. |
AliceI started this website and blog on May 1, 2012. I am a Catholic who has been in ministry for many years. I first developed what I would call a close relationship with Jesus in the early 1970s. Ever since then I have been praying with people for healing and other needs. It is because I have seen so many of these prayers answered that I am so bold as to offer to pray for you individually through this website and phone line. Archives
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