The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me. JN 10:27
ACTS 11:19-26 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
We are so blessed to be called Christians and to be numbered among those who belong to Your Church which is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. After the martyrdom of Stephen the disciples, in order to escape persecution went to other surrounding places carrying the Good News of salvation with them. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they preached the Gospel to the people who lived there and many believed and were baptized.
It is such a tragedy that so many Catholic immigrants instead of carrying their faith with them and living it boldly choose rather to embrace the sinful culture of their new, adopted country. If they had the conviction and zeal of the disciples who fled Jerusalem they too would have impacted the sinful culture rather than the other way around.
When the Church in Jerusalem heard about the spread of Christianity in these countries they sent Barnabas to see for himself the work of the Lord and the Holy Spirit - again we learn that we must always stay within the embrace of Holy Mother Church if we are to remain true to Apostolic teaching.
You, O Lord, our God, never abandon those who are committed to doing Your work. Barnabas came looking for the newly converted Paul, they lived together and helped one another to teach, preach, and instruct the large number of people in the church they established.
You helped them O Lord, and a great number believed and were converted. We can do nothing without Your help.
JOHN 10:22-30 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
The tragedy of our age and every age is that we refuse to believe even though there is no denying the truth as well as the historical facts that God did indeed send His Son into the world, in order to save it. Tens of thousands of martyrs have died rather than deny this irrefutable Truth. Despite their witness and their testimony people prefer to cling to their own version of the truth, their own versions of the gods they worship, their own carnal wisdom, and the carnal wisdom of the culture.
Just like the Jews who gathered around You and asked,
‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ And despite Your response that reverberates through the ages and will do so until You return,
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.’
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.’
What a tragedy it is to be told that we do not belong to Your fold.
Grant Beloved, that I and all those I love and many, many more who hear the Gospel preached to them listen to Your voice, know You, follow You, and receive eternal life. Grant, O Beloved Bridegroom of my soul that no one ever steals me or my loved ones from You. Keep us safe in Your love until the end. Amen.
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